Wandering Eyes

The Might And Power 2024 results saw a mighty upset at Caulfield on Guineas Day with the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained mare Deny Knowledge defying her price to claim the Group 1 on way to the Caulfield Cup. The $1 million weight-for-age event kicked off the elite level racing in Melbourne on Saturday and saw […] The post Caulfield Cup Target for Might And Power Winner Deny Knowledge appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Antino’s rivals cannot even be sighted as he races away with the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli The Tony Gollan-trained Antino trounced his rivals to win the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) under a masterful ride by Blake Shinn at Caulfield on Saturday. The striking son of Redwood had six and a half lengths to spare over runner-up Craig with Perth raider Alsephina finishing third. Antino had been around the mark in elite company with placings behind Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside at his previous two outings. After a slow beginning Antino came from last, looping the field prior to the home bend and skipping clear, with winning jockey Blake Shinn deriving the best out of the ultra-talented six-year-old. It was a case of redemption for Antino who had been beaten a lip when second in last year’s Toorak Handicap by Attrition. 2024 Toorak Handicap replay – Antino “He was brilliant, he was awesome, he’s a really good horse,” a delighted Tony Gollan said. “He’s been destined to win a Group 1 and it’s just been a matter of when and to win it like that. It was so close last year, I thought he was just a run short. “This year I knew I had him, as good as we’ve ever had him and it was just a matter of luck on the day and he took that into his own hands and got the job done.” Gollan admitted he was concerned when Antino was back last after stepping slowly which he has done frequently. “We were back last early and I thought we were in a lot of trouble but what a masterful ride by Blake,” he said. “The first thing we said after Moonee Valley the other night when we were racing against Pride of Jenni was he can sustain pressure in a race. No matter where we landed today, we just wanted to travel and then be able to use that long sustained run and that’s what he did. He took off a bit early on him but he can sustain a good gallop for a good while, what a dominant display.” Antino is owned in Hong Kong by Jeetu Ramchandani and the smart New Zealand bred is likely to be on the international stage when competing in the Hong Kong International Mile (1600m) in December. “I was going to go to the Rupert Clarke (Group 1, 1400m), and then to Hong Kong, but I’ll just play it by ear,” Gollan said. “We’ll get home and let the dust settle next week, and you know the horse is at the peak of his powers now. It’s just a matter of holding him in that condition.” Horse racing news
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Trainer adamant his star galloper is destined for the top level ahead of his first-up run.View the full article

