Wandering Eyes

Stretching out to 1 5/16 miles proved successful for Neecie Marie in the Sept. 7 Ladies Marathon Stakes (G3T) at Kentucky Downs. Now, the 4-year-old filly stretches out further to 1 1/2 miles in the $300,000 Dowager Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland Oct. 20.View the full article

Out of her sire's first crop, Huracan Boricua was bred by Machmer Hall and Kevin and Victoria Duffy. She is owned by ERV Enterprises and trained by Eduardo Falcon.View the full article

An overflow field of 12 race seven furlongs at Keeneland Oct. 19 in the $300,000 Perryville Stakes (G3), led by Book'em Danno and including Kentucky Derby (G1) alums West Saratoga and Epic Ride.View the full article

Emery and My Mane Squeeze—second and third in the Aug. 3 Test (G1) at Saratoga Race Course—headline a field of 10 that will travel seven furlongs at Keeneland Oct. 19 in the $350,000 Raven Run Stakes (G2).View the full article

Due to cases of Equine Infectious Anemia and other equine health issues prevalent in the region, Zia Park, after consultations with state and national equine health officials, has announced new requirements for entry into its barn area.View the full article

When he succumbed to colic in October 2011, aged just 14, there was a poignant sense that Bernstein had never quite lived up to his glamorous billing. He was a celebrity even as an embryo, carried through the Keeneland ring at the 1996 November Sale by a $1.9 million mare-La Affirmed (Affirmed), the second most expensive broodmare auctioned in America that year-as a full sibling to two graded stakes winners by Storm Cat. On his safe delivery, his dam's purchasers at Brushwood Farm sent Bernstein back the following November to defray much of that investment as much the priciest weanling of his crop, at $925,000. (Brushwood would go on to make a terrific bargain of La Affirmed, though rising 14 at the time of her purchase. One of her later Storm Cat yearlings, in fact, would bring $5.5 million on his own.) Bernstein looked worth every cent when blitzing his pursuers in his first two starts for Ballydoyle. But he emptied quickly when stepped up in class and distance on soft ground next time and finished stone last when resurfacing in the G1 2,000 Guineas the following spring. His remaining four starts, spread between five and nine furlongs, suggested him to have become a real puzzle. While he did manage to win a couple of times, it was pretty hard work despite an ease in grade, and he had meanwhile been thoroughly eclipsed at Ballydoyle by another son of Storm Cat in Giant's Causeway. (The latter's dam, incidentally, had been the only broodmare to make more than La Affirmed at an American auction in 1996.) Bernstein was duly sold back to his native state to start a stud career at Buck Pond Farm. But an anti-climactic career on European grass made it tough to compete with other sons of Storm Cat that had made their reputations locally, and his first three Kentucky crops (at a fee between $10,000 and $7,500) aggregated to no more than 109 live foals. Nonetheless his first juveniles included a graded stakes winner, and sufficient glimpses of further promise to earn a transfer for 2005 to Castleton Lyons at a time when that farm had high ambition for its stallion roster. (Malibu Moon, for one, had arrived from Maryland not long before.) From his new base Bernstein produced a couple of domestic Grade I winners, Dream Empress and Miss World, plus Goshawk Ken in Japan, but none of those really consolidated. It was only in Argentina, where his shuttle crops had produced a series of champions, that his premature loss could be grieved as depriving breeders of an important influence. As so often happens, however, Bernstein had already planted the seeds of his redemption. His final crop, comprising 80 live foals, turned out to contain a colt and filly that would between them transform his legacy. On the racetrack, they won consecutive runnings of the GI Breeders' Cup Mile-and now, following a remarkable few days either side of the Atlantic, they have suddenly raised our debt to their sire to fresh heights. First came the poignant success at Newmarket of Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), the final foal out of Bernstein's outstanding miler Tepin-just six days after his 3-year-old half-sister Grateful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) had won the G1 Prix de Royallieu. Then, a few hours later at Keeneland, She Feels Pretty became the second Grade I winner by his standout male heir, Karakontie (Jpn), in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup. We'll give each due consideration shortly, but for now let's just remind ourselves of their shared inheritance. For Bernstein represents one of the cornerstone formulas of the modern American breed, his fourth dam Busanda having branded one of several key lines (such as those associated with Striking and Searching) tracing to the combination of War Admiral with daughters of La Troienne (Fr). In drawing on the constitution and stamina she had shown on the track (if only when in the mood), Busanda's principal bequest was the legendary distaff influence Buckpasser. But it is her daughter by Nasrullah, a modest runner named Finance, who demands our attention here. After some early struggles in the breeding shed, failing to produce a live foal in five attempts, Finance eventually produced three moderate sons and, with what proved to be her final chance, a daughter by Round Table. This was La Mesa, whose own limitations as a racehorse would be effaced by several daughters that became good winners and/or producers from Harbor View Farm, notably champion juvenile filly Outstandingly (Exclusive Native) and La Affirmed herself. In addition to Bernstein, La Affirmed produced Classic-placed Della Francesca (Danzig); Emmaus (Silver Deputy), the dam of Wiseman's Ferry; plus those two other graded stakes winners by Storm Cat, Country Cat and Caress. The latter has particularly assisted the family, as dam of one stalwart Kentucky stallion Sky Mesa (Pulpit) and second dam of a younger gun in Maxfield (Street Sense). Obviously, the dams of Tepin and Karakontie brought plenty to the equation themselves, especially the latter as a granddaughter of the mighty Miesque; and, as we'll see in a moment, She Feels Pretty comes from a remarkable line of her own. Nonetheless it's gratifying to see that the real Bernstein was the one who disappeared after his first couple of starts, and that his posthumous rehabilitation remains ongoing. A Pretty Amazing Family The first thing to say about Karakontie's big Keeneland winner is that Lael Stables were “witty and bright” in evoking “I Feel Pretty”-the West Side Story song written by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim-for a filly by a son of Bernstein out of a mare named