Wandering Eyes

Talented mare Niance landed some valuable black-type for connections when prevailing in the Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The former Kiwi has won four of her five starts since crossing the Tasman to join the stable of Cranbourne trainer Grahame Begg. Despite having not been seen on raceday since May, Niance was sent out a $3.20 favourite. Given a tactically brilliant ride by Jordan Childs, the jockey took his opportunity to pocket key rival Isthmus, who eventually finished fourth. Sporting the Ace Bloodstock silks, Niance raced handy to the speed and defeated Karaka graduate Pondalowie, with another former Kiwi, Expressiveness, finishing third. “She’s got good ability and a good record, it looked the right race for her,” Begg said. “We identified this race some months ago and 1100m around here, it’s just a nice starting point for her and Jordan rode her perfectly and put her in a great position. “It’s a great result for Ace Bloodstock, who purchased her out of New Zealand and Gerry Harvey is still in the ownership. So, she’s got a good little record and I’m sure she can only build on this.” A daughter of Swiss Ace, Niance began her career in the care of Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, for whom she was a winner and a placegetter from four starts in New Zealand. Begg took his time with the mare when she first crossed the Tasman, with 12 months between her final run in New Zealand and her Australian debut victory at Pakenham in February this year. “We were only learning about her as to what she likes and what she doesn’t like,” Begg said. “So, we feel that she’ s best when she’s a bit fresh, and the races are a bit spaced. I’m sure she’s going to get to a good level.” The Gr.3 How Now Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on November 16 now shapes as the next target for the lightly-tried five-year-old. Niance was bred by Gerry Harvey and is out of the Red Giant mare Cosmetic. Second dam Renovated is a half-sister to the Australian Group winners Alma’s Fury and Enforced. View the full article

Kiwi-bred mare Lekvarte (NZ) (Reliable Man) collected the third Group Three win of her career with another barnstorming come-from-behind performance in Saturday’s A$250,000 James Squire Angst Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. Previously the winner of the Gr.3 Belle of the Turf Stakes (1600m) and Gr.3 Aspiration Quality (1600m), the Joe Pride-trained Lekvarte has now earned A$923,330 from a 31-start career that has produced nine wins and five placings. The six-year-old resumed with a strong-finishing fourth in the Gr.2 Golden Pendant (1400m) on September 28, and the extra 200m of Saturday’s Angst Stakes was right up her alley. Lekvarte had drawn the extreme outside gate in a field of 14, and jockey Josh Parr took her back to settle at the tail of the field. Parr picked a path through the pack in the straight and Lekvarte took care of the rest, producing an explosive turn of foot and storming home to edge out Quickster by a neck. “She’s electric, isn’t she, when she can get clear air like that,” Parr said. “She really let rip after being held up slightly, so it was beautiful today. “I sort of planned to have three, maybe four behind me in the run, but it didn’t work out. But she was there for me at the finish. “I was really keen, with how she went first-up, in the progression she made, just seeing her here in the yard. But she’s had a really strong blow there today, so she’s still on the improve.” Pride is now keen to give Lekvarte a shot at the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 2. “She’s a lovely mare and always has been,” he said. “It has taken her a little while to get to stakes grade, but as an older mare, the way she’s racing now, you’d love to think there’s another season in her. “She’s a really easy horse to deal with, quite aggressive but she’s a dream to train and she loves this Randwick mile. “There’s a fair few things to consider now – probably a trip to Melbourne. It’s only a couple of weeks away from the Group One for the mares, and I’d probably like to give her a go at that, to be fair. Whether or not she’s quite at that level, I’m not sure, but it’s a good chance she’ll be there. I think Flemington, being similar in a way to Randwick, would suit her. “But I’m very happy with that win today. She has gone terrific.” By Westbury Stud stallion Reliable Man, Lekvarte is out of the black-type Encosta de Lago mare Plumm, who was runner-up in the Gr.3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) for Grahame Begg. The talented grey was sold as a yearling through the Westbury Stud Book 1 draft at Karaka in 2020, knocked down to BK Racing & Breeding in conjunction with Andrew Williams Bloodstock for $210,000. View the full article

A determined victory in Saturday’s New World Otaki Handicap (1600m) took under-rated mare Sumi (NZ) (Atlante) past $200,000 in prize-money. Trainer and part-owner Allan Sharrock sent Sumi to Otaki as something of an afterthought, seeking to avoid a clash with stablemates Ladies Man and Islington Lass in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham next Sunday. But that change of plans delivered a perfect result, with Sumi surging home from second-last to record the seventh win of her 34-start career. Sumi and apprentice jockey Lily Sutherland settled more than half a dozen lengths off the pace through the early stages of Saturday’s race, as Tobias and Australian raider Rolls raced side by side down the Otaki back straight. The field bunched up coming down the side of the track, and then Sumi, The Underbelly and Orlov all swooped past the leading pair soon after straightening for home. Those three had the race to themselves through the final 200m, and it was Sumi who found the most and pulled away to beat Orlov by three-quarters of a length. The Underbelly finished the same margin away in third. Sumi’s career has been a source of pride for Sharrock, who paid just $4,500 to buy the daughter of Atlante as a yearling at Karaka in 2019. She has now earned almost 50 times that amount. “She did a very good job to win that race today,” the New Plymouth trainer said. “She’s a very genuine mare and that takes her past $200,000 in stakes. “I was tempted to breed from her this season, because she’s already got a couple of black-type placings to her name and I didn’t think she had much more to prove. But the other owners were keen to have a bit more of a go with her on the racetrack first. She’s delivered a good win for us today and can definitely pocket a bit more cash through the rest of this season. She’s not a bad pony, that’s for sure.” Sumi has twice finished third at stakes level, chasing home Wessex in last year’s Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) and then Islington Lass in the Listed Rangitikei Cup (1600m) in May of this year. Sharrock is comfortable with his decision to sidestep next weekend’s Thompson Handicap with the seven-year-old. “The main reason for running her today was that I didn’t want to run her against the two stablemates in the Thompson next week,” he said. “She’s been competitive against Islington Lass previously, but I think she’d probably have her work cut out against Ladies Man. You can’t win one race with three horses, so it made sense to split them up. It’s worked out well today with a good win. “We’ll keep picking out suitable races for her up until around Christmas, then probably back off her for a while and think about the autumn. She’ll definitely go to a stallion next spring.” – View the full article