Deny Knowledge ridden by Mark Zahra wins the Might And Power at Caulfield. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Anthony & Sam Freedman have sprung somewhat of a surprise in the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes with Deny Knowledge, who has led every step of the way in the 2000m contest to defeat the odds-on favourite Mr Brightside. Mark Zahra would have been out of his comfort zone when adopting Pride Of Jenni-like tactics, as he shot out to a big lead halfway through the contest, leaving Mr Brightside, Jennilala and Coco Sun with a massive task to run her down in the final 600m. Deny Knowledge turned into the home straight with a four-length lead as Mr Brightside and Atishu started to make their runs, but the leader didn’t look like stopping. The two favourites with horse racing bookmakers struggled to pick up the tearaway leader in the final 200m, and with Zahra getting everything out of Deny Knowledge, she held off all challengers and claimed an impressive victory by just under a length. 2024 Might And Power Stakes replay – Deny Knowledge Sam Freedman was on course to speak about the victory post-race. “She was tardy at the gates the other day, got a man on her tail today and he’s a great rider, he can adapt,” Freedman said. “We actually discussed it before the race to say, this isn’t your style, you’re not this sort of rider, you’re going to have to adapt and roll along. “Look, we were confident in the way the track was playing for the first few races. We needed her to be prepared against all these, take advantage of that. “I think she’s classier than probably people give her credit. Her run in the Underwood was very good, she took off early and was still there fighting it out towards the finish. “And look, we may back up next week if she pulls up well, maybe the frontrunner in the Caulfield Cup, yeah, why not? “I think Caulfield Cup maybe slightly more likely (than Cox Plate). “Who knows, she’s relaxing well enough, she might have a crack at a Melbourne Cup, it looks like she may be getting tired on the line, but she’ll sustain that same gallop for a very long time.” Mark Zahra spoke after the win. “That was the plan, that was the only chance,” Zahra said of the tactics. “You know, she actually jumped well today and I was able to get there and she wasn’t overdoing it, she was just happy and I just wanted to have her 1,000, 800 (metres), just slowly pick up and pretty much want her flat out coming around the bend. “When we straightened up and I gave her one, she responded well and Mr Brightside, he’s probably sick of chasing these tearaway front runners, but I thought around Caulfield he might be a bit susceptible over 2000 (metres). “The track’ s obviously a bit leaderish today, but the all-credit to her, it was a good win. “Anthony and Sam and the staff have done a great job getting her right, you know, she seems to cruise along a bit nicer in front now and Yulong bought her and they’re getting repaid, so well done to everyone.” Deny Knowledge is a $21 chance in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup futures markets. Horse racing news
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What Seymour Cup Day 2024 Where Seymour Racing Club – 55 Kobyboyn Rd, Seymour VIC 3660 When Sunday, October 13, 2024 First Race 12:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Seymour Racing Club will host its marquee meeting this Sunday afternoon, with the Listed Seymour Cup set to headline the massive 10-race card. The track is expected to stay in the Good range after being rated as a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, with perfect weather forecast in the lead-up to the meeting. The rail will be in its true position, with the first race scheduled to jump at 12:30pm AEDT. Seymour Cup tip: Caste Caste was one of the unlucky runners in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes over 1400m last Saturday, when the Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained mare went over the line untested. This daughter of Sir Prancealot settled midfield and tried to take three runs in the final 400m; however, she never saw daylight and never got into clear air to run on. With this girl on the quick backup, expect Patrick Moloney to settle near the rear of the field before peeling wide on the home turn to allow Caste to finish off strongly. Seymour Cup Race 9 – #9 Caste (8) 5yo Mare | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Patrick Moloney (57.5kg) +500 with Picklebet Best Bet at Seymour: Jammin Jimmy Jammin Jimmy will return for his second racing preparation for Mitchell Freedman, where the lightly raced five-year-old gelding will seek to break his maiden at the third time of asking. The son of Jimmy Creed was last seen finishing third behind Umetini at Sandown on February 28, which was a much tougher contest than the one he will strike on Sunday. The booking of Damian Lane signals intent from the stable, and if he can settle behind the speed, Jammin Jimmy should prove too classy for this lot. Best Bet Race 2 – #5 Jammin Jimmy (8) 5yo Gelding | T: Mitchell Freedman | J: Damian Lane (59.5kg) +135 with Neds Next Best at Seymour: El Paso Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes will combine with Koby Jennings for the second straight start as he gets back aboard El Paso in his fourth career start. Previously, this three-year-old colt was held up slightly on the home turn before getting clear late to chase down subsequent Listed winner Keeneland at Benalla over 1600m. This son of Dundeel enjoyed stepping up to the mile last start, and he showed a blistering turn of foot when he got clear. If El Paso can settle in the first five or six, he will prove hard to hold out late. Next Best Race 6 – #11 El Paso (13) 3yo Colt | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Koby Jennings (57kg) +450 with PlayUp Quaddie tips for Seymour Cup Day Seymour quadrella selections Sunday, October 13, 2024 4-7-10-15-17 1-4-6-9-12 2-5-7-8-9-18 2-3-5-7-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Exciting prospect Jimmysstar made a one-act affair of the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday when powering to a two and a quarter length victory. The Ciaron Maher-trained son of Per Incanto claimed his first stakes victory and the lightly-tried former Kiwi looks to have plenty more instore. Sent out the $2.30 favourite, Jimmysstar was ridden with supreme confidence by jockey Blake Shinn, who was happy to travel wide throughout before giving the five-year-old time to balance around the bend before displaying a devastating turn of foot to run out a ready winner. Winning trainer Ciaron Maher knew the smart galloper was back to his best after an impressive fresh-up victory over 1100m at Caulfield last month and it was more of the same as Jimmysstar relished stepping out to 1400m. “I was rapt with his first up run to be able to do it over that trip (1100m),” Maher said. “This is right back to his sweet spot and he’s always shown this sort of ability. Just mentally he wasn’t there so I was really hoping that this prep panned out this way to give him a bit of confidence. The team’s done a super job and Blake’s got an impeccable record on him. “I said to Blake, if he’s the horse we think he is, just ride him where he lands and hopefully we’ll get over the top of them and fortunately that’s how it panned out. “He’s just come on naturally. He’s just grown up and he is maturing, you know. He’s a Kiwi horse, we all know they get better with time. “I think he’s just sort of recalibrated a bit. you couldn’t have planned it better if you want to raise the bar over the next couple of months. “I’m rapt with him and he’s got a big ownership group and there’s nothing better than having a nice winner on a big day like this.” The winner of two of his three starts in New Zealand for Hastings trainer Guy Lowry, a majority share in Jimmysstar was sold to clients of Ciaron Maher in September of last year. He started his Australian career on a perfect note with victories in all of his first three starts, including a Benchmark 84 handicap at Caulfield and the A$175,000 Shooting Stars (1500m) at Cranbourne. Jimmysstar has now had 12 starts for seven wins and three placings, earning more than A$494,972 for an ownership syndicate headed by Ozzie Kheir but still including his breeders Little Avondale Stud and Pete and Christine Algie. Maher indicated the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) back at Caulfield on November 16 was the likely feature spring target for Jimmysstar. Jimmysstar is by Little Avondale Stud stallion Per Incanto out of Anniesstar. The Zed mare won five races including the Listed Feilding Gold Cup (2100m), while her full-brother Jacksstar was a seven-time winner up to Group Two level and also placed in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m). Half-brother Bourbonaire placed in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). Anniesstar is the dam of three named foals, and all of them have been winners. Charms Star is a two-time winner headed by the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m), and she was also runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Queensland Oaks (2200m) as a three-year-old. Golden Cup has been a three-time winner in Malaysia. View the full article

