Wandering Eyes

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

Despite a few anxious moments in running, outstanding jumper Berry The Cash(NZ)(Jakkalberry) made light work of his 73kg topweight to extend his winning streak to seven races on the trot as he captured his second Hospitality New Zealand Canterbury Grand National Hurdles (4200m) on Saturday. 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.” Raced by an ownership group including Oulaghan, Canterbury Jockey Club Chief Executive Tim Mills, Ray Southey and Gay and John Meyer, Berry The Cash is out of the unraced High Yield mare Likely Story. His extended family including a host of American stakes winners including Lure who won the Breeders’ Cup Mile (1600m) on two occasions. He has now won ten of his 31 starts including seven over hurdles and in excess of $322,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Paul Nelson and Corrina McChief Stipeal watched the Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) slip away at the final fence last Saturday with Dictation(NZ)(Tavistock), but the promising hurdler was back a week later and got his redemption in the Michael ‘Mickey’ Beecroft Memorial 0-1 Win Hurdles (3100m). Having just his third hurdle start in the opening feature of National Week on the first day of the three-day Carnival last Saturday, Dictation was the third-favoured of five rivals attempting to dethrone topliner Berry The Cash. The son of Tavistock almost pulled off the upset with a decent margin on the favourite coming into the last hurdle where he blundered badly, dislodging rider Hamish McNeill. Reverting back to 0-1 grade on Saturday, Dictation became the runner to beat closing at $2.35, with Semper Magico identified as his key rival at $3. Semper Magico was straight into his work and took up the pace-making role from the outset under Portia Matthews, while McNeill remained in close quarters guiding Dictation forward to sit outside the leader. The pair led the pack into the home straight with Dictation travelling strongly in front of an improving Mr Fabulous and Murphy, and while he didn’t negotiate the last with much grace, the seven-year-old stayed on his feet and skipped away to score by five lengths. Murphy showed further improvement from last weekend’s fourth placing when running boldly into second, with Mr Fabulous continuing his consistent form finishing third. McNeill looked to breathe a sigh of relief crossing the line, indicating the meeting last weekend hadn’t been one to remember. “That was a bit of vindication from last weekend, it’s great and he’s a lovely animal,” he said. “I was relieved, Saturday was a day to forget so onwards and upwards today. “In hindsight, it may end up being the best thing for him because that was only his fourth start today (over jumps), he’s going to be an exciting type for next season.” Nelson was on course and spoke on behalf of the prominent Hastings training partnership, who were pleased to see the son of Tavistock earn a deserved success during the carnival. “He looks like being a pretty useful sort of horse I think,” he said. “We didn’t change a thing, when we get down here it’s not all about how hard you work them, it’s just how you work them. “It’s quite a change for them, they do a bit more here than they do at home.” Dictation was bred by the Duchess of Bedford and is owned by the I See Red Syndicate, with his record now including four wins from 24 starts and $88,870 in stakes earnings. Initially prepared and owned by Glen Harvey, Nelson purchased the seven-year-old for the syndicate via gavelhouse.com in April 2022 for $20,000. View the full article

2nd-Gulfstream, $45,000, (S), Msw, 8-9, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:11.45, sy, 4 1/2 lengths. R MORNING BREW (f, 2, Curlin's Honor–Foolhearted Woman, by Uncaptured), the 5-2 second choice, hustled from the gate and led this field under pressure early from eventual runner up Don't Fool With Me (Khozan). Still narrowly in front off the turn, she put that rival away down the stretch to graduate first time out by 4 1/2 lengths. The first winner for her freshman sire (by Curlin), R Morning Brew is a half to Dancing N Dixie (Neolithic), MSW & MGSP, $368,550. She has a yearling full-brother named Freddie's Honor and her dam is due to Neolithic in 2025. Florida-based Curlin's Honor stands at Pleasant Acres Stallions. Sales History: $30,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $29,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Averill Racing LLC; B-Dori Morgan Hyatt (FL); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. R Morning Brew and @zayas_edgardo easily score in race 2. #GulfstreamPark #RoyalPalmMeet pic.twitter.com/b8cd5Y1fV8 — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) August 9, 2024 The post R Morning Brew A First Winner For Curlin’s Honor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Representatives from several Thoroughbred partnerships and racing syndicates will be available for a meet and greet Saturday, Aug. 10 at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, the museum announced via presser Friday. During the free event, offered as a part of the Saturday Morning Social, interested guests may learn how to get involved with various different ownership groups with 11 total sending representatives. They are–in alphabetical order–Adelphi Racing Club, Brown Road Racing, Centennial Farms, Ironhorse Racing Stable, MyRacehorse, Riverdee Stable, Sackatoga Stable, Shooting Star Thoroughbreds, Uptowncharlybrown Stud, West Point Thoroughbreds, and Zilla Racing Stable. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and run until 11:00 a.m. The post Racing Partnerships and Syndicate Meet & Greet Event Runs Saturday at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a son of Tepin (Bernstein). 13.45 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, 7fT DELACROIX (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the first big Ballydoyle runner on a big day for the stable and looks certain to start at prohibitive odds given the promise he showed when second on his Leopardstown debut last month. A son of the six-times top-level winner and dual champion Tepin (Bernstein), whose 3-year-old daughter Grateful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) captured last month's G3 Stanerra Stakes, he should be the latest to add his name to a winner's list that includes the subsequent G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes winners Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and his own stablemate Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). He is joined by fellow Rosegreen representative 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}) became a TDN Rising Star at Tipperary on Friday, while his rivals include Juddmonte's unraced colt Storm Piece (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), a Ger Lyons-trained son of the G1 Falmouth Stakes heroine Timepiece (GB) (Zamindar), and Qatar Bloodstock, David Howden, China Horse Club and Ballylinch Stud's Hostility (Ire) (No Nay Never), a 430,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 graduate from the Joseph O'Brien yard responsible for the aforementioned Thunder Moon and Al Riffa. 13.55 Newmarket, Debutantes, £40,000, 2yo, f, 7fT SUHUB (GB) (Mohaather {GB}) is a significant runner for Shadwell, being the first foal out of the G1 Falmouth Stakes and G1 Sun Chariot Stakes heroine Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). William Haggas has charge of the homebred, whose 11 rivals feature some intriguing types from the leading stables including Ballydoyle's Island Hopping (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), another first foal whose dam Heaven Of Heavens (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is a full-sister to Coolmore royalty Magical (Ire) and Rhododendron (Ire) and who is therefore linked closely with Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). 14.15 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, 6fT SOURCE CODE (FR) (Blue Point {Ire}) is a half-brother to this year's Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) who is obviously judged by Joseph O'Brien to have taken more after his sire's side introduced as he is over this sprint trip. Al Shira'aa Racing's homebred faces 18 contemporaries on debut which include Ballydoyle's experienced Ides Of March (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), the son of the GI Frizette Stakes heroine Nickname (Scat Daddy) who drops back down in trip having chased home his highly promising stablemate The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) over seven furlongs here last month. 14.50 Curragh, Cond, €32,000, 2yo, f, 7fT BALLET SLIPPERS (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the pick of Ryan Moore of two Ballydoyle representatives in this American Racing Channel Irish EBF Fillies Juvenile Race which was won by the stable's future G1 Matron Stakes and G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes heroine Hydrangea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and in which Opera Singer (Justify) fell short against A Lilac Rolla (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}) 12 months ago. The first foal out of the multiple Group 1-winning Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and granddaughter of Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), she ran a highly creditable third on debut behind Juddmonte's TDN Rising Star Red Letter (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and that form should be good enough here. Also from Rosegreen is the newcomer Tea Rose (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), the second foal out of Coolmore's 6-million gns purchase Marsha (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) who achieved fame by winning the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye and G1 Nunthorpe Stakes, while Coolmore have obviously placed major importance on this contest with three other entries. They include two blueblooded newcomers in the Donnacha O'Brien-trained Falling Snow (Ire) (Justify), the fourth foal out of the G1 1,000 Guineas, G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas, G1 Coronation Stakes and G1 Nassau Stakes heroine Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who ironically met with defeat at the hand of the aforementioned Hydrangea in the Matron; and the Willie Browne runner Just Before (Ire) (Justify), a daughter of the dual Classic-placed Gagnoa (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) who is a half to Pour Moi (Ire) responsible for War Front's black-type winners Ancient Rome and Etoile with the latter interestingly taking her sole pattern race, Naas's G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies' Sprint Stakes, on her debut. The post Son Of Tepin A Warm Order For Curragh Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Karl Broberg, who has saddled 4,900 winners in a 15-year career, has retired from training and will turn his focus to breaking young horses. View the full article

