Wandering Eyes

Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall are on weather watch as they prepare to shoot for $650,000 in prizemoney across a pair of Group races this weekend. They will saddle emerging mare Snazzytavi in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, followed by proven star Bonny Lass in Sunday’s Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua. On Friday morning, Te Rapa was rated a Soft 7 and Rotorua a Heavy8, and Richardson has been keeping a cautious eye on the skies. “Track conditions and weather patterns are a bit of an issue for a few runners this weekend, ourselves included,” Richardson said. “It’s hard to know what the weather’s going to do. If those showers stay away and the tracks come back a little bit, that will be a big help for both of our mares.” The Livamol Classic will be the biggest test of an exciting career for Snazzytavi. The daughter of Tavistock has won six times from 12 starts in the colours of Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, headed by the Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m) at Te Rapa in April. Snazzytavi boasts a perfect three-from-three record at the Hamilton course, including a dominant last-start victory in a 1600m open handicap there on September 27. “The fact that she’s had three starts at the track for three good wins is pretty exciting,” Richardson said. “It definitely seems to be a course that suits her, so even though it’s sad that this meeting has been moved away from Hastings, it could be a bit of an advantage for us.” Snazzytavi will be ridden by Warren Kennedy in Saturday’s $550,000 showpiece, and the TAB rates her a $6.50 third favourite behind Campionessa ($4.50) and One Bold Cat ($5). “I’m very happy with the horse,” Richardson said. “Obviously it’s a pretty strong field on Saturday, and track conditions are a query. I think she’ll be fine if it comes back into that soft range, but anything worse than that would be a concern. “Getting up over a bit more ground is a bit of unknown territory as well. She has done it successfully before (winning a 2000m Rating 75 at Matamata in February), but this is earlier in the season and against a high class of opposition. We’re very hopeful, but it’s a bit of a case of wait and see.” Bonny Lass has well and truly proven herself against elite opposition, winning Group races at the ages of two, three, four, five and six. She broke through for her first Group One win in the BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa in February, and returned there in August for a similarly impressive victory in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m). In her only start since then, the Super Easy mare finished sixth in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings. Richardson was not disappointed with that performance and has been pleased with the mare in her build-up to Sunday’s Sweynesse Stakes – a race she won in 2022. “They just went a little bit hard early in the Tarzino,” he said. “It didn’t turn out the best for her, but I didn’t think it was too bad a run under the circumstances. “She pulled up very well after that race and enjoyed a week or so out in the paddock. She’s been looking good since coming back into work. “She won this race a couple of years ago, so we know she gets around Rotorua well. She’s very tough and I’m sure she’ll be competitive again. “Hopefully she’ll be able to get through the track conditions okay. Apart from that, we’re very happy with her and everything is good. “We want to get her through to races like the Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m) and Railway (Gr.1, 1200m), where she hasn’t had a lot of luck in the past. After that, she might even end up in Brisbane. That might be a trip for the connections to look forward to next year.” View the full article

The 2024-25 season is about to move up a gear for Lance Noble, who has eight entries this weekend including highly talented mare Luberon in Sunday’s Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua. The private trainer for Cambridge Stud sent out 19 winners from his Karaka stable last season, earning more than $1.2 million in prizemoney. He celebrated black-type successes with Habana in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) and Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m), About Time in the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m), and Aquacade in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2050m). Noble has saddled only a handful of runners so far in the new season, winning a 1200m Rating 75 at Ellerslie with Luberon and a 1300m maiden at Cambridge with Flash Effect. This weekend marks a big step up. “We’ve got a nice team stepping out this weekend and I’m looking forward to it,” Noble said. “We’ve been waiting for the tracks to improve a little bit, but now we’re getting to the time where we need to get them out there. We have to get the runs into them before the good summer races start to roll around. It’s an exciting time of the year.” Luberon’s first-up win at Ellerslie on September 21 was an impressive return by the Embellish mare, who carried 58.5kg to a hard-fought victory over fellow black-type performer Pericles. Luberon is now the winner of four of her nine starts, along with a third in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m), third in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) and fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). “That was a very pleasing first-up performance and she seems to have come through it well,” Noble said. “I’ve been really happy with her. The Sweynesse Stakes is going to be a big step up in class, but it’ll give us a good line on where we go with her from here. “I’m just hoping the track improves a little bit and hopefully comes back into the soft range. At this time of year, it only takes one day with a bit of sun, and things dry out quite a bit quicker. She’ll be okay on soft, so I hope it comes back to that. “I think