Summer Sweet. More pertinently, perhaps, She Feels Pretty had a significant head start in life, raised as she was on Stone Farm for breeders Payson Stud. She duly made more than all but one of Karakontie's fifth-crop yearlings in 2022, bringing $240,000 as Hip 2466 at the September Sale. Karakontie at Gainesway | Sarah Andrew As we all know, it's tough to stand a turf horse in the Bluegrass. But Antony Beck and his team at Gainesway understand not only that every roster benefits from balance, but also that someday commercial breeders must finally recall how their more enlightened predecessors grasped the transferability of sheer class. Karakontie has perhaps the most cosmopolitan pedigree in Kentucky. As intimated above, his granddam shares with Kingmambo and East of The Moon the honor of having been suckled by Miesque; his own mother was by Sunday Silence, himself raised at Stone Farm and later the transformer of the Japanese breed and, of course, Bernstein extends a branch of the international Storm Cat sire-line. All this told in the acceleration that secured Karakontie a juvenile Group 1 and mile Classic in France, before a dashing win on a faster surface at the Breeders' Cup. The breeders of She Feels Pretty appear to have prized the formula that produced Karakontie's dam, Sun Is Up (Jpn): she was by a son of Halo (Sunday Silence, as noted) out of a Woodman mare; and so, too, was Summer Sweet's sire More Than Ready (who was by Southern Halo). Underpinning that symmetry, moreover, is a bottom line that reconciles the Niarchos family's work with Miesque to one of the earlier endeavors of their program's founder. For it was Stavros Niarchos who acquired the sixth dam of She Feels Pretty, G1 1,000 Guineas runner-up Konafa, for $625,000 at the Keeneland November Sale of 1980. She was by Damascus out of Royal Statute (Northern Dancer), the E.P. Taylor mare who subsequently tied together the pedigrees of Pour Moi (Ire), Lammtarra and Golden Sixty among many others. The Mr. Prospector filly Konafa was carrying at the time was named Proskona by Niarchos, and went on to win a couple of Group races in Europe. Konafa's next foal was Korveya (Riverman), later sold to British breeder Gerald Leigh after failing to reach her reserve at $700,000 at the 1989 Keeneland November Sale. It would turn out that Korveya already had two colts on the ground who would each win the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains for Niarchos: her yearling by Woodman became Hector Protector; and her Procida weanling, Shanghai. Leigh himself proceeded to breed another Classic winner from Korveya, in Hector Protector's brother Bosra Sham, and had unsurprisingly returned the mare to Woodman to sell her (albeit to partners already in the mare) for a record-equalling $7 million back at Keeneland in 1998, when she was already 16. Unsurprisingly Leigh formed quite an attachment to this family! He had also ended up buying Proskona, and later went back to Niarchos for Proskona's granddaughter Summer Sonnet (GB) (Baillamont). From the latter he bred a top-class colt in Act One (GB) (In The Wings {GB}), only ever beaten by one horse, Sulamani (Ire), in what proved his swansong in the G1 Prix du Jockey-Club. Leigh died soon after, the bulk of his equine program being sold off to Sheikh Mohammed in a colossal private deal. Prior to Act One, Summer Sonnet had produced a couple of useful fillies by Caerleon: Summer Symphony (Ire), a Group 1 runner-up at two, and stakes winner Summer Solstice (Ire), who was astutely included among the stock retained by Leigh's daughter Sarah. Summer Solstice produced two stakes-winning sons plus a daughter, Summer Solo (Arch), who won her first three and ran third in the GI Belmont Oaks on her only other start. After Sarah Leigh's death in 2015, Virginia Kraft Payson recognized the quality condensed in this remnant of the line. When Summer Solo went under the hammer at the 2016 January Sale, in a part dispersal of Sarah Leigh's estate, the Payson Stud team duly paid $700,000 to top the auction. Moreover they also paid the next highest price of the sale, $550,000, for Summer Solo's half-sister by More Than Ready, who had just turned two. Summer Solo has since produced a couple of useful fillies in GII Demoiselle Stakes runner-up Maedean (Tapit) and GIII Selene Stakes winner Solo Album (Curlin). The More Than Ready filly, for her part, took 11 attempts to break her maiden (on dirt) before later adding a Belmont allowance on grass. But she is Summer Sweet, and She Feels Pretty is only her second foal. Full marks to Karakontie, for his contribution. He has maintained a very healthy ratio of stakes action, relative to his opportunities, throughout his stud career. Given the quality of his blood, indeed, it would be marvelous to see him find a male heir. For now, his three principal achievers remain female: Spendarella, his first Grade I winner in the Del Mar Oaks last year; multiple graded stakes winner and millionaire Princess Grace; and now She Feels Pretty. Nonetheless we must cede the principal laurels for last Saturday to the winner's maternal line. That's because, incredibly, it had actually claimed the same race last year, as well: Proskona, as noted the fifth dam of She Feels Pretty, is also the third dam of Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), who in 2023 followed up her G1 1,000 Guineas success in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup. Mawj, of course, is half-sister to Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Some family, however, when two even Classic winners out of the same mare must be counted old news! Consecutive winners of this cherished prize, however, represents a fresh and pretty remarkable distinction. Tepin's Parting Flourish Much like her sire, meanwhile, Tepin has quickly magnified her legacy after a tragically premature exit. Her loss last year must have shattered her owners at Coolmore, who had paid $8 million for the champion racemare carrying a first foal by Curlin at Fasig-Tipton in November 2017. Any kind of silver lining was hard to find: her first two foals failed to make the track, and none was registered for 2020. Perhaps the next one, Grateful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), was named for the fact that Tepin was at least producing daughters that might yet replicate her prowess. But she finished down the field in her only juvenile start, by which stage her owners must have felt thankful only for the smallest mercies. Tepin at Saratoga in 2016 | Horsephotos Things feel very different now. Grateful herself, for a start, has repeatedly regrouped whenever she has had reverse, startlingly so as her stamina was drawn out. If that suggests a greater inheritance from her sire, so be it. She now hastens to the paddocks, where she will not lack suitors eligible to supply some