Spencer, the find of the winter sprinting ranks, showed he could be just as effective on better going when he claimed a decisive victory in the Gr.3 Valley D’Vine Restaurant Spring Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Erin Hocquard-trained five-year-old put three victories in a row together during the winter before finishing runner-up in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) back in July. The son of Derryn was thereabouts in his next three starts but was left alone by punters on Saturday, starting at the generous odds of $17.60 in an even field, mainly because of concerns on whether he would be as effective on a Soft6 surface as opposed to a Heavy10. Spencer made a nonsense of that theory as apprentice Triston Moodley planted him behind pacemaker Witz End after a torrid five-way battle for early dominance and allowed him to find a settled rhythm before issuing his challenge rounding the home bend. Asked for a serious effort, Spencer dashed clear and maintained a strong gallop to the finish, holding out a late surge from Geriatrix with Dusty Road closing well to take third. Hocquard cut an emotional figure as she reacted to the victory, her first training success at stakes level in a limited career that commenced in the 2016/17 racing season after spending time working for Aidan Schumacher, who co-bred and part-owns Spencer. Trainer Erin Hocquard Photo: Trish Dunell “That is just so good, too good,” Hocquard said. “It’s awesome as it is just little old me from Waverley with the first Group race I’ve been in. “I started off in Wanganui and made my way to Aidan a couple of years later. I hadn’t ridden much and he even named a horse after me, Goldie Cantride, but hopefully I can now as I ride this guy every day and he is not the easiest. “I was a bit worried about the track because he hasn’t done much on a good surface and last time here he didn’t go so well, but last night he ate everything and I was so happy with him. “Who knows what he is capable of and I don’t know where he will go next as I have to get home first.” Moodley was also ecstatic to pull off the victory with a peach of a ride. “I didn’t expect to be outside the leader, but I saw Matt (Cartwright, Witz End) and he is always a good person to follow,” he said. “It was a brilliant decision as when he started coming back to me my horse got going and when we hit the straight he had a great turn of foot. “He put them to bed well and that shows just what a good horse he is. “This means a lot to me as I’ve been struggling a bit lately. People have been behind me though and I just really appreciate that support.” Spencer has now won six of his eighteen starts and over $218,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

North Island raider Raziah produced a brilliant burst of speed to make it back-to-back victories at stakes level when she took out the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton on Saturday. Fresh off success in a slogging finish to the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton last month, the Tony Pike-prepared filly looked to be in a power of trouble when back on the fence and a conservative six lengths off the leaders rounding the home turn. Despite collecting a bump from the tiring Rapid shortly after straightening, rider Sam Wynne kept the daughter of Niagara balanced and she began to close off powerfully, eventually storming along the inner of Dream Of The Moon and When Stars Align to win by a neat length at the post. Bred and raced by The Oaks Stud, Raziah is out of Justa Secret, who is a full-sister to the dam of last season’s Group One-performed three-year-old Antrim Coast. Her second dam is former top race mare Keepa Cruisin who won the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) in the blue and white colours of The Oaks Stud and is a half-sister to the stud’s champion mare Seachange. The Oaks Stud General Manager, Rick Williams, was on-course to witness the victory and admitted he had been quietly confident after watching her parade before the race. “She looked absolutely fantastic and I thought had improved by three or four lengths off her Riccarton win,” Williams said. “She was really tough that day and she has the same sort of grit and toughness that Seachange had which will stand her in good stead as she gets up in distance. “I was quietly confident although when she copped the bump just into the home straight it knocked me a bit, however she had her momentum up and she charged home like a good filly. “There were some people worried about her on a better track (Good3) but her whole family like it on the hard ground and I thought that showed in the final stages today.” The performance labelled Raziah as a major contender for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month, where she now sits at an $8 quote on the TAB Fixed Odds market. Williams believes she has shown she has what it takes to win a race like the Guineas. “I thought her win today was very good as it was a step up in class and against both sexes,” he said. “There may be one or two fillies around with better speed than her but when you get to that long Riccarton home straight and it gets tough in the closing stages our filly will be in for a scrap.” Raziah has now won two of her five starts and more than $125,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

A flying visit across the Tasman has paid dividends for Victorian jockey Liam Riordan, who rode back-to-back winners at Ashburton on Saturday with Fellini and Vivacious. Riordan has formed a successful association with Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne stable over the last 12 months, and he accepted an invitation from trainer Mark Walker to make his New Zealand debut with a handful of mounts at Ashburton this weekend. The 27-year-old wasted no time in making his mark, steering Fellini to victory in the McCrea Painters Decorators Ashburton Cup (1600m) and following it up 35 minutes later with a well-timed finish aboard Vivacious in the Clem & Russell Brand Memorial (1400m). Fellini brought strong form into Saturday’s $50,000 Ashburton Cup, having recorded a win and a close second over 1800m in his previous two starts at Riccarton. Riordan gave him a perfect run, angling across from gate 12 to take up a handy position in sixth on the rail. Fellini was travelling smoothly coming down the side of the track, and Riordan left the fence and switched across heels just before the home turn. Fellini finished over the top of Ears Back and Riviera Rebel down the straight, pulling ahead to win by a length. “That was a very good win, and gee that was a brilliant ride by Liam after jumping from gate 12,” said Walker, who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson. “They should show that ride at apprentice school.” Fellini’s purple patch this spring has been a welcome return to form for the Belardo gelding, who won twice as a two-year-old and placed in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) but then lost form during his three and four-year-old seasons. The five-year-old has now had a total of 30 starts for seven wins, seven placings and $240,415 in stakes. He was bought by David Ellis for $40,000 from the Book 1 draft of Valachi Downs at Karaka 2021. “I’d like to thank the owners, they’ve been very patient,” Walker said. “He’s just coming of age again and handling his racing better. Hunter (Durrant) and the staff at Riccarton have got him going really well. “We’ve varied his training to include a lot of jumping and it seems to be really agreeing with him. We’ll have a think about the TAB Mile (Gr.3, 1600m) on the middle day of Cup Week (November 13). He’s certainly in a rich vein of form.” View the full article

