Wandering Eyes

Race 7 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE HANDICAP 2200m ENTRENCH (R Khan) – Trainer Ms. A McLeod reported to Stewards, she was satisfied with the post-race condition of ENTRENCH, and it is her intention to carry on with the mare’s current preparation. The post Canterbury Jockey Club @ Riccarton Park, Thursday 11 September 2025 appeared first on Racing Integrity Board. View the full article

Race 7 NZB AIRFREIGHT ROAD TO JERICHO 3210m FOURTY EIGHT (S McNab) – Co-Trainer H Fannin advised Stewards, that the gelding underwent a veterinary examination, including an endoscopic assessment, on Monday 15 September, which revealed no abnormalities. FOURTY EIGHT will continue with his current preparation. The post Taranaki Racing Inc @ New Plymouth Raceway, Saturday 13 September 2025 appeared first on Racing Integrity Board. View the full article

Race 7 AUTOPOINT – PREMIUM CARS, APPROACHABLE SERVICE 1300m FAT CAT (J Doyle) – Trainer Mr. A Forsman reported to Stewards, that he was satisfied with FAT CAT’S post-race condition, however, in his opinion the gelding may not have been suited to the Heavy 9 track conditions. A Forsman further advised he intends to continue with FAT CAT’S current preparation. The post Waikato Thoroughbred Racing @ Te Rapa, Sunday 14 September 2025 appeared first on Racing Integrity Board. View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz Just like the plush London hotel he’s named after, The Savoy announced himself in style at Cambridge Raceway last night. The two-year-old gelding (Art Major – Sloane Square) scored a decisive maiden victory in the Pizza And Beer Night Skyline Lounge – 9th Oct Mobile Pace, confirming the promise trainer Tate Hopkins has always seen in him. Originally prepared for the yearling sales by Hopkins on behalf of Bruce Carter Bloodstock, the son of Art Major didn’t attract a single bid when he went through the ring. That setback, however, turned into an opportunity. “We never got a bid on him, so Bruce asked if I’d be interested in taking half of him to train and it just went from there,” Hopkins explained. It was a decision that looks to be paying off. Hopkins has always felt the youngster had something about him, even when his debut performance didn’t make headlines. On September 5, The Savoy lined up in a Sires’ Stakes heat at Alexandra Park and finished seventh against some of the country’s top juveniles. That race was won by The Savoy’s stablemate Cyclone Rebel. “He gives you the feel of a nice horse. It was a really good run from him first up, he was probably thrown in the deep end a bit. He’s just not quite ready to compete with those good ones,” Hopkins said. The drop back in class at Cambridge proved much more suitable. With Andre Poutama in the sulky, the pair initially settled back off the mobile before pressing forward to take control as the field rounded into the final lap. From there they never looked in danger, kicking clear to score by a comfortable margin. Heading into the race, Hopkins had every reason to believe the gelding was ready to shine. “You’re never over confident, but I was pretty sure that he was going to put in a good effort. It’s good to get his confidence up with a win.” The next steps for The Savoy are still being weighed up, though Hopkins is leaning towards giving the gelding some time off. “Our plans with him are up in the air at the moment. We might give him a wee break and bring him back as an early three-year-old, I believe time will be his best friend and he’s probably six months away from maturing into a really nice animal.” With 13 horses in work at his Taupaki base, Hopkins is upbeat about the talent coming through his juvenile team. “I quite like Booty Shaker, she’s probably just a step below the real good two-year-old fillies. I’ve also got a real monster of a two-year-old called Horizon who goes really good as well, I’d like to think he’ll be winning a couple and he’d only be a month away.” View the full article

A late flurry of activity has ensured both Addington Raceway’s two big slot races will go ahead as planned on Show Day, Friday, November 14. The deadline for slot-holders to register their interest in the Majestic Horsefloats ASCENT was 5pm yesterday. “We always had the numbers for the VELOCITY but there was a question mark for a while with the ASCENT,” says Addington Raceway spokesman Greg O’Connor. “But thankfully two slot holders came to the party late. We now have 9 starters in the ASCENT and 10 in the VELOCITY.” Yesterday’s slots in THE ASCENT were taken by prominent Australian owner Domenic Martello and by two of the biggest names in Australasian harness racing, Aldebaran Park principal Duncan McPherson and Pat Driscoll of Yabby Dam Farms. Martello has indicated his slot will be taken by his own filly Tracy The Jet (5 wins from 10 starts), who is trained by Jess Tubbs in Victoria, while the McPherson/Driscoll combo have bought their slot for New South Wales Oaks and Derby winner Gatesys Gem (8 wins from 12 starts). “We see this race as an important part of the overall trotting picture in Australasia and that’s something Pat and I are very passionate about,” said McPherson. “Gatesys Gem, who is by Aldebaran Eagle, gives us a great chance in the race, given her record to date.” And it may not be a hit and run mission for the two fillies either. “They have the option to go to either the Derby or Oaks at Addington so the trip could potentially be very lucrative for them,” says O’Connor. Both The NZ Trotting Oaks and the Derby will be held at Addington on November 25. Further details about the slot-holders and their horses for both THE ASCENT and THE VELOCITY will be released in coming weeks. It will be the second edition of both races, after they were taken out by Australian superstar Keayang Zahara and Better Knuckle Up last year. In the TAB’s market for the Hill Lee and Scott VELOCITY this year rising star Marketplace is a $1.55 favourite. View the full article