she’ll be fine getting around Rotorua as well. Some of her best runs have been left-handed, like her wins at Matamata and Te Rapa.” Eight-race winner Habana will line up as the 59kg topweight in Saturday’s Gr.3 Valley D’Vine Restaurant Spring Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa, giving away 6kg to the likes of race favourite Witz End and stylish last-start winner Navigator. “Habana’s first-up run for fifth at Ellerslie was very good,” Noble said. “He was just a bit on the fresh side and reared at the start, so he got a long way back. He didn’t have a lot of room in the straight either, but ran on very well. “He carried 60kg in that race and drops back to 59 here, albeit against what is probably a stronger field. I think he’ll go well, although he does want a good track. He’s a much better horse on top of the ground.” Exceedance filly Flash Effect takes a perfect one-start, one-win record into Saturday’s Colliers Commercial 3YO (1400m). “She’s a promising filly who won very nicely on debut at Cambridge,” Noble said. “She’s come through that really well too. I think she’s improved, which she’s going to need to. She’s up against a strong field on Saturday. Again, it’s going to give us a good line on where we should go with her from here. “We’ve got a couple of other nice chances at Te Rapa with Frostfair and Dazzled. Frostfair didn’t have all favours last time, stuck three wide and also going a bit keenly. She’s got a tricky draw on Saturday (12) and will need some luck, but she hasn’t done much wrong in her short career. She can be a nice chance if she gets the right run. “We’ve scratched Dazzled a couple of times, just waiting for better tracks. Hopefully she might get conditions to suit her this weekend. On her day, when it all clicks, she’s very good.” View the full article

Caulfield Guineas Day is host to a triple-shot of Group 1 racing on Saturday including an exciting edition of the Toorak Handicap 2024 over the Caulfield mile. Betting on the $1 million showdown this year is led by Ciaron Maher’s in-form gelding Another Wil at a current quote of $3.10 through Ladbrokes. The consistent galloper […] The post 2024 Toorak Handicap Field: Favourite Another Wil Drawn Rails appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Saturday’s Might And Power 2024 field looks a potential one-horse race if the markets are to go by as the talented Mr Brightside looks to salute as the odds-on favourite at Caulfield on Guineas Day. The Team Hayes-trained seven-year-old is the clear frontrunner in betting at Ladbrokes on this year’s Group 1 $1 million Might […] The post Mr Brightside to Shine in 2024 Might And Power: Field & Odds Update appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Australian Group One sprinter Uncommon James could be set to cross the Tasman early next year to try to add to his elite-level haul. Photo: Brett Holburt (Racing Photos) Group One-winning Australian sprinter Uncommon James could be in line for a trip across the Tasman to contest the Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) and Group 1 Railway (1200m) in January. Uncommon James is the winner of six of his 16 starts and more than $1.4 million in prizemoney, headed by a brilliant victory over Lofty Strike and Asfoora in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) in Melbourne in February of last year. Eagle Farm trainer Matt Hoysted considered a trans-Tasman raid earlier in the Cable Bay gelding’s decorated career, and the newly increased prizemoney for New Zealand’s summer sprint features, along with the $1 million in bonuses associated with the brand-new Sport Nation Champion Sprint Series, have made it an even more compelling option in 2024-25. The Telegraph will be run for a stake of $550,000 at Trentham on January 4, with the Railway shifting from New Year’s Day to the Karaka Millions meeting on January 25 and now boasting $700,000 in prizemoney. “Taking him across to New Zealand is actually an idea that I’ve had in the back of my mind for quite a lot of his career,” Hoysted said. “I was strongly considering it in the prep before he won the Oakleigh Plate. At that stage, I was sort of thinking about all the options we had available to try to give him a chance at that Group One level. It didn’t work out back then, and he went on to win the Oakleigh after that. But it might be more of an option this time around. “Coming into the twilight of his career now, it might be a nice way to allow him to continue to race and be competitive at that sort of level. “That new bonus series in New Zealand makes it a more attractive option as well. I train a few horses for Ladbrokes here in Australia, and they’ve been telling me about some of the exciting new initiatives that Entain has introduced in New Zealand. It’s definitely given us something to think about.” Uncommon James was last seen on a racetrack in June, finishing seventh behind I Wish I Win in the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm. The six-year-old’s New Zealand mission will depend on a pair of Queensland sprinting assignments in November. “He’s currently building towards his first jumpout here on Tuesday, and then he’ll have another jumpout a fortnight after that,” Hoysted said. “The plan at this stage is to run him in the Swiss Ace (1000m) and the George Moore Stakes (Group 3, 1200m). We want to make sure that he’s come up well and is going well enough in this preparation. “If he puts in a couple of good performances and shows us that his heart is still in it, we’ll be pretty keen to take him over to New Zealand.” Horse racing news