Three Chimneys Farm's Touchy (Nyquist) would go heavily favored in any maiden race at the Spa, but connections continue to campaign the homebred colt boldly as he remains in stakes company for his second career appearance in Saturday's GII Saratoga Special Stakes. The bay colt was bet down to 85 cents on the dollar for his debut in the June 6 Tremont Stakes on the first day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at this venue, and he made the majority of the running before giving way late to be second behind the upset-minded Studlydoright (Nyquist). The latter franked the form with a runner-up effort in the GIII Sanford Stakes July 13 and it will be no surprise if Touchy sees off his rivals in this spot. Blinkers come off the 5-2 morning-line favorite. Keep It Easy (Hard Spun) took some nibbles, but was no better than a fading seventh when drawn the fence on Churchill unveiling June 6, but he showed much sharper gate speed from an outside alley June 27 and wired his field by four lengths, good for a competitive 79 Beyer. He has the nine hole on Saturday. “I think this is a good spot. He is a good horse,” said trainer Dale Romans of the $435,000 Keeneland September acquisition, who races for St Elias, West Point and C J Thoroughbreds. “Physically, he is a big, strong, pretty horse. He was a pretty horse at the yearling sale when we bought him. He just continues to get better. He is a good workhorse and a good horse all around.” Godolphin's First Resort (Uncle Mo), a son of GI La Brea Stakes heroine Fair Maiden (Street Boss), caught a muddy Ellis main track for his July 5 bow and argued the pace before drawing clear to score by daylight. The in-form Flavien Prat takes over at the controls. When Kevin Rice sends one over it is often foolish to be too dismissive of his chances. Good Directions (Liam's Map) was visually impressive in graduating by 3 1/4 lengths over the Presque Isle Tapeta July 8 and was back on two week's rest, blowing the break before finishing off well for second in Ellis allowance company. In a race with a ton of early speed, he can take ground off them late. Baffert 'Rising Star' Duo Battle In Sorrento Trainer Bob Baffert is the winningest trainer in the history of the GIII Sorrento Stakes, with seven victories to his credit, but Pretty N Cool (Scat Daddy) gave him the most recent of his successes back in 2015. That somewhat surprising dry streak looks all but certain to end when the conditioner saddles the top two choices–each a 'TDN Rising Star'–in Saturday's six-furlong contest. Nooni (Win Win Win) was pounded into 1-5 favoritism for her June 13 unveiling at Santa Anita, having fetched a sales-topping $1.8 million from Donato Lanni on behalf of owner Amr Zedan at this year's OBS March Sale. And it turned out to be the easiest 20% return on investment you could imagine, as she galloped to a 9 1/2-length victory while never out of second gear. Juan Hernandez opts for Nooni over Casalu (Caracaro) to her outside in gate two. A May foal, the bay filly cost the Three Amigos–Watson, Weitman and Pegram–a hefty $775,000 at OBS April and she validated her purchase price with a 5 1/2-length 'Rising Star'-worthy debut success here July 21, earning a 73 Beyer Speed Figure that is just five points inferior to her stable companion. While the two Bafferts should dominate the market, each of the other three entrants has numbers that could figure with a bit of improvement. Night Beacon (Spun to Run) earned a 76 Beyer when running out a 2 3/4-length winner beneath Emily Ellingwood at Santa Anita May 10, while Vodka With a Twist (Thousand Words) looks to build on a three-length score in the June 30 Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs (76 Beyer). White Sands (Into Mischief) is cross-entered for Sunday's GIII Best Pal Stakes, but already has a win to her credit against the boys, a 13 3/4-length demolition job in the Prairie Gold Juvenile Stakes July 6. Cogburn Has Field Over a Barrel In Troy As of this writing, it waits to be seen whether Saturday's GII Troy Stakes remains on the Mellon Turf Course, and if so, they'll all be running for second if the Cogburn (Not This Time) of late shows up. The 5-year-old gained his first graded win in a soft-turf renewal of this race 12 months ago and exits that record-setting effort in the GI Jaipur Stakes June 8, where he ran the 5 1/2 furlongs in :59.80. Even if the race is