Four-year-old gelding Medatsu notched his fourth victory from 11 starts when running out a strong winner of the Vale John Nicholson Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The Chris Waller-trained son of Staphanos has won three of his past five outings and is proving a good money-spinner for owners Luigi and Tony Muollo. The New Zealand-bred galloper began his career in the Cambridge stable of Clinton Isdale, for whom he placed in three of his four starts including the Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) as a late-season juvenile. After wins at Rosehill and Randwick in August, Medatsu ventured to country cups at Wyong and Dubbo, where he finished sixth on both occasions. Medatsu was given a beautiful ride by Kerrin McEvoy ,who notched an early double, and scored by just over half a length from Fay’s Angel and Mare Of Mt Buller. “Things haven’t really gone his way in his way in the Wyong Cup (Listed, 2100m) and then he went out to Dubbo but he had the perfect run today and he was too good,” Waller said. “These types of races are perfect for him and he has come a long way this preparation.” An emotional Waller acknowledged the late administrator John Nicholson after whom the race was named. “John Nicholson gave me the stables at Rosehill when I first came over so I am forever indebted to him,” Waller said. Bred by Luigi Muollo’s Explosive Breeding Ltd, Medatsu is by Novara Park stallion Staphanos and is out of the Mastercraftsman mare Christine Ann. He is a half-brother to Listed winner Rocababy. Medatsu has now won A$286,361 in prizemoney for connections. View the full article

Lightly raced three-year-old filly Kitty Flash showed her age group rivals a clean pair of heels as she dominated the opening event at Te Rapa on Saturday, the Colliers Commercial 3YO (1400m). The Andrew Forsman-prepared daughter of Ace High had impressed when winning at Taupo last month over the same distance to break her maiden status following a debut fifth in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka. Apprentice Rihaan Goyaram made full use of his 3kg allowance, which had the filly carry just 52kgs, as he bounced her straight to the front from an inside barrier (2) before setting up a solid speed in tandem with Chicago Jack, who sat outside her until the home turn. Goyaram eased Kitty Flash clear by three lengths as they straightened, and despite being chased hard in the closing stages, she comfortably held out the challenges of Altari and race favourite Kiwi Skyhawk to post her second career win. Forsman was delighted with the performance from a filly he holds in high regard. “She was very sharp today and did it nicely,” Forsman said. “We’ve always held an opinion of her as she has showed such good ability from the moment she entered the stable. “She got a nice pull in the weights today and the ability to race on speed was in her favour, but you still have to be good enough to put yourself there, and she was.” Forsman will now put the finishing touches on a plan to get Kitty Flash to the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 16. “Riccarton has always been our target and she showed today she is going the right way to be a big chance in the race,” he said. “She will have one more run before we head south but whether that is in the Soliloquy (Gr.2, 1400m) at Ellerslie or the Sarten Memorial (Gr.2, 1400m) at Te Rapa is the choice we have to make.” TAB Bookmakers were suitably impressed by the run and have Kitty Flash listed as the $10 equal third favourite behind Alabama Lass and Captured By Love, who sit at the top of the 1000 Guineas Fixed Odds market at $3. View the full article