extra dash. But the big news meanwhile is that Dubawi appears to have given Tepin's final foal, and only son, rather more of those attributes that might entitle him to diffuse her legacy with a stud career. Green on debut, Delacroix made all over seven furlongs on fast ground next time. And while he still looked raw when promoted to Group company, closing late, he looked a lot more professional last weekend, dragging another smart prospect well clear. To be fair, the seeding of his maternal family has been entrusted to speed brands: Bernstein himself, obviously, in the case of the dam; while Tepin was out of a mare by another Ballydoyle sprinter in Stravinsky. The latter did not last the course, in time moved on to Japan, but his footprint in Europe was certainly all speed: think Soldier's Tale, Balmont, Benbaun (Ire). His daughter Life Happened, famously found for just $4,500 by Machmer Hall before producing Tepin (as well as Into Mischief's early star Vyjack), was unraced but her dam Round It Off (by Moccasin's son Apalachee) had been stakes-placed over five furlongs of turf. Round It Off additionally produced dual graded stakes winner Disco Rico (Citidancer) to be champion Maryland-bred sprinter of 2001. And her own dam was a graded stakes-placed (6f) daughter of the hardy Maryland mare Turn Capp (Turn to Reason), whose 20-for-44 career featured three minor stakes including at six furlongs. Turn Capp also features in the pedigree of that fast horse Smoke Glacken, as third dam. None of this, naturally, will have been lost on the Coolmore team, who went all-in for Tepin after identifying speed-packing mares as the ideal complement to Galileo. But it may turn out that switching her to their former antagonists' top gun Dubawi-who has always imparted far more zest than his dour maternal seeding might suggest-has redeemed Tepin's sadly abbreviated contribution to their program. The post Breeding Digest: East and West Sides to Bernstein Story appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tickets are on sale now for the Irish Equine Veterinary Association (IEVA) Conference 2024, which takes place at Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny from November 7-9. To purchase tickets for the conference, featuring a programme of lectures, presentations, workshops and wetlabs, visit www.irisheva.ie. Participants also have the opportunity to sponsor an equine veterinary student to attend this year's conference in the second year of the IEVA's Future Proof Campaign. By sponsoring, equine veterinary industry stakeholders will be facilitating students to attend the conference and hear from the many speakers, as well as giving them the opportunity to meet potential mentors, employers and colleagues. The cost per student is €250 with no cap on the number of students that participants can sponsor. Sponsored students will get access to two full days of lectures, a ticket for the gala dinner and hotel accommodation. Students in their from fourth and final year at any university are able to apply by emailing Kerry Ryan at kerryryanevents@gmail.com. The deadline for sponsoring is Friday, November 1. The post Tickets Available for IEVA Conference 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse Racing Women's Summit will highlight Breeders' Cup Week with its “An afternoon of Racing & Wagering” on Oct. 31 at 11:30 a.m. (PST) at Del Mar. The handicapping challenge will be hosted on Contest Jockey with Pete Fornatale and Alexa Zepp. The event, sponsored by the Money Media and Daily Racing Form, will be held in the Crosby and O'Brien Celebrity Suites (5th Floor). Tickets include valet parking, lunch, and beverages. For more information, click here. The post Horse Racing Women’s Summit: An Afternoon of Racing and Wagering appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Due to a significant outbreak of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) and other equine health issues prevalent in the region, Zia Park, after consultations with state and national equine health officials, has announced new requirements effective immediately for entry into its barn area. The following requirements are effective immediately, and shall be in place for the entire race meet which commences Nov. 2 through Dec. 18: For horses stabled at and shipping directly from the Downs at Albuquerque, a Health Certificate dated within the previous thirty (30) days. For horses shipping from any other location, AN ORIGINAL (Owner's Copy) of a Health Certificate issued at the point of origin within the previous five (5) days of arrival at Zia Park. A Negative Coggins dated within thirty (30) days of arrival at Zia Park. Inventory lists will only be permitted for horses/trainers stabled at and shipping directly from the Downs at Albuquerque if they include the following information: Horse Name, Microchip/Tattoo #, Date of Blood Draw and Read Dates. Pictures of signed inventory lists will not be accepted. Horses arriving from ANY other location shall be required to have their ORIGINAL Negative Coggins paperwork when arriving at the stable gate or on file with the Racing Office in advance of arrival. For Quarter Horses, a Negative Piroplasmosis dated within thirty (30) days of arrival at Zia Park. Inventory lists will be permitted if they include the same information as Coggins paperwork above. Horses arriving from ANY other location shall be required to have their ORIGINAL Negative Piroplasmosis paperwork when arriving at the stable gate or on file with the Racing Office in advance of arrival. Horsemen are also reminded of stable gate entry requirements already in effect and noted in the 2024 Condition Book, including 1) verification of Influenza and Rhinopneumonitis vaccinations within the past six (6) months, and 2) verification of Eastern and Western Equine Encephalitis, Tetanus, Rabies and West Nile vaccinations within the last twelve (12) months. Horses will not be permitted to enter the Zia Patk that do not follow this protocol. All ponies entering the Zia Park barn area are subject to the same requirements as racehorses. For more information, contact: Christopher McErlean, Vice President – Racing PENN Entertainment at 717-469-3313 or email mcerlean@pennentertainment.com or Kristy Cruce – Racing Manager Zia Park Casino, Hotel & Racetrack 575-492-7117 or email cruce@pennentertainment.com The post Zia Park Announces New Entry Requirements appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was announced on Tuesday that Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me (GB) will be offered at the forthcoming Tattersalls December Mares Sale, which takes place from December 2-5. The daughter of Nathaniel (Ire) will feature in the third edition of the Sceptre Sessions, which will be held over the first two days of the sale. Bred by Dullingham Park Stud and Sarabex, You Got