Wandering Eyes

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Sunday at Ellis Park and Del Mar: Sunday, August 11, 2024 Ellis 1, $71k, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 12:50 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Gardiner (Audible), FTMMAY, 26,000, :10 2/5 C-Best A Luck Farm LLC, agent; B-Joseph Besecker Ellis 2, $71k, 2yo, f, 7f, 1:20 p.m. ET Liam in the Dust (Liam's Map), OBSMAR, 250,00, :9 4/5 C-Top Line Sales, agent; B-R Brisset, agent for Storyteller Racing Our Shenanigan (Practical Joke), OBSMAR, 170,000, :10 1/5 C-Old South Farm, agent; B-Hidden Brook, agent Ellis 7, ELP Juvenile S., $175k, 2yo, 7f, 3:52 p.m. ET Politicallycorrect (Violence), OBSMAR, 195,000, :9 4/5 C-New Hope AB LLC, agent; B-Five Fillies Stable Three Echoes (Echo Town), OBSMAR, 130,000, :10 1/5 C-de Meric Sales, agent; B-L & N Racing LLC Ellis 8, ELP Debutante S., $175k, 2yo, f, 7f, 4:19 p.m. ET Mrs Worldwide (Global Campaign), OBSMAR, 100,000, :9 4/5 C-Dynasty Thoroughbreds; B-Boardshorts Rich City Girl (City of Light), OBSMAR, 435,000, :9 4/5 C-Top Line Sales, agent; B-Patricia's Hope LLC Shezafunkydrummer (Maclean's Music), OBSMAR, 200,000, :9 4/5 C-Wavertree Stables Inc (C Dunne), agt; B-Patricia's Hope LLC Del Mar 3, Best Pal S.-GIII, $150k, 2yo, 6f, 6:00 p.m. Ivan the Great (Kantharos), OBSMAR, 150,000, :10 C-Coastal Equine (J Hoppel), agent; B-Steve Rothblum, agent for Mark Davis Mischief River (Into Mischief), OBSAPR, 500,000, :10 C-de Meric Sales, agent; B-Bow River Ranch, Hoby Kight, agent Del Mar 7, $75k, 2yo, 6 1/2f, 8:00 p.m. ET Arrakias (Bernardini), OBSMAR, 255,000, :10 C-Omar Ramirez Bloodstock, agt; B-LRF Racing, John Dowd, agt Brother Tony (Unified), OBSMAR, 72,000, :10 C-Flynt Fesmire, agent; B-Peter Miller, agent Gaming (Game Winner), OBSMAR, 250,000, :20 2/5 C-Pick View LLC, agent; B-Three Amigos The post Summer Breezes, Sponsored By OBS: August 11, 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first of two sessions of the Fasig-Tipton New York-Bred Yearlings Sale will begin Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m. ET after originally being scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. The change was necessitated by the postponement of the GI FanDuel Fourstardave Handicap and GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes from Saturday to now be run as the final two races on Sunday's program at 6:16 p.m. and 6:49 p.m., respectively. The two races were supposed to take place last Saturday, but were rescheduled due to heavy rainfall. Sunday's opening session at the Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion will feature hips 301-400, while hips 401-600 will go under the hammer beginning Monday at noon ET as originally planned. The post Start Of Fasig-Tipton NY-Bred Sale Pushed Back By 30 Minutes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As a heralded and unbeaten member of the increasingly dominant 2-year-old fillies' division entering Saturday's G1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh, Juddmonte's TDN Rising Star Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}–Pavlosk, by Arch) was always going to be a force to be reckoned with and in the event she was too much for Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never) to handle in the first major clash of the sexes in this age group. Surrendering a length and a half from the gates to the Ballydoyle representative, the Ger Lyons-trained G3 Anglesey Stakes winner was visibly motoring under Colin Keane with that 8-13 favourite hassled on the front by old rival Arizona Blaze (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev). Rolling by them both a furlong from home, the full-sister to the stable's multiple group winner Zarinsk (GB) surged away to win by 1 1/2 lengths as the 5-2 second favourite, with Arizona Blaze 1 3/4 lengths further back in third. Group 1 GLORY for 𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐞 Progressive filly Babouche extends her winning run to three as she sees off Whistlejacket to land the @keeneland Phoenix Stakes under @ctkjockey. @curraghrace | @JuddmonteFarms pic.twitter.com/bUwZ1yPVsE — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 10, 2024 The post Phoenix Glory For Juddmonte’s TDN Rising Star Babouche appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien trainee Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}–Quiet Reflection {GB}, by Showcasing {GB}) attained 'TDN Rising Star' status with a narrow victory in her June 28 debut tackling seven furlongs at the Curragh and doubled up in style with a pillar-to-post victory in Saturday's G3 JenningsBet Sweet Solera Stakes over the dame trip at Newmarket. The Sean Levey-ridden filly broke smartly and was a shade keen on the front end through the early strides of this black-type bow. Settling into a comfortable rhythm by halfway, the 11-8 favourite was held together until stirred into action with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and kept on powerfully up the hill to easily account for 'TDN Rising Star' Mountain Breeze (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) by two lengths. Lake Victoria looks a smart filly and makes it two from two, making all under @LeveySean in the Group 3 JenningsBet Sweet Solera Stakes for Aidan O'Brien pic.twitter.com/B5mFOgiLMp — Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) August 10, 2024 Pedigree Notes Lake Victoria, full to a yearling colt and weanling colt, becomes the 100th Group-race winner for her sire and the first produced by G1 Commonwealth Cup and G1 Haydock Sprint Cup heroine Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), whose first foal is G2 Dante Stakes third Bluegrass (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), was a 2.1-million guineas acquisition at Tattersalls' 2017 December Mares sale. Quiet Reflection is a granddaughter of Listed Hilary Needler Trophy victrix Clare Hills (Ire) (Orpen), herself out of a half-sister to the dam of G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes runner-up Fear And Greed (Ire) (Brief Truce), and hails from the family of GI Kentucky Derby-winning sire Alysheba (Alydar). Saturday, Newmarket, Britain JENNINGSBET SWEET SOLERA STAKES-G3, £60,000, Newmarket, 8-10, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:25.69, g/f. 1–LAKE VICTORIA (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Frankel (GB) 1st Dam: Quiet Reflection (GB) (MG1SW-Eng, GSW-Fr & Ire, $926,853), by Showcasing (GB) 2nd Dam: My Delirium (GB), by Haafhd (GB) 3rd Dam: Clare Hills (Ire), by Orpen TDN Rising Star. 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Sean Levey. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $56,207. *1/2 to Bluegrass (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), GSP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Mountain Breeze (Ire), 128, f, 2, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Lava Flow (Ire), by Dalakhani (Ire). TDN Rising Star. O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £12,900. 3–Elsie's Ruan (Ire), 128, f, 2, Ulysses (Ire)–Lost Control (Ire), by Helmet (Aus). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (9,000gns RNA Ylg '23 TATOCT; 22,000gns 2yo '24 TATGBU). O-UK Lift & Escalator Company Ltd; B-Hyde Park Stud (IRE); T-Gemma Tutty. £6,456. Margins: 2, 1, HD. Odds: 1.38, 2.00, 12.00. Also Ran: Flaming Stone (GB), Liberalised (GB), Angelica Bay (Ire), Dream Voyage (GB). The post TDN Rising Star Lake Victoria Makes All in Newmarket’s Sweet Solera, 100th Group Winner for Frankel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Shadwell's 140,000gns Tattersalls December foal Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}–African Moonlight {UAE}, by Halling) had been on a 439-day sabbatical after annexing last term's G1 Prix d'Ispahan and the 6-year-old gelding added to his victory in 2022's G3 Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes with a narrow victory in Saturday's latest renewal at Haydock. The 8-11 favourite raced in third through the initial stages, but slipped to fourth at halfway in this extended 10-furlong test. Nudged along with three furlongs remaining, he inched ahead passing the furlong pole and stayed on well under continued cajoling to prevail by a neck from Certain Lad (GB) (Clodovil {Ire}). Job done Anmaat defies a fairly hefty absence to land the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes under @JimCrowley1978 @haydockraces | #PremierRacedaypic.twitter.com/zKO6KY9PzV — Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) August 10, 2024 Pedigree Notes Anmaat, one of his sire's five pattern-race scorers, is the sixth of 10 foals and the leading performer from eight winners out of a full-sister to dual G3 Curragh Cup victor Mkuzi (GB) (Halling). His dam African Moonlight (UAE) (Halling) is also kin to Group 3-placed Listed Grand Prix de Compiegne winner Alliteration (GB) (Polish Precedent), the dual stakes-placed Key To Peace (Ire) (Kheleyf) and Listed Prix Georges Trabaud runner-up Concordat (GB) (Selkirk). The February-foaled chestnut's stakes-placed second dam African Peace (Roberto) is a daughter of multiple Group-winning G1 Prix Vermeille third Galla Placidia (Fr) (Crystal Palace {Fr}). Anmaat is a half-brother to GIII Kent Stakes victor Syntax (Ire) (Haatef), Listed Criterium del Mediterraneo runner-up Sir Gin (Ire) (Moss Vale {Ire}) and a yearling filly by Palace Pier (GB). Saturday, Haydock, Britain BETFRED ROSE OF LANCASTER STAKES-G3, £85,000, Haydock, 8-10, 3yo/up, 10f 100yT, 2:09.44, g/f. 1–ANMAAT (IRE), 133, g, 6, by Awtaad (Ire) 1st Dam: African Moonlight (UAE), by Halling 2nd Dam: African Peace, by Roberto 3rd Dam: Galla Placidia (Fr), by Crystal Palace (Fr) (140,000gns Wlg '18 TATFOA). O-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd; B-Ringfort Stud (IRE); T-Owen Burrows; J-Jim Crowley. £48,204. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, 13-8-4-1, $598,536. *1/2 to Syntax (Ire) (Haatef), GSW-US, $390,211; and Sir Gin (Ire) (Moss Vale {Ire}), SP-Ity. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Certain Lad (GB), 133, g, 8, Clodovil (Ire)–Chelsey Jayne (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (13,000gns Ylg '17 TAOCT; 170,000gns RNA 3yo '19 TATAHI). O-C R Hirst; B-Barry Walters (GB); T-Jack Channon. £18,275. 3–Regal Reality (GB), 133, g, 9, Intello (Ger)–Regal Realm (GB), by Medicean (GB). O-Peter Done; B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute. £9,146. Margins: NK, 1, 3/4. Odds: 0.73, 7.00, 14.00. Also Ran: Al Mubhir (GB), Mujtaba (GB). Scratched: Lord North (Ire), Bracken's Laugh (Ire). The post Last Year’s Ispahan Hero Anmaat Returns With Rose Of Lancaster Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Curragh's American Racing Channel Irish EBF Fillies Juvenile Race is always a race worth intense scrutiny and Saturday's renewal did not disappoint with Coolmore dominating the finish and their prized homebred Falling Snow (Ire) (Justify–Winter {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) edging it to become the second TDN Rising Star on the card. Sent off the 7-2 second favourite for this seven-furlong conditions event won in the recent past by Hydrangea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and in which Opera Singer (Justify) was runner-up to A Lilac Rolla (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}) 12 months ago, the Donnacha O'Brien-trained grey sat close to Ballydoyle's 8-13 favourite Ballet Slippers (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) from the outset with Gavin Ryan notably full of horse. Looking held at the furlong pole, the fourth foal out of the brilliant G1 1,000 Guineas, G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas, G1 Coronation Stakes and G1 Nassau Stakes heroine managed to subdue the long-time leader, the first foal out of the multiple group 1-winning Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), close home and win by a neck. There was five-length gap back to the Joseph O'Brien-trained €225,000 Goffs Orby graduate and newcomer Celtic Motif (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) in third, with the winning time outstanding, over two seconds faster than the earlier TDN Rising Star Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) had run. She is Justify's 10th TDN Rising Star, with City Of Troy and Ramatuelle the key members of the brigade so far. “She's a filly with a great pedigree and had won a barrier trial nicely at Dundalk recently,” Donnacha O'Brien said. “When she walked down off the box I was happy to see her! With those pedigrees, there's always a chance you have a good one and fingers crossed, she might be one. She was quite professional today and she took a step forward from her trial and I think she'll take another step forward again. Her ears were pricked at the line and this race has traditionally thrown up good fillies. She's a big filly and we'll take her along gently–she's tall and I'd be keen to take it slowly. This year is going to be more about education and I'm not sure she's ready physically for that Debutante-Moyglare route, she could come come back here for one of those group 3s later on. She'll probably stay ten at three and so a mile will be no problem for her this year.” The post Justify’s Daughter Of Winter A 10th TDN Rising Star For Her Sire appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. After losing just about any chance at the break, Praetor (c, 2, Into Mischief–Curlin's Approval, by Curlin) showed plenty of promise in defeat finishing third behind ultra-impressive 'TDN Rising Star Ferocious (Flatter) on debut at Saratoga Aug. 3. Well-backed at 7-2 for trainer Chad Brown over a muddy and sealed surface, Praetor was bumped and pinched back at the start and trailed the field of nine through an opening quarter in a sharp :22.06. He began to catch the eye with a flashy move beneath Flavien Prat on the far turn and was suddenly in the mix while hung out five wide at the top of the stretch. Wearing plenty of the racetrack in third and dare we say in with a puncher's chance as they turned for home, $1.3-million OBS March breezer and narrow 3-1 favorite Ferocious quickly put that notion to bed and blew the race apart to win with authority by 7 3/4 lengths. Praetor came up a nose short of runner-up honors behind the pacesetting second-time starter El Prestigio (Practical Joke). The final time for six furlongs was 1:09.65. Ferocious earned a 96 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort, the highest of any 2-year-old so far this year. Praetor, campaigned in partnership by William H. Lawrence, CHP Racing and Gainesway Stable, received a 79 Beyer. “They expected a lot (from Ferocious) and he showed up, but I thought our guy put in a gallant effort considering–he had a hell of a start, got banged and sandwiched coming out, mud in his face all the way around and he still ran a pretty gutsy race,” CHP Racing's Phil Hatfield said. He added with a laugh, “And hey, look, Chad likes him, so that's a good thing.” Curlin's Approval | Coglianese Bred in Kentucky by Bridlewood Farm and Alter's Racing Stables, Inc., Praetor brought $725,000 as a yearling from bloodstock agent Mike Ryan on behalf of the aforementioned trio out of the Gainesway consignment at last year's Keeneland September sale. Praetor, a son of the all-conquering Into Mischief, was produced by Curlin's Approval, a three-time graded winner of $654,725 for Happy Alter and Bridlewood Farm. The 11-year-old mare is also responsible for the 3-year-old filly and $1-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga graduate Charlottesapproval (Into Mischief) and an Into Mischief colt of this year. She was bred back to Justify for 2025. The Into Mischief over Smart Strike cross is also responsible for GISW Timberlake, who was produced by a Lookin At Lucky mare; and this spring's GII Wood Memorial S. winner Resilience. Like Into Mischief's MGSW General Jim, Praetor is also out of a Curlin mare. “Mike Ryan is our guy,” Hatfield said. “In this business, you've got to spread yourself out a little bit on these colts. I think you need more (horses) to try to get these Classics and you've got to spread the risk. Praetor ticked off all the boxes for ourselves and (William) Lawrence, and