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Beauty Eternal wins the Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m). Bidding for a record-extending fifth win in the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, Zac Purton hopes Beauty Eternal’s class will prove decisive against quality opposition headed by fellow Group 1 winner Voyage Bubble and Galaxy Patch. Successful in the Sha Tin Trophy with Ambitious Dragon (2012), Military Attack (2014), Beauty Generation (2018) and California Spangle (2022), Purton hopes Beauty Eternal can join an honour roll which also features Viva Pataca (2008), Gold-Fun (2013), Designs On Rome (2016) and Golden Sixty (2020). “He (Beauty Eternal) has got better with every trial. His last trial, I thought, was decent enough. He’s ready to go to the races, obviously he has to give some weight away being a Group 1 winner,” Purton said. Winner of the Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) on April 28, John Size-trained Beauty Eternal (131lb) will face Voyage Bubble (135lb), Beauty Joy (129lb), Galaxy Patch (129lb), Red Lion (126lb), Straight Arron (125lb), Happy Together (120lb), Chancheng Glory (115lb), La City Blanche (115lb) and The Golden Scenery (115lb) on Sunday. “It’s a starting point for him (Beauty Eternal) and John wouldn’t be taking him to the races if he didn’t have him in some type of competitive shape, which he should be, and hopefully he can start off on the right foot and go on with it,” Purton said. “I’m happy with him. He’s going to get better, but I’m happy with where he’s at.” Purton has ridden Beauty Eternal in all of the gelding’s 17 Hong Kong starts, posting nine wins and six minor placings for earnings of HK$35.75 million and the Sha Tin Trophy is likely to be followed by tilts at the HK$5.35 million Group 2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) on November 17 and the HK$36 million Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on December 8. Leading the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with 20 wins from Hugh Bowman (13), Purton has a full book of 10 rides on Sunday, highlighted by the return of last start winner Wunderbar, a stablemate of Beauty Eternal. Size-trained Wunderbar chases his sixth win at his seventh start against a string of quality rivals including Son Pak Fu, Bundle Of Charm, Atullibigeal, Superb Capitalist, Call Me Glorious, Gorgeous Win, Sing Dragon and Bottomuptogether. Following his treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, Purton travelled to Conghua to partner Ka Ying Rising in a 1200m trial. Last season’s Hong Kong Champion Griffin and Most Improved Horse, Ka Ying Rising was placed under no pressure in clocking 1:11.19 to defeat Six Pack and Samarkand. Trained by David Hayes, Ka Ying Rising has not raced since his emphatic win in the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on September 8, when he carried a race record 135lb to victory under Purton. The four-year-old is being prepared for the HK$5.35 million Group 2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) on October 20 and the HK$5.35 million Group 2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) on November 17 in preparation for the HK$26 million Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on December 8. Horse racing news
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By Mike Love Holly K’s victory brought up Brent Borcoskie’s 100th training success at Addington Raceway on Wednesday, and he was chuffed. “It’s nice to get that ticked off,” said Borcoskie. Holly K made a flyer in the Sweet Lou The Most Popular Sire Of 2023 Pace from the 2000m stand for driver Blair Orange. The pair led the entire journey before putting a few lengths on them at the top of the straight and holding on to win by one and a quarter lengths from runner up Ester Lucy. “She went well and is looking really well. She had been building toward that win so we’re really happy to get it. Always nice to win at Addington.” “She’ll go again in a fortnight, there’s a good race for her there.” Borcoskie recalled training his first winner at Rangiora in 1994 with a horse called Tarantella. “I remember there was a syndicate that owned her and all the owners were there. It was a freezing cold day and we had a late night out afterwards.” That would be Tarantella’s only victory, while Borcoskie’s self-proclaimed all-time stable star is the currently racing The Bloss. “I own half of her so she’s been a handy horse for us. We are going to try and put her in foal and probably race in foal for a wee bit.” The Bloss has placed in three Group races, and to date has won 17 races and over $160,000 in stakes. When it comes to a career highlight, it is not in the training ranks but rather as a driver. “Winning a big mares race with Silk Brocade in Australia – I still haven’t topped that.” Borcoskie has now trained 100 winners and earned over $870,000 in stakes, and currently trains a team of eight from his Leeston base. View the full article

By Jonny Turner While many Ascot Park racegoers had looks of shock on their faces, Matthew Williamson couldn’t wipe the smile off of his. Williamson continued his dream harness racing season when Princess Sadie dashed home to win the Dancinginthedark M Southern Trotting Oaks. Given the calibre of filly Princess Sadie is, there would usually be no real surprise in seeing her win such a feature race. But when red-hot favourite Empire City was in front and cruising at the 400m, the victory needed to be earned. Harness racing fans were denied a home straight showdown when Empire City blundered and galloped her way out of contention, with it revealed later that the incident was caused by one of her shoes coming loose. While punters might have been left wondering what had been, Williamson only had one thing on his mind. And that was the delight in seeing the trotter named after the eldest of his three children finally nail a feature-race win. “It definitely is the biggest training win of my career and it is just so awesome to do it with this filly,” Williamson said. “She has been the bridesmaid a lot and she really deserved to win a nice race.” “It is so awesome for all involved that she has done it.” Working alongside wife Charlotte, Williamson has charged up the training ranks after making a tidy start to his career to now leading the Otago-Southland training premiership with 34 wins so far this