To Me first sold for 62,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale and was later bought by Alex Elliott for 200,000gns at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. The winner of the Lingfield Oaks Trial before finishing fourth at Epsom in the Oaks, she then beat Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to win the Irish Oaks before filling the runner-up spot behind that same filly in the Yorkshire Oaks. You Got To Me's Listed-winning dam, Brushing (GB) (Medicean {GB}), hails from the family of the GII All American Derby winner Evolving Tactics (Ire) (Machiavellian) and the G3 C. L. Weld Park Stakes winner Token Gesture (Ire) (Alzao), who is in turn the dam of the GI Canadian International hero Relaxed Gesture (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}). You Got To Me was trained for owners Valmont and Newsells Park Stud by Ralph Beckett, who said, “As my first Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me will always be special. She is a gorgeous filly who has always been a pleasure to train and without doubt she has a huge future ahead of her both as a race filly and ultimately as a prized broodmare. “She has already given her owners Valmont and Newsells Park Stud Bloodstock 24 enormous pleasure and whatever happens at the Tattersalls December Sale it would be wonderful if she were to return to Kimpton Down to race on.” Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony added, “It is very rare for Classic-winning fillies to be offered for sale in the year of their Classic triumphs and You Got To Me will be the first Irish Oaks winner to grace the December Sale stage as a three-year-old for a very long time. “She is by a wonderful sire in Nathaniel from a fabulous Moyglare Stud family and not only does she have all the credentials to be an outstanding broodmare, she also looks set to be amongst the very best of her generation as a race filly on the global stage next year.” The post Irish Oaks Winner You Got To Me to be Offered at Tattersalls December Mares Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's Sallaal (Ire) (Frankel {GB}–Nahrain {GB}, by Selkirk), a Roger Varian-trained half-brother to this year's G1 1000 Guineas heroine Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and multiple Group 1-winning globetrotter Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), went postward as the 11-4 second favourite for Tuesday's British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at Great Yarmouth and registered a half-length debut victory in the seven-furlong contest. 2nd-Great Yarmouth, £9,950, Nov, 10-15, 2yo, 7f 3yT, 1:28.12, sf. SALLAAL (IRE) (c, 2, Frankel {GB}–Nahrain {GB} {G1SW-Fr, GISW-US, SW-Eng & GSP-Ire, $1,041,961}, by Selkirk) recovered from a hesitant getaway to race in a midfield seventh through halfway in this debut. Shaken up to reduce arrears approaching the quarter-mile marker, the 11-4 second favourite went fourth entering the final furlong and kept on strongly under mainly whipless urging to deny Roman Centurion (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) by a half-length nearing the line. Sallaal is the ninth of 11 foals and sixth scorer produced by G1 Prix de l'Opera and GI Flower Bowl Invitational victrix Nahrain (GB) (Selkirk), herself a daughter of dual Group-winning G1 Oaks, G1 Irish Oaks and GI Flower Bowl Invitational placegetter Bahr (GB) (Generous {Ire}). The March-foaled chestnut is full to a weanling filly. He is also kin to this year's G1 1000 Guineas heroine Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}), multiple Group 1-winning globetrotter Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the dual stakes-placed Fooraat (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and a yearling colt by Night Of Thunder (Ire). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $6,881. O-Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Roger Varian. British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes @GTYarmouthRaces @BritishEBF Yarmouth – Inédit – 2 ans – 1410m -13 Pts Sallaal (m) (Ire) J Mitchell (Frankel?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Frankel (Gb) @JuddmonteFarms – Nahrain (Gb) par Selkirk (Usa)) R Varian Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum … pic.twitter.com/dZDu42BHRZ — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) October 15, 2024 The post Half Brother to Elmalka and Benbatl Makes Winning Debut at Great Yarmouth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars PERFECT GENERAL - R5 (2) Strong first-up victor and has the tools to keep climbing the ratings Jay Rooney PERFECT GENERAL - R5 (2) Won well last start from a subsequent Class Three winner and can go on with it Jack Dawling PERFECT GENERAL - R5 (2) Impressive last-start winner can dictate proceedings once again Phillip Woo SHINKANSEN - R4 (11) Comes off two solid runs this term and should salute from inside draw Shannon (Vincent Wong) SILVER SPURS - R2 (5) Had a couple of nice Happy Valley trials recently and looks hard to beat Racing Post Online HEALTHY HEALTHY - R6 (6) Knocking on the door and should get all the favours under Zac Purton Tom Wood CAN'T GO WONG - R3 (6) Plenty of merit in the last run and has found a very winnable raceView the full article

Tres Magnifique (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}), the dam of G1 Sun Chariot Stakes heroine Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), will be offered at Arqana's Vente d'Elevage. The sale runs from Dec. 7-10. Consigned by Gestut Etzean, the 11-year-old mare will go under the hammer on the sale's first day, Saturday, Dec. 7. Carrying to Soldier Hollow, Tres Magnifique is out of the listed winner Ticana (Ger) (Sholokhov {Ire}), a sister to the group-placed Timos (Ger) (Sholokhov {Ire}), and a half-sister to Group 1 winner Sea Calisi (Fr) (Youmzain {Ire}), and multiple group winner Tareno (Ger) (Saddlers' Hall {Ire}). The catalogue for Arqana's Vente d'Elevage will be released online on Monday, Oct. 28. The post Dam Of Tamfana To Be Offered At Arqana’s Vente d’Elevage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Kristen Manning, courtesy of The Thoroughbred Report Buyers from across Australia and Asia showed up in force at Tuesday's Inglis Ready2Race Sale, setting a record-breaking price and surpassing last year's key statistics. Despite the lingering impact of racing closures in Singapore and Macau, the sale bounced back with fierce competition, delivering outstanding results. “I never imagined, while finalizing the catalogue and conducting inspections, that we'd be celebrating these achievements by the end of the day,” said an elated Sebastian Hutch, reflecting on the remarkable success of the sale. “It was the second-highest grossing Ready2Race sale ever, despite having significantly fewer horses than when