Aeliana stepped straight from midweek racing to the big stage on Everest Day on Saturday, scoring a brilliant win in the A$250,000 Gr.3 Bisley Workwear Reginald Allen Quality (1400m) at Randwick. The New Zealand-bred filly made her debut with a fourth at Hawkesbury on August 1, then cleared maiden ranks with a stylish performance on the Kensington track on August 14. In her only other start, Aeliana ran sixth at Warwick Farm on September 4. Saturday’s three-year-old fillies’ feature came six weeks after that most recent appearance and was a significantly sterner test for the Chris Waller-trained Aeliana, but she rose to the occasion in smart style. Ridden by James McDonald, Aeliana settled in seventh along the rail before beginning to warm into her work after rounding the home turn. McDonald drove her through a gap just off the rail halfway down the Randwick straight, and Aeliana burst through along the inside of the leaders. She got her head in front inside the final 50m and scored by a half-neck. “It was a pretty competitive race and she came into it fresh,” McDonald said. “She’ll improve off that and she did a really good job today. She’s only had a few starts, so it’s all ahead of her.” Aeliana has now had four starts for two wins and A$184,250 in stakes for a Star Thoroughbreds ownership group. Star Thoroughbreds bought her for $180,000 from Rich Hill Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2023. “She’s started her innings, that’s for sure,” Waller said. “Black type, and I don’t think it will be her last one. “We’ve liked her right from her first win here on the Kensington track, which was pretty special. We backed off her after that to try and have her ready for a race like this, so we thought enough of it to bring her here today. We booked James McDonald to ride, which is another pointer of what we think of her.” Aeliana was bred by Nearco Stud and Rich Hill Thoroughbreds and is by Arrowfield Stud stallion Castelvecchio out of the Star Witness mare Temolie. Aeliana is the first foal to race out of Temolie, who was herself a placegetter on the racetrack and is a half-sister to Group One winner Invincibella, Group Three winner Secret Blaze and Listed winner Extreme Flight. Rich Hill Stud bought Temolie for A$200,000 from the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast, when she was carrying Aeliana. Temolie has been served by Rich Hill’s resident superstar sire Proisir every spring since then, producing filly foals in 2022 and 2023. A yearling half-sister to Aeliana was bought by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and TFI for $250,000 at Karaka earlier this year. View the full article

Te Akau Racing had more than one reason to celebrate after winning Saturday’s Cavallo Farms Chris Rutten Bloodstock 2YO (800m) at Otaki with Cool Aza Rene. The filly’s debut victory was a memorable moment in its own right and stamped her as one to watch in upcoming juvenile features over the summer months. But just as significantly, Cool Aza Rene became the first winner for Cool Aza Beel. That son of Savabeel was a $150,000 yearling purchase at Karaka 2019 by Te Akau principal David Ellis, and he went on to a stellar career in those same tangerine Te Akau colours. He won four of his six starts including the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) and the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m), and he was New Zealand’s champion two-year-old of 2019-20. Cool Aza Beel retired to stud at Newhaven Park in New South Wales, where he stands for a service fee of A$16,500. His oldest progeny are two-year-olds this season, and Cool Aza Rene was just his third raceday runner. The Newhaven-bred Cool Aza Rene was bought by Ellis for A$55,000 from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale at the beginning of this year, and she was a $2.30 favourite for Saturday’s debut after winning her only trial on September 17. She produced a performance to match that billing at Otaki, sitting outside the early leader Abbakiss before taking command in the straight. Under a hands-and-heels ride from Craig Grylls, she swept to victory by a length and a quarter over Sierra Leone and Abbakiss. “It is fantastic for us to have bought and trained the first winner for Cool Aza Beel,” Ellis said. “It’s also a big thrill that she’s out of a mare by Xtravagant. He’s another horse we bought at Karaka, and he won the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) and now stands alongside Cool Aza Beel at Newhaven Park Stud. “Cool Aza Rene was bred by Newhaven Park’s Kelly family, whose 15,000-acre property in south-west New South Wales is just magnificent and beautifully farmed, and they’ve bred some great horses there. “All three of the first-crop two-year-olds by Cool Aza Beel that we’ve got in the stable are showing potential, and I was very impressed by how well this filly raced on debut. “We bought Cool Aza Beel at Karaka, off the Fell family at Fairdale Stud. After winning the first two-year-old race at Wanganui, he went on to win the Karaka Million 2YO and the Sistema Stakes, and he was champion two-year-old. To see him go on to stand in Australia, then be able to buy his first winning progeny really is a great result. “She had to do a bit, too, because they kicked up on her inside and I thought it was a really good run to win.” Premiership-leading trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson will now look at taking Cool Aza Rene to Christchurch to contest a $65,000 two-year-old race on the middle day of the New Zealand Cup Carnival at Riccarton on November 13. “We’re a great believer in the benefits of travelling young horses, because it seems to be the making of them long-term,” Walker said. “It was a really good win today, and it’s always exciting to see the progeny of one of our former stable stars winning for the first time. “She was certainly another good-value purchase by Dave (Ellis) from Book 2 of the Magic Millions Sale. He bought the filly from a great nursery, Newhaven Park Stud, where Cool Aza Beel stands. They’re incredible breeders that have been excited by the progeny of the sire, and they’ve been breeding Group One winners for decades. “They are certainly one of the best stud farms in Australia, and it’s exciting for the Kelly family to have the first winner on the board by Cool Aza Beel. “She’s a very professional and well educated filly, and I really like the patience she showed. She was required to stand in the barriers for a long time. It just showed how well she’d been broken-in and handled by the team at Te Akau Stud, plus all of our good track riders that we’ve got established at Matamata.” View the full article