Switzerland winning the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au The Chris Waller-trained Switzerland ($5.00) appears back to his brilliant best after claiming the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) in dominant fashion at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon. The three-year-old Snitzel colt was too bad to be true, returning at this course and distance in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) on September 14, firing up badly in the middle stages before finishing last of nine. He surged through the line in a recent barrier trial to suggest he was back on track, and thanks to a superb steer by Nash Rawiller, that’s exactly what punters got on Saturday. He sat behind a hot tempo courtesy of the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Ikasara ($17.00) storming to the top in the early stages by Adam Hyeronimus, continuing to bowl along with some fast splits turning for home. The I Am Invincible colt was hanging tough in the final furlong as Switzerland cruised up along the inside running rail, while Coleman ($3.30) was mounting a late charge down the centre of the course under Kerrin McEvoy. It was all in vain, however, with Switzerland off and gone with prize, leaving Coleman, Yoshinobu ($26.00), and Ikasara left to fight out the minor money, while favourite backers were left scratching their heads regarding Spirit Of Wealth ($3.40) finishing last of the eight runners. 2024 Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes Replay – Switzerland It was all about the winner in the end, as Chris Waller spoke about the victory and where to next for the Coolmore colt. “Yeah, he’s a good colt,” said Waller. “He just got himself worked up first-up which is not him. It’s out of character. “He’s actually a beautiful natured horse. We just had him too fresh first-up and we rode him too close. It just wasn’t a pretty moment. “We asked him a lot at two, and then we asked him to come back at three and when they have a bad game, it’s all about getting your confidence up and scoring a goal. “We did that in a trial without winning and we thought we had him back on track. But today will just take it to a new level. “They’re a great group of owners (Coolmore). “We had Yes Yes Yes in it (the Everest) and he won it. And this horse is every bit as good as Yes Yes Yes.” Nash Rawiller was pleased with the victory and credited the Chris Waller team to getting Switzerland back to his best. “Yeah, what a colt,” said Rawiller. “We all saw nothing went right for him (first-up) and apparently last time from as far as the tie-ups before the race he was sort of mucking things up. “So full credit to Chris and his team, they’ve got him here today in outstanding order and the right frame of mind to run well and he finished up in a beautiful spot. “I loved the way he relaxed today and he was explosive when I went for him. “He’s got a real x-factor about him. And today was my honour to ride him.” Coolmore still have their slot available for next Saturday’s $20 million Everest (1200m), with Switzerland and Storm Boy both priced at $15.00 with horse racing bookmakers. Horse racing news
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What Coonamble Gold Cup Day 2024 Where Coonamble Jockey Club – Caswell St, Coonamble NSW 2828 When Sunday, October 13, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Coonamble Jockey Club is the destination for NSW country racing on Sunday afternoon, with a stacked eight-race program lined up for punters. The $75,000 Coonamble Gold Cup is the feature event, with a golden ticket to the Big Dance (1600m) up for grabs. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with no significant rainfall forecast to hit the course proper, it should be a picturesque day for racing. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 1:15pm AEDT. Coonamble Gold Cup Tip: Hollywood Hero Hollywood Hero returns to defend his crown in the 2024 Coonamble Gold Cup and should prove hard to hold out after giving a good account of himself in the Dubbo Cup on September 29. He fit the line well despite being worse than mid-field turning for home, suggesting the son of Sacred Falls is ready to peak fourth-up into the campaign. Kody Nestor does the steering from gate one this time around, and although Hollywood Hero needs to lug 62kgs to victory, this guy should prove classy enough to get the job done. Coonamble Gold Cup Race 7 – #2 Hollywood Hero (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Kody Nestor (62kg) Bet with Neds Best Bet at Coonamble: Rennata Rennata caught the first-up at Newcastle on October 1, and although she was rolled as a short-priced favourite with horse racing bookmakers, the daughter of I Am Invincible warrants forgiving. She missed the start from gate two before rallying late to get within 1.2 lengths of Cosmeena and looks well suited dropping back into country maiden company. Barrier 18 will be more appealing after a couple scratchings and provided Aaron Bullock can stalk the speed with cover throughout, Rennata will prove hard to hold out this time around. Best Bet Race 3 – #4 Rennata (18) 4yo Mare | T: Kristen Buchanan | J: Aaron Bullock (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Next Best at Coonamble: Almost Maybe Almost Maybe debuts on the back of one tick-over barrier trial at Wyong on September 9, and although he raced green throughout, the son of Shalaa appears to have a stack of ability. The unraced three-year-old was under a stranglehold throughout the trial, with claiming apprentice Siena Grima trying to relax the untapped gelding. Barrier four should allow him to settle in the one-one throughout, and provided his manners are in check for race-day, Almost Maybe represents good value at the $5.00 available with horse betting sites. Next Best Race 1 – #10 Almost Maybe (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Melanie O’Gorman | J: Siena Grima (a2kg) (56.5kg) Bet with Dabble Sunday quaddie tips for Coonamble Coonamble quadrella selections October 13, 2024 1-4-5-6-7 5-6-7-8-9-12 2-4 1-3-5-6-7-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

South African rides Chancheng Glory in Sunday’s Group Two and Call Me Glorious in the finale.View the full article