Gainesway stayed in, too.” Hatfield continued, “From what I see and from what Chad indicates, I think he's gonna stretch out two turns. But you know how that goes. They got to prove it one step at a time.” Clever Mischief graduates at the Spa July 12 | Sarah Andrew CHP Racing currently has approximately 10 horses in training, including the Hatfields' homebred 3-year-old colt Clever Mischief (Into Mischief), who graduated at second asking for Brown on the Saratoga lawn earlier this meet July 12, and comebacking 2023 GIII Cardinal S. runner-up Saffron Moon (Malibu Moon). “It was my wife (Christine)'s idea–she came from the Arabian show horse world in California,” Hatfield said. “She always wanted to have racehorses. Right now, we have about 10 in training. Chad is our main guy and he's doing a good job for us.” The 'Second Chances' Honor Roll is headed by Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin), fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) and GISWs A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo), Honor A. P. (Honor Code), Locked (Gun Runner), Paradise Woods (Union Rags) and Speaker's Corner (Street Sense). FEROCIOUS responded to the expectations, recovering from a slow start, to surpass the front runner and easily win on his debut, ridden by @jjcjockey for trainer Gustavo Delgado and co-owned by @RamiroRestrepo FEROCIOUS gana una gran carrera en su debut al recuperarse de una… pic.twitter.com/ykkKig5RXY — Agentes305 (@agentes305) August 3, 2024 The post Second Chances: ‘Gallant Effort’ in Defeat From Into Mischief’s Praetor in Live Maiden at the Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Like many Ballydoyle juveniles, Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}–Tepin, by Bernstein) is very much a work in progress but everybody had a glimpse of what was to come in The Curragh's opener on Saturday as the son of the US legend overcame adversity to win his maiden with comfort. In doing so, the heavily-supported 2-5 favourite was become the stable's latest TDN Rising Star and his sire's 42nd in that category. Showing distinct promise when second on his Leopardstown debut last month, the half-brother to the yard's G3 Stanerra Stakes-winning 3-year-old Grateful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) provided some anxious moments when rearing in the stalls before the start but was quickly able to get on the lead after they had opened. Looking lay and green for Ryan Moore throughout the early stages, he was there to be shot at during the last three furlongs but threw in a final two-furlong split of 22 seconds to seal the result. At the line, he had 1 3/4 lengths to spare over his eye-catching stablemate Acapulco Bay (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), the first foal out of a full-sister to Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) whose daughter Ecstatic (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) had become a TDN Rising Star at Tipperary on Friday. Joseph O'Brien, who had won this maiden with his subsequent G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes winners Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), was third and fourth with Dante's Lad (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Hostility (Ire) (No Nay Never). Job done Group 1-entered 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐱 makes no mistake second-time out despite getting worked up in the stalls beforehand. Stablemate Acapulco Bay looks one for the notebooks after a most eye-catching run in second. @curraghrace | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/9Wl1u8foUi — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 10, 2024 The post Dubawi’s Son Of Tepin A New TDN Rising Star appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

West Coast winning the 2024 Grand National Steeplechase. Photo: Race Images South Sensational steeplechaser West Coast etched his name amongst the greats of the New Zealand jumping scene when he collected his third win in a row in Saturday’s Grand National Steeplechase (5600m). The son of Mettre En Jeu became only the second horse to win the race three times since its first running in 1875, and the first to do it consecutive years at the 149th edition of the event. The Mark Oulaghan-prepared fencer won his first National with 65kg on his back, but carried the maximum allocated weight of 73kg on Saturday, with jockey Shaun Fannin bringing up his 11th win from 16 starts aboard the nine-year-old with a copybook ride. Fannin had him tracking pacemaker Al’s Red Zed throughout and with 600m to run he looked the likely winner as he strode to the front with two fences to clear. Lightweight Matamata raider Auld Jock was having none of that and chased West Coast with menace into the final 400m but couldn’t quite muster enough of a sprint at the end of the 5600m journey as West Coast held him comfortably by around a length at the line. Oulaghan was taking it all in his stride but the pride in his voice was unmistakeable as he evaluated the winning performance. “I think to win three in a row, something that hasn’t been done for around 130 years, is pretty special,” Oulaghan said. “It’s great and he is a great horse. “Really good fencer, clean winded and stays, he just seems to have it all. “The owners are great people and strong supporters of South Island racing so deserve to end up with a horse like this. “You never know, but it is on the cards we could be back again next year.” Fannin was rapt with run as he gave all the plaudits to his mount. “He is an absolute superstar, the crowd came here to see a superstar and they did,” he said. “He is such a good jumper that he makes up ground at each fence and when Al’s Red Zed jumped off the rail at the 800m I saw the chance to put some pressure on. “I made that move before we hit the worst of the ground in the home straight and he was just too tough. “I’m honoured to work with Mark and a wonderful team and I’m proud to be part of this journey.” Horse racing news View the full article

Portia Matthews salutes after Berry The Cash won his second Grand National Hurdles (4200m) on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Despite a few anxious moments in running, outstanding jumper Berry The Cash made light work of his 73kg topweight to extend his winning streak to seven races on the trot as he captured his second Grand National Hurdles (4200m) on Saturday at Riccarton. The Mark Oulaghan-prepared son of Jakkalberry had collected a somewhat fortuitous victory seven days earlier in the Sydenham Hurdles (3100m), due to a final fence bungle by Dictation, but this time he dominated the closing stages of a fascinating contest, storming home from second last at the 600m to win going away by two lengths at the post. Tipped as a two-horse battle between the $1.70 favourite and the Paul Nelson-trained Nedwin ($2.60), who also carried 73kgs, the early stages of the race were anything but comfortable for rider Portia Mathews aboard Berry The Cash as they spent most of it cluttered up behind runners while also putting in a faulty leap at the third fence on the journey. In contrast, Nedwin set up a leisurely speed in front but when he bungled the fence leading into the home straight the first time he was joined by Lord Spencer who continually shaded him at each obstacle until taking a clear lead with 800m to run. Nedwin began to fade and tightened Berry The Cash as Matthews was urgently trying to extract her mount into clear air approaching the home bend. Berry The Cash picked himself up and changed around the outer before unleashing a powerful staying burst in the closing stages that saw him stride past runner-up Run Jakko Run in the last 150m, with Metallo battling on gamely for third. “Mark (Oulaghan) and I discussed the plan, and we were always going to ride him back like last year rather than forward like we had been lately,” a beaming Matthews said. “He just travelled so well throughout and although I go a bit stuck after that jump at the 600m, as soon as I got through I had so much under me, and I never doubted him. “Mark’s training puts so much confidence into me and I knew how fit he (Berry The Cash) was and how he could jump. “I’m also pleased for his group of owners who are such lovely people and are reaping the rewards for all the patience they have shown in him.” Oulaghan was his normal circumspect self as he accepted congratulations for his sixth victory in the event. “He (Berry The Cash) is that sort of old-style horse who is a good stayer and just grinds out a finish,” he said. “He had an easy run early on and he can just about finish over the top of anything like that. “He was only five or six lengths off them down the back straight so I wasn’t panicking. “It’s a great result and always good to win big races like this down here.” Horse racing news View the full article