year. Princess Sadie has been with the trainer for much of the journey, after he purchased her as a yearling for just $15,000 in 2022. Williamson was quick to praise those who have helped him along the way following his career-high win. “We have had a great run and it is a huge team around us.” “Charlotte runs the ship and she deserves a huge amount of credit.” “People like Barry White also, who have been there from the start.” “He was helping me when I had about four horses and next to no idea what I was doing.” With more than 1200 driving wins and having worked closely with his father Phil, it will be difficult for many to believe Williamson had few clues about preparing horses when he started. Princess Sadie is raced by Charlotte Williamson, Charlotte, Summit Bloodstock, the Stir Fry Syndicate and Fred Donovan, who made the trip down from Auckland to take in Princess Sadie’s big win. View the full article

Caulfield Guineas contender, Evaporate. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Lindsay Park’s promising gelding Evaporate will aim for Group 1 glory in Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m). The son of Per Incanto will try to become the first horse since the David Hayes-trained St Covet in 1994 to win the Guineas for Lindsay Park. Evaporate will also follow the path of Griff, who claimed the Guineas after winning the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley, a race Evaporate also secured in his last start. “He’s always shown us ability at home, and we knew when the penny did drop that he was going to be quite a bit of a weapon,” said Will Hayes, who trains alongside his brothers Ben and JD. “He’s built a picket fence, which is what good horses do. He’s found a niche at The Valley, and he really loves it there, so hopefully that carries over to Caulfield, but it’s going to be another rise in grade for him. “He is a Group 2 winner, so he’ll be going there as one of the fancied runners, I would assume. “We’re happy with him, and I think he’s just getting better as the prep goes on, but he’s got to take on Broadsiding now, and he looks pretty good. “So I’m glad that he’s got to come down from Sydney and meet us at our home deck.” Horse racing news
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Group 1 winner, Mornington Glory. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Last-start Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) winner Mornington Glory will aim for his fourth consecutive victory when he lines up for Saturday’s Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield. After wins in the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) and a Benchmark 100 (1000m), Mornington Glory gave trainer Gavin Bedggood his first Group 1 triumph in the Moir Stakes, with all three victories coming at The Valley. “He’s a horse that thrives on racing and he didn’t need to have a break,” Bedggood explained. “It’s just the way the calendar fell, and we didn’t want to go to the Manikato, so this was the next logical option. “He had a trial here last Thursday, trialled well, but pulled up with improvement out of it, and he’s had another nice piece of work at Cranbourne since and pulled up spot on, so he’s on target.” Looking ahead, Bedggood acknowledged that future plans are somewhat restricted for his stable star. “We’ll just see how he comes through each run, but there’s not a lot of options,” he said. “There’s maybe the Millennium Sprint next week if we were to do a seven-day backup, which we did do last spring. “He won at Flemington and then won seven days later at the Valley, or he could go to the McEwen Stakes on Cox Plate Day if we wanted to try the 1200 (metres) again, but we’ll just see how he comes through this and reassess.” Horse racing news
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Vibrant Sun. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) winner Vibrant Sun will have her final lead-up race before the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 2, as she lines up in Saturday’s Group 3 Ladies Day Vase (1600m) at Caulfield. Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, the mare was also entered for the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) this weekend, but her trainers felt a softer option would be more suitable ahead of her main target next month. “We’re building her towards the Empire Stakes third-up, and it’s a race which she can run really well in,” said Kent Jnr. Price and Kent Jnr had initially considered the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) on September 27, but that race would have come just 13 days after her first-up tenth in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m). “It came up very, very quickly, 13 days after what was a run on a heavy, heavy track,” Kent Jnr explained. “She won her Group 1 in the autumn with a little bit of time between runs, so we thought we’d give her a bit of extra time leading into this run. “That first-up run and then this run on Saturday should build her nicely, hopefully to be third-up into the Empire Rose.” Horse racing news
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Hill Stakes contender, Pericles. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Godolphin’s trainer James Cummings has opted to redirect Pericles to Sydney this Saturday for the Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill after drawing the outside barrier in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m). A dual Group 2 victor and four-time elite-level placer, Pericles kicked off his five-year-old campaign with a commendable third in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) before triumphing in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Moonee Valley. His latest outing saw him secure third place in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m), prompting Cummings to express confidence in dropping him back to Group 2 level this weekend. “It’s amazing, he came back from Melbourne in unbelievably good condition and we are still building towards his peak,” Cummings remarked. “He gets a gorgeous run from the barrier (four) at weight-for-age. “There’s a number of chances, but it’s a very strong race and I think there’s a number of runners in good form. He was very brave over nine furlongs last start in the Underwood on top of a strong tempo. “The opposition made him work early and it was a very testing race. He was brave to still be sticking on late. “He stayed on well at 1800 metres, stayed on better than most of the field having been vulnerable from up on top of the pace.” Horse racing news