By Michael Guerin The richest win of Regan Todd’s training career wasn’t about the money. Sure, it helps Todd owns 10 per cent of Marketplace, the wonderful two-year-old who set Addington alight winning the $200,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million on Friday night. But the cash influx Todd will share with the other owners wasn’t what had him buzzing after the race. “I was thrilled to see him do it like that, to be so tough and brave,” said Todd. “At the 600m I thought he might be in trouble but he came away like a really good horse. “That is what we thought he was so to stand up and prove it was very satisfying.” Todd was also stoked it was also the biggest win in the career of driver Craig Ferguson, who he has been mates with half his life. “We used to work for Brendan McLellan together for two Wyndham boys to be winning on the big stage together is very special. “A lot of people probably don’t realise we have been mates for so long because while I am 36 and Craig is 32, he looks 18,” he laughed. And the win means even more because Todd has had Marketplace since he was bought at the yearling sales. “I have had him since day dot and that means a lot. It is great to have a horse like this who can take you places and show people that you know what you are looking at the yearling sales.” Marketplace was three wide early but Ferguson didn’t panic, allowing him to keep sliding forward to get the lead but the attackers were soon on the scene yet he still cruised away at the 100m mark. He is a very, very good horse and it is hard to make a case many of those behind him can beat him in the Sires’ Stakes at Addington on Cup Day, with maybe northern Captain Sampson his biggest danger. Todd, who was also full of praise for the job Robbie Close and Blair Orange have both done helping educate Marketplace at the trials, now have a small issue with the son of Bettors Delight. “He can’t start in the last Sires’ Stakes heat so I will have to try and find him another lead-up race to the Final. But if I can’t I’ll just keep the work up to him and maybe take him to the Cup trials.” On a night of dazzling wins Chase A Dream’s victory in the $100,000 Canprint Flying Stakes was very similar to Marketplace’s victory. He was trapped three wide early but Orange, like Fergsuon, didn’t panic and he strolled to the front in the middle stages and bolted clear in what was a great training performance, predominantly from Nathan Purdon. It threw down the gauntlet to his rivals in The Velocity and the NZ Derby, although arch rival Cold Chisel had an excuse, his tyre coming off the sulky wheel rim at the 400m. The driver who piloted Chase A Dream to his Sires’ Stakes win on Cup Day last year, Olivia Thornley, recorded another major age group success when Winelight passing-laned Without You in the NZB Standardbred Harness Million two-year-old fillies pace, giving trainer Hayden Cullen his biggest win since going out of his own. Republican Party was a brave winner of the main handicap pace, the Get Your Cup Tickets Now at addington.co.nz Handicap Pace, welcoming driver Carter Dalgety back from the United States, with Don’t Stop Dreaming a late closing third. Earlier Zachary Butcher won two of the other features when training Mantra Blue to a sharp sprinting victory in the Woodlands Stud Mares’ Classic while Meant To Be was all muscle and strength downing stablemate Higher Power in the juvenile NZB Standardbred Harness Million Trot. But the trotting performance of the night had to go to Bet N Win who arrived in open class with a bang when he led throughout in the Group3 Dancinginthedark M Canterbury Park Trotting Cup. The four-year-old showed beautiful manners to step quickly from his 10m mark and once in front Bob Butt dictated the tempo before he trotted his last 800m in 55.9 seconds, appearing to have at least one, maybe two, gears left. The win saw him promoted to third favourite for the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot on Tuesday, November 12 as he continues his march toward one day replacing our ageing or retired elite trotters, although Muscle Mountain’s fourth from his 20m handicap had plenty of merit. Bet N Win, Mystic Max and Love N The Port all guaranteed themselves a spot in the Dominion with their top three finishes. View the full article

Trainer John Size is confident last season’s Champions Mile winner is in good shape ahead of Sunday’s reappearance.View the full article

Improvise. Adapt. Overcome. View the full article

Highway Robber's late rally would not be denied Oct. 11, as the Hard Spun gelding just got up at the wire to nose out Godolphin's defending race winner Bold Act and land his first graded win in the $289,500 Sycamore Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland.View the full article

