Wandering Eyes

It’s 40 days until the running of the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway so why not look back at the winner of the great race 40 years ago. By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk In 1984 Camelot was harness racing’s king of the castle. Trained and driven by Robin Butt, Camelot won his first New Zealand Trotting Cup at his second attempt, just 12 months after finishing second to Australian visitor Steel Jaw who’d won the 1983 Cup by over nine lengths in a new race record 4:05.3 In all he had four attempts at winning the country’s most prestigious race – he was also sixth in 1985 and 14th in 1986. In 1984 Camelot went out favourite in a race that also featured the likes of Our Mana, Hilarious Guest, Australian star Gammalite and the rank outsider in Borana, who would go on and win the Cup the following year at huge odds. Camelot’s breakthrough New Zealand Cup success came after an action packed race. With less than 1000 metres to go Borana spectacularly hit the deck. What followed was a concertina effect of six other horses (Double Cove, Enterprise, Supreme Ruler, Stampede, Stortford Lodge and Diamond Moose) all being impacted, to a greater or lesser extent. Peter Shand (Enterprise) and Jack Smolenski (Double Cove) both needed hospital treatment, with Shand dislocating a shoulder and Smolenski breaking an ankle. All the time Camelot was making his move three wide and missed the melee. Turning for home Camelot was perfectly placed, wearing down the pace-making Dillion Dale in the last 100 metres to triumph by three quarters of a length in 4:06.4. “I was never really worried,” said Butt post race, “He was a bit slow early but I gave him time to find his feet.” “He peaked on the right day.” Robin Butt was 41 when he won his first and only New Zealand Cup. The family continues to be a big presence in the sport through son David and grandson Bob Butt. Since Robin Butt’s success his nephew Anthony Butt has won the Cup three times with Blossom Lady (1992) and Flashing Red (2006 and 2007). It was just the third time Camelot’s breeder-owner Dr Harry Crofts had seen Camelot race in the flesh. At the presentation he said “I would have cried if he’d lost .. I can cry now that he’s won.” For the then 57-year-old doctor it was a lifetime ambition fulfilled. He’d been involved in the industry since the 1950s and bred Camelot from Blue Brook, a mare he purchased in 1971. He was by far her most successful progeny, winning 13 times in 72 starts from 1982 to 1987. Camelot was the first cup winner from the Norice family. A top mare, she ran second in the 1904 NZ Cup. Camelot’s NZ Cup record : 1st – 1984 2nd – 1983 6th – 1985 14th – 1986 Camelot’s career record 1982-87 Starts : 72 Wins 13 Stakes : $189,450 View the full article

What Turnbull Stakes Day 2024 Where Flemington Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria When Saturday, October 5, 2024 First Race 12:25pm AEST Visit Dabble The Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) headlines a stacked 10-race meeting at Flemington this Saturday afternoon. Big fields are the theme of the day, even with the rail out 9m for the entire circuit. With rain forecast in the lead-up, the early Good 4 rating could shift towards a Soft 6 come raceday. The action at Flemington is set to commence at 12:25pm AEST. Race 1: BM78 Handicap (1200m) Having returned with a breathtaking victory over 1100m on September 14, Moby Dick returns to the Flemington straight and looks too hard to go past in the opener. Having been held up for a run until the final 150m, the son of Toronado produced a stunning turn of foot to get the better of Headwall and subsequent Moonee Valley winner Baraqiel. He goes up 3kg from that win, but with the experience down the straight under his belt, Moby Dick looks the goods. Selections: 5 MOBY DICK 10 WOLFY 4 WARNIE 7 SCHEELITE Best Bet Race 1 – #5 Moby Dick (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Damian Lane (59.5kg) +150 with Neds Race 2: Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) The juveniles will hit the track for the first time in Victoria in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes where Price Tag can kick off her career on a winning note. The Zoustar filly went to the line nicely under a hold in a recent Flemington 800m jump out and looked to have plenty left in the tank. Mark Zahra will look to have her up on speed throughout and with a bit of luck, Price Tag will prove too hard to run down. Selections: 7 PRICE TAG 9 SISSTAINABLE 2 RUMBLE TOWN 3 SHINING SMILE Race 3: Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) Scary looks to be a progressive stayer if his Sale maiden victory is anything to go by. The Shocking colt managed to put three lengths on his rivals when settling off the pace and showing a strong turn of foot over 1732m to suggest bigger goals are in mind for the three-year-old. Damian Lane will look to land in the one-one and have Scary stalk the speed once again, and if he produces anything close to what he did at Sale, he will prove too strong once again. Selections: 5 SCARY 4 LAVALIER 2 SERGEANT MAJOR 6 KEENELAND Next Best Race 3 – #5 Scary (8) 3yo Colt | T: Emma-Lee & David Browne | J: Damian Lane (57kg) +400 with Playup Race 4: Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) The Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) has long been a strong form reference for the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m), and based on what she put forward last time out, Declichy Boulevard will look to lay down a marker for the Oaks. The Chris Waller-trained filly rattled home later over 1400m to go down by the barest of margins when producing some stunning sections from the rear of the field. The Snitzel filly gets to Flemington for the first time, a track which should suit her desire to build through the gears and let down strongly in the final 200m. Selections: 4 DECLICHY BOULEVARD 8 KILLCARE BEACHGIRL 5 WINGS OF DESIRE 3 CAVITY BAY Edward Manifold Stakes Race 4 – #4 Declichy Boulevard (4) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: Joao Moreira (56kg) +170 with Dabble Race 5: Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) Bodyguard is yet to taste defeat in two first-up runs and the three-year-old colt can build on that record in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m). The I Am Invincible progeny warmed up for his return with a 6.3 length trial victory at Rosehill on September 16, and with Mark Zahra on board, Bodyguard will look to hold a prominent position before finishing over the top of his rivals late. Selections: 2 BODYGUARD 5 TARPAULIN 7 RESERVE BANK 4 FIRST SETTLER Danehill Stakes Race 5 – #2 Bodyguard (9) 3yo Colt | T: Peter Snowden | J: Mark Zahra (58.5kg) +450 with Bet365 Race 6: Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) The Listed Paris Lane Stakes is a real dartboard job, but the one horse racing bookmakers are seemingly overlooking is Comrade Rosa. The Capitalist mare has simply gotten too far back in the field at both of her starts in Melbourne this time in, but with Joao Moreira on board from barrier five, and at her first look at Flemington, she looks set to hold a more prominent position. She will need a touch of luck in the home straight, but if Comrade Rosa is anywhere near her best, she will give this lot a scare. Selections: 9 COMRADE ROSA 7 VON HAUKE 8 MAKRAM 3 JIGSAW Best Value Race 6 – #9 Comrade Rosa (5) 6yo Mare | T: Tony Gollan | J: Joao Moreira (54kg) +900 with Unibet Race 7: Group 2 The Bart Cummings (2520m) Manzoice has not tasted success since November 2022, but shapes as one of the key players in The Bart Cummings (2520m). His two runs this time in has been as good as what he has produced over the last 18 months, and with better luck in the Listed Wyong Cup last time out, he would have finished even closer than his 1.3 length defeat. Joao Moreira will likely roll forward from barrier 12 and look to stalk the leaders throughout, and if the pair can pinch a break at the clock tower, Manzoice should prove too hard to run down. Selections: 13 MANZOICE 1 VOW AND DECLARE 6 POINT KING 16 BERKSHIRE BREEZE The Bart Cummings Race 7 – #13 Manzoice (12) 5yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Joao Moreira (54kg) +1200 with Picklebet Race 8: Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) Saturday’s feature, the Turnbull Stakes, has attracted a strong field of 16 stayers building towards races like the Caulfield Cup (2400m). One runner who will not be heading that way is Atishu, and considering this could be one of the main races she has been aimed towards this spring, she looks set to build on an already impressive Flemington record. The Chris Waller-trained mare has three wins and two minor placings from seven starts at the track, including a Group 1 win at the 2000m. She will be at the rear of the field throughout, but with a strong finish, Atishu can blow her rivals away. Selections: 7 ATISHU 4 VIA SISTINA 6 ELIYASS 3 BUCKAROO Feature Race #4 Race 8 – #7 Atishu (5) 7yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: Mark Zahra (56kg) +1200 with Neds Race 9: Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) Ripcord will have his first Victorian start in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m), but if he brings anything like he has produced in WA, he will take some holding out. The son of Written By is known for his turn of foot, consistently charging home from the rear of the field in breathtaking fashion. With Jungle Jim likely to run this 1200m affair at a genuine clip, the race sets up perfectly for Ripcord to absorb the pressure and sprint sharply. The slight query is his lack of Flemington straight experience, but if he handles it, look out. Selections: 5 RIPCORD 4 MAGIC TIME 12 JOHNNY ROCKER 10 I AM UNSTOPPABLE Gilgai Stakes Race 9 – #5 Ripcord (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Luke Fernie | J: Damian Lane (58kg) +1000 with Boombet Race 10: Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) Skybird did all but win the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) first-up over a less than ideal trip, but with the step up in trip in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m), she shapes as the best way home in the Flemington finale. The four-year-old mare produced some eye-catching splits and went down by the barest of margins to Arkansaw Kid in a brilliant return. She is two from two second-up from a spell and if she can gain a tow into the race from the wide draw, Skybird has the best finish in the race and will be too hard to hold out. Selections: 4 SKYBIRD 8 POIFECT 10 RUNNING BY 6 REVOLUTIONARY MISS Rose Of Kingston Stakes Race 10 – #4 Skybird (18) 4yo Mare | T: Mitchell Freedman | J: Beau Mertens (57.5kg) +300 with Playup Turnbull Stakes Day 2024 quaddie tips Flemington quadrella selections Saturday, October 5, 2024 1-4-6-8-9-13-14-16 3-4-6-7-10 4-5-10-12 4-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Royal Flower will contest the Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Capable mare Royal Flower has a tidy first-up record and she is again forward in condition to open a new campaign at Hawera this weekend. The lightly raced six-year-old will resume in Saturday’s Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) on a preparation focused on adding to her black-type record. Trained by co-breeder and part-owner Gail Temperton, Royal Flower has won six of her 26 starts and a number of placings includes a third in last season’s Group 3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m). The daughter of Proisir hasn’t raced since finishing midfield after an interrupted run in the Listed Ag Challenge Stakes (1600m) in early June, but a recent trial success on her home track at Foxton indicated her readiness to return to competition. She will be partnered by Leah Hemi, who knows the chestnut well, and also backing Royal Flower’s claims are three winning runs and a couple of placings from previous fresh-up performances. “She’s been described as a swimmer, but she’s not and she was in this race last year and it was too heavy for her then,” Temperton said. “I am pretty happy with her, she’s really good and has come back bigger and stronger.” Temperton has yet to lock in Royal Flower’s program after the weekend, but stakes races will be top of her wish list. “I’m a breeder and that’s my challenge this time around with her,” she said. “We’ll see what happens on Saturday first, but it would be good to have another try at the (Manawatu) Breeders’ Stakes.” Royal Flower is out of the Ishiguru mare Ishidanzin with a pedigree page that features the French Group Two winner Captain Rio, who sired Group One winners Terravista, Brazilian Pulse and Il Quello Veloce during his tenure at Westbury Stud. Temperton also has a two-year-old half-brother by champion sire Proisir to Royal Flower. “He’ll probably be ready as a late two-year-old or early three-year-old,” she said. Royal Flower’s promising stablemate Never Look Back will also kick off on Saturday with apprentice Liam Kauri to take the ride. He was placed in a recent trial and is expected to come to his best form as he progresses to staying trips. “He’s not a 1400m horse and he’ll get back up to a distance he likes more in the future,” Temperton said. A son of Shocking, Never Look Back is a three-time winner and showed his staying potential last preparation with third placings in the Group 3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) and the Listed Marton Cup (2200m). He also finished a creditable eighth in the Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and the Trentham feature is again likely to figure in Temperton’s plans for the gelding. Horse racing news View the full article

Wild Night (centre) winning at Matamata on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Former high-flying three-year-old Wild Night gave the impression that he is back to his best form at Matamata on Wednesday. The powerful chestnut was unstoppable in periods of his three-year-old term, winning five races on the bounce including the Group 2 James And Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) and Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m), alongside placings in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). The horse’s soundness has been difficult to manage since that phenomenal campaign, and for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Wednesday’s contest would reveal where the gelding’s five-year-old season was heading. In a compact field of five, Wild Night’s talent was not entirely underestimated by punters, placing him as a $4.20 second-favourite, while Group Three winner Master Fay was heavily backed into $1.40 favouritism. Wild Night jumped positively away from the barriers under Warren Kennedy to settle in behind pacemaker Sagunto, while Master Fay clearly dipped early and found himself in third position. Those three would end up fighting out a competitive finish, with Master Fay looming up strongly on the turn before Wild Night and Sagunto kicked strongly to the inner and just a short head separated that pair in the finish. Bergerson couldn’t have been happier to see the son of Vanbrugh back in the winner’s circle. “On the corner when Master Fay went around him, we thought he was done and dusted, but it’s fantastic to see him back like that,” he said. “He’s obviously one of the stable favourites, he’s been through a lot in his career and he’s very talented on his day. “He’s had a really long, slow build-up, and a massive thank you to the team at home, they’ve done a fantastic job with him and he’s taken a lot of managing. But he’s very exciting.” Wild Night was one of many horses that had travelled to the abandoned Hastings meeting last Saturday, and Bergerson indicated he will keep that in mind when considering a start in the Group 3 Spring Sprint (1400m) on the final day of the carnival at Te Rapa. “He’s quite well in the handicap, so he could back up in 10 days’ time in the Group Three over 1400, which would’ve been at Hawke’s Bay and now at Te Rapa,” he said. “He’s done the travel to Hastings and back and now raced, so it could be a bit too much, but that looks to be the most suitable option in the initial stage. “We think 1400 and a mile in time (will suit), whether he goes down to Wellington or something like that, but like I say, we’re just so stoked to have him back.” Te Akau principal David Ellis purchased the five-year-old for $50,000 out of Windsor Park Stud’s draft at the 2021 Karaka Yearling Sales, and the victory took his career earnings just shy of $500,000, with seven wins from 14 starts. The fourth-placegetter in the race, Campionessa, also pleased Bergerson ahead of next Saturday’s Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m), where she is an equal second-favourite at $7 with horse racing bookmakers. “We thought in the pre-race that the 1300 may be a bit sharp, but hopefully that will tighten her up nicely for the 2000,” he said. “It’s not an ideal prep, but at least we’ve got 10 days to get on top of her and hopefully she’s ready to go.” Horse racing news View the full article

Wolfgang winning at Matamata on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Local galloper Wolfgang continued the perfect start to his spring preparation at Matamata on Wednesday. The six-year-old gelding was victorious first-up over a mile at Hastings last month and repeated the result when beating Australian raider Rolls on Wednesday. The son of Puccini settled midfield early on for jockey Matt Cartwright, who asked his charge to improve from the 400m, and he loomed ominous at the turn. Rolls hit the lead with 150m to go, but Wolfgang had momentum on his side and reeled in his foe and scored by half a length. Co-trainer and part-owner Peter McKay was a bit wary about the step-up to 2000m second-up, but he needn’t have worried, with Wolfgang posting his sixth career win. “Being second-up going to 2000m I was a little bit worried, but he has really come into his own this year,” said McKay, who trains in partnership with his son Shaun. “Since the trip to Hastings, he has come home and put on three of four kgs. It was a brilliant ride, he had him in a beautiful spot, and followed the right horse into it. It was a really good finish.” A son of McKay’s former Group One winner Puccini, Wolfgang may have inherited some of the family traits according to the Matamata horseman. “Maybe he has the old man in him, Puccini, he was a tough horse,” McKay said. “That family got better and better, so maybe he is following that line a little bit and hopefully there is more left in him.” McKay is now weighing up a potential late nomination for next Saturday’s Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m), which has been transferred to Te Rapa. “We will just see if a couple fall away, maybe (we might put in a late nomination for the Livamol),” he said. “It’s not ideal to go to weight-for-age, but we will just watch and see what happens, there could be a few disappointed ones. I will think about it.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Kalgoorlie Cup Day 2024 Where Kalgoorlie Racecourse – 14 Meldrum Ave, Kalgoorlie WA 6430 When Saturday, October 5, 2024 First Race 12:29pm AWST Visit Dabble Kalgoorlie will host its marquee meeting this Saturday afternoon, where the $150,000 Kalgoorlie Cup will headline the massive nine-race program. The track is expected to remain in the Good range for the whole meeting, with dry conditions forecast for the remainder of the week. The rail will be in its true position for the entire circuit, with the opening race set to jump at 12:29pm AWST. Kalgoorlie Cup Tip: Iowa Iowa will clash with Starry Heights for the second straight start, and the Simon Miller-trained gelding will be seeking to turn the tables with a 2.5kg weight swing going in his favour. This son of Galileo had won back-to-back races over 2100m and 2200m before his last run, after settling on speed and proving too strong late. Although this guy was slightly held up on the inside, Iowa finished off strongly, and with a better run in transit, he can take out the feature. Kalgoorlie Cup Race 8 – #5 Iowa (2) 6yo Gelding | T: Simon Miller | J: Chris Parnham (54.5kg) +250 with Bet365 Best Bet at Kalgoorlie: Influencing Influencing will head to Kalgoorlie for the first time, seeking to claim his first victory of this preparation following his second-place finish over 1200m at Belmont. The four-year-old gelding from the Daniel & Ben Pearce yard settled behind the speed and took over at the 200m mark before being run over by Eliteone in the concluding stages of the race. Natasha Faithfull has retained the ride, and from barrier one, Influencing can find the front on the rail and take some catching late. Best Bet Race 5 – #3 Influencing (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Daniel & Ben Pearce | J: Natasha Faithfull (56kg) +270 with Neds Next Best at Kalgoorlie: Full Of Merit Dion Luciani and William Pike will combine with Full Of Merit once again, following a second-place finish fresh at Northam over 1300m on September 15. The daughter of Demerit has finished in the placings 11 times for only one win; however, this race sets up perfectly for this girl as there is no other leader engaged in this contest. With a tough run under her belt and Pike choosing to stick, Full Of Merit is going to prove very hard to run down if she gets her own way out in front. Next Best Race 7 – #5 Full Of Merit (4) 5yo Mare | T: Dion Luciani | J: William Pike (55.5kg) +170 with Picklebet Best Value at Kalgoorlie: Under Influence Under Influence has been racing in fine form this preparation for the Daniel & Ben Pearce stable, and his last start second was impressive, as he flew home from the back of the field over 1000m. There appears to be a lot of speed in this race, which should set the race up perfectly for a swooper like this guy to finish off strongly once again. If Pike can settle off the fence at the rear of the field on Under Influence, he can play a prominent role in the finish at a great price with online racing betting sites. Best Value Race 9 – #2 Under Influence (8) 5yo Gelding | T: Daniel & Ben Pearce | J: William Pike (58.5kg) +800 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Kalgoorlie Cup Day Kalgoorlie quadrella selections Saturday, October 5, 2024 3-4-5-6 1-2-4 2-5 2-4-10-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What Moruya Races Where Moruya Jockey Club – 100 Donnelly Dr, North Head Moruya 2537 When Friday, October 4, 2024 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Dabble Moruya Jockey Club is the destination for country racing in NSW on Friday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race program set for decision. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and although the track is currently rated a Soft 5, clear skies on Wednesday and Thursday should mean an upgrade into the Good range. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 1pm local time. Best Bet at Moruya: Alicia Roma Alicia Roma appears perfectly placed for the Mitchell Beer barn and brings some strong metro form into this first-up assignment. She’s been tested at Listed grade in the past, managing to finish close behind the likes of Katsu and Najeem Suhail at Flemington on December 20. She caught the eye in a recent barrier trial at Hawkesbury on September 17, careering away to score by 1.8 lengths while holding off Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) winner Broadsiding. Provided Olivia Dalton can take this race by the scruff of the neck, Alicia Roma will prove hard to chase down. Best Bet Race 4 – #1 Alicia Roma (6) 6yo Mare | T: Mitchell Beer | J: Olivia Dalton (a3kg) (61.5kg) +210 with Neds Next Best at Moruya: Xanadu Miss The Terry Robinson-trained Xanadu Miss hasn’t been sighted on a racecourse since cruising through the wire in an impressive piece of work at Nowra in October of 2023. Almost a year of the scene and no official trial does come as a minor concern, however, punters should be willing to trust the stable have the daughter of Xtravagant ready to go despite the lengthy layoff. Jeff Penza is booked to do the steering from gate seven and provided Xanadu Miss can show even a glimpse of her trial form on race-day, the four-year-old debutant will be hard to hold out. Next Best Race 2 – #5 Xanadu Miss (7) 4yo Mare | T: Terry Robinson | J: Jeff Penza (57kg) +230 with Picklebet Best Value at Moruya: Capital Heart Capital Heart couldn’t have been more impressive first-up for the Matthew Dale barn, going on to score a dominant 1.5-length victory at this course on September 17. The son of Capitalist had no issues lugging the 60kg in Class 1 company, suggesting the four-year-old gelding is close to his best heading into this second-up assignment. He gets in below the minimum (54kg) after the claim of apprentice hoop Olivia Dalton, and with similar front-running tactics to be adopted, Capital Heart looks primed for back-to-back wins at a good price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 7 – #8 Capital Heart (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Matthew Dale | J: Olivia Dalton (a3kg) (56kg) +500 with Dabble Friday quaddie tips for Moruya Moruya quadrella selections October 4, 2024 2-3-5-8-12 1-2-9-10-12 2-3-5-8 1-5-6-8-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Capable mare Royal Flower (NZ) (Proisir) has a tidy first-up record and she is again forward in condition to open a new campaign at Hawera this weekend. The lightly raced six-year-old will resume in Saturday’s Gr.3 Grangewillliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) on a preparation focused on adding to her black-type record. Trained by co-breeder and part-owner Gail Temperton, Royal Flower has won six of her 26 starts and a number of placings includes a third in last season’s Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2100m). The daughter of Proisir hasn’t raced since finishing midfield after an interrupted run in the Listed Ag Challenge Stakes (1600m) in early June, but a recent trial success on her home track at Foxton indicated her readiness to return to competition. She will be partnered by Leah Hemi, who knows the chestnut well, and also backing Royal Flower’s claims are three winning runs and a couple of placings from previous fresh-up performances. “She’s been described as a swimmer, but she’s not and she was in this race last year and it was too heavy for her then,” Temperton said. “I am pretty happy with her, she’s really good and has come back bigger and stronger.” Temperton has yet to lock in Royal Flower’s program after the weekend, but stakes races will be top of her wish list. “I’m a breeder and that’s my challenge this time around with her,” she said. “We’ll see what happens on Saturday first, but it would be good to have another try at the (Manawatu) Breeders’ Stakes.” Royal Flower is out of the Ishiguru mare Ishidanzin with a pedigree page that features the French Group Two winner Captain Rio, who sired Group One winners Terravista, Brazilian Pulse and Il Quello Veloce during his tenure at Westbury Stud. Temperton also has a two-year-old half-brother by champion sire Proisir to Royal Flower. “He’ll probably be ready as a late two-year-old or early three-year-old,” she said. Royal Flower’s promising stablemate Never Look Back will also kick off on Saturday in the Energy Ford Hawera Handicap (1400m) with apprentice Liam Kauri to take the ride. He was placed in a recent trial and is expected to come to his best form as he progresses to staying trips. “He’s not a 1400m horse and he’ll get back up to a distance he likes more in the future,” Temperton said. A son of Shocking, Never Look Back is a three-time winner and showed his staying potential last preparation with third placings in the Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) and the Listed Marton Cup (2200m). He also finished a creditable eighth in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and the Trentham feature is again likely to figure in Temperton’s plans for the gelding. View the full article

Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) returns to Flemington for the first time since his defeat as a three-year-old in the Victoria Derby. Health issues to horse and co-trainer have not stopped Team Rogerson from returning to Melbourne for their chance at Spring Carnival glory. Graeme and Debbie Rogerson are back with Sharp ‘N’ Smart who is entered for the Group 1 treble of the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup. But first there is the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday that will go a long way to shaping to Sharp ‘N’ Smart’s future Spring campaign. Sharp ‘N’ Smart has had to overcome a bacterial blood infection which affected his four-year-old campaign while Graeme recently underwent triple heart bypass surgery. While that may have slowed Graeme down, Debbie remains confident Sharp ‘N’ Smart is back to the form he showed as a three-year-old winning the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick before running second in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington in 2022. “To be honest he had a really hard three-year-old campaign and then we were getting him ready for the Triple Crown at Hastings,” Rogerson said. “He went well the first leg, and we went back down for the second leg. It’s a five-and-a-half-hour float trip from where we live down to Hastings and he picked up a bacterial virus in his blood. “It really knocked him out on his feet, so we tried to get it all back on track again and we thought we did, and he went a couple of good runs, but we still weren’t 100% happy. “So, we turned him out, gave him a good spell and everything was clear when he came back in.” Sharp ‘N’ Smart has had two runs back, finishing well back over 1200m first-up in August before running an improved second at Te Rapa on September 15. That performance and a subsequent piece of work at Te Rapa convinced Team Rogerson the stayer was back in order. “He had a good exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Friday,” Rogerson said. “Ryan Elliott rode him, and he usually rides the horse. He trotted back up the straight then worked over a nice 1400 metres. Ryan said it was the best he’s ever worked on his own, and he said he just felt enormous. “That was really encouraging.” Plans where Sharp ‘N’ Smart heads will be finalised after the gelding runs on Saturday. Sharp ‘N’ Smart needs a top three finish to qualify for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 19. “If he happens to run in the first three, we’ve got the Caulfield Cup option,” Rogerson said. “He’s nominated for the Cox Plate, and we’ve got other races leading into the Melbourne Cup, so we’ll just work everything out after Saturday. “He’s travelled over really well. He got off the float here yesterday morning about 6.30, got off bright, very bouncy, had an easy day and he looks super. “It’s a very good field, and he’s drawn not too well again, but if he’s hitting the line hard in that last 200 metres, I’d be very happy.” View the full article

How quickly fortunes can change in the bloodstock world have again been emphasised by the success of One Bold Cat in the relocated Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Matamata on Wednesday. The Robbie Patterson-trained six-year-old is a son of The Bold One, who until recently stood alongside the late Zed at Mark and Jane Corcoran’s Grangewilliam Stud. Understandably, spirits were low at the Waitotara farm following the passing of the Zabeel stallion, most notably the sire of the champion mare and multiple top-flight winner Verry Elleegant. “Things can change very quickly and it was a great result for us and all concerned with One Bold Cat,” Mark Corcoran said. “He’s a very good horse, he settled well and everything played out perfectly.” By Fastnet Rock out of two-time Group One winner The Jewel, The Bold One originally failed to meet his $490,000 reserve at Karaka and subsequently won four races and was stakes placed from Allan Sharrock’s stable. He was raced by breeders The Dennis brothers and an ownership group that involved One Bold Cat’s co-breeder and part-owner Eddie Bourke, who has remained heavily involved in the stallion. “When the deal was done to stand him, we went 50/50 with The Bold One Partnership in the horse,” Corcoran said. “He’s a bit like Zed in a lot of ways, he’s a very well-bred horse who just didn’t have the race performance to get him the numbers and the support that he probably deserved for a horse with his pedigree. “It’s the fantastic Dennis brothers’ family, it’s just such a good female line and hard to see him not leaving decent horses. “Eddie has said he’s the most under-rated stallion in New Zealand and I’d fully agree with him, his strike rate is fantastic.” The Bold One has sired 29 winners from 58 representatives, with the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) winner Mary Louise, the Listed Hawkesbury Rowley Mile (1600m) winner Bold Mac and the Gr.3 Premier’s Cup (2400m) The Fearless One also among his progeny. Corcoran is hoping the stallion’s Group One success will result in more mares through the farm gate. “Last year, he served in the late forties and to be honest this year he hasn’t got the best of numbers, so hopefully we can get some more bookings, the horse deserves it,” he said. “Zed’s passing has probably been a bit of a blessing for The Bold One with a number of mares transferring to him. “I think those people will now be pretty happy with their decision. He’s a lovely horse, very straight forward with a great temperament, you wouldn’t get an easier stallion to deal with.” Corcoran said The Bold One’s former trainer Sharrock had also played a big part in Grangewilliam taking on the stallion. “He convinced me, he said he was a better racehorse than his record showed and Allan said he would guarantee 50 to the horse in his first season and his clients would send mares. “True to his word, they did and we got bang on that number and that’s been his busiest year. He’s doing it the tough way just like Zed did.” Corcoran also paid tribute to Patterson and Bourke, who have been integral to the racing success of The Bold One’s stock. “They do take a bit of time and Robbie has been such a good trainer of them, he’s so patient and deserves a huge amount of credit,” he said. “It’s been a match made in heaven with Robbie and Eddie.” One Bold Cat’s Arrowfield victory has now resulted in him jumping to the top of the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) market as an outright $3.50 favourite. “Robbie has been pretty positive about the horse the whole way through and he was telling us five or six weeks ago to back him in the last leg,” Corcoran said. View the full article

What Epsom Day 2024 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, October 5, 2024 First Race 12:05pm AEST Visit Dabble Group 1 action returns to Royal Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with a bumper 10-part program set for decision. The $1.5 million Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) is the main event; however, with the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) setting the stage, it should be an outstanding day of quality racing on display. The track is rated a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, and with no significant rainfall forecast leading into the weekend, punters can expect a genuine Good 4 surface. The rail is out +3m the entire circuit, so the surface should play fair throughout the afternoon as racing gets underway at 12:05pm local time. Race 1: BM72 Midway Handicap (1800m) The Sara Ryan-trained Humanity represents terrific each-way value with horse racing bookmakers in this wide-open Midway Handicap. The son of Roaring Lion appears to be a new horse in his second Australian campaign, with the four-year-old finishing off well over 1600m at Randwick on September 21, all this despite being crowded for room at a crucial stage as Joshua Parr went searching for a run between horses. The extra 200m should be ideal, and with gate three allowing Parr to take closer order, punters can expect Humanity to be fighting out the finish with even luck this time around. Selections: 2 HUMANITY 11 FLYING BANDIT 8 STATE OF AMERICA 5 AGITA Best Value Race 1 – #2 Humanity (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Sara Ryan | J: Joshua Parr (59kg) +1400 with Neds Race 2: Group 3 Breeders’ Plate (1000m) Punters get their first glimpse of the newly seasoned two-year-old colts stepping out in the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate (1000m). North England gets the nod after an impressive piece of work on the Kensington circuit at Randwick on September 23. The son of Farnan led every step of the way to score by 2.4 lengths, and although he didn’t smash the clock compared to some key rivals on the morning, he was visually dominant as booted clear under Tim Clark. He should manage to lead throughout from barrier two, and although the wheels will be spinning at some stage, expect North England to give a bold sight. Selections: 5 NORTH ENGLAND 8 RIPLEY 10 TUSCANY 4 KING KIRK Breeders’ Plate Race 2 – #5 North England (2) 2yo Colt | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Tim Clark (56kg) +320 with Playup Race 3: Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) The two-year-old fillies head to the track for the first time in the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m), where the Ciaron Maher-trained Icarian Dream will take a power of beating. She was sensational in her Kensington barrier trial on September 23, taking a sit in behind the speed before exploding to the lead under a tight grip by Zac Lloyd. The Blue Point filly should land into the one-one from gate three on debut, and provided she can get into the clear when the whips are cracking, expect Icarian Dream to put them away in the final furlong. Selections: 6 ICARIAN DREAM 3 BEL MERCI 13 STRADA VARENNA 8 MEMO