The Kosciuszko winner, Far Too Easy. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au After running third in The Kosciuszko (1200m) 12 months ago, the David McColm-trained Far Too Easy ($4.80) has claimed the $2 million feature at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The well-supported favourite Front Page ($2.50) was on the brink of a hat-trick of wins in the country showcase, with James McDonald bowling along on speed to put two lengths on his rivals turning for home. It turned out to be an ideal tactic for Craig Williams aboard Far Too Easy, gaining the back of Front Page every step of the way before peeling off his back with 300m left to travel. Nothing was making inroads on the top two in the market, with Far Too Easy getting his redemption after a luckless run in the 2023 edition, storming over the top to score by 2.2 lengths. Tanglewood ($18.00) and Boom Torque ($8.00) were there to fight out the minor money, but it was all about the winner as Far Too Easy produced a career highlight for trainer David McColm, as he spoke to the achievement and what it means post-race. 2024 The Kosciuszko Replay – Far Too Easy “My dream has come true and not just for us, for this horse, he’s been such a special animal to all of us and he deserves his name in the Kosciuszko record books,” said an emotional McColm. “We’ve been through a lot with this horse, he’s had his ups and downs. This year he got very ill and I never ever thought we’d be back for another Kosciuszko tilt. “But he’s come through the day and he’s just, he’s done what he does and that is he tries. “My vet put in many, many hours; midnight he would turn up. So the whole ordeal was, you know, it was, it was terrible to be a part of at that time, but he’s such a fighter. “All credit to Craig (Williams); he jumped on a plane, he flew up from Melbourne, you know, a lot of jockeys don’t do that. “He took the initiative, he wanted to be a part of it and he wanted to see what he was like in the barriers and it paid dividends today.” Craig Williams was delighted with the performance and credited everyone involved in getting Far Too Easy back on track. “David (McColm) gave me the confidence,” said Williams. “I rode the horse the other day and I just said to David, ‘This horse is flying.” “I rang him afterwards to make sure the horse is going well. He’s really happy with the weather they have there. I know he’s even adopted his plans because I had Michael Cahill as a backup to help me out one morning. “I can only ride the product that I have. But I was that confident in the horse and well done to David and his team. That horse is such a nice horse, and it’s great to win such a big race on such a big race day around Australia. “That second horse is a really good horse. So it’s no mean feat. “He made us half-a-kilo better than beating us last year. But today our horse was just in the right shape. He just delivered, and he made my job very easy. So thanks to the people behind the horse for doing a fantastic job.” Horse racing news
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Too Darn Lizzie ridden by Tim Clark wins the Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Too Darn Lizzie ($7.50) has shown her rivals a clean pair of heels over the 1400m in the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude, leading from barrier to box at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, which gave Tim Clark, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott their first success in the race. As the key speed influence, the daughter of Too Darn Hot flew out of the barriers and found the lead with ease for Clark, while Geegees Mistruth ($3) settled behind her, at least two lengths away for most of the journey. Clark clicked the leader up at the 500m mark, and the sprint went on, with most of her rivals coming off the bit back in the field. Turning for home, Too Darn Lizzie was still going as strong as ever, and she continued to pull away from the likes of Zeitung ($5.50) and Geegees Mistruth, who fought out the placings, but it was all honours to the winner as she claimed a two-length victory. 2024 Thousand Guineas Prelude replay – Too Darn Lizzie Gai Waterhouse represented the winning stable in the post-race interview. “Two darn fast, exactly. Of course she’s by this amazing sire, Two Darn Hot, that’s doing it both in north and south,” Waterhouse said. “And of course it was bought by Simon Marsh and Johnny McKee before, Andrew Lloyd Webber and his wife Madeline. “It’s so wonderful that they’re supporting Australian racing. I’m just thrilled. “She’s just settled down more, as the longer she’s been in Melbourne. “We brought her here on Tuesday, and I just love the way she finished off her work. I didn’t put a jockey on her, I just put the work rider on, who just gets on with her. “She did everything right. I love it when they tick all the boxes going into a big race. “Oh, absolutely (going to the Thousand Guineas). That’s what we’re here for. “I think she’s training very well. I think we could easily run over the Flemington carnival.” Tim Clark brought up his first win on Caulfield Cup Day, and he was very happy speaking post-race. “I just felt that a couple of her main dangers might have been, you know, a couple of them were up from 1200 to 1400 and could have been a bit of a query at 7 (furlongs),” Clark said. “So I made sure it was a true enough gallop and I knew that this filly had a good grounding, the team down here had done a really good job with her and she galloped strongly through the line. “She’s a filly that’s just continued to improve and as I said, they were really happy with how she’d come through her last run. “She had a jump between, she’s just been thriving so pretty confident she’d handle a bit of sting out of the ground so it was a good recipe and yeah she’s done a great job.” Too Darn Lizzie is an $11 chance with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas futures markets. Horse racing news
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Angst Stakes winner, Lekvarte. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au The Joseph Pride-trained Lekvarte ($9.00) has produced a withering burst to claim the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, defying a savage drift with online racing betting sites. The daughter of Reliable Man was second-up after a strong performance in the Group 2 Golden Pendant (1400m) on September 28, but was unwanted in betting, opening as short as $4.80 post-barrier draw before drifting to $9.00 at the jump. Joshua Parr produced a confident steer aboard the six-year-old mare, dragging back towards the rear of the field in the early stages from barrier 14, giving her a chance to go through her gears and get the last crack at her rivals. Zac Lloyd aboard Unique Ambition ($12.00) was set alight turning for home, with the last-start winner giving a bold sight in the final 400m, while Quickster ($8.00) looked to be travelling best when getting clear under Jamie Kah. Lekvarte and well-supported favourite Hinged ($3.60) both made their runs down the centre of the course, but with Lekvarte going two to their one in the concluding stages, there was only one horse you wanted to be on as the ever-consistent mare stormed away with the prize. 