transferred to the main track, they'll still have him to beat, as he amassed a record of 3-2-0 from eight dirt starts prior to his metamorphosis. In the day's other graded events, treble Grade I winner Anisette (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}) will be a handful in the GII Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Del Mar, and with Horse of the Year Moira (Ghostzapper) headed for Sunday's GII Beverly D. Stakes at Colonial and MGSW/MGISP Mission of Joy (Kitten's Joy) cross-entered for the same event, the GII Canadian Stakes could offer a mare like Forever After All (Connect) a golden opportunity at a first career victory The post Touchy Looks To Go One Better In Saratoga Special 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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1st-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 12:35 p.m. ET. Debuting upstate is 2-year-old NANTZ (Tapit)–a $600,000 purchase during last year's Keeneland September Sale. Owned by partners Repole Stable, Spendthrift Farm, Big Easy Racing, Titletown Racing, Rick Kanter, Golconda Stable, Ali Goodrich and Mark Parkinson, the Todd Pletcher trainee is the first foal for MSW Divine Queen (Divine Park). She's out of SW Town Queen (Williamstown), who also produced SW Queen's Award (Medaglia d'Oro) and the dam of MGSW The Player (Street Hero). Also set for his unveiling is Aviator Gui (Uncle Mo). The Three Chimneys homebred–trained by Chad Brown–is out of unraced Paulistinha (Tapit), who is a half-sister to multiple leading sire Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}). TJCIS PPS 1st-ELP, $71K, Msw, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 12:50 p.m. ET. Heading to the turf at the Pea Patch, Lovely Emma (Twirling Candy) will make her first start for C R K Stable and trainer Peter Eurton. The 2-year-old filly was taken home by Mayberry Farm for $600,000 during Keeneland September last year. Her unplaced dam is also responsible for GIII Sam F. Davis Stakes hero Litigate (Blame) and she herself is a half-sister to the dam of MGSW Blamed (Blame). Godolphin homebred Civetta (Into Mischief) is a first time starter for trainer Brendan Walsh. The filly's dam, MGISP Sentiero Italia (Medaglia d'Oro), produced GI Arlington Million hero Santin (Distorted Humor). TJCIS PPS 3rd-ELP, $71K, Msw, 3yo/up, 7f, 1:49 p.m. ET. The late great Arrogate's final crop are now 3-year-olds and Touchdown Rocket will take his first crack in the starting gate with Lasix at Ellis. Out of a graded-stakes-placed Street Sense mare, the colt initially sold to Kings Equine for $50,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale before going to Spendthrift and Frank Fletcher for $525,000 during OBS March in 2023. The colt is trained by Brad Cox. TJCIS PPS The post Saturday’s Racing Insights: Tapit’s Nantz Welcomes Juvenile Debut At Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's G1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh sees the first Group 1 action for the juveniles of 2024 and a fascinating colt-filly clash as Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never) meets Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}). The former, who is seeking to extend Aidan O'Brien's tally of 17 successes in the six-furlong feature, like his full-brother Little Big Bear (Ire) went to Royal Ascot and Newmarket's July Festival and unlike him lost at the former meeting when one of the week's shock losers in fourth in the G2 Norfolk Stakes. While Little Big Bear didn't take part in the G2 July Stakes due to the ever-quickening ground two years ago, Whistlejacket was in the line-up this time and duly won with the placed horses Billboard Star (GB) (Advertise {GB}) and Aomori City (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}) subsequently promoting the form at Goodwood. Ryan Moore is in confident mood. “You have to respect Ger Lyons's filly, Babouche, who's two-for-two, but despite showing greenness in Newmarket, my lad won well and he sets the standard here,” the rider said. O'Brien, who also has Monday's Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes winner Heavens Gate (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) in the line-up, added, “He's in good form and everything has gone well with him since the last day. We're happy with him and whatever the ground will be, he'll be fine. He seemed happier over six furlongs last time than the five at Ascot, so we're hoping he'll run well. Heavens Gate only ran the other day. Her canters have been building up every day and if she's okay, she'll run.” Having registered his first Group 1 success with Siskin (First Defence) five years ago, this race will always hold a special gravitas for Ger Lyons and it is with another Juddmonte homebred that he returns with a live contender in Babouche. Team Ballydoyle will know where they stand after her defeat of the stable's Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the G3 Anglesey Stakes over 63 yards further last month, but there is no telling at present where the limit is with the unbeaten TDN Rising Star. “I'm looking forward to it and if she's placed in the first