California's Rancho San Miguel, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025, will host an open house and stallion show Saturday, Nov. 16. The event, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., was moved up from the January date previously employed prior to the last two breeding seasons. “By moving our Open House earlier on the calendar to November, well ahead of the upcoming breeding season, we're hoping to give regional mare owners a helpful headstart on making their all-important breeding decisions for 2025,” said Rancho San Miguel owner Tom Clark. “As part of that effort, we're also proud to introduce two new stellar stallion choices to our line-up for breeders.” Multiple graded stakes winner Brickyard Ride (Clubhouse Ride) and black-type performer The Street Fighter (Street Boss) are new to Rancho San Miguel's roster for 2025, joining veteran sires Danzing Candy, Editorial, Northern Causeway, Richard's Kid, Sir Prancealot (Ire), and Surf Cat, as well as newer additions Bolden and Mo Forza. Attendees will enjoy a catered lunch, giveaways, and a stallion season raffle, among other activities. To RSVP, contact Teri Capaldi at (805) 467-3847 or teri.ransanmig@gmail.com by Nov. 13. The post Open House and Stallion Show at Rancho San Miguel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a seven-figure Keeneland September graduate. 2.00 Naas, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, 8fT JOUSTING (Into Mischief) cost $1.2million at Keeneland September and makes his eagerly-awaited debut for Ballydoyle. A full-brother to the triple grade I heroine Gina Romantica and half to the GI Santa Anita Handicap-winning sire Gift Box, he is joined by stablemate Galveston (GB) (Frankel {GB}), the 2million gns Tattersalls October Book 1 topper who was disappointing on debut here last month. The post Brother To Gina Romantica Debuts At Naas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of La Mehana in the GIII Waya Stakes in New York. Al Wukair Mare Takes Waya LSU Stables' La Mehana (Fr) (Al Wukair {Ire}) broke her American duck in the GIII Waya Stakes during the Belmont at the Big A meeting last week (video). Trained by Christophe Clement, the bay was third in both the GIII Orchid Stakes and GIII Sheepshead Bay Stakes earlier this year. Bred by Haras du Mezeray, La Mehana was a €55,000 buy-back out of the Arqana September Sale and she placed at two for Henri-Alex Pantall in the colours of the Moussac Family in 2021. She would go on to take the Listed Prix Michel Houyvet in 2023 for Jean-Claude Rouget and Selina Fernandez-Shaw Alvarez & Noir and Or Elevage. Kept in training at four, she added the Listed Prix Pawneese, Listed Prix des Tourelles and placed third in the G1 Prix de Royallieu last autumn before heading back through the Deauville ring and selling for €400,000 to Clement. Her dam, Oceanie (Fr) (Dansili {GB}), has also foaled German Group 3 winner Ocean Fantasy (Fr) to the cover of Make Believe (GB). Oceanie, herself, is a half-sister to multiple Group 2 winner and sire Watar (Ire) (Marju {Ire}). Haras de Bouquetot's Al Wukair has sired three starters and three winners in the U.S. La Mehana is the best of them. 'Charm'ing Win For Minoushka Ecurie des Charmes runner Minoushka (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) cruised to a Keeneland allowance win on Oct. 10 (video). Previously trained by Carlos and Yann Lerner, she changed hands for €170,000 as an Arqana October yearling when selected by Meridian International. Bred by Le Thenney – Pearl Champs Elysses, the daughter of Mouille Point (GB) (Motivator {GB}) placed in both the Listed Prix Volterra and G3 Prix de la Grotte this year before moving to the U.S. This is the family of German Group 3 winner Turning Light (Ger) (Fantastic Light) and her son, stakes-winning son Surrey Star (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was placed three times at group level. G1 German Oaks third Noble Heidi (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) is also under the second dam. Coolmore's Starspangledbanner is responsible for 14 winners from 27 runners (52%) in America. His seven stakes winners in that jurisdiction are anchored by Grade I winners Rhea Moon (Ire) and young stallion State Of Rest (Ire). Thread the needle to victory with @Tyler_Gaff aboard Minoushka Ride in the fifth race at @keeneland for trainer Brendan Walsh. #JockeyCam #HelmetCam@JockeysGuild l @FanDuelTV l @PDJFund pic.twitter.com/oHj7KhmTCA — JockeyCam (@JockeyCam) October 10, 2024 French Import Takes New York Affair Brisbane (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}) closed to take a Belmont at the Big A race for Chad Brown, Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb and Michael Kisber (video). The Haras d'Haspel-bred bay was purchased for €170,000 out of the Arqana October Yearling Sale by David Redvers and Meridian International. Already a half-sister to the stakes winner Be Beautiful (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), Brisbane is out of Be Released (Ire) (Three Valleys), while her dam is a half-sister to three-time Group 1 winner Gordon Lord Byron (Ire) (Byron {GB}). She made four starts for Francois Rohaut and owner Laurent Dassault, winning two of them, including her April 2023 French finale. Zelzal, who stands at Haras de Bouquetot, has four winners from nine runners (44%) in America. His pair of stakes winners there have both won at Grade III level–Dolce Zel (Fr) and Ouraika (Fr). Zoffany Colt Gets It Done In Lexington James and Donna Daniell's Half Dome (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) made his third start a winning one at Keeneland on Thursday (video). He made his first two starts at Ellis Park. The Michael McCarthy trainee was bred by Rockhart Trading, Ltd. and sold to West Bloodstock for €110,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale in 2022. The second foal for Tissiak (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), the bay is from the extended family of G3 Prix de Flore winner In Clover (GB) (Inchinor {GB}), the dam of no less than seven stakes winners, among them a quartet of Group 1 winners including Friendly Soul (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who won the G1 Prix de l'Opera on Sunday. The late Zoffany has sired 30 winners in North America from 59 runners (50%). His quintet of stakes winners contain four graded winners with GII Hollywood Turf Cup winner Oscar Dominguez (Ire) the best of the lot so far. (6) Half Dome (IRE) commands the night cap, giving Flavien Prat back-to-back wins! (5) Fort Thomas and (4) Fayette Spirit follow. pic.twitter.com/uSlL5MnyEN — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 10, 2024 No Nay Never Filly Prevails In Delaware Brindi (Ire) (No Nay Never) graduated at Delaware Park for trainer Christophe Clement on Oct. 9 (video). A colourbearer for Bridlewood Farm, eFive Racing Thoroubhreds, Madaket Stables and Michael Dubb, the daughter of Salamah (Ire) (Shamardal) was making her third start. A product of the Framont, Ltd. breeding programme, the second foal of her dam was an €180,000 Arqana August yearling. Granddam Spirit Of Dubai (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) also foaled Salamah's full-brother Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal), who won the G1 Sprint Cup and was second in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, G1 Nunthorpe Stakes and another edition of the Sprint Cup Stakes. Coolmore Stud's No Nay Never is credited with 54 runners from 97 runners (55%) in the U.S. His trio of graded winners include GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Meditate (Ire) and multiple group winner Nay Lady Nay (Ire), who was also third in the GI Flower Bowl Stakes. Repeat Winners: eFive Racing Thoroughbreds' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) took his third graded stakes on the bounce in Keeneland's GI Turf Mile Stakes on Oct. 5 (video) for Chad Brown. The 'TDN Rising Star' broke his maiden at Gulfstream last year. Another repeat winner is John Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock Services' Rebel Red (GB) (Frankel {GB}). The Cherie DeVaux trainee added a Keeneland allowance to his ledger on the same day (video). Chad Brown and Klaravich Stables combined to win a Belmont at the Big A contest with Unit Economics (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) (video). The son of Cherubic (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) first came on the U.S. scene with a maiden win in New York in June. Watch the full replay as Carl Spackler (IRE) prevails in the @coolmoreamerica Turf Mile (G1) and earns a spot in the starting gate at the @BreedersCup Mile! pic.twitter.com/Vit58HJKAz — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 5, 2024 The post Making Waves: Autumn Playground For Euros appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Introducing Saint Nick. View the full article