2024 Angst Stakes replay – Lekvarte Pride was on course to discuss the victory and didn’t rule out a trip to Melbourne for the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). “She’s a lovely mare and always has been,” said Pride. “It has taken her a little while to get to Stakes grade but as an older mare the way she’s racing now you’d love to think there’s another season in her. “She’s a really easy horse to deal with, quite aggressive but she’s a dream to train and she loves this Randwick mile. “There’s a fair few things to consider. Probably a trip to Melbourne, it’s only a couple of weeks away from the Group 1 for the mares and I’d probably like to give her a go at that, to be fair. “Whether or not she’s quite at that level, I’m not sure, but there’s a lot of other races that some of these horses are going to, there’s a bit to consider but it’s a good chance she’ll be at Flemington (for the Empire Rose Stakes).” Joshua Parr was elated with the win and gave a good account of his talented mare. “She’ s electric, isn’t she, when she can get clear air like that,” said Parr. “Held up slightly and really let rip, so it was beautiful today. “Obviously we didn’t have any speed earlier. I sort of planned to have three, maybe four behind me in the run, but it didn’t work out. “But she was there for me at the finish, and as Timmy Clark and I say, find a way. “I was really keen with how she went first-up in the progression she made, just seeing her here in the yard. But she’s had a really strong blow there today, so she’s still on the improve.” Lekvarte is now a $15.00 chance in futures markets with horse racing bookmakers for the 2024 Empire Rose on November 2. Horse racing news
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Too Darn Discreet ridden by Michael Dee wins the Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Too Darn Discreet ($3.80) has claimed back-to-back Group races following her tough win in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, which has come subsequent to her win in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington. The Dan O’Sullivan-trained filly has continued her upward spiral this preparation, with a shot at the VRC Oaks set to be her next target at Flemington on November 7. Jumping as the drifting market elect, the daughter of Too Darn Hot settled behind the leaders, Killcare Beachgirl ($4.20) and My Phar Lady ($71), before pulling out three-wide at the 500m mark to make her run. Although Michael Dee gave his filly a tough task, having to sustain a wide run around the home turn, she gave a strong kick and held a margin all the way to the line over Jenni’s Meadow ($9.50) on her outside and Femminile ($7) to the inside to claim a tough win. 2024 Ethereal Stakes replay – Too Darn Discreet Dan O’Sullivan was very happy with the victory, and he spoke post-race. “A good tough win. She travels into the race like she’s going to put them away, and then she wants to lug in and do a few things wrong. So there should be more to offer,” O’Sullivan said. “I’ll speak to Michael about it (gear change). “I think it’s going to be pretty handy, he’s just ridden the other 2000-metre three-year-old winner too so whether she wants a one-eye blinker on or just a little change in a bit or something like that but I’ll have a chat to Michael. “She’s terribly well-bred. She always had a fair bit of attitude. “But whenever we asked her to do a bit of track work, she’s always gone up with it. “Certainly considering the Oaks, especially the way she is, as tough as what she is, the Wakeful has proved over the years to be the form race that you need to run in to get to the Oaks. “So this run will probably take a bit out of her, so we’ll see how she recovers. “We’ll enjoy the moment today first, and think about what we’ll do going ahead.” Michael Dee brought a race-to-race double at Caulfield with the Ethereal Stakes win. “I think there definitely was a lot left,” Dee said. “Unfortunately, we were left in front a long way from home, and she was going extremely good coming around the corner, and then I don’t know, she just really wanted to get to the rail and I definitely don’t want to be on the rail. “I think when I persuaded her to keep going, she was tough. She can run out of strong race and keep going, albeit doing a few things wrong. “I don’t see why not. She probably definitely wants the extra distance but she’s still doing a couple of things wrong, she can travel quite keenly. “I think if the Oaks was run at a good genuine tempo, she’ll relax and she’s definitely got the stamina to keep going.” Too Darn Discreet is now a $5 second favourite with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 VRC Oaks futures markets. Horse racing news
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Reginald Allen Quality winner, Aeliana. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Chris Waller & James McDonald have combined early on Everest Day, with Aeliana ($9.00) swamping her rivals to claim the Group 3 Reginald Allen Quality (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The race was set up for the back markers to come into play, with Jellicious ($9.00) and well-supported favourite Dominetta ($3.30) fighting for the lead, with Tommy Berry attempting to dictate terms in the early stages for the Ciaron Maher-trained filly. Adam Hyeronimus was happy to cruise to her outside, ensuring a genuine tempo, leaving the likes of Motoscafo (151.00) and Titanium Miss ($26.00) to gain economical runs in transit. The eventual winner was a pair further back and appeared to need luck in the concluding stages, while stable companion Good Sort ($23.00) produced a barnstorming under Zac Lloyd to filly out the minor money. It was all about the winner in the end, however, with James McDonald weaving a passage aboard the daughter of Castelvecchio, stamping herself as a contender for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) later in the spring. 2024 Group 3 Reginald Allen Quality Replay – Aeliana Chris Waller spoke about the victory post-race before suggesting there’s more to come from the lightly raced three-year-old. “She’s started her innings, that’s for sure,” said Waller. “A type and I don’t think it’ll be her last one. “Right from her first win here on the Kensington track, it was pretty special. We backed off her after that to try and have her ready for a race like this so we thought enough of it to bring her today. “We booked James McDonald to ride which is a pointer of what we think of her.” James McDonald was brief in his post-race assessment, suggest the filly has plenty of upside. “Pretty competitive race and she’s a filly first-up,” said McDonald. “She’ll improve off that and she did a really good job today. “She’s only had a few starts so it is all ahead of her.” Aeliana is currently on the fourth line of betting at $11.00 with horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas on November 16. Horse racing news