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Stan Tsaikos could have a big day at Alice Springs on Saturday as he has been booked to ride three favourites. (Brendan McCarthy/Racing Photos) After missing three meetings recently through suspension, it could be a big day for jockey Stan Tsaikos at Alice Springs on Saturday. The Geelong-based rider, who has been riding in the NT for years, will partner Terry Gillett’s Valley Prince and Supreme Goal, as well as Lisa Whittle’s Omoplata. Valley Prince, the early $1.50 favourite with horse racing bookmakers, is shooting for three straight wins when the seven-year-old gelding takes on 0-70 opposition over 1200m. The son of Dissident, a last start winner two weeks ago over 1200m (0-64) by 4.8 lengths, takes on four other runners with Gillett’s Ornamental Lady and Hurn Court, along with Whittle’s Lunar Solar and Taorima Duchess hoping to spoil the party. Supreme Goal, a six-year-old gelding by Supreme Class, was the $2.50 favourite over 1400m (0-64) after posting a last start win a fortnight ago against 0-58 grade after debuting over 1600m. Dan Morgan’s Barocco Bar, Kerry Petrick’s The Girl’s Boy, Will Savage’s Fantasy Eagle, Paul Gardner’s Nasty Streak, Greg Connor’s Zelring and Ray Viney’s Quizzle will be tough in a very open race. Omoplata ($2.40 fav) has been dynamite since returning to action having dispensed with the opposition over 1200m at 0-58 and BM54 level with nonchalant ease during September. The son of More Than Ready, a six-year-old gelding, has worked his way to the front for both wins and no doubt similar tactics will be employed as he strives to topple Kevin Lamprecht’s Frankfurt, Petrick’s duo Kikuyu and Magic Defense, and Morgan’s Arrogant Miss over 1200m (BM54). Tsaikos, the Alice Springs and Provincial premiership’s top jockey for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons, rode Omoplata and Supreme Goal to their last start wins, but partnered Ornamental Lady ahead of Valley Prince on September 29. The Victorian continues to pick up the wins in Alice Springs and Darwin on a regular basis, but he was suspended after riding Gillett’s Family Ties at Pioneer Park on September 8. Getting to an early lead over 1000m, Family Ties ($3.20) was in great shape turning for home and was still in front as Tsaikos drove the five-year-old gelding to the line. Presumably, Tsaikos must have thought he had sealed victory because he put the cue in the rack in the shadows of the post with the Savage-trained Talent Quest ($2.15 fav) swooping to win by a short half head. Stewards charged Tsaikos with not riding his horse out to the end of the race and/or approaching the end of the race. Tsaikos missed the Darwin meetings on September 14 and 21, as well as the Alice Springs meeting on September 15. The break did Tsaikos no harm after his winning double in the Red Centre a fortnight ago. Tsaikos, along with Darwin jockey Sonja Logan and fellow Victorian apprentice Hannah Le Blanc, currently share the lead in the Alice Springs and Provincial premiership with four wins each. Horse racing news
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9th-Keeneland, $120,000, Alw (NW2X)/Opt. Clm ($125,000), 10-10, 3yo, 6f, 1:10.30, ft, neck. WORLD RECORD (c, 3, Gun Runner–Marwa {GB}, by Exceed And Excel {Aus}) broke his maiden at second asking at Churchill Downs May 27, which earned him a 'TDN Rising Star' badge. The bay finished third over the same surface in the Maxfield Stakes June 30, but rebounded with a signature score in the GII Amsterdam Stakes at the Spa July 26. Well-beaten in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes upstate a month later, the colt was well-backed at 33 cents on the dollar here. The favorite closely shadowed a trio of pacesetters up the backstretch. On hold around the far turn, World Record shifted to the three path at the top of the lane and uncorked at the eighth pole. Under strong encouragement, the 'Rising Star' got to the wire first ahead of the charging Agoo (Munnings). A half-sister to MGSW Sir Cherokee (Cherokee Run) and MGSW Miss Isella (Silver Charm), the winner's dam is responsible for a 2-year-old filly in-training named Everloving (Violence) and a yearling filly by Maxfield, who AMO Racing took home for $425,000 at last month's Keeneland September Sale. Marwa was bred to Tacitus for next season. Sales History: $410,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-3-0-2, $279,860. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Siena Farm LLC and WinStar Farm LLC; B-Runnymede Farm LLC, Falguieres Bloodstock, Gestut Zur Kuste AG, et (KY); T-Rodolphe Brisset. #2 WORLD RECORD ($2.66) holds on to win the 9th race at @Keeneland. The three-year-old colt by @Three_Chimneys' Gun Runner was piloted by Flavien Prat for trainer @BrissetRodolphe and owners @WinStarFarm and @SienaFarmKY. Play the Thursday finale here: https://t.co/v7SaAxACXp pic.twitter.com/YplVnRxiws — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 10, 2024 The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ World Record Clocks Win At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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For the most part, Tampa Bay Downs survived Hurricane Milton relatively unscathed. According to Margo Flynn, the track's vice president of marketing, the grandstand suffered only minimal damage. Milton hit the west coast of Florida