Presenter-driver-trainer Brittany Graham knows a thing or two about racing on both sides of the Tasman and now that the Queenslander is working for Trackside in this country she’s (reluctantly) agreed to write a weekly column. By Brittany Graham Successful in the DG Jones Memorial back in 2023, Oscar Bonavena is back for more as a rising ten-year-old and off the back of a stunningly dominant Ordeal Cup success two weeks ago. Displaying his very best manners, the trademark turn of foot at the top of the straight left his rivals breathless and signalled he is on song for the back end of the year despite a challenging Inter Dominion campaign. “It was a real juggling act with him through the Inter Dominion series, and he really felt the Albion Park track,” said co-trainer Nathan Purdon when appearing on The Box Seat earlier this week. “Now though he is probably the soundest he has ever been in his life”. They are ominous words for his rivals at Motukarara this Sunday with the grass tracks clearly his forte, and his record of four wins from five starts on the surface only further enhancing his chances. What does pose a challenge, however, is the back mark of 30 metres in a gigantic full field of 18 runners. When successful in 2023 he overcame the same handicap, although only had a field of 10 to contend with. With the addition of another eight horses, it could see the millionaire trotter spotting rivals a far greater start. Should he prove successful in Sunday’s G3 feature, he will in fact edge up and over $1.25 million in earnings in less than 100 career starts. Not bad for an orphan foal who has met and overcome challenges from day one. In a further bonus for racing fans on course at Motukarara on Sunday, his star pacing stablemate Akuta is penciled in to head along and have a private workout on the grass to ready him for a tilt at the Methven Cup on Sunday, October 5. To see the market for Sunday’s race click here View the full article

The more things change, the more they stay the same. It may have a new permanent home and a new name, but New Zealand’s richest hurdle race continues to be dominated by Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal. Taika triumphed in the inaugural running of the $150,000 J Swap Great New Zealand Hurdle (4200m) at Te Aroha on Friday, adding his name alongside the Hawke’s Bay stable’s six previous victories when the race was known as the Great Northern Hurdle. According to jumps racing statistician Chris McQuaid, Nelson began his record-breaking haul in this race with Chibuli in 2002, followed by Just Not Cricket in 2006 and 2007. McDougal joined Nelson in partnership during the 2018-19 season and they have shared subsequent victories with The Cossack (2020 and 2021), Nedwin (2023) and now Taika. No other trainer has won the race more than four times. McDougal represented the stable on course on Friday while Nelson continues his recovery from knee-replacement surgery a month ago. “Paul and Carol are family friends of mine and I’m absolutely honoured to be in this training partnership,” McDougal said. “Everyone will be jumping around at home. We did it!” The Nelson/McDougal came into Friday’s feature with strength in numbers, saddling three of the 10 starters in the race. Taika was rated an $11 chance, with recent form perhaps favouring his stablemates Suliman and The Bambino. Suliman won the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) at Riccarton last month, while The Bambino burst on to the scene with back-to-back open hurdle victories at Woodville in his last two starts on August 17 and September 7. But Mathew Gillies guided Taika home in fourth place behind The Bambino in the second of those Woodville races, and the prospect of better track conditions at Te Aroha gave the jockey a quiet confidence in the countdown to the Great New Zealand Jumps Carnival. “He ran a pretty good race at Woodville, where the track was a bit too heavy for him but he tried hard,” Gillies said. “I thought he’d be a genuine chance in this race today if the track dried out a bit, and it has. He was just a different horse today and travelled so much better.” Gillies took up a handy position in second place, tracking the front-running Happy Star for most of the two laps of the Te Aroha circuit. The field bunched right up heading down the back straight the final time, and the race seemed to be changing complexion rapidly as backmarkers surged into contention. Among those was Yolo, who made up a huge amount of ground from a clear last and appeared to be travelling better than anyone coming around the home turn. However, she stumbled at the first fence in the straight and lost all of that momentum, fading back into the pack and quickly swallowed up by strong-finishing rivals. Through it all, Taika maintained his rhythm. He moved a length in front at the second-last hurdle and then cleared the last beautifully, putting himself out of reach and going on to win by a length and a half. The Bambino finished strongly into second in a Nelson/McDougal quinella, while defending champion Lord Spencer was only a short head behind in third. It was a special triumph for Gillies, who has been a recent returnee to the jumps jockey ranks after spending more than two seasons in the sidelines. “It’s just a pleasure to come back after so long away and still being able to compete with everyone,” Gillies said. “It’s really good. “I just followed Happy Star most of the way. We were jumping together and doing it so easily that it was almost like we were schooling. “He had good gears under him when he went past Happy Star, so I knew he’d be a good chance from there.” Taika is part-owned by Paul Nelson and his brother Mark in partnership with Ken Garnett. The nine-year-old son of Mettre En Jeu has now had 34 starts for seven wins, six placings and $256,624 in prize-money. His 18 starts over hurdles have produced five wins, six placings and $239,767. “I’m really rapt,” McDougal said. “This horse is a stable favourite, so this is just really cool. The Bambino got up for second too, so that’s a great result. “There’s not really any secrets as far as our stable’s concerned. The hill work that we do with the horses at home pays off, and it’s also just a case of happy people making happy horses.” View the full article