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Kingofwallstreet ridden by Michael Dee wins the Caulfield Classic at Caulfield Racecourse on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Matt Cumani and Michael Dee have combined with Kingofwallstreet ($7) to take out the Group 3 Caulfield Classic by a narrow margin over the fast-finishing China Sea ($7) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon. Even though the son of Dundeel entered the race as the only maiden, the three-year-old colt showed a strong will to win in the concluding stages, sustaining a long run out wide to claim his first victory at start number three. West Indies ($19) and race favourite Keeneland ($1.90) settled at the front of the field and ran the race along at a sedate tempo before upping the ante at the 600m mark, which left Dee with no option but to start to make a run three-wide. As the field entered the home straight, Keeneland and Kingofwallstreet appeared to be the only two winning chances; however, Luke Currie pushed China Sea through a gap on the inside to challenge the leading duo in the final 150m. Kingofwallstreet and China Sea went head and head to the finish line, but it was the former who would get his head down on the line and stamp a VRC Derby claim ahead of the 2500m classic on November 2. 2024 Caulfield Classic replay – Kingofwallstreet Matt Cumani was on course to speak about the victory. “As soon as we were going there was a kind of crawl all the way around and I was very worried about it,” Cumani said. “We thought that might happen, it happened last year as well and we wanted to try and be a bit closer this year but Mick Dee rode him beautifully and great to get the win. “I just thought the angle was a bit tricky but he’s a tough little horse and it’s great to see him do well. “I think he’ll relish the trip (of the VRC Derby) and I think over that distance he will be a bit more versatile. “It was a good test today to see that he can break well and put himself in a decent spot. “It was good to see him on some soft ground. I don’t think we’ll get that on Derby Day, but we could, and at least now we know he’s versatile.” Michael Dee claimed his first victory on Caulfield Cup Day, and he spoke post-race. “Yeah, it (the pace) was very slow. I popped out quite early down the side just to try and build into it and then the two leaders really quickened up and almost left us flat-footed,” Dee said. “So I was lucky that we were in a position that we could really find our top and it was a good effort because I think the second horse actually was in front of us and credit to this horse, he really stuck his head out and he tried hard, so onwards to the Derby, I’m guessing. “Well, I always felt confident. “I was confident that he was really going to pick up, but it was just a matter of getting it out of him and not sure he really had the confidence to go past those other two and put them away. “I felt like there was a little bit left in the tank and it was a ding-dong to the line, but I felt like he was doing his best work that last 50 metres. So it’s good signs going forward.” Kingofwallstreet is now an $11 chance with horse racing bookmakers in the Group 1 VRC Derby futures markets. Horse racing news
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St Leger Stakes winner, Athabascan. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au The John O’Shea & Tom Charlton-trained Athabascan ($6.50) has returned to form, claiming the Group 3 St Leger Stakes (2600m) to kick off the Everest Day program at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The son of Almanzor was coming through the Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) a fortnight ago, with the five-year-old gelding relishing the step up in trip and Soft 5 conditions on offer. Tommy Berry was able to place Athabascan in the perfect stalking position throughout the journey, cuddled up behind a decent tempo courtesy of the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Military Mission ($12.00), sent to the top by Adam Hyeronimus in the early stages. New Zealand raider Trust In You ($8.50) got the rails run turning for home, while the Ciaron Maher-trained Wyclif ($10.00) cut the corner in the final 400m to get the last crack at Athabascan who was sent to the front in the early part of the straight. Race favourites Alegron ($4.00) and Etna Rosso ($4.80) were nowhere to be seen in the finish, with the latter getting chopped out turning for home. Waltham ($6.50) was attempting to sustain a long run from the rear of the field, but it was all in vain as Athabascan and Wyclif sat down to fight out the finish, with the former narrowly getting the verdict to claim the 2024 St Leger Stakes. 2024 St Leger Stakes replay – Athabascan Co-trainer John O’Shea was on course to breakdown the win before declaring the first Tuesday of November would be where punters see Athabascan next. “It was a great run,” said O’Shea. “We’ve been so happy with him, we haven’t been disappointed with him, but he just hasn’t had circumstances to suit. Today he got them and he got the job done. “That’s been on our agenda all season (Melbourne Cup), we just needed a positive run today to get him back in the game. I think he drops five or six kilos into the Cup and he’ll run a very good race because he’s a good two-miler. “We’ve been so happy with this horse all season, he just hasn’t had circumstances to suit. He got a good ride today and he showed what he’s capable of. “He drops significantly in weight going into the Cup, that run will top him off. We look forward to the first Tuesday in November.” Tommy Berry was happy with the horses’ work leading into this and delighted with the performance. “I actually gave him his final piece of work leading him to the Metrop,” said Berry. “I said to John, ‘you’ ve got a good chance in this’, but obviously they rode him forward on that day and that is probably not the way to ride him, so we just had him in a position today. “I was mindful to keep Kerrin (Etna Rosso) where he was early, so I didn’t get pushed to the fence, just because I knew I wanted to get on my bike early. “He was incredible in the Sydney Cup and we rode him that way, switched the stick through probably four times just to keep his mind on the job, but off to the Melbourne Cup now.” Athabascan is currently a $34.00 chance with horse racing bookmakers for the 2024 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 5. Horse racing news
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Randwick. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Everest Day 2024 is finally here with a bumper 10-race meeting set down for decision at Randwick Racecourse on Saturday, October 19, 2024. The Group 1 Everest (1200m) and Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) headlines what is a cracking day of racing in Sydney. With plenty of key form races for events during the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the back end of the Sydney spring, catch up on all the race replays, results and dividends provided by top horse racing bookmakers here. Race 1 – Group 3 St Leger Stakes (2600 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 3 Athabascan John O’Shea & Tom Charlton Tommy Berry $6.50 $2.20 2nd 7 Wyclif Ciaron Maher Jason Collett $2.80 3rd 8 Waltham Matthew Smith Blake Shinn $2.20 4th 5 Trust In You Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley Tom Sherry Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 3-7 $38.20 Exacta 3-7 $66.20 Duet 3-7 $10.40 Duet 3-8 $7.90 Duet 7-8 $9.90 Trifecta 3-7-8 $494.80 First Four 3-7-8-5 $3,371.40 Place Your Bets on Upcoming Races With Neds! Race 2 – Big Dance Wild Card (1600 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 3 Ducasse Michael Freedman Zac Lloyd $3.30 $1.55 2nd 10 Vivy Air Ciaron Maher Craig Williams $2.30 3rd 2 Chorlton Lane Ciaron Maher Jason Collett ODDS 4th 8 High Dandy Brad Widdup Tyler Schiller Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 3-10 $12.20 Exacta 3-10 $18.90 Duet 3-10 $5.00 Duet 3-2 $5.10 Duet 10-2 $8.90 Trifecta 3-10-2 $95.90 First Four 3-10-2-8 $498.90 Running Double (1,2) 3-3 $24.30 Place Your Bets on Upcoming Races With PlayUp! Horse racing news View the full article