Golden Path winning the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Five-year-old gelding Golden Path continues to go from strength to strength and made it three wins in succession when winning the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday. Prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, the son of Belardo settled just behind the speed under regular rider Chad Schofield and when favourite Aramco lay out upon straightening, Golden Path seized the opportunity to continue his good run of form. The handsome chestnut had a length and a half to spare over Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) winner Manzoice, who ran well-fresh up to finish second. “He had six weeks between runs and we just put him out on some green grass and got him going through some trails, doing something different but keeping him busy,” Assistant trainer Ben Elam said. “When a horse has had this many runs, you don’t need to do a lot with them other than keep them happy.” Elam said the addition of blinkers had been the key to the form resurgence from Golden Path. “We had a real query on this horse. That’s why blinkers went on after Newcastle and he’s just a different horse with them on. Chad said that first start he had those blinkers on that he really switched on and he actually really wanted to savage the line, which is what we need to see from him because he did tend to think about it. “We’ve got some targets for him so we’ll space his runs a little bit. Obviously, the Premier’s Cup (Group 3, 2000m) is in two weeks and then there’s a couple of little options that we can fiddle around with some good prize money. “He’s had a lot of runs this time in so we’ll just train him as we see him and he’ll tell us if he’s had enough. “He thrives on wet ground, he likes dry ground, so we have a very versatile horse in front of us.” Horse racing news View the full article

Dashing Duchess cruises to victory at The Valley. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Smart staying mare Dashing Duchess recorded her fifth victory at start number 11 with a strong performance at Moonee Valley on Saturday. The Symon Wilde-trained daughter of Tavistock sat handy to a solid tempo set by Golden Crusader and put her rivals to the sword early under jockey Mark Zahra to hold game runner-up Brilliant Venture by a comfortable two lengths. The five-year-old mare had previously been beaten by stablemate Hit The Road Jack in the Deane Lester Flemington Cup (2800m), with Wilde adamant that rain on the day had contributed to her defeat on that occasion. “I thought she might have been going a little bit quick, but that’s why you put Mark Zahra on,” Wilde said. “I do think the better ground today was a big factor. Had it not rained so much at Flemington, she might have turned the tables on the other one. “I think she showed her toughness today too. She’s building a really good record. She’s very lightly raced and there’s not much of her. “I don’t even know why I bought her. She’s got a sway back and she’s got long woolly hair on her now and she’s really no supermodel, but she can really gallop.” Dashing Duchess contested the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington earlier this year and finished seventh in the win and you’re in race for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). “We did have a roll of the dice in the Ramsden and it just came up a bit early for her, but I think that’s her level,” Wilde said. “I think she’s a Group class staying mare. She definitely fits that category and I’ll be interested to see where she gets to. “They just keep getting better, these sort of horses, and she’s tracking the right way at the moment.” Horse racing news View the full article

Richard and Chantelle Jolly’s See You In Heaven (Divine Prohet) has made the best possible start to her campaign, dominating the Gr.3 Behemoth Stakes (1200m) first-up at Morphettville on Saturday. A strong field of mostly locals assembled for the A$150,000 contest, and while the Group Two-winning mare started favourite ($3.30), a 10-month gap between runs and a recent lacklustre trial saw plenty of money head elsewhere. But even off this break, See You In Heaven proved a class above, sitting wide with cover before peeling out in the straight and hitting the lead at the furlong pole. My Khalifa (Pride Of Dubai) chased gamely into second, but nothing else could get close to the See You In Heaven and Jake Toeroek, who never looked in danger late. It was a relieving win for the father and daughter training duo, with Richard Jolly cautious pre-race. “It was great to see her win like that; I really thought she was underdone,” Jolly said. “She never trials brilliantly, and she’s a bit of a dud worker really, but she did work quite well for her on Tuesday. “And once I saw her playing up in the mounting yard, on two feet, I thought, ‘she’s really switched on’. “To see her do that, when my thinking is that she was nowhere near ready, is really exciting.” Looking ahead, there are no concrete plans beyond another run in Adelaide, as the team looks to keep options open for the spring. However, the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) has already been identified as a target. “I’d really want to go to the Leon MacDonald (Listed, 1400m) in two weeks, it’s in our backyard and then she’s got two runs at home under her belt,” Jolly said. “Then we’ll look to the spring – there’s a lot of races to choose from. In Melbourne we can stick to the mare’s races. “The Empire Rose Stakes on Derby Day would probably be the aim, I would say.” See You In Heaven is the flagbearer for Highview Stud stallion Divine Prophet, a Group One winning full brother to Proisir, who stands for $9,000+GST this season. View the full article

Five-year-old gelding Golden Path(NZ)( Belardo) continues to go from strength to strength and made it three wins in succession when winning the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday. Prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, the son of Belardo settled just behind the speed under regular rider Chad Schofield and when favourite Aramco lay out upon straightening, Golden Path seized the opportunity to continue his good run of form. The handsome chestnut had a length and a half to spare over Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) winner Manzoice, who ran well-fresh up to finish second. “He had six weeks between runs and we just put him out on some green grass and got him going through some trails, doing something different but keeping him busy,” Assistant trainer Ben Elam said. “When a horse has had this many runs, you don’t need to do a lot with them other than keep them happy.” Elam said the addition of blinkers had been the key to the form resurgence from Golden Path. “We had a real query on this horse. That’s why blinkers went on after Newcastle and he’s just a different horse with them on. Chad said that first start he had those blinkers on that he really switched on and he actually really wanted to savage the line, which is what we need to see from him because he did tend to think about it. “We’ve got some targets for him so we’ll space his runs a little bit. Obviously, the Premier’s Cup (Gr.3, 2000m) is in two weeks and then there’s a couple of little options that we can fiddle around with some good prize money. “He’s had a lot of runs this time in so we’ll just train him as we see him and he’ll tell us if he’s had enough. “He thrives on wet ground, he likes dry ground, so we have a very versatile horse in front of us.” By Belardo, who previously shuttled to Haunui Farm, Golden Path is out of the winning Dubai Destination mare Golden Destination. Bred by the Wallace family’s Ardsley Stud, Golden Path was purchased for $35,000 from the 2021 Karaka Book 2 Yearling Sale by Pukekohe trainer Michael Rogers. After winning two of his three trials in New Zealand for Rogers, Golden Path was sold to clients of the Price-Kent team. Racing in the colours of Carl Holt, Golden Path has now had 12 starts for five wins and two placings and amassed A$447,250 in prizemoney. View the full article