just a few weeks after the area was hit hard by Hurricane Helene. Milton made land fall at 8:30 p.m. in Siesta Key, Florida about 77 miles south of the track. The storm did not begin to subside until around 11:15. Flynn also reported that the main track and the turf course came through the storm unscathed. The worst of the problems was the flooding on the backside. “There is flooding on the backside to the point we can't get in to assess the damage,” Flynn said Thursday. “We're hoping later today or tomorrow that we can get back here. We just had Helene which produced a considerable storm surge and lots of flooding. And we had a very wet summer on top of that. It hasn't had a chance to dry out. The ground is absolutely saturated. Fortunately, water does drain pretty rapidly around here.” The track lost power and that, combined with downed power lines and fallen trees, made it impossible to get crews in to assess the damage and to restore power. Tampa Bay Downs is slated to open Nov. 22. The backstretch was due to open on Oct. 23 but that has been pushed back to Oct. 28. If the floods on the backside don't subside quickly the track may have to further push back the opening of the backstretch. Residents of Oldsmar, Florida, where the track is located were told to evacuate. Those who did not leave were told to shelter in place. “It could have been worse and it would have been a lot worse if there were horses on the backside,” Flynn said. The web page for the city of Oldsmar reported that Milton would produce twice as much flooding as Helene. “I've lived here for 22 years; this is the worst I've ever seen,” Mark O'Hara of St. Petersburg told the local NBC affiliate. “We're experiencing the worst right now. Very loud tornado, but it's coming around on all sides of your house. When the gusts pick up, it sounds like a freight train.” The post Parking Lots and Backstretch Flooded, but Hurricane Damage at Tampa Bay Downs is Minimal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

At the conclusion of the first day of the International Jockey Concussion, Safety and Wellness Conference, HISA, in collaboration with Jockeys' Guild, revealed that they are launching a major initiative to support jockey well-being. View the full article

Unbeaten 3-year-old colt Nysos, sidelined since winning the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) in February at Santa Anita Park, and royally bred 3-year-old Eagles Flight each returned to the work tab Oct. 10 at Santa Anita.View the full article

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Having extended her unbeaten sequence in Doncaster's G2 May Hill Stakes, Godolphin's Desert Flower (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) has to do it all over again in Friday's G1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket. On the face of it, the TDN Rising Star may only have to repeat last month's form, with Ballydoyle's number one looking to be the runner-up January (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) if jockey bookings are the guide. Ryan Moore has opted for the Listed Churchill Stakes scorer, who has 1 1/2 lengths to find on Desert Flower, with Tom Marquand booked for the G3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes winner Dreamy (Ire) (American Pharoah) and Wayne Lordan on the Ascot novice scorer Ballet Slippers (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Charlie Appleby said of Desert Flower, “She has done nothing but improve with each of her three starts. She proved herself over this trip in the May Hill Stakes and I couldn't be happier with her.” Also in the mix is Juddmonte's Tabiti (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who captured Salisbury's G3 Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes, and Cheveley Park Stud's Anna Swan (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}) who went two-for-two in an often-informative Newbury conditions event last month. Marquand is looking forward to the prospect of riding for Ballydoyle and said, “It's probably quite an open race and there are some talented fillies in there. Dreamy has looked very good on both starts and I just hope she can continue that line of progression from her last start. It's that time of year where you never know with fillies what is still on the boil or off it, she is a great ride to pick up and I've been really impressed with her in her first two starts and I'm just pleased to be on board.” Ryan Moore may have surprised a few people when picking January over her less-exposed stablemates, especially as he passed her over in the May Hill, but the rider usually gets these decisions right. “January is a filly I've always liked and her win in the Churchill Stakes at Tipperary showed her potential. We obviously have to overturn a defeat to Desert Flower in the May Hill, that will be hard, but my filly is tough and will give the favourite plenty to think about.” Tabiti's rider Rossa Ryan is on a roll at present and said, “She's in good form and the Dick Poole seemed a strong race. She's very unfurnished and there's still plenty more potential to come out of her, so we're hoping for a good run. Time will tell how good she is, but we have to find one to replace Bluestocking if she doesn't stay in training next year and she's doing the right things so far.” Can She Take Flight In The Oh So Sharp? Third behind Desert Flower (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and January (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) in the May Hill, Flight (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) takes a diversion away from them on Friday with Ollie Sangster opting for the G3 Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket. Dropping back to seven furlongs, Cornthrop Bloodstock's talented filly sets the standard. “She ran very well in the May Hill and travelled very strongly, she just didn't see out the race as she got left out in front for quite a while,” her trainer explained. “I think