Today marks arguably the highlight of the spring carnival as Randwick plays host to the $20 million Everest while south of the border, the time-honoured Caulfield Cup will be run and won in Melbourne. View the full article

Caulfield Cup Day 2024. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Caulfield Cup Day 2024 is finally here with a bumper 10-race meeting set down for decision at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday, October 19, 2024. The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) is set to jump at 5:15pm AEDT. With plenty of key form races heading into the Melbourne Cup Carnival, catch up on all the race replays, results and dividends provided by top horse racing bookmakers here. Race 1 – Lamaro’s Hotel Plate (1400 METRES) Race Replay & Results Place No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Fixed Odds (W) Fixed Odds (P) 1st 2 Getafix John O’Shea & Tom Charlton Joao Moreira $4.80 $1.80 2nd 5 Supermina Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Billy Egan $2.90 3rd 11 Taken Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Ethan Brown $3.10 4th 4 Catoggio Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Jye McNeil Exotic Bet Type Results Dividend Quinella 2-5 $20 Exacta 2-5 $32.90 Duet 2-5 $6.90 Duet 2-11 $8.70 Duet 5-11 $13.40 Trifecta 2-5-11 $259.40 First Four 2-5-11-4 $1553.10 Place Your Bets on Upcoming Races With Neds! Horse racing news View the full article