Fierce Flight kicked off what Te Akau Racing is hoping to be a lucrative weekend for the trans-Tasman operation when winning the Te Aroha Maiden Hurdle (3100m) on Friday. The Flying Artie gelding won six races on the flat, including the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m), and placed in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m), Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) and Listed New Zealand St Leger (2600m), before transitioning to a jumping career two months ago. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained gelding showed plenty of promise in his three prior starts over hurdles, placing in his opening two efforts at Te Rapa and Te Aroha before running sixth at Hawera last month. Punters showed their support for the seven-year-old gelding on the opening day of the Great New Zealand Carnival at Te Aroha when backing him into a dominant $2.50 favourite, and he performed accordingly, running out a 2-1/4 length victor in the hands of Jay Kozaczek. “He came into the race like the best horse in the race,” Kozaczek said. “I rode him before and I probably made a few mistakes on him, but luckily they kept me on him and he proved today that he can win.” The stable is hoping to take that winning momentum into the weekend where they have runners on both sides of the Tasman. In Melbourne, Damask Rose will have her first tilt at elite-level when she contests the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. The daughter of Savabeel had a standout three-year-old season, winning three of her five starts, including the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) and $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). She returned as a four-year-old to run fifth first-up in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield last month, pleasing trainer Mark Walker. While pleased with that effort and her progression since then, Walker said she will have her work cut out to overcome her outside draw of 17 in Saturday’s feature. “We were really happy with her first-up run, but you are just going to need luck from the draw,” he said. “Hopefully you can get on the back of a couple of the other favourites, who have drawn out.” Back in New Zealand, the stable is looking forward to the debut of regally-bred filly Avantaggia in the Join TAB Racing Club 1200. The Wootton Bassett three-year-old holds strong sentimental value to the stable, being out of their former multiple Group One winner Avantage. Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis purchased her out of Coolmore’s 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for A$2.1 million, and she has shown a lot of promise to date, winning her last three trials. While pleased with what she has shown to date, Walker, who trains in New Zealand in partnership with Sam Bergerson, is holding reserved expectations after she drew barrier 10. “She has done nothing wrong so far, but we will just have to see how we go,” Walker said. “It is a bit of an awkward draw and she will be better once she gets over more ground.” The stable will line-up nine other runners on the 10-race card and Walker is particularly upbeat about the chances of Group One winner Captured By Love who will make her first appearance of the season in the Eagle Technology 1400. The four-year-old daughter of Written Tycoon has won both of her lead-in trials and Walker is excited to see what she can do first-up, with Group One targets in the offing later this year. “I think Captured By Love will be our best chance at Ellerslie tomorrow,” Walker said. “She seems to be really good and I am looking forward to seeing what she can do tomorrow. “She may head to a race like the Captain Cook (Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic, 1600m), the triple crown just came up a bit soon.” – View the full article

The prestigious NZB Filly of the Year Series heads in a new direction on Saturday with the running of the second leg, the $150,000 Group Three Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (1400m) at Ellerslie. The Sunline Vase has previously been run over 2100m in March as the 10th leg of the 11-race series, helping to set fillies up for the grand finale in the $1m Group One New Zealand Oaks (2400m). That has all changed in 2025-26. The New Zealand Oaks has been moved forward from late March to February and will this year be run at Ellerslie. This new position in the calendar, two weeks before the $1.25m Group One New Zealand Derby (2400m) at the same venue, allows the country’s elite staying fillies to contest both of those coveted classics. The Oaks still carries the same potentially decisive NZB Filly of the Year Series points as previous seasons – 12 for first, 7 for second and 3.5 for third – but its new position in the calendar has brought changes to the series schedule. The Sunline Vase has been moved into the spring and reduced to 1400m, while the Group Two Lowland Stakes (2100m) will remain as an Oaks lead-up but has been moved from March to 31 January. Below is the new itinerary for the NZB Filly of the Year Series: A spring Sunline Vase is something new, but it is shaping up to be a fascinating clash between some of the leading contenders for the $600,000 Group One New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in Christchurch in November. The line-up is headed by Lollapalooza (NZ) (El Roca), who tops the Filly of the Year Series table with 6 points after scoring a stunning come-from-nowhere win in the Group Three Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) two weeks ago. Among her opposition is Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma), the only other New Zealand three-year-old to win at Group level so far this season. She produced a potent finish from last to take out the Group Three Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka in August in her most recent appearance. Gold Trail Stakes third placegetter Queen’s Evidence (NZ) (King’s Legacy) is also in the line-up, along with last season’s stakes-winning juveniles Too Sweet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) and Little Black Dress (Snitzel). Lady Iris (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) and Abbakiss (Microphone) have both placed at black-type level. Like the Gold Trail earlier this month, the Sunline Vase is worth 6 points to the winner, 3 for second and 1.5 for third. Lollapalooza tops the standings with her 6 points, with In Haste (Snitzel) second on 3 points and Queen’s Evidence third with 1.5. The Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase will be run as Race 8 at Ellerslie on Saturday, with a scheduled start time of 4pm. $150,000 Group Three Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (1400m) Field: View the full article

Ka Ying Rising got the final stamp of approval from trainer David Hayes ahead of his flight to Australia for The Everest (1,200m) after cruising through an early morning gallop at Sha Tin on Friday. The reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year took to the turf under the cover of darkness at 3.30am and dazzled once again, barely breaking a sweat in his final hit-out ahead of a Sunday flight to Sydney. Hayes kept a close eye on his superstar and was suitably impressed with what he saw from the...View the full article

Martell made an instant impact in his first appearance from his new quarters and more of the same is forecast at Gore. The former Jim Collett-prepared sprinter made a successful South Island debut at Wingatui earlier this month and is expected to go close to adding Sunday’s Advance Agriculture Open (1100m) to his record. He will head a strong hand for trainer Kelvin Tyler who will also be represented by Go Lotte, while stablemates Vamos ($3.80 with Ladbrokes) and Prince Alby ($4.80) are top chances in the Kevin Coyle Memorial Open (1800m). Delmonico is the race favourite with betting sites, although Prince Alby and Vamos are both under the $5 quote, and the longest horse in the event is Mr Intelligence at $9, highlighting just how open the Memorial will be. The Riverton horseman will also be keeping a close eye on the Marton meeting at Trentham where Freddie Time steps out in the Nufarm & Property Brokers Handicap (1400m). Freddie Time is the $5.50 second favourite, behind Ma Te Wa ($2). El Roca six-year-old Martell has now won seven of his 26 starts and Tyler is understandably bullish about his chances on Sunday. “He’s a good horse and Jim Collett did a great job with him. The wet track’s not going to hurt, it’s a winnable race for him again,” he said. “It’s still the same ownership group and you couldn’t get a better horse to work with, he’s fitted in well and we’re very pleased to have him.” Stable stalwart Go Lotte posted consecutive placings before she tailed the field home last time out at Riccarton. “She got back and they kicked off the front that day with the rail out, so it was hard for her,” Tyler said. “She’ll go a nice race on Sunday, she’s won 10 races so she’s obviously a good horse, but Martell will probably be a bit sharp for her.” Tyler also favoured his last-start Riccarton winner Vamos over Prince Alby in the other open handicap. “His work has been great, he’s a beautiful black horse and is very genuine so he’ll take some stopping,” he said. Prince Alby was a resuming fourth behind Martell and is on a path toward a November staying feature at Riccarton. “If he had got a bit more room the other day he may have given him a run for his money,” Tyler said. “He’s come through it well and is heading toward the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m), but I don’t think he’s up to Vamos at this stage.” Trentham hope Freddie Time finished fourth when resuming at Otaki earlier this month in his first appearance since a disappointing Queensland venture. “I was rapt with him and his work has been unreal, he should be a great chance on a wet track in a small field,” Tyler said. “He pulled a muscle in Australia, so we brought him back and instead of bringing him down south for the winter we parked him up at Howie and Lorraine Mathews’ place and he’s still there. “There’s another good race for him at Otaki in three weeks’ time, so he’ll keep ticking over up there.” View the full article