Smart staying mare Dashing Duchess recorded her fifth victory at start number 11 with a strong performance to land the Domsafe Handicap (2500m) at The Valley on Saturday. The Symon Wilde-trained daughter of Tavistock sat handy to a solid tempo set by Golden Crusader and put her rivals to the sword early under jockey Mark Zahra to hold game runner-up Brilliant Venture by a comfortable two lengths. The five-year-old mare had previously been beaten by stablemate Hit The Road Jack in the Deane Lester Flemington Cup (2800m), with Wilde adamant that rain on the day had contributed to her defeat on that occasion. “I thought she might have been going a little bit quick, but that’s why you put Mark Zahra on,” Wilde said. “I do think the better ground today was a big factor. Had it not rained so much at Flemington, she might have turned the tables on the other one. “I think she showed her toughness today too. She’s building a really good record. She’s very lightly raced and there’s not much of her. “I don’t even know why I bought her. She’s got a sway back and she’s got long woolly hair on her now and she’s really no supermodel, but she can really gallop.” Dashing Duchess contested the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington earlier this year and finished seventh in the win and you’re in race for the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). “We did have a roll of the dice in the Ramsden and it just came up a bit early for her, but I think that’s her level,” Wilde said. “I think she’s a Group class staying mare. She definitely fits that category and I’ll be interested to see where she gets to. “They just keep getting better, these sort of horses, and she’s tracking the right way at the moment.” Dashing Duchess is by Tavistock out of the Red Ransom mare Charlotte Russe. She was offered by Westbury Stud in Book 1 of Karaka 2021, where she was passed in with an $80,000 reserve before she sold to Wilde at the Sydney two-year-old sale for $125,000. View the full article

Lincoln Rocks runs out a strong winner at The Valley on Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Former Kiwi galloper Lincoln Rocks has provided the newly formed partnership of Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald with their first metropolitan winner at Moonee Valley on Saturday. The six-year-old son of Road To Rock was confidently ridden by Mark Zahra, going back from a wide draw and pocketing chief rival Captain Electric inside him before looping the field to score comfortably. Sporting the colours of OTI Racing, Lincoln Rocks has now had three starts in Australia for two wins and a placing, having originally been prepared by Lisa Latta in New Zealand, for whom he won two of nine starts. “It’s very good for Rob and Annabel too. I think it’s their first Saturday winner since joining up,” stable representative Kyle Ryan said. Lincoln Rocks had more than 12 months between his last run in New Zealand and his first start in Australia, with connections patience being rewarded by the promising stayer. “He came across from New Zealand in good shape and he spent a bit of time in Sydney,” Ryan said. “He had a couple of trials up there and they had to pull up stumps and start again but he’s come down here and he’s really thrived in Melbourne. “He just had a few little creases that had to be ironed out. Terry (Henderson) and his OTI team, they do a great job, they have shown plenty of patience and it’s paying off. “That was only a BenchMark 70 but he’s creeping up there now and he’s shown he’s pretty adaptable and heading in the right direction, so we will let Annabel, Rob and Terry and the team decide where he heads next.” The two favourites fought out the finish with Lincoln Rocks finishing a long neck ahead of Captain Electric who dashed late in an overall time of 2.09.37 on the soft 6 track. “My plan was to follow Stacky (Daniel Stackhouse on Captain Electric) everywhere but I really bounced well and I ended up a spot in front of him. The main thing was just to relax, let it all unfold and come with the last run,” Zahra said. “From the six, to the four, to the three hundred, I thought I’ve pretty much got this won. He won pretty soft in the end. “Usually I find in a staying race if you’re on a horse that gets back, It’s not the biggest disadvantage, you’re probably going to give up a few spots but if you’re on a horse that’s got a little bit on them you can usually do it. “That was pretty good third-up, and I like the way he raced today. He was a lot more relaxed in the run and finished off very strong, so I think he can definitely go up in class.” Horse racing news View the full article

Haras d'Etreham was top of the pops last year at the Arqana August Sale when selling a Dubawi (Ire) half-sister to the Group 1-winning duo of Wooded (Ire) and Bucanero Fuerte (Fr) for €2.4m to Oliver St Lawrence on behalf of Victorious Racing. Now named Battle Rhythm (GB), she has been assigned to trainer William Haggas. Will history repeat itself when Etreham brings the full-brother to last year's sale-topper as Lot 134 late in Friday's opening session ? Time will tell. The Etreham stallion ranks will be boosted next year by the Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Victor Ludorum (GB), who has his first yearlings for sale at Arqana and is on the moved from Haras du Logis. He will eventually be joined at the stud by this year's winner of that same race, Metropolitan (Fr). Etreham, which is run by Nicolas de Chambure, ended last year's sale as the second-leading vendor with 18 sold for €6,077,000. It had also been responsible for the top lot back in 2021 when selling a Dubawi filly out of Typique (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) on behalf of Thierry Gillier's Haras Voltaire for €2.4m. That filly's half-sister, the G2 Prix de Malleret winner Babylone (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), features in this year's 21-strong draft as the dam of Lot 66, a filly by Etreham's former star resident Wootton Bassett (GB). Nicolas de Chambure says: “We stayed involved a little bit with Wootton Bassett after we sold him and he's a horse we've tried to use as much as we can. We bred six of his Group 1 winners so he has been really good to us in terms of helping our mares, and we are lucky to have three really nice fillies and a colt by him in our draft. Hopefully they are all very representative of what he gets on type: good-looking horses with a bit of strength and class, and if so they will sell well. “Victor Ludorum is in Australia at the moment, shuttling to Darley, but he will be coming to us when he returns. It's good timing as there is a strong representation of his first yearlings at Arqana. “The Dubawi colt out of Frida La Blonde (Fr) is different to his sister [last year's top lot]. He's a bit more Dubawi, whereas the filly was a bit more [like damsire] Elusive City. He's still a bit immature as he was born later than his sister and we know August can come a bit soon for some of those later-born foals. It's typical of those foals to do so much through the prep. He's still a bit babyish but people will see for themselves and whoever buys him will have a horse who will be evolving a lot through the autumn. He's a quality colt with a good walk and I hope he goes to a good home. “We're also bringing three well-bred fillies to Book 1 in Tattersalls. They had a place in August but it was just going to come a bit soon and we felt it