Veteran handler believes Group One placegetter can outperform expectations with the right run from gate 12 in Sunday’s feature.View the full article

Epsom Handicap winner Ceolwulf confirmed his status as the next star of Australian racing after an exciting victory in the King Charles III Stakes at Randwick. View the full article

LNJ Foxwoods' Kentucky homebred Ellen Jay, the first foal out of their dual champion Covfefe, made a name for herself with a first stakes score in the $150,000 Glen Cove Stakes Oct. 18 at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

Another chapter of Thoroughbred racing in Northern California begins Oct. 19. Golden State Racing is proud to announce the upcoming schedule for Thoroughbred racing which will be held at the historic Pleasanton Racetrack with opening day Oct. 19.View the full article

Ciaron Maher import Duke De Sessa broke through for his first Australian win with a sensational performance in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup. View the full article

Who’s been excelling at the trials around the country? Auckland Trotting Club Workouts @ Pukekohe Thursday 10 October Race 5- Dawson (3g Sweet Lou-Speights Girl) Tr- B Purdon & SD Phelan Always shown a heap of potential and resumed in this heat going straight to the front for driver Crystal Hackett. Only a quiet trial up against two other runners but looked strong throughout, running home in a tick over 58 seconds for the last half, and 27.8 for the final quarter. Went on to win his Alexandra Park debut last night. Race 6- Loveable Rogue (5g Sir Lincoln- Running with Fire) Tr-D Erickson Qualified back in June for owner/trainer Daniel Erickson, the son of Sir Lincoln and useful mare Running With Fire, was having his third workout back from a spell. Trailed the eventual winner, Debrief (Steve & Amanda Telfer) throughout, and not asked for the ultimate effort by driver Maurice McKendry in the run home, finishing third. Has always hinted the ability is there, and finished sixth on debut at Alexandra Park last night. Race 8- Nothing But You (2f Captaintreacherous-Bubbled Up) Tr- SJ Reid This heat was run left handed and with Steven Reid soon to relocate to his new Canterbury base, obviously getting the filly used to that way around. Showed gate speed to lead, and was never troubled to hold the other three contestants off. Paced the 2050m in a 2.06 mile rate with the final 800m in 58.2 and the last quarter in 28.4. Sure to be prominent when she makes her debut in the coming weeks. Winton Trials- Friday 11 October Race 3- Hogie (5g He’s Watching- Serene Abbey) Tr- M J Williams Lightly raced 5-year-old (just 3 starts to date, for two seconds). Started his career with Tony Stratford, then had one start for Jeremy Douglas, and now trained by lessee, Michael Williams. Led out for driver Brent Barclay over the 2400m, and won as he liked by 5 lengths, pacing the journey in 3.04.5, the last half in 57.3 and the final quarter in 27.9. Hasn’t raced since June, but is ready for a bold resumption this Sunday (20 October) at Invercargill in Race 3. Chertsey Trotting Club Trials @ Ashburton Monday 14 October Race 3- Sweet Tartan (3f Sweet Lou-Expressive Victor) Tr- T R Barron The lightly raced filly (3 starts) took on some race winners in this Rating 50 trial. Beginning well from the inside draw, she trailed early before ending up three back, when eventual winner Hooroo took over with a lap to run for Jonny Cox. Managed to clear the tiring trail horse just before turning for home, and followed the winner up the straight, finishing untested in third position. Last raced in March, so looks forward for her resumption. The 2400m was run in 3.04.8 (last 800m in 58.3 and final quarter in 27.6). Hooroo was good in winning and the second placed Bettor Fear Me (unraced), hinted she is a filly to follow out of the trial. Race 4- Bettor Fortune (2g Bettor’s Delight-Fortune Lover) Tr- DJ Keast We have highlighted this 2-year-old previously, and he impressed again from the standing 2400m event. First time from behind the tapes, but stepped like a toff and led comfortably, quickening over the last 800m in 57.3 and the 400m in 27.3 to win easily in the hands of John Morrison. Definitely a horse to follow when he next lines up on race day. North Canterbury Trials @ Rangiora- Thursday 17 October Race 1- Countless Questions (3g Imperial Count-Flash Move) Tr- RL Houghton Nice upstanding son of Imperial Count who qualified back in May, but yet to make his debut on race day for Ross Houghton. Began safely of the four runners and remained last until improving just before the home turn for driver Bronson Munro. Stretched out in fine fashion to win well, running the last 800m in 59.6 and the final quarter in 29.4. Looks a young trotter with talent. Race 2- Captain Can Can (2F Captain Crunch- Can Can Bromac) Tr- JD Harrington Two year old filly with Jack Harrington who had only been to one workout prior to todays qualifying heat. Up against a couple of handy horses in Joyride and Blazing Knuckles who have already placed on race day, she sat last of the five runners and was allowed to run home under her own steam to qualify well. They ran their last half off the front in 57.8 and the final quarter in 29.4, so she put in some good work late. Race 3- Hey Bartender (6g Sweet Lou-Lady Antebellum) Tr- CT & Mrs CM Dalgety Having first start from the Dalgety barn after transferring from James Stormont. Began well in the 2000m heat and settled three back on the inside for driver Andrew Drake, before grabbing the one-one behind Tact Teena inside the 700m mark. Only asked for an effort with 150 to run and unwound in good style to finish a close up fourth, behind all the way winner Don’t Tell Jenny. They paced the trip in 2.32.8, with the last half in 57.3 and the final quarter in 28.4. He has always shown ability but went off the boil towards the end of his last campaign, but one to watch when he lines up from his new stable. Race 8- High Step (3f Father Patrick-High Gait) Tr-RJ Butt High class filly who last raced in the Group 2 NZ Sires Stakes Fillies Classique won by Empire City in September. Recent change of stable from Mark and Nathan Purdon, the daughter of Father Patrick began well to trail the eventual winner Edward Longshanks throughout. In a tight finish she was nosed into second with Four Wise Women a neck away in third. Has been the winner of four from 12 career starts to date, so will be an interesting addition to Bob Butt’s stable. Father Time which was selected by Hope Racing for their slot in The Ascent on Show Day following his brilliant last start win, galloped on his own accord with about 400m to run, which would be of some concern for connections. View the full article