it looks like a nice spot for her, there's a filly of Ralph Beckett's in there who could be a very talented filly, but we're happy with how our filly is doing.” The Ralph Beckett-trained filly in question is Cathedral (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who sports the colours of the most talked-about operation in world racing this week in Amo Racing. Impressive on her sole start at Lingfield last month, she is one of four unbeaten runners in the line-up alongside Godolphin's Magical Trail (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Dunchurch Lodge Stud's First Instinct (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}). Ballydoyle's duo include TDN Rising Star Ecstatic (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Ryan Moore's pick in the May Hill who may have found the ground too easy when fifth. Other notables on the card are Godolphin's Oaks runner-up Dance Sequence (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G3 Newmarket Pony Academy Pride Stakes, making her first start since a disappointing show in the G1 Prix de Diane, and their speedy juvenile Midnight Thunder (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) in the G3 Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes. “Dance Sequence disappointed in the Prix de Diane and we gave her a nice break afterwards. She goes into this in great shape,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. Saeed bin Suroor said of the latter, “He is a horse who prefers softer conditions, so we are hoping there is some rain for him to be able to take his chance. Dropping down to five will be fine on a softer surface, but the ground is important to him.” The post Desert Flower Ready To Bloom In The Fillies’ Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release At the conclusion of the first day of the International Jockey Concussion, Safety and Wellness Conference, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), in collaboration with Jockeys' Guild, announced that they are launching a major initiative to support jockey well-being. As announced by HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus and Jockeys' Guild President Terry Meyocks, HISA and the Guild have established a groundbreaking partnership with Onrise, a leading athlete-specific mental health company, to provide jockeys with easily accessible mental health care in their primary language. As part of HISA and the Guild's ongoing commitment to improving jockeys' overall well-being, the partnership with Onrise will offer a confidential platform with access to mental health support through the insights and experiences of trained retired athletes, licensed therapists and psychiatrists. Jockeys can move between different levels of care or utilize multiple services simultaneously. Through this partnership, jockeys can access reliable mental health support and guidance, helping to reduce the stigma of seeking help and fostering a culture of openness and care within the sport. Onrise currently partners with the MLS Players Association, Inter Miami CF, the US Women's National Team Players Association, the Premier Lacrosse League, and all three women's professional volleyball leagues in the United States, among others. These jockeys join more than 15,000 athletes who already have access to Onrise services. All qualified jockeys will be eligible for Onrise's services at no cost. “Jockeys face immense physical and mental demands—and their mental health is critical to their long-term success and well-being,” said Lisa Lazarus, CEO of HISA. “Jockeys are highly skilled professional athletes who confront unique stressors. By partnering with Onrise, we are providing jockeys with a safe space to connect with professional athlete peers who understand their experiences, offering them valuable support as they navigate the pressures of this demanding career.” “We are proud to partner with HISA and Onrise to provide jockeys with a crucial resource for mental wellness. For decades, Jockeys' Guild has worked tirelessly to advocate for the safety, health, and well-being of our athletes, and this partnership marks another important step in that mission,” said Terry Meyocks, President and CEO of Jockeys' Guild. “Through this collaboration, we are offering our qualifying members the opportunity to connect with athletic peers who truly recognize what they're going through, helping them take care of their health in a way that has never been done before in our sport. The Guild greatly appreciates HISA's commitment to the mental wellness of jockeys.” “Onrise is privileged to partner with HISA and Jockeys' Guild to support athlete mental health and overall wellness in this critical time for horse racing,” said Kimberly Quigley, MD, FABPN, Chief Executive Officer at Onrise. “We are thrilled that HISA and Jockeys' Guild have entrusted Onrise to provide mental health care and support for these jockeys and appreciate both organizations' commitment to ensuring that their athletes have the tools that enable them to succeed on and off the track.” The post HISA and Jockeys’ Guild Announce Groundbreaking Jockey Mental Health Initiative with Onrise appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Unbeaten 3-year-old 'TDN Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist), sidelined since winning the GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes in February at Santa Anita, and the royally bred 2-year-old 'TDN Rising Star' Eagles Flight (Curlin), each returned to the worktab Thursday at Santa Anita. Also working towards a comeback in Arcadia was last year's GI Del Mar Debutante Stakes winner 'TDN Rising Star' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro). Nysos, trained by Bob Baffert, worked four furlongs with company in :47.60 (6/23). Work of the Day from @santaanitapark—Nysos (Outside) and Halone worked 4 Furlongs in 47.60 on October 10th, 2024, for trainer Bob Baffert. pic.twitter.com/nix3SwkvYX — XBTV (@WatchXBTV) October 10, 2024 Eagles Flight, a