would be good to spread them around a little bit in different markets. The August Sale is good and it has its place and tradition in the calendar but it can be tricky for certain horses. “The next week will be a mix of stress and excitement. Obviously there is some really good racing over the next few weeks, and all of the racing world is there so it is a great time to showcase French racing. It's also a good time to see how well France is doing internationally in attracting major owners to this sale.” Draft highlights: Lot 152 is a Victor Ludorum half-sister to Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Zarakem (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}). “Zarakem is going to run in the Juddmonte International and his half-sister is a nice filly who is a good showcase for the stallion – on type and on pedigree,” says de Chambure. “It's a family that we've had for a while as we had Luminosity on the farm, who bred the filly's granddam Harem Lady, who was good performer herself.” Another yearling by a first-season stallion is Lot 58, a Palace Pier (GB) half-brother to the top sprinter and sire Aclaim (Ire) and he is not the only close relation to a Group 1 winner in the draft. One of the aforementioned Wootton Bassett fillies, Lot 225, is a half-sister to the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Tiger Tanaka (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}), Claim to fame: Bucanero Fuerte and Wooded, both by Wootton Bassett, are Etreham graduates, having been sold at the August and October sales respectively, and the stud can also claim bragging rights for the European champion three-year-old Almanzor (Fr), also by Wootton Bassett and his earliest bright star when the stallion stood for a bargain fee at Etreham. He was later sold to Coolmore and now stands for €200,000. Also on the sales roll of honour are the GI Belmont Oaks winner Magic Attitude (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and the GI Jenny Wiley Stakes winner Uni (GB) (More Than Ready). Last word: “I feel that in the last six months in particular the French-bred and -trained horses have been doing really well, both in France and abroad. I would be hopeful that that will help the French yearling market. We are also seeing a new generation of French trainers doing really well, which is a big plus for owners in knowing they can buy yearlings in France and leave them here with trainers who have proved themselves.” The post The Arqana Lowdown: Haras d’Etreham appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

See You In Heaven winning the Sandown Guineas at Caulfield Racecourse. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) See You In Heaven (+230) has proven too strong for her rivals in the Group 3 Behemoth Stakes for the second straight year, with the Richard & Chantelle Jolly-trained mare saluting for favourite backers in the feature race at Morphettville on Saturday afternoon. The daughter of Divine Prophet was a dominant winner in the same race 12 months ago, and after settling towards the rear of the field, she showed her customary finishing burst to run over the top of her rivals in the final 200m. Struck By (+2200) and Karacasu (+800) led the field along and set a cracking tempo for the 1200m contest, setting it up for the winner and placegetters, who settled in the back half of the field and were well off the pace. Jake Toeroek couldn’t have given the winner a better ride, as he allowed her to balance up on the outside of runners before asking for the ultimate effort. Once she was given a slap with the whip by Toeroek, See You In Heaven let down with a blistering turn of foot to gobble up the leaders, and she booted clear to win dominantly from My Khalifa (+3000) and Air Assault (+3000), who just held on for third place. 2024 Behemoth Stakes replay – See You In Heaven Richard Jolly represented the stable in the post-race interview, and he was very happy with the way that his mare won. “It’s great to see her win like that; I really thought she was underdone, basically,” Jolly said. “When I saw her playing up in the mounting yard, I thought ‘she is on’ because she is a bit hard to read now. “She never trials brilliantly, and she’s a bit of a dud worker, to be honest, but Tuesday she worked pretty good for her. “To see her do that, and for my thinking, she is nowhere near ready, is really exciting. “I really want to go to the Leon MacDonald in two weeks, then she has two runs at home under her belt and then we can look at the rest of the spring.” Jake Toeroek echoed Jolly’s thoughts about the trial, but he was very happy with the result on raceday. “I actually had my reservations about her today after her trial,” Toeroek explained. “I thought she trialled abit ordinary for her and I thought she might just really need the run today, especially from that gate. “When I lobbed where I did and she travelled so sweet, I knew I was the winner at the 600 (metres). “She just cruised me into it so well. “I definitely was (kind to her late), not to say she would have pulled away any further, but she definitely would have run through the line a lot better if I was a bit harsher on her. “Hopefully improvement is there, which we know, it’s just a matter of keeping her sound now and we know she’s a very classy horse.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Echuca Races Where Echuca Racecourse – Cr Scott Rd and Murray Valley Hwy, Echuca VIC 3564 When Sunday, August 11, 2024 First Race 11:50am AEST Visit Dabble Echcua Racecourse is set to host a competitive nine-race meeting on Sunday where their looks to be a stack of value for punters throughout the day. The rail comes out 3m from the 1000m-400m markers, and with clear skies forecast, there’s a real chance we could be racing on a Goo 4 come raceday. Action from Echuca is set to commence at 11:50am AEST. Best Bet at Echuca: He’s Beset He’s Beset was simply never a winning hope at Caulfield on July 13, and stepping back from metro grade should see him return to the winner’s stall. He was at the rear of the field from the start and hardly made an impact when beaten 8.5 lengths as favourite. This is a considerably easier assignment, and as long as Jamie Mott can get He’s Beset away from the rail after jumping from barrier one, He’s Beset should have a bit too much class for his rivals. Best Bet Race 8 – #1 He’s Beset (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Nick Ryan | J: Jamie Mott (61.5kg) +230 with Neds Next Best at Echuca: Rock The Bar On the back of a handy trial at Flemington, Rock The Bar looks well-placed to return a winner on Sunday afternoon. The four-year-old gelding raced consistently throughout the autumn, and with to his name already first-up from a spell, there’s no reason why he cannot repeat the dose. Billy Egan will have this bloke leading upon settling, and with a cheap sectional or two, Rock The Bar should prove too hard to run down. Next Best Race 7 – #4 Rock The Bar (12) 4yo Gelding | T: Danny O’Brien | J: Billy Egan (61kg) +210 with Dabble Best Value at Echuca: Tha Maestro Tha Maestro produced a career-best performance when launching home late at Seymour on July 22 to be beaten less than a length when second. Having turned for home the widest of the runners, the Inference mare caught the eye when making up a stack of ground, and in doing so, she put 3.3 lengths on the third-placed horse. Barrier 11 is offset by her desire to settle at the rear of the field and if Jarrod Fry can have her in striking distance on the turn, Tha Maestro can salute at a big price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 2 – #10 Tha Maestro (11) 5yo Mare | T: Rhys Archard | J: Jarrod Fry (57.5kg) +1500 with Picklebet Sunday quaddie tips for Echuca Echuca quadrella selections Sunday, August 11, 2024 2-3-4-6-7 1-3-4 1-4-7 2-3-4-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Schwarz on the way to the barriers prior to the running of the The Amanda Elliott at Flemington Racecourse on November 11, 2023 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The training partnership of John O’Shea & Tom Charlton has tasted Group success at their first