the record was set in 2022. The intensity of competition at the top end of the market was a standout,” Hutch said, proud of the day's accomplishments. He explained that last year, demand for quality young horses exceeded supply, leaving many buyers with unspent funds. “After last year's sale, we made it a priority to bring in a greater number of top-tier horses. Today's results at the top end show we delivered on that goal.” Record-breaking A$1 million filly marks a milestone It was a record-breaking A$1,000,000 that Yulong went to secure back a Written Tycoon (Aus) filly (Lot 166) they bred and sold as a yearling; the price the highest achieved at an Inglis Ready2Race. A significant increase on the previous sale-topper (A$750,000 for a Dundeel {NZ} colt two years ago), the attractive dark bay had breezed up in 10.50s at Wangaratta for Baystone Farm who had purchased her from Yulong for A$200,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She is a daughter of Soriano (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}), Champion Middle Distance Horse in NZ in 2014-15; a dual Group 1-winning dam of three winners including the stakes placed Alsonso (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) who was exported to Hong Kong in March. Soriano (whom Yulong secured seven years ago for A$1.15 million) is one of the five winners produced by the Listed Wagga Gold Cup winner Call Me Lily (NZ) (Just A Dancer {NZ}), also dam of the G3 Premier's Cup winner Kaiser Franz (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) and grandam of the G1 New Zealand Derby winner Rocket Spade (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Baystone Farm's Dean Harvey was of course happy with the result, saying that “we thought we were pretty lucky getting her as a yearling, we thought she'd be out of our price range.” “We raced Alsonso and we know that Mark Newnham has a big rap on him,” he said, adding that the filly showed ability during her preparation for the sale. “We identified a while ago that she has talent.” The sale continues to evolve Selling another five horses whilst passing in seven, Harvey said that the sale had its challenges. “Inglis did a good job with the buying bench they attracted but there was always going to be an adjustment with racing in Singapore and Macau closing down,” he said. “That took the wind out of the sails for this sale,” he added whilst noting that he remains confident that the sale has a future; “it continues to evolve,” he said. Yulong were also the winning bidders on Lot 14, another colt by Written Tycoon. Sold by them to CH Bloodstock Ltd for $150,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, he was bought back for $525,000 from the draft of Leanach Lodge. Breezing up in 10.55s at Taupo, he is the first foal for the multiple city winner Be My Star (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) whose stakes winning grandam Adagietto (NZ) (Sackford) is ancestress of a number of stakes winners including the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Uncommon James (Aus) (Cable Bay {Ire}). Yulong's Vin Cox was delighted to welcome the two Written Tycoons back to the fold, noting that “it shows that we have faith in our product.” “Our stallion is going exceptionally well and we like supporting those who support us.” Read the full report here. The post Written Tycoon Filly Shines as Inglis Ready2Race Sale Hits New Heights appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Zoe Cadman and Michelle Yu Hanson will host Thoroughbred Charities of America's Bash at the Breeders' Cup presented by Churchill Downs Incorporated on Friday, Nov. 1 at the Del Mar Hilton in Del Mar, Cal. The evening will offer savory bites, handcrafted cocktails, live music by Haute Chile, and an opportunity to bid on items all in support of TCA. Tickets are available here. Cadman is host and analyst for XBTV, Santa Anita Park and 1/ST Racing. Michelle Yu Hanson is a member of the Santa Anita Park simulcast team where she is a host and analyst. She also is a CBS Sportsline contributor and hosts a weekly podcast called The Owners Box. “After an exciting day at Breeders' Cup, come support TCA at Bash at the Breeders' Cup,” said Erin Halliwell executive director of TCA. “Bash has become a significant fundraiser for us, helping to provide a broad range of support to approved charities offering Thoroughbred aftercare, health and human services to backstretch and farm workers, equine-assisted therapies, and Thoroughbred incentive programs. Our work wouldn't be possible without the support of our donors.” Bash at the Breeders' Cup will feature a live auction including a Del Mar Racing package, a halter worn by Thorpedo Anna, a racing saddle signed by numerous jockeys, a box at the Whitney Stakes in Saratoga, a box at the Blue Grass Stakes with weekend accommodations, 2025 Breeders' Cup tickets, a custom-made amethyst pendant and more. For those that cannot attend in-person, telephone bidding will be available. Please email Erin Halliwell at ehalliwell@tca.org to bid by phone. Auction items may be previewed here. The post Cadman, Yu Hanson to Host TCA Bash at the Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was confirmed on Tuesday by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) that Alphonse Le Grande (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), first past the post in Saturday's Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket, has been disqualified after apprentice jockey Jamie Powell was found to have used his whip above the permitted level. The race has been awarded to the original runner-up, Manxman (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}). In a statement, the BHA said, “Following his ride on Alphonse Le Grande in the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap on Saturday 12 October, apprentice jockey Jamie Powell was referred to the Whip Review Committee (WRC) for use of the whip above the permitted level. “Having reviewed the footage and taken evidence from the jockey, the stewards on the day counted that the rider had used his whip 10 times, which is four uses above the permitted level of six in a Flat race. The ride and all evidence was therefore referred to the WRC, as is standard practice. “The WRC meets every Tuesday and Friday. Having reviewed the race and the evidence, the WRC have confirmed that the whip was used on 10 occasions by Mr Powell. All 10 uses made contact with the horse, and none of the uses were clearly and unequivocally for safety purposes only. “As 10 uses of the whip is four above the permitted level, Alphonse Le Grande has been disqualified from the race. In addition, Jamie Powell has been suspended for 28 days, this being a Class 2 contest with a total prize fund of more than £150,000. As a result of the