Chase will reunite with jockey Tina Comignaghi in Saturday’s Group 3 Metric Mile (1600m) at Trentham. Photo: Race Images South Group One performer Chase has been in a rich vein of form of late and he will attempt to continue that at Trentham on Saturday in the Group 3 Metric Mile (1600m). The nine-year-old son of Zed returned to the winner’s circle in July before heading south to Riccarton last month where he was a popular winner of the Group 3 Winter Cup (1600m), and trainer Stephen Nickalls has been pleased with the way he has come through his southern venture. “He is a pretty seasoned campaigner now, not much worries him,” he said. “He came home, had a week in the paddock and he put on 15 kilos. He did very well out of the trip down there. “He is in fantastic form, he is thriving on everything. He doesn’t know that he is nine-years-old, he is really well and doing everything we could ask of him.” More: NZ racing betting Chase hasn’t been sighted on raceday since, but that hasn’t been by design, and Nickalls has kept him up to the mark with a 1000m trial at Waverley a fortnight ago. “It has been seven weeks between runs, he has been a victim of the programming around here, there have been no open miles in the CD,” Nickalls said. “We have had to play that waiting game, but he is really well and he trialled at Waverley and trialled really well.” Chase will continue his association with Canterbury jockey Tina Comignaghi, who has established a great record on the gelding. “She has only had the two rides on him, she ran third on him in the Captain Cook (Gr.1, 1600m) and then won the Winter Cup,” Nickalls said. “They have a pretty good relationship and she was keen to come back up, her agent rang me and said she was keen to ride him. You don’t break up a winning combination.” The pair will jump from barrier seven, a gate Nickalls said should suit his racing pattern. “It is better than drawing down on the rail,” he said. “He jumps with them, but takes a little to get into stride, so that won’t worry him and if the rain is coming like they say it is then it will be pretty wet anyway.” Chase is currently sitting as a $6 equal favourite for Saturday’s with PlayUp (PlayUp review), alongside the Gerard Cvitanovich-trained Knock Off, with Tumuch, Ears Back and Privy Garden the next fancied runners at $8. Sunday’s Metric Mile is due to jump at 2.23pm AEST, with the meeting at the Trentham racecourse due to begin at 10.50am. View the full article

Mark Newnham is relishing a fast start to the new season and is looking to Mid Winter Wind and New Forest to continue it at Sha Tin on Sunday. The 57-year-old has hit the board on three occasions so far this campaign and he has a host of chances to continue the good times on Sunday, with his team spearheaded by the promising Mid Winter Wind. He goes in the feature Class Two Yi Tung Shan Handicap (1,200m) and is looking to bounce back after a low-key end to last season that saw him fail to build...View the full article

Shaun and Hazel Fannin have two horses in the market for the Great New Zealand Steeplechase at Te Aroha on Sunday. Shaun and Hazel Fannin’s pair of talented jumpers in Jesko and Fourty Eight will clash for the first time over fences in Sunday’s hotly-contested Ben and Ryan Foote Great New Zealand Steeplechase (6200m) at Te Aroha. Jesko has been the lamp-lighter for the stable this year, winning the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m), Wellington Steeplechase (4900m) and Koral Steeplechase (4250m), before going down to a game Captains Run in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m). He has been ridden on each occasion by Shaun Fannin, who was proud of his charge’s effort in the testing conditions at Riccarton. Read: NZ horse racing guide “He was very brave, he got taken on a little bit in the run and probably did too much, which told in the finish in that really tough going,” he said. “In saying that, he never chucked it away and Captains Run was an impressive winner, so I take nothing away from that horse.” The son of Atlante returned to their Awapuni base and enjoyed a quiet fortnight before setting his sights on a rematch with much of his National rivals. That preparation included a hit-out in a bottomless New Plymouth track last Saturday, where he finished seventh in the Road To The Jericho (3210m). “He had 10 days off before building towards this race, he jumped out last Tuesday at Foxton then we took him to New Plymouth, which turned out to be an extremely heavy track,” Fannin said. “It was probably a harder run than we wanted to give him, but he’s pretty tough and it didn’t knock him too much, he’s come through that run well. “He’s as good as we’re going to get him and we’re hopeful that he’s in good enough form to be a really good chance on Sunday, he’s had a super season.” Jesko opened a $5 favourite for the $200,000 feature with Australian betting sites, but the market has his stablemate nearly on even terms, with Fourty Eight an equal second-elect at $6. The seven-year-old by Ekraar has improved throughout his campaign and stepped up in his first attempt at prestige level, finishing third behind Nedwin in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4300m). Fannin was on board and had to contend with a riderless horse coming in and out of play, which was no assist to Fourty Eight’s chances. “That undid him really, he can be quite temperamental sometimes and that fired him up a bit, he pulled quite hard,” Fannin said. “He was just chasing that horse and every time he got a breather it seemed to come back again. “He stuck on well, and maybe if that hadn’t have happened, I think he could’ve finished a bit closer.” He also lined up in the Jericho qualifier but was well beaten at the 800m, and Fannin said the gelding hadn’t taken any harm from the run. “We took him to New Plymouth to give him a bit of a hit out before Sunday, but he didn’t really do anything there, whether it was just the track I’m not sure,” he said. “We got him scoped and checked over by the vet on Monday and he’s all clear, he had a bit of a school on Thursday morning and worked up as good as ever so I can’t really fault him. “If he sees the trip out, he should be a good chance as well.” Recently awarded his fifth Jumps Jockey of the Year title at the Horse of the Year Awards, Fannin will continue his partnership with Jesko, while entrusting close friend Mathew Gillies with the ride on Fourty Eight. “Matt’s a super rider and we’ve been good friends for a long time as well,” he said. “He actually schooled this horse last year when he was down for a weekend, so he’s ridden him before. “He’s quite a strong rider as well, so if he did get up and pulling, I’m sure Matt will be able to rein him in quite quickly. I think they’ll be a good pairing.” View the full article