attempt, with Schwarz (+140) holding off the fast-finishing Arctic Glamour (+500) in the final strides of the Group 2 Missile Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. Charlton joined O’Shea as an official training partner on August 1 to start the 2024/25 racing season, and it hasn’t taken long for the duo to win a Group race together. The winner, who was piloted by James McDonald, opened as a short favourite with online bookmakers on Wednesday, and he was kept safe in betting in the lead-up to the Missile Stakes. The son of Zoustar jumped well for McDonald, and he slowly worked his way across to find a position three lengths off the leader, Much Much Better (+800). When he was asked for the ultimate effort and took over from the tiring frontrunner, Schwarz began to wobble out wide and nearly threw the race away with 150m to go. The four-year-old entire held a slender break on his rivals at the 100m mark; however, the challengers were finishing off strongly, with Shezanalister (+650) and Arctic Glamour bursting through the pack. Fortunately, for favourite backers and connections of Schwarz, McDonald got everything out of his mount and just held on for the valuable victory to kick off the preparation. 2024 Missile Stakes replay – Schwarz Charlton represented the stable in the post-race interview. “Thank you. I tried to hold back a bit there, but John didn’t want to do the honours,” Charlton said. “I think he (Schwarz) raced a bit wide throughout, and like we said pre-race, he is a horse that likes to race comfortably. “He got into a rhythm and maybe just felt the pinch late, but a solid win off just one trial. “I think he is still learning and probably gaining confidence off, and that will do him a world of good. “He’s a quality horse and a beautiful animal. “We will just take a breath and speak to the boss, but maybe the race like the Memsie or some of the races up in Sydney. “It’s a long spring, so we will work it out.” James McDonald was impressed with the win, and he spoke post-race. “Yeah, it was. It was an excellent win,” McDonald said. “He didn’t have anything go his way. “He was wide throughout, but he was obviously the best horse in the race, and he had to tough it out, he was a sitting duck a long way from home. “They’ve just placed him to perfection, and he gets a very valuable Group 2 on his CV.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Casterton Races Where Casterton Racecourse – 119 Racecourse Rd, Casterton VIC 3311 When Sunday, August 11, 2024 First Race 12:40pm AEST Visit Dabble Casterton Racing Club will host a very competitive seven-race program this Sunday afternoon, with racing set to kick off at 12:40pm AEST. The track was rated as a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, and even though there is no rain forecast, it is expected that the surface will remain in the Soft range for the whole day. The rail will be in its true position for the entire circuit. Best Bet at Casterton: Cadre Du Noir Cadre Du Noir appeared to have his maiden hurdle sewn up with 600m to go at this track and trip on July 28, before Schabau ran over the top of him late. With the experience of two hurdle races under his belt and Steven Pateman sticking with the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding, Cadre Du Noir will only need to replicate his last performance to claim victory here. Best Bet Race 1 – #2 Cadre Du Noir (7) 9yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Steven Pateman (69.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Next Best at Casterton: Schabau Andrew Bobbin and Tom Ryan will combine with Schabau as they seek back-to-back hurdle victories at Casterton, following a strong performance to break his maiden on July 28 at this trip. This son of Pastorius has only had three starts over the jumps, and he is getting better every time he steps out over the obstacles. Although he will have to rise in grade for this contest, Schabau can win again with a soft run from barrier two. Next Best Race 3 – #5 Schabau (2) 10yo Gelding | T: Andrew Bobbin | J: Tom Ryan (68.5kg) Bet with Neds Best Value at Casterton: Golden Garden Golden Garden returned from a 28-week spell and had his first run for new trainer Symon Wilde at this track over 1800m on July 28. The son of Olympic Glory settled behind the speed and looked to have the drop on the leader turning for home; however, he raced greenly and lost valuable momentum. His last 200m was the best part of his race, and now that he rises in trip to 2000m, expect Golden Garden to go one better in this contest. Best Value Race 7 – #7 Golden Garden (8) 7yo Gelding | T: Symon Wilde | J: Aaron Kuru (68kg) Bet with Bet365 Sunday quaddie tips for Casterton Casterton quadrella selections Sunday, August 11, 2024 1-2-3 1-3-6 1-3-5-7 1-2-3-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Talented galloper Dusty Road(NZ) Shamexpress continued to make his claim for Group-level targets with back-to-back successes at Te Rapa on Saturday in the Fulton Hogan 1200. His trainer Graeme Cameron had initially planned on starting the gelding in the open mile contest at the meeting, but with a lack of entries, the two races were combined which had the gelding placed in the market at $5.70 behind well-performed sprinters Spencer ($3.80) and Caitlyns Wish ($5). The step-back in distance proved to be no bother to the son of Shamexpress, settling comfortably midfield under Liam Kauri as customary pacemaker Johny Johny ramped up the tempo nearing the 800 metres. Turning for home, Dusty Road led the charge to chase down Johny Johny and swept to the lead at the 200 metres, eventually kicking clear of a game Turn The Ace at the finish to score by a long head. Cambridge-based Cameron was full of praise for his charge, as well as the efforts of Kauri who was on board in Dusty Road’s last-start winning effort at the course. “It was a brilliant run and a brilliant ride,” Cameron said. “Mike Dillon was ringing me for a while and told me about Liam, and said he was really good. We spoke about the problems that he had earlier on and why he is still an apprentice at 25, so I was very keen to have him on this horse. “I’ve given him a go and look what’s happened, it’s great. “I was going for the mile but when they pulled the pin on that, we went for the 1200 because there wasn’t too much around and the run wouldn’t hurt him. It turned out that he won it, so that’s a real buzz.” Cameron had eyed the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) in early September as a possible target for Dusty Road, but now has also got the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) in his sights for the five-year-old. “I think I’d have to look at the Foxbridge Plate now back here in three weeks’ time, we like to give him a little break in the paddock then bring him back up again,” he said. Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Cameron purchased Dusty Road as a yearling and he has earned $143,515 with five wins in 22 starts. “I’ve had him since he was a yearling, he was a good looker so I decided to purchase him from Patrick Hogan and I guess I’m living Patrick’s dream with a horse like this,” he said. “He’s just so good to handle and be around, he’s a ripper.” View the full article