On the eve of Saturday's G1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes, we are in familiar territory anticipating a show of force from Ballydoyle's latest golden prospect in what seems to be a permanent autumnal ritual. Newmarket's cherished jewel is still the ultimate juvenile contest in the European calendar and its appeal to the Rosegreen establishment is as potent as ever. Where Dr Vincent O'Brien supplied seven winners, Aidan's haul of eight is set to grow exponentially starting possibly (and probably) with TDN Rising Star The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) here. Unleashed in an important Curragh maiden on Irish Oaks day, the relative of Inchinor (GB) who was second in this to Zafonic in 1992, led home some significant peers in a smart time on fast ground in York's G3 Acomb Stakes when last seen in August and has assumed the mantle of his stable's leading 2-year-old colt ever since. Bred for a Triple Crown, it is no exaggeration to say that he is as exciting a prospect as any of the yard's previous Dewhurst favourites. O'Brien, who also saddles fellow TDN Rising Star Rock Of Cashel (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and last Saturday's Curragh maiden winner Expanded (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), is on his customary scouting mission with The Lion In Winter. “Everything seems good and he's had his two runs now–everyone knows about him,” he said. “No doubt it is important he comes here, if he is a Guineas horse it is very important to have experience of the track and you know they are going to handle it, so if there is any ironing out you have to do, you have to do it.” “We feel Rock Of Cashel is better than we have seen and we feel he is a little bit like his sister Snowfall–we could only win a maiden with her at two, but we always thought she was good,” he added. “We think he's a bit like that and there is plenty there we haven't seen yet. Whether that comes in the Dewhurst or whether we have to wait until next year we will find out.” Despite the admirable qualities of the G2 Superlative Stakes runner-up and G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes third Seagulls Eleven (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}), this is a renewal exclusively for the world's elite operations. Like his owners, the Hugo Palmer trainee presents as a talented and plucky upstart much in the guise of their football club Brighton & Hove Albion, but this is akin to entering the Etihad or the Santiago Bernabeu so good luck to them. “We couldn't be happier with him going into the race and they say dogs are like their owners, but horses are like their owners,” Palmer said. “He is owned by 11 Brighton footballers and he's Brighton taking on Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal. He's a lovely horse, we think the world of him, he's proved he's capable of mixing it at this level and he's a big horse who's still improving.” The truth is that this Dewhurst brings into sharp focus how condensed the selection of the best thoroughbreds has become, just as Friday's Fillies' Mile did, bringing back the old days of match races with Godolphin the only realistic alternative to another Coolmore triumph. Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) beat Ballydoyle's Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never) all ends up in the Middle Park, but he has a lot more on his plate with an extra furlong to deal with and a stronger rival in The Lion In Winter. His supplementary may tell us something about connections' view of their unbeaten Superlative winner Ancient Truth (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), but we will find out very soon. “I'm delighted with the pair of them coming into it,” Appleby said. “Shadow Of Light has everything to gain and nothing to lose. If he goes and wins, then fantastic, he adds an extra dimension to his 3-year-old career and do we look at a Guineas route. If he gets beat, like Blue Point did, then we just cement he's a sprinter and you can tailor your training programme in the spring. It's a win-win situation, really.” “Ancient Truth is three-from-three coming into it and we haven't seen him since the Superlative. We were toying with the idea of running in the National Stakes in Ireland, but I felt he was a horse who would be better given more time and I didn't want to have two cracks at group 1s and this one, the Dewhurst, is an important group 1 for us. He looks great, he's strengthened and has done everything we have asked for.” Saturday's other 2-year-old pattern races are Newmarket's 10-furlong G3 Palace Pier Zetland Stakes, where Ryan Moore has picked the Curragh maiden winner Shackleton (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) of the Ballydoyle pair, and the G3 Emirates Autumn Stakes over a mile with the stable's TDN Rising Star and G2 Champions Juvenile Stakes runner-up Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) looking to provide more poignancy to the recent loss of his dam Tepin (Bernstein). Chantilly's six-furlong G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte sees Gousserie Racing and Sandrine Gavrois's G1 Cheveley Park Stakes runner-up Daylight (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}) take on Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy's G3 Firth Of Clyde Stakes winner Sky Majesty (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}). The post Winter Dreaming Starts With The Dewhurst As The Lion Stalks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fort Erie told Ontario horsemen this week that they risk losing stalls if any of the horses they had stabled at the Canadian track end up being shipped to race in Puerto Rico.View the full article

Freud's reign among the New York leading sires will continue for a few seasons yet, but the grand old man has covered his last mare. The 26-year-old son of Storm Cat has earned his retirement.View the full article