half-brother to 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline (Tapit) and a head-turning debut winner at Santa Anita in late May, was clocked going a quarter mile in :23.20 (1/2) for trainer John Sadler. Tamara, off since a seventh-place finish as the favorite in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, worked four furlongs for Richard Mandella in :48.20 (9/23). The daughter of Hall of Famer Beholder also breezed four furlongs Oct. 4. She emerged from the Juvenile Fillies with a small fracture in her left hind splint bone, which did not require surgery. The post Nysos, Eagles Flight Back on Santa Anita Worktab appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was hard to see Minaret Station (Instilled Regard) winning the GII Castle and Key Bourbon Stakes last week at Keeneland. He was 38-1 and coming off a narrow win in a maiden at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Yet, he beat his rivals that day, punching his ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. But that was only one part of this story, one that is about being on the bottom, digging your way out of trouble and then thriving. For trainer Will Walden, this will be his first Breeders' Cup starter. That's the same Will Walden who had substance abuse problems for years and the only employment he could find for a while was a job at Wendy's. He's won two graded stakes and 46 races this year, is winning at a 20 percent clip and is having his best year since he started training in 2022. “It means a lot that we're headed to the Breeders' Cup,” Walden said. “We want to compete at the highest level and on the biggest stage. This is what we're trying to do, what we're trying to accomplish. It's nice to have a little validation for the entire team. They put their heart and soul into these horses and they're starting to see the fruits of their labor pay off.” Walden deserves a lot of credit for getting his life back together, but the story is larger than his personal struggle. Walden, the son of WinStar's Elliott Walden, was among the first people to take part in a recovery program created by Taylor Made's Director of New Business Development Frank Taylor. And let's not forget that he only got the horse because Larry Best and his stable manager Don Chatlos believed in him. “We have all our horses at Taylor Made and that's how Will came onto our radar,” said Chatlos. “I paid attention and kind of watched him and how he carried himself. I kept bringing that information back to Larry. We were trying to spread some horses out and Larry said here's an opportunity to give a couple to Will.” After the individuals complete rehab in the Stable Recovery program they move on to the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship. It is there that Taylor and his team teach the students the horsemanship skills they will need to get a job in the horse racing industry. Walden's crew includes several individuals who came through the horsemanship program, including the exercise rider of Minaret Station. “It's unbelievable how the story keeps unfolding and how he's got those guys from Stable Recovery still working for him,” Taylor said. “Then there's the guys who worked for Will and then came back to work for us at Taylor Made. They have just killed it.” The program keeps growing and more than 100 people have come through it, with many of them now employed in some aspect of the racing business. “This thing is really working,” Taylor said. “It's great on so many levels. You're saving lives, you're reuniting families, you're developing a work force. You're not only making these guys sober, you're making them successful. The horse is the special ingredient, combine that with the accountability and the purpose of the work. Put that all together and it works.” Chatlos, who won the 2004 GI Breeders' Cup Mile with Singletary (Sultry Song), has stayed close to Walden and has been impressed with the way he carries himself. Minaret Station | Coady Media “To see what Will has done, yes, it makes you feel good because I had my own problems that I had to deal with,” Chatlos said. “I know where he's coming from and I know what it took for him to get to where he is. In the racetrack environment it is hard to stay on that path. After he won that stakes at Keeneland it was straight to the Champagne Room. That's not the place to be. Will and I stayed for a few seconds, watched the replay and then got out of there and went to the test barn. With alcohol so prevalent everywhere on the racetrack, it isn't the easiest place to be if you have a drinking problem. “I just liked him. For some reason when I met him we hit it off from the beginning and I just liked him. I thought this was a guy worth gambling on.” Walden is well past the point where owners are giving him horses because they feel sorry for him. His roster of current owners includes Best, Woodford Thoroughbreds, Cypress Creek Equine, Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber. He's getting horses because he's young and successful and seemingly getting better every day. “I always knew that Will was a very good horseman,” Taylor said. “He comes from a family of very good horsemen. He's worked for Todd Pletcher, Dale Romans, Wesley Ward, Bill Mott, Jonathan Sheppard. Even though he was dealing with his addiction issues at the time, he was working for and learning from the best. He was trained to be a trainer. It was his destiny.” The post His Career Thriving, Former Addict Will Walden Set to Have His First Breeders’ Cup Starter appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 1-2 finishers of Doncaster's May Hill Stakes (G2) rematch in the Oct. 11 Fillies' Mile (G1) at Newmarket. View the full article

After his defeat of 2023 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) winner Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) Sept. 14, Economics joined the top 5 in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings released Oct. 10.View the full article