Striking her favoured track conditions, Northern mare Cork(NZ)(Complacent) sailed to victory in the Stephanie Murray Mortgages Open Handicap (1800m) at Riccarton Park on Saturday for Pam Gerard. A runner-up in last year’s Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m), Cork was aimed at the feature event again last Saturday and fought on bravely in the holding track conditions for eighth. After pulling up well, Gerard opted to back the mare up during the second weekend of the carnival with the addition of apprentice Donovan Cooper on board, decreasing her weight to a feather-light 51kg. The winner of the Winter Cup, Jay Bee Gee, was the top pick in the market at $3.10 narrowly ahead of runner-up Freeze Frame, and jockey Kate Hercock took matters into her own hands early aboard the favourite controlling a steady tempo just ahead of Cork. The compact field fanned across the straight turning for home and Cooper opted to remain close to the rail with Cork, while Jay Bee Gee descended nearer the centre of the track. The pair fought out a tight finish all the way to the post, but Cork was too strong in the closing bounds to score by a half-neck, with Jay Bee Gee game in defeat under 59kg. Gerard had anticipated the looser track conditions to suit her mare and was pleased to see her deliver. “It was a super run,” she said. “She was super last week as well, but she drew 21 and did a bit of work. Lisa (Allpress, jockey) said at the top of the straight that she thought she was going to win, but she just got stuck in the mud as it got pretty puggy throughout the day. Lisa said she just needs rain, so I think the little bit Christchurch got yesterday played into our hands. “She is a fully matured mare now and needs to be out there racing, so we elected to start. She can get a little bit niggly, so to turn around in a week, she’s done a great job. “Taking three kilos off was also a great help and Donovan is a strong young rider that has been getting plenty of wins. “We thought we had her spot on for last week and we’ve got Richie Fallon down there doing a fantastic job every time he takes them down there for us. He’s got all day at the races, so he brushes them until they are spotless so they look fantastic every time.” The upcoming Riccarton meeting on the 31st of August appeals to Gerard, who is considering whether to continue campaigning Cork in the south before returning her home to Matamata. “There is another race back at a mile in three weeks’ time, obviously we’ve got another horse down there too so we’ll see how she comes through this before deciding whether she comes back up here or stays down,” she said. “We’re chasing wet tracks with her, that’s what she needs.” Mapperley Stud stallion Complacent sired the quinella in the race, with Cork bred by Graham and Helen-Gaye Bax who presented her under their Blandford Lodge banner at the 2019 Karaka Yearling Sales. She was a $30,000 purchase by Ballymore Stables and Paul Moroney Bloodstock, and is raced in the Fletcher tartan of owners Dame Sian Elias, Natalie Walker, Ned Fletcher and Hugh Fletcher. “The Fletcher family are very good supporters of Ballymore Stables, and it’s great to have a mare like Cork that tries so hard and was able to win during the Grand National Carnival at Riccarton,” Gerard said. Her O’Reilly dam, A Little Irish, has also produced exciting talent Little Bit Of Love, who won four-straight in his most recent campaign for Wexford Stables. View the full article

Former Kiwi galloper Lincoln Rocks(NZ)(Road to Rock) has provided the newly formed partnership of Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald with their first metropolitan winner when landing the Luna Hand Care Handicap (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday. The six-year-old son of Road To Rock was confidently ridden by Mark Zahra, going back from a wide draw and pocketing chief rival Captain Electric inside hm before looping the field to score comfortably. Sporting the colours of OTI Racing, Lincoln Rocks has now had three starts in Australia for two wins and a placing, having originally been prepared by Lisa Latta in New Zealand, for whom he won two of nine starts. “It’s very good for Rob and Annabel too. I think it’s their first Saturday winner since joining up,” stable representative Kyle Ryan said. Lincoln Rocks had more than 12 months between his last run in New Zealand and his first start in Australia, with connections patience being rewarded by the promising stayer. “He came across from New Zealand in good shape and he spent a bit of time in Sydney,” Ryan said. “He had a couple of trials up there and they had to pull up stumps and start again but he’s come down here and he’s really thrived in Melbourne. “He just had a few little creases that had to be ironed out. Terry (Henderson) and his OTI team, they do a great job, they have shown plenty of patience and it’s paying off. “That was only a BenchMark 70 but he’s creeping up there now and he’s shown he’s pretty adaptable and heading in the right direction, so we will let Annabel, Rob and Terry and the team decide where he heads next.” The two favourites fought out the finish with Lincoln Rocks finishing a long neck ahead of Captain Electric who dashed late in an overall time of 2.09.37 on the soft 6 track. “My plan was to follow Stacky (Daniel Stackhouse on Captain Electric) everywhere but I really bounced well and I ended up a spot in front of him. The main thing was just to relax, let it all unfold and come with the last run,” Zahra said. “From the six, to the four, to the three hundred, I thought I’ve pretty much got this won. He won pretty soft in the end. “Usually I find in a staying race if you’re on a horse that gets back, It’s not the biggest disadvantage, you’re probably going to give up a few spots but if you’re on a horse that’s got a little bit on them you can usually do it. “That was pretty good third up and I like the way he raced today. He was a lot more relaxed in the run and finished off very strong so I think he can definitely go up in class.” Bred by John and Lynne Street’s Lincoln Farms Bloodstock Ltd, Lincoln Rocks is out of the winning Darci Brahma mare Princess Maryanne, who was retained as a broodmare after she injured a tendon in just her second start in 2017 when showing enormous potential. Bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo negotiated the private purchase of Lincoln Rocks after his victory at Hawke’s Bay in April last year. View the full article

Sensational steeplechaser West Coast(NZ)(Mettre En Ju) etched his name amongst the greats of the New Zealand jumping scene when he collected his third win in a row in Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase (5600m). The son of Mettre En Jeu became only the second horse to win the race three times since its first running in 1875, and the first to do it consecutive years at the 149th edition of the event. The Mark Oulaghan-prepared fencer won his first National with 65kg on his back, but carried the maximum allocated weight of 73kg on Saturday, with jockey Shaun Fannin bringing up his 11th win from 16 starts aboard the nine-year-old with a copybook ride. Fannin had him tracking pacemaker Al’s Red Zed throughout and with 600m to run he looked the likely winner as he strode to the front with two fences to clear. Lightweight Matamata raider Auld Jock was having none of that and chased West Coast with menace into the final 400m but couldn’t quite muster enough of a sprint at the end of the 5600m journey as West Coast held him comfortably by around a length at the line. Oulaghan was taking it all in his stride but the pride in his voice was unmistakeable as he evaluated the winning performance. “I think to win three in a row, something that hasn’t been done for around 130 years, is pretty special,” Oulaghan said. “It’s great and he is a great horse. “Really good fencer, clean winded and stays, he just seems to have it all. “The owners are great people and strong supporters of South Island racing so deserve to end up with a horse like this. “You never know, but it is on the cards we could be back again next year.” Fannin was rapt with run as he gave all the plaudits to his mount. “He is an absolute superstar, the crowd came here to see a superstar and they did,” he said. “He is such a good jumper that he makes up ground at each fence and when Al’s Red Zed jumped off the rail at the 800m I saw the chance to put some pressure on. “I made that move before we hit the worst of the ground in the home straight and he was just too tough. “I’m honoured to work with Mark and a wonderful team and I’m proud to be part of this journey.” Raced by the Williamson family from Twizel, West Coast took his career record to eleven wins from 37 starts, with all wins coming over fences as he took his prizemoney earnings to a few hundred dollars short of $500,000. The win provided Oulaghan with the same feature double from a year earlier with Berry The Cash winning his second Grand National Hurdles (4200m) earlier on the card. View the full article