three, we're delighted,” Lyons said. “We can then decide if we stay at the trip for the Cheveley Park or go to the Moyglare. She's a horse I've always liked and if you like them, you can't be afraid to get beat.” Juddmonte's European racing manager Barry Mahon added, “When they are in good form and they are ready to go, you have got to go where the races are. We would love to be taking on fillies, but the race is there against the colts and it is close to home, so we will give it a good go.” “The signals Ger has always been getting is that she could be a very good filly and she has a great temperament and plenty of ability. Her sister Zarinsk has been a brilliant filly for us the last two years, so it is nice to see the family continuing on with Babouche and hopefully she can enhance her profile on Saturday.” From Britain is Wathnan Racing's Richard Fahey-trained G2 Prix Robert Papin runner-up Shadow Army (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), who will provide further clues as to the merit of Arabie (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}) who beat him in that Chantilly contest. “Richard is very happy with Shadow Army, he's a slow learner–he's getting better with each run,” Richard Brown said. “This is a big ask, but it's a tight field and I think the stiff six furlongs at the Curragh will suit him.” Anmaat Returns… Saturday's G3 Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock sees the welcome return of Shadwell's Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), who has been absent since recording his breakthrough Group 1 win in ParisLongchamp's Prix d'Ispahan last May. “We still don't know if we've seen the best of him yet, he's lightly raced–just 12 races as a 6-year-old, which is not many,” trainer Owen Burrows said. “It will be great to see him back and all being well he'll run a nice race and we can start planning then for the rest of the year.” Newmarket's pattern race is the G3 Sweet Solera Stakes, where Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) is a rare runner for the stable in this contest. With so many talented juvenile fillies in the yard this term, the daughter of Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) who denied Juddmonte's fellow TDN Rising Star Red Letter (GB) (Frankel {GB}) on debut at The Curragh in June is sent to Newmarket in order for them all to be kept apart. “We were very happy with her debut and we think she's happy for another run,” Aidan O'Brien said. “We're hoping she'll run a nice race and we think the experience will do her good. We've trained a few out of Quiet Reflection, but she'd be the sharpest, being by Frankel, the others were more middle-distance types, she looks the quickest one. Her maiden form looks strong, the second has won well since and she'd be one of our nicer fillies, we liked her when she ran.” Charlie Appleby saddles another TDN Rising Star in Mountain Breeze (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who was fourth in the G3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and runner-up in the six-furlong G2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at the July Festival here. “We feel that stepping up to seven is the right way for Mountain Breeze and it should produce a bit more improvement,” he said. “She should be very competitive on the back of what she has already achieved and this will hopefully open up a few more doors for her heading into the autumn.” Inspiral Bids For Historic Jacques Le Marois Treble, Faces Seven… Cheveley Park Stud's Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will face seven rivals as she bids for a historic treble in Sunday's G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville. Aided by Ryan Moore for the first time, the John and Thady Gosden-trained 5-year-old will upstage fellow dual winners Miesque, Spinning World and Palace Pier (GB) if successful in the prestigious mile feature where last year's runner-up Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) is set to re-oppose. Yeguada Centurion's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes hero Big Rock has failed to shine in two starts for the Maurizio Guarnieri stable so far in 2024, also has a new partner with Cristian Demuro taking over. Nurlan Bizakov's G1 Queen Anne Stakes hero Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Peter R Bradley and Scuderia Scolari's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Metropolitan (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's unbeaten G2 Summer Mile scorer Quddwah (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Wathnan Racing's multiple group winner and dual 2,000 Guineas-placed Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) are other notables. Jaber Abdullah's 2023 Poulains hero Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) and Christian Wingtans and Nicolas Caullery's 2023 G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest winner King Gold (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}) complete the line-up. The post ‘He Sets The Standard’: Moore Keen On Whistlejacket In The Phoenix appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article