disqualification, the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch has been awarded to original runner-up, Manxman. “Should they wish to, connections of Alphonse Le Grande may appeal this decision. They have seven days to lodge an appeal, which would be heard by an independent Judicial Panel.” Brant Dunshea, chief regulatory officer for the BHA, added, “Disqualification was introduced as a deterrent against flagrant misuse of the whip, in order to safeguard the fairness of race results and perception amongst the sport's fans. It has since been adopted by other major racing nations. “It sends a clear message that we do not tolerate misuse of the whip. There is simply no excuse for using the whip four times or more above the permitted level. It is encouraging that there have been so few instances of this being the case since the rule was introduced, with this being only the third time a winner has been disqualified for egregious overuse of the whip. “We understand that some customers will question why this matter cannot be resolved on raceday, especially those who backed the on-the-day runner-up Manxman. However, this would present its own challenges, and the consultation process of the whip review revealed a strong preference from several key audiences that these matters should be handled away from raceday.” The post Alphonse Le Grande Disqualified from the Cesarewitch, Manxman Promoted appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bet N Win’s impressive Group 3 victory last Friday has seen a big shake up in this week’s rankings for the $400,000 Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington Raceway on Friday, November 15. The David and Stacey White-trained four-year-old took out the Dancinginthedark (USA) Canterbury Park Cup in fine style, leaving established stars like Muscle Mountain and Oscar Bonavena in his wake. By being the first three home Bet N Win, Mystic Max and Love N The Port are now guaranteed a start in the Dominion. Bet N Win moves from being 15th up into fourth while Mystic Max is fifth, up from 11th last week. The top 15 IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup rankings have seen just the one significant change with the ever consistent Charlie Brown moving inside the cut line, from 19th to 14th while Australian visitor Nerano inches closer to a cup start going from 23rd to 19th. The final rankings will be decided following the Kaikoura Cup meeting on November 4. Click here to view the rankings View the full article

Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), the beaten favourite in last year's G1 Melbourne Cup, is reported to have settled in well at the quarantine facility in Werribee as he warms up for a second assault on the race on Tuesday, November 5, with connections hoping the busier campaign he's had in 2024 will ensure that he arrives at Flemington in peak condition. Trained by Willie Mullins, Vauban was having his first start for three months when finishing down the field behind Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in 2023, but this year he's had more regular racing with five runs under his belt since May, notably winning the G2 Lonsdale Cup at York in August, before filling the runner-up spot behind Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Irish St Leger at the Curragh when last seen. He will once again be joined in the line-up by Absurde (Fr) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who fared better than his stable-mate when finishing seventh in last year's Melbourne Cup and touched down in Australia after winning a Listed contest at Chester on his most recent outing. William Buick has been confirmed as the intended rider of Vauban, with Kerrin McEvoy taking the mount on Absurde. “It didn't obviously work, the way we did it last year, so we'll try something different this year and see how we get on,” Mullins's assistant David Casey told Racing.com. “On the day, we got the tactics wrong with both horses and we just felt we'd left something behind with Vauban as well. He didn't give his true running and we think he's better than he showed last year. “[Last year] once we'd got him qualified, we just wanted to make sure that we were able to get him here and it ended up being a long time between runs. So we decided to run him more often this year and send him down here hopefully a whole lot fitter than he was coming here last year and with those runs under his belt. He's had a really good preparation.” He added, “Both horses, Vauban and Absurde, seemed to travel very well. Obviously, they've been here before so they know what it's like. They ate and drank plenty on the plane and since they've arrived in Werribee both horses have been very good. Vauban has put back on everything [weight] he lost and the other guy has put on most of it.” The post Melbourne Cup Contender Vauban “Better Than He Showed Last Year” appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2024 The Everest field is now confirmed, with a star-studded lineup of sprinters set to battle it out for the world’s richest turf race on Saturday at Randwick. Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman‘s I Wish I Win leads the charge as the early favourite in betting on the $20 million sprint through Ladbrokes drawing […] The post The Everest 2024 Field, Barriers & Betting Update appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The Everest. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au The Everest (1200m) will be run under Group 1 status for the first time in it’s short eight-year history, with a field of 12 selected to stake their claims on the $20 million prize. The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained I Wish I Win had been the long-standing $5.00 favourite with horse racing bookmakers prior to the barrier draw, and that’s yet to change despite drawing out in barrier nine on Tuesday evening. Luke Nolen has been handed the task of navigating a passage aboard the son of Savabeel, who should be rock-hard fit after back-to-back performances on the unsuitable Moonee Valley circuit in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) and Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) respectively. The pair of Joliestar and Growing Empire have been installed on the second line of betting at $6.00 after obtaining favourable draws in gate four and seven, while Bella Nipotina ($8.00) is the big drifter after copping the widest barrier 12. Godolphin’s lone runner Traffic Warden ($9.00) is being respected after finishing runner-up in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 28, with Jamie Kah set to take the reins from barrier two. Giga Kick ($11.00) should get every chance to claim his second Everest crown after drawing barrier three, while Tommy Berry will continue his association with the Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained Sunshine In