1st-BAQ, $95k, OC/N2X, 3yo/up, 7f, 12:10p.m. ET LOCKED (Gun Runner) will make his return to the races here after not being seen since suffering a knee injury which knocked him off the Triple Crown trail this past spring. Racing with first-time Lasix, and made the 4-5 morning line favorite, he's been working steadily over the Saratoga training track with two of his last three moves being bullet efforts. Last year's GI Breeders' Futurity winner and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile third will have John Velazquez in the irons. TJCIS PPs 3rd-KEE, $100k, Msw, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 2:04p.m. ET Fling Ready (More Than Ready), a $350,000 KEESEP acquisition in 2023 from his late sire's final crop, will debut here for NBS Stable and trainer Kelsey Danner. Out of Moonlight Romance (Liason), who earned her black-type via the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Turf Sprint Stakes, his dam is herself out of a half-sister to four other black type runners. Bred by SF Bloodstock, Hollymount Stud, and Harry Field Bloodstock, the colt has been on the work tab religiously up at Turfway Park, and is a 12-1 morning line chance. TJCIS PPs The post Oct. 19 Insights: Locked Makes His Return at the Belmont Big A Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A lawsuit filed by veteran trainer Philip Serpe against Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and the Federal Trade Commission appears to be the first of its kind in an ongoing string of litigation against the horse racing regulators.View the full article

With 102 workers Friday at Santa Anita, a number of prospective Breeders' Cup horses were bound to be on display. Among them was 'TDN Rising Star' and GI Del Mar Futurity winner Prince of Monaco (Speightstown), runner-up in two Grade I events at Saratoga this summer, who worked five furlongs in :59 (2/28). The Bob Baffert trainee is pointing toward the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. It was announced this week that he will stand at Claiborne Farm at the conclusion of his racing career. Another Baffert-conditioned Breeders' Cup contender is Tenma (Nyquist), who worked five panels from the gate in 1:01. The GI Del Mar Debutante winner is targeting the GI Juvenile Fillies. Trainer Tim Yakteen also sent out dual Grade I-placer McKinzie Street (McKinzie) Friday. The 2-year-old colt, who is a contender for the GI Juvenile, went four furlongs in :48.80 seconds. Jeff Mullins worked Artislas (Catalina Cruiser) in advance of an “undecided” start in the GI Juvenile Turf. The GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf winner covered four furlongs in :48.80 seconds. Breeders' Cup pre-entries are due Monday and will be revealed to the public Wednesday. The post Prince of Monaco Among Breeders’ Cup Workers at Santa Anita Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Announcing duties at the inaugural season of Golden State Racing (GSR) in Pleasanton, California will be split between veterans Jason Beem and Bill Downes, with Beem calling the first four weeks and Downes calling the balance of the meet. The Golden State Racing season runs Oct. 19 through Dec. 15. “Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I've watched and enjoyed racing from California since I was a kid,” said Beem, who has been calling since 2006 and is the current announcer for both Tampa Bay Downs and Colonial Downs. “I think it's so exciting what Golden State Racing is setting out to do and I'm very happy to be able to call these first few weeks of races as they start this new journey in Northern California.” In addition to announcing, Downes will also do the morning line for the meet. “I am pleased to be taking the reins from such an enthusiastic caller like Jason,” said Downes, who called the final season at Golden Gate Fields. “Returning to Northern California to be part of this season will be exciting, I look forward to engaging in the special relationship NorCal fans have with racing and watching it grow.” GSR General Manager Larry Swartzlander added, “We are pleased to welcome Jason and Bill to the Golden State Racing team. Jason brings a special flare to kick off of the first GSR meet, and Bill, as the former Golden Gate Fields announcer, brings the support of the Bay Area fan base.” For more GSR information, visit goldenstateracing.com. The post Beem and Downes to Split Calling at Golden State Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article