Shaun and Hazel Fannin’s pair of talented jumpers in Jesko and Fourty Eight will clash for the first time over fences in Sunday’s hotly-contested Ben and Ryan Foote Great New Zealand Steeplechase (6200m) at Te Aroha. Jesko has been the lamp-lighter for the stable this year, winning the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m), Wellington Steeplechase (4900m) and Koral Steeplechase (4250m), before going down to a game Captains Run in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m). He has been ridden on each occasion by Shaun Fannin, who was proud of his charge’s effort in the testing conditions at Riccarton. “He was very brave, he got taken on a little bit in the run and probably did too much, which told in the finish in that really tough going,” he said. “In saying that, he never chucked it away and Captains Run was an impressive winner, so I take nothing away from that horse.” The son of Atlante returned to their Awapuni base and enjoyed a quiet fortnight before setting his sights on a rematch with much of his National rivals. That preparation included a hit-out in a bottomless New Plymouth track last Saturday, where he finished seventh in the Road To The Jericho (3210m). “He had 10 days off before building towards this race, he jumped out last Tuesday at Foxton then we took him to New Plymouth, which turned out to be an extremely heavy track,” Fannin said. “It was probably a harder run than we wanted to give him, but he’s pretty tough and it didn’t knock him too much, he’s come through that run well. “He’s as good as we’re going to get him and we’re hopeful that he’s in good enough form to be a really good chance on Sunday, he’s had a super season.” Jesko opened a $5 favourite for the $200,000 feature, but the market has his stablemate nearly on even terms, with Fourty Eight an equal second-elect on $6. The seven-year-old by Ekraar has improved throughout his campaign and stepped up in his first attempt at prestige level, finishing third behind Nedwin in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4300m). Fannin was on board and had to contend with a riderless horse coming in and out of play, which was no assist to Fourty Eight’s chances. “That undid him really, he can be quite temperamental sometimes and that fired him up a bit, he pulled quite hard,” Fannin said. “He was just chasing that horse and every time he got a breather it seemed to come back again. “He stuck on well, and maybe if that hadn’t have happened, I think he could’ve finished a bit closer.” He also lined up in the Jericho qualifier but was well beaten at the 800m, and Fannin said the gelding hadn’t taken any harm from the run. “We took him to New Plymouth to give him a bit of a hit out before Sunday, but he didn’t really do anything there, whether it was just the track I’m not sure,” he said. “We got him scoped and checked over by the vet on Monday and he’s all clear, he had a bit of a school on Thursday morning and worked up as good as ever so I can’t really fault him. “If he sees the trip out, he should be a good chance as well.” Recently awarded his fifth Jumps Jockey of the Year title at the Horse of the Year Awards, Fannin will continue his partnership with Jesko, while entrusting close friend Mathew Gillies with the ride on Fourty Eight. “Matt’s a super rider and we’ve been good friends for a long time as well,” he said. “He actually schooled this horse last year when he was down for a weekend, so he’s ridden him before. “He’s quite a strong rider as well, so if he did get up and pulling, I’m sure Matt will be able to rein him in quite quickly. I think they’ll be a good pairing.” View the full article

Group One performer Chase has been in a rich vein of form of late and he will attempt to continue that at Trentham on Saturday in the Gr.3 Hunterville Vet Club Metric Mile (1600m). The nine-year-old son of Zed returned to the winner’s circle in July before heading south to Riccarton last month where he was a popular winner of the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m), and trainer Stephen Nickalls has been pleased with the way he has come through his southern venture. “He is a pretty seasoned campaigner now, not much worries him,” he said. “He came home, had a week in the paddock and he put on 15 kilos. He did very well out of the trip down there. “He is in fantastic form, he is thriving on everything. He doesn’t know that he is nine-years-old, he is really well and doing everything we could ask of him.” Chase hasn’t been sighted on raceday since, but that hasn’t been by design, and Nickalls has kept him up to the mark with a 1000m trial at Waverley a fortnight ago. “It has been seven weeks between runs, he has been a victim of the programming around here, there have been no open miles in the CD,” Nickalls said. “We have had to play that waiting game, but he is really well and he trialled at Waverley and trialled really well.” Chase will continue his association with Canterbury jockey Tina Comignaghi, who has established a great record on the gelding. “She has only had the two rides on him, she ran third on him in the Captain Cook (Gr.1, 1600m) and then won the Winter Cup,” Nickalls said. “They have a pretty good relationship and she was keen to come back up, her agent rang me and said she was keen to ride him. You don’t break up a winning combination.” The pair will jump from barrier seven, a gate Nickalls said should suit his racing pattern. “It is better than drawing down on the rail,” he said. “He jumps with them, but takes a little to get into stride, so that won’t worry him and if the rain is coming like they say it is then it will be pretty wet anyway.” Chase is currently sitting as a $6 equal favourite for Saturday’s featured, alongside the Gerard Cvitanovich-trained Knock Off, with Tumuch, Ears Back and Privy Garden the next fancied runners at $8. View the full article

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh has 14 horses entered across the 10-race card at Ellerslie on Saturday, and more than half of them are three-year-olds facing crucial early-season assignments. Marsh has proven black-type performers Little Black Dress, Lady Iris and Tale Of The Gypsy in Saturday’s Gr.3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (1400m), backed up by a range of emerging age-group talent on the undercard. Last-start Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m) placegetters Churmatt and Swiss Prince will contest the NZB Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series 3YO (1400m), while the Join TAB Racing Club (1200m) features first-starters Earlicheer (by Super Seth out of Daffodil) and Well Written (Written Tycoon out of Australian black-type performer Mozzie Monster). “I think we’ll know a bit more about some of these three-year-olds after Saturday,” Marsh said. Marsh singled out Churmatt as the three-year-old he was most excited about on Saturday’s card. The son of Churchill was a three-length winner on debut at Rotorua on August 13, then finished only half a length behind quality filly Platinum Diamond when second in the Wanganui Guineas on August 30. There was a three-length margin back to third. “He’s a three-year-old that we’ve got a lot of time for,” Marsh said. “He ran a top race for second in the Wanganui Guineas last time out, in only his second start, and he won very well before that. I think he’s got a really nice season in front of him.” Opie Bosson will take the mount on Churmatt, who dominates the market as a $2 favourite for Saturday’s $55,000 race. Marsh is also upbeat about his Sunline Vase trio, who all acquitted themselves well in black-type features at Ellerslie two weeks ago. Lady Iris ran third against male three-year-olds in the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m), while Tale Of The Gypsy was beaten by six lengths into ninth after a tough wide run in the same race. Little Black Dress, who won at Listed level at Ellerslie in the autumn, was a close sixth in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m). “I thought they all performed with credit that day, and they’ve all gone the right way from there,” Marsh said. “It’s a hot field on Saturday and their performances here will have a real bearing on what we do with them from here.” Another talented member of Marsh’s Ellerslie team is Tardelli, who will kick off his four-year-old season in the Eagle Technology (1400m). The well-bred son of I Am Invincible won twice as a three-year-old last season including the inaugural $100,000 Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day in March. He also finished second against older horses in the Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m), beaten by a neck by Doctor Askar, and ran third to Savaglee in the Gr.2 Levin Classic (1400m) and to Sethito in the Listed (now Gr.3) Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m). Tardelli made an unsuccessful raid on the Queensland Winter Carnival, finishing eighth in the Gr.2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) in May, but has pleased Marsh with his progress so far this spring. He was a two-length trial winner over 1100m at Ellerslie on September 9. “He’s a horse with a lot of upside,” Marsh said. “His last preparation was very good, and what he’s shown us so far suggests he’s coming up even better this time in. “I’ve been happy with his two trials. The first one was on a very wet track, and then he scored a lovely win at Ellerslie in his second trial. I think that’s really brought him on and he’s going great ahead of his return to racing. “We’ll take it one step at a time for now, see what he does at Ellerslie on Saturday and take it from there, but he could find himself in a Matamata Cup (Listed, 1600m) second-up.” The Matamata Cup will be run on October 4. View the full article

Martell made an instant impact in his first appearance from his new quarters and more of the same is forecast at Gore. The former Jim Collett-prepared sprinter made a successful South Island debut at Wingatui earlier this month and is expected to go close to adding Sunday’s Advance Agriculture Open (1100m) to his record. He will head a strong hand for trainer Kelvin Tyler who will also be represented by Go Lotte, while stablemates Vamos and Prince Alby are top chances in the Kevin Coyle Memorial Open (1800m). The Riverton horseman will also be keeping a close eye on the Marton meeting at Trentham where Freddie Time steps out in the Nufarm & Property Brokers Handicap (1400m). El Roca six-year-old Martell has now won seven of his 26 starts and Tyler is understandably bullish about his chances on Sunday. “He’s a good horse and Jim Collett did a great job with him. The wet track’s not going to hurt, it’s a winnable race for him again,” he said. “It’s still the same ownership group and you couldn’t get a better horse to work with, he’s fitted in well and we’re very pleased to have him.” Stable stalwart Go Lotte posted consecutive placings before she tailed the field home last time out at Riccarton. “She got back and they kicked off the front that day with the rail out, so it was hard for her,” Tyler said. “She’ll go a nice race on Sunday, she’s won 10 races so she’s obviously a good horse, but Martell will probably be a bit sharp for her.” Tyler also favoured his last-start Riccarton winner Vamos over Prince Alby in the other open handicap. “His work has been great, he’s a beautiful black horse and is very genuine so he’ll take some stopping,” he said. Prince Alby was a resuming fourth behind Martell and is on a path toward a November staying feature at Riccarton. “If he had got a bit more room the other day he may have given him a run for his money,” Tyler said. “He’s come through it well and is heading toward the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m), but I don’t think he’s up to Vamos at this stage.” Trentham hope Freddie Time finished fourth when resuming at Otaki earlier this month in his first appearance since a disappointing Queensland venture. “I was rapt with him and his work has been unreal, he should be a great chance on a wet track in a small field,” Tyler said. “He pulled a muscle in Australia, so we brought him back and instead of bringing him down south for the winter we parked him up at Howie and Lorraine Mathews’ place and he’s still there. “There’s another good race for him at Otaki in three weeks’ time, so he’ll keep ticking over up there.” View the full article

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What Underwood Stakes Day Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 2, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Saturday, September 20, 2025 First Race 12:10pm AEST Visit Dabble A stacked day of racing awaits punters at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, with the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) and Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) headlining proceedings. Showers are forecast in the lead-up to the meeting, but it should not deteriorate the track too far from the Good 4 rating at the time of acceptances. The rail comes out 6m the entire course, with the opening event scheduled to jump at 12:10pm AEST. Underwood Stakes tip: Buckaroo It was hard to miss the return of Buckaroo in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) fresh from a spell on August 30, and with a strong second-up record, he looks poised to defend his Underwood Stakes crown. The son of Fastnet Rock has four wins and two minor placings from seven second-up starts and has yet to miss the top three in his three runs at Caulfield. Blake Shinn will have the seven-year-old gelding settled midfield with cover, and as long as he can find the right back to follow, Buckaroo will be savaging the line and should prove too hard to hold out. Underwood Stakes Race 7 – #2 Buckaroo (8) 7yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Blake Shinn (59kg) Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes tip: Angel Capital Angel Capital was breathtaking when winning the Listed Chautauqua Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley and looks set to go on with the job in Saturday’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. The four-year-old put four lengths on his closest rival and was eased down late to suggest that there is still plenty left in the tank. He returns to the Caulfield 1400m, a track and trip he has won both of his starts at, and looks to get the perfect setup to unleash a powerful sprint late. Damian Lane will need a touch of luck early from barrier 13, but barring any bad luck, Angel Capital should be winning. Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes Race 8 – #9 Angel Capital (13) 4yo Horse | T: Chris Waller | J: Damian Lane (53.5kg) Caulfield Guineas Prelude tip: Stay Cosmic Stay Cosmic was valiant in defeat behind the smart Rosberg in the Listed Mckenzie Stakes (1200m), and looks poised to strike second-up in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m). The son of Cosmic Force produced the best last 400m of the event to suggest the step up in trip will be ideal second-up, and despite being a backmarker, there looks to be enough pace engaged for him to be overhauling the leaders late. If Jamie Melham can have him within striking distance on the home turn, Stay Cosmic will be the one with the last crack at them late. Caulfield Guineas Prelude Race 5 – #5 Stay Cosmic (7) 3yo Rig | T: Phillip Stokes | J: Jamie Melham (56kg) Naturalism Stakes tip: Statuario With Halfs Yours and Birdman expected to head to Sydney, Statuario simply looks like the runner with the most upside in the 2025 Naturalism Stakes (2000m). He chased home a hot speed behind Too Darn Discreet in the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) when beaten 1.5 lengths, so he should be cherry-ripe for the 2000m second-up this preparation. If Dean Yendall can find cover in a positive position from barrier 19, the son of D’argento has shown so far in his career that he can sprint sharply for a stayer. With even luck, Statuario will outstay his rivals. Naturalism Stakes Race 9 – #16 Statuario (19) 4yo Gelding | T: Emma-Lee & David Browne | J: Dean Yendall (54.5kg) Best Bet at Caulfield: Nadal Despite not being seen since December last year, Nadal simply looks too hard to go past on return in a BM100 over 1100m. The five-year-old gelding was a dominant winner of The Meteorite (1200m) last prep when getting the better of subsequent Group 1 winner Baraqiel and will appreciate the step back to 1100m fresh. Luke Cartwright’s 3kg claim is an added bonus, and if the pair can land in the three-wide line with cover, Nadal has a blistering turn of foot, and will prove too hard to hold out. Best Bet Race 4 – #1 Nadal (8) 5yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Luke Cartwright (a3) (61kg) Underwood Stakes Day quaddie tips for Caulfield Caulfield quadrella selections Saturday, September 20, 2025 2-4-9-10 1-9-16 2-7-8-16-17 5-6-8-10 Horse racing tips View the full article

What 7 Stakes Day 2025 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, September 20, 2025 First Race 11:50am AEST Visit Dabble Royal Randwick is the destination for metro racing in Sydney this Saturday afternoon, with the $1 million 7 Stakes (1600m) headlining a bumper 10-part program. The rail moves out +7m from the 1600m marker to winning post, while the remainder will be posted +4m. The forecast promises a genuine Good 4 surface throughout the day, with the opening event scheduled to get underway at 11:50am AEST. 7 Stakes Tip: Fangirl Fangirl is looking to claim back-to-back editions of the 7 Stakes and must be considered the one to beat. The daughter of Sebring did enough first-up in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 30, hitting the line well on unsuitable Soft conditions. Getting back on top of the ground at the wide-open Randwick track should be ideal, and with James McDonald set to be reunited boasting an outstanding record of 13 starts for seven wins when being legged aboard the four-time Group 1 winning mare, expect Fangirl to be too classy for this lot. 7 Stakes Race 8 – #11 Fangirl (5) 7yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (57kg) The Shorts Tip: Joliestar Joliestar returns after a 105-day spell and appears primed to strike first-up in the Group 2 The Shorts (1100m). The Zoustar mare comes in off two strong barrier trials and is bound to have residual fitness on her side after claiming the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on June 7. James McDonald will drop her back towards the rear after drawing barrier nine; however, with a strong tempo engaged among this field of 10, it should set up perfectly for Joliestar to be thundering home down the centre of the course. The Shorts Race 9 – #4 Joliestar (9) 5yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (56kg) Tea Rose Stakes Tip: Tupakara Tupakara appears perfectly placed to turn the tables on Apocalyptic after finishing second in the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) on September 6. Extending to the 1400m should be ideal and barrier three allows James McDonald to take a closer position in transit, with the daughter of Trapeze Artist showing good tactical speed in her two-year-old season. It is a minor concern that she is yet to break her maiden, but with no excuses on this setup, Tupakara should get every chance to secure her first victory in the 2025 Tea Rose Stakes. Tea Rose Stakes Race 6 – #2 Tupakara (3) 3yo Filly | T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | J: James McDonald (56kg) Bill Ritchie Handicap Tip: Bosustow The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained Bosustow scaled new heights last preparation, resuming a dominant winner in the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) on May 10. He was later competitive in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) before spelling, and looks ready to fire returning to Sydney, catching the eye in both recent barrier trials. Joshua Parr will need to give him a cracking steer to overcome gate 13, but the $8 with horse racing bookmakers is an appealing price to find out. Bill Ritchie Handicap Race 7 – #4 Bosustow (13) 4yo Horse | T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | J: Joshua Parr (57kg) Best Bet at Randwick: Vauban It was hard not to be impressed with the return of Vauban in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m). The staying import was always going to find the trip too sharp, but it didn’t stop the son of Galiway hitting the line well in a contest that turned into a sit-and-sprint in the final 400m. Tim Clark maps to gain the perfect stalking position from stall five, and provided the pair can stick to the back of Elamaz everywhere he goes, this guy should get the last crack to secure the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m). Best Bet Race 5 – #3 Vauban (5) 7yo Gelding | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Tim Clark (57kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Randwick Randwick quadrella selections Saturday, September 20, 2025 2-4-9-14 11 1-4 1-5 Horse racing tips View the full article

An Ashview Stud-consigned colt by Liam's Map (hip 3681) became the last of 29 horses to breach the $100,000 threshold during the second of two sessions in Book 5A of the Keeneland September Sale in Lexington Thursday afternoon, selling to bloodstock agent Chad Schumer, agent, for $480,000. And when the dust had settled on the 10th session of the auction, gross receipts had nudged past $500 million, extending the record for the sale. “Surpassing $500 million at the September Sale marks a pivotal moment for our sport–a milestone the entire industry can celebrate together,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “This is a powerful testament to the health of the sport, and it reflects the remarkable energy, optimism and momentum we've been experiencing together across this entire sale.” “New buyers are stepping in and making a tangible impact, which is truly a win for everyone connected to the game,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “But just as important are the breeders and consignors who have continued to entrust their horses to us year after year. Their confidence is the foundation of these results, and this moment is undeniable proof of what we can achieve as a community. We're so proud that Keeneland continues to be the stage where we see this growth and enthusiasm come to life.” Also in the final 30 minutes of trade, a colt by the evergreen Ghostzapper took a short-lived lead at the top of the leaderboard when hammering for $200,000, equaling the best price from the corresponding day of trade 12 months ago, when a respectable 13 horses were knocked down for six-figure pricetags. For the session, Keeneland reported sales on 299 horses for in-ring turnover of $12,600,500, a towering increase of 35.40% over the corresponding session in 2024. The average of $42,149 leaped by 25.89%, while the session median settled at $30,000, an improvement of 15.38%. “I have never seen a market like this,” said Schumer, who signed the ticket on the day's dearest horse on behalf of KGS. “I have followed up some horses to do some breezing in Europe and I wasn't just getting outbid, I was getting completely blown out of the water. Not even close. This market is unreal. It's wonderful to see.” The September Sale continues Friday with the first of two sessions of the rebranded Book 5B, with bidding to commence at 10 a.m. ET. The auction concludes on Saturday. This story will be updated… The post A-Plus Finish For Book 5A As Turnover Exceeds A Half-Billion Dollars at Keeneland September appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Quid Pro Quo (Lance), a champion 2-year-old in her native South Africa, arrived at Jerome Reynier's yard several weeks ago and is acclimating to France. The filly races for an ownership group headed by Team Valor International. A winner of both the G1 Douglas Whyte Stakes and the G1 Allan Robertson Championship at two, Quid Pro Quo will be given plenty of time to acclimate to the Northern Hemisphere. “We gave her time to adapt because she has changed hemisphere and environment,” Reynier told Paris Turf. “It's been a few weeks since she arrived at the stable. The goal is to see her in Dubai this winter, but there is still a long way to go before then. In South Africa, she showed a lot of quality.” Second in her first two starts, Quid Pro Quo was unbeaten in her next six races, including the G2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper on either side of her Grade 1 victories, and in the G2 Dingaans last November. In her latest start, she was third in the G2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas at Turffontein in February. The post South African Champion Joins Reynier Yard appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Beginning with the start of the Classic Meet at Santa Anita Park Dec. 26, all maiden special weight races in restricted and open company run at Santa Anita will receive a $2,500 increase in the maiden bonus awards.View the full article

By Michael Guerin Ben Hope admits he knows a lot more about one of his three-year-old trotters than the other one heading to Addington tonight. But he still thinks they can both win. Hope and father Greg train Habibti Pat (R6, No.7) who resumes in the $60,000 Macca Lodge NZ Sires’ Stakes Classique for the trotting girls tonight while a few races later former northerner Ya Eejit Ya (R9, No.1) makes its stable debut against the older horses. “He has come down from Sean McCaffrey’s and feels like a really nice young horse,” says Hope of Ya Eejit Ya. “He seems to have a good record from a mobile and I think he would have to go close as he might have too much speed for many of these if he gets a nice sit.” Habibti Pat was our best juvenile trotting filly last season but had little luck on a northern campaign in the autumn, albeit she finished third to Meant To Be in the Northern Trotting Derby. Hope says she has prepped well for her return tonight and he still has total confidence in her. “But much went right for her up north but she still went some brave races. “She has trialled well this time in. Blair [Orange, driver] was happy with her last trial so we think she is ready to go.” While the Hopes don’t give Orange too many instructions, Ben says he thinks Habibti Pat is ready to be driven with some confidence tonight. “I still think she is the best filly in the country. “Ya Rite Darl has a better draw than us and will be fitter after her last start so we might have to sit parked outside her if she leads. “But I still think our filly is the one to beat.” While the Hope trotters will carry plenty of support tonight the highlight of the meeting is a red hot juvenile race which sees Jumal (R8, No.8) try to remain unbeaten against the likes of Special Occasion and Zeus Lightning. They are anything but the only three winning chances in the Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes heat but Jumal opened odds-on with the TAB even from the outside of the front line. With so much talent inside him it wouldn’t surprise to see him have to driven slighty more conservatively inside the first 800m than when he blasted to the lead last start. One thing is for sure: we will know a lot more abut the juvenile boys pacing rankings by 8.30pm tonight. Add in to strong handicap pacing feature that sees Rubira up against Rakero Rocket, Arthur Selby, Hadron Collider and American Me and tonight’s meeting will have some major effects on feature race futures markets for the months to come. View the full article