Paris ($11.00) in barrier nine. Coolmore finally locked in Storm Boy ($15.00) earlier in the week and appears to be the natural leader in this year’s Everest, leaving stable companion Lady Of Camelot ($51.00) it all to do after drawing barrier 11. There’s value across the entire field, with the likes of Stefi Magnetica ($15.00) and I Am Me ($15.00) still holding appeal at each-way odds. The 2024 Everest is the headline act at Randwick on Saturday afternoon and is scheduled to get underway at 4:15pm local time. The Everest 2024 Final Field 1. I Wish I Win (9) T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman J: Luke Nolen W: 58.5kg F: 35×12 Age: 6YO Colour: Black Sex: Gelding Sire: Savabeel Dam: Make A Wish (NZ) +400 +100 2. Giga Kick (3) T: Clayton Douglas J: Mark Zahra W: 58.5kg F: 43×11 Age: 5YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Scissor Kick Dam: Rekindled Applause (GB) +1000 +250 3. Private Eye (10) T: Joseph Pride J: Jay Ford W: 58.5kg F: 64×43 Age: 7YO Colour: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Al Maher Dam: Confidential Queen +2500 +625 4. Bella Nipotina (12) T: Ciaron Maher J: Craig Williams W: 56.5kg F: 32×12 Age: 7YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare Sire: Pride of Dubai Dam: Bella Orfana +700 +175 5. I Am Me (1) T: Ciaron Maher J: Nash Rawiller W: 56.5kg F: 11×44 Age: 6YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Mefnooda +1600 +400 6. Stefi Magnetica (6) T: Bjorn Baker J: Zac Lloyd W: 56.5kg F: 2×135/li> Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: All Too Hard Dam: Mid Summer Music +1400 +350 7. Sunshine In Paris (8) T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald J: Tommy Berry W: 56.5kg F: 1×452 Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Invader Dam: Zenaida (NZ) +1000 +250 8. Joliestar (4) T: Chris Waller J: James McDonald W: 56.5kg F: 31x1x Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Zoustar Dam: Jolie Bay +500 +125 9. Growing Empire (7) T: Ciaron Maher J: Kerrin McEvoy W: 53kg F: 211×1 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Street Boss (USA) Dam: Miles of Krishan +500 +125 10. Traffic Warden (2) T: James Cummings J: Jamie Kah W: 53kg F: 21×24 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Street Boss (USA) Dam: Efficiently +800 +200 11. Storm Boy (5) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Brenton Avdulla W: 53kg F: 431×4 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Justify (USA) Dam: Pelican (NZ) +1400 +350 12. Lady Of Camelot (11) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Rachel King W: 51kg F: 73×21 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Miss Debutante +5000 +1250 13. Overpass (1E) (TBC) T: Bjorn Baker J: TBC W: 58.5kg F: x1x10 Age: 6YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Vancouver Dam: Walkway +5000 +1250 14. Think About It (2E) (TBC) T: Joseph Pride J: TBC W: 58.5kg F: 6×505 Age: 6YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: So You Think (NZ) Dam: Tiare +5000 +1250 15. Southport Tycoon (3E) (TBC) T: Ciaron Maher J: TBC W: 58.5kg F: 15×91 Age: 4YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Horse Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Ready to Rule (USA) +5000 +1250 16. Mazu (4E) (TBC) T: Joseph Pride J: TBC W: 58.5kg F: 23×27 Age: 6YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Maurice (JPN) Dam: Chatelaine +5000 +1250 Horse racing news
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What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, October 16, 2024 First Race 7:05pm HKT (10:05pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to the bright lights of Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday evening, with a stacked eight-part program set for decision. The rail is in the B position for the meeting, and although light rainfall is expected in the lead-up, it shouldn’t affect the current Good 4 rating. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 7:05pm local time. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Ma Comet Ma Comet has found the minor money in his last four starts and is still in search of his maiden Hong Kong win. Whether it’s been bad luck in transit or simply finding one better, the son of Capitalist has been ultra-consistent and finally looks destined to secure victory in this Class 4 contest. The Jamie Richards-trained gelding should be scooting across to lead from barrier 10 under Zac Purton, and if Ma Comet doesn’t win this, it’s safe to say this guy could find himself in the ‘never again’ file. Best Bet Race 2 – #1 Ma Comet (10) 5yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Zac Purton (61kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Happy Valley: Embraces Embraces was luckless first-up at this course and distance on September 25 and should’ve finished much closer than the 2.8-length margin may suggest. The Reliable Man gelding was forced to check off heels at a crucial stage on that occasion and didn’t see daylight until it was all over, climbing on the back of his rivals in the final furlong. Zac Purton gets legged aboard for the first time in this wide-open Class 4 contest, and provided he can lob into a handy position with cover throughout, Embraces should be primed to secure his maiden victory at start five. Next Best Race 4 – #5 Embraces (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Zac Purton (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Happy Valley: Mighty Steed Mighty Steed appears ready to peak third-up into the campaign as he heads to Happy Valley for the first time. The son of Time Test comes out of two strong 1400m contest at Sha Tin, where the four-year-old gelding has been far from disgraced despite being beaten by a combined 6.3 lengths. He finally draws an inside barrier (1) to hold a position closer to the speed, and provided he can handle the tight-turning Happy Valley circuit at the first time of asking, Mighty Steed appears perfectly placed to strike at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 7 – #11 Mighty Steed (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Francis Lui | J: Ben Thompson (53.5kg) Bet with Dabble Wednesday quaddie tips for Happy Valley Happy Valley quadrella selections October 16, 2024 2-3-4-6 3-4-5-6-11 2-3-4-7-9-11 2-5-6-7-8 Horse racing tips View the full article

Frenchman teams up with Mark Newnham’s in-form five-year-old in the first section of the Class Four Speedy Handicap (1,200m) on Wednesday.View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk The news isn’t good for two of the country’s top drivers who are facing longer than expected recoveries after recent setbacks. Sarah O’Reilly won’t be back in the sulky this year after breaking her arm in July while Benjamin Butcher says he’s got weeks of physio on his shoulder before he returns to race day driving. For Butcher though the more pressing concern is fully recovering from what was a serious concussion suffered when he was thrown to the track while driving Iron Heart in a 2YO Sires’ Stakes heat at Alexandra Park in late August. “For the first week I was sleeping 19 or 20 hours a day, I was like a zombie and my eyes were all glassy,” says Butcher, “now I’m getting through the day ok but when I get to bed I’m exhausted.” “It’s just a matter of time. You only have one brain so you have to take care of it the best you can.” Butcher’s expected to start physio soon on his shoulder and then he’ll map out a plan to getting back on track. “I’m still thinking about it but I think I’ll drive the ones I’m training and there’s a pretty good chance you’ll see me on the track before the end of the year.” The same can’t be said for O’Reilly. She broke her arm and suffered facial injuries in a trackwork accident at Ashburton Raceway. At the time she said “the horse in behind me jumped into my cart”. The recovery has been much slower than she expected or wanted, with a visit to a specialist last week confirming she’ll be in for a quiet spring-summer. “I’ve been told to wait another three months,” says O’Reilly, “and that’s when they will see me again.” “They are happy with how’s it’s healing but it’s taking a long time and x-rays have shown it’s not perfect.” Like Butcher she’ll now be getting regular physiotherapy with the hope that she can build strength in a bid to avoid surgery. “They say if it hasn’t healed properly then they will look at taking some different action.” View the full article

By Jonny Turner The team behind Old Town Road are certain Australasia never got to see the best of their brilliant pacer. Wear and tear injuries have halted the six-year-old’s pacer spring campaign with the decision being made to retire the outstanding top-level performer. Old Town Road compiled an outstanding resume for trainer and part-owner John Dickie, placing in the biggest of races like the Hunter Cup, The Race by Grins and the New Zealand Free-For-All. Though a Group One win proved elusive, Dickie is certain it was a feat well within his pacer’s ability. “A lot of people might say he wasn’t good enough to win a Group One, but I am absolutely certain he was.” “No one would be able to convince me otherwise.” “He had a fetlock issue that we had to manage and we weren’t able to have him at his best all of the time.” “Last year it was a battle right the way through to try to get him right.” Old Town Road made one of the quickest rises to open class seen in New Zealand, starting in the New Zealand Cup in just his 12th career start. Winning eight of his first 11 starts kicked off a whirlwind ride for the horse’s breeders and owners Ben and Karen Calder who raced the horse with Dickie and his son Josh. When looking back on some of Old Town Road’s biggest performances, Dickie points to his pacer’s efforts to flash home into placings in the Hunter Cup and in the Ashburton Flying Stakes, in what was the horse’s first real taste of open class company, as some of his best. When reflecting on the short but brilliant career of Old Town Road, Ben Calder is in full agreement with his trainer. “You look back and wonder what might have been,” Calder said. “I think the horse deserved to win a Group One and he was good enough to do it.” “He took us on a wonderful ride and gave us some great thrills. He won two Holmes DGs and ran some great placings in big races.” “The trip to Australia for the Hunter Cup was a big thrill.” “One of the other thrills was that he was a Southland bred and owned horse and he was right up with the best of them.” The journey with Old Town Road was made special for the Calders as the pacer is from a family the couple have built their interest in breeding and racing around. Old Town Road is a direct descendant of the Calders’ first horse, Grinaldi. The Calders bought Grinaldi at the National Yearling Sales before going on to buy his dam Tanisa two years later. Tanisa is the granddam of Old Town Road’s dam Lucy’s Way. The Calders have one horse from the breed to carry on with in Romantic Road, a four-year-old with Southland horseman Allan Beck. Old Town Road’s career record : 31 starts 10 wins $489,044 in stakes View the full article

The McMillan Equine Feeds New Zealand Junior Drivers Championships, the $30,000 Silk Road Northern Spring Series Final, and the first ever running of the Group 3 The Dark Horse at Invercargill will all feature during another busy harness racing week, between now and Sunday. There are six race meetings in all, starting with the weekly Trot into Tuesday meeting at Cambridge today and finishing at Ascot Park on Sunday. The Junior Drivers’ Championships start at Cambridge today and then move to Addington on Wednesday and Friday. To see the Junior Drivers’ Liftout click here The Group 3 The Dark Horse for the four-year-old and older mares has attracted a big and quality field of 15. It is named after top trotting mare Dark Horse, who retired in 2021 after winning 14 races and accruing $144,276 in stakes for Branxholme trainer Nathan Williamson and the Griffins Syndicate. To see the The Dark Horse field click here The $30,000 Silk Road Northern Spring Series Final will be held this Friday after the fifth and final heats was taken out by Wicked Wanda last Friday night. It was her second win of the series. The heat winners so far for F&Ms up to R59: Heat 1, September 13 – You Little Beauty, Cyren Shard, Kourtney Kardash Heat 2, September 21 – Courtney Rose, Akatea, Always B Stunning Heat 3, September 27 – Wicked Wanda, Mhai Surfer Girl, Minjee Heat 4, October 4 – Seaside Rose, Double Quick, Always B Stunning Heat 5, October 11 – Wicked Wanda, Mhai Surfer Girl, Courtney Rose The first two in each heat automatically qualified for the final, and if a horse wins a heat and the final then the win will be penalty free. Friday night will also see the Heats 1 and 2 for the latest Northern Metro Series. They are for R59 three-year-old and older trotters and pacers. The first five home in each of the four races will qualify for the $35,000 Final on Friday October 25. Like the Silk Road series should a horse win both a heat and a final, the win in the final will be penalty free. All horses racing in both the Silk Road and Metro Series will be eligible for the new $1m Golden Gait series. The Golden Gait series on December 20 features 10 races, each worth $100,000 – with five pacing and five trotting races, all over a mile. Three-year-old and older horses have to have raced at least six times at Alexandra Park in the qualifying period (January 1 – December 6) while 2YO horses must have a minimum of four starts. There will seven more meetings at The Park in the qualification period. They are October 18 and 25, November 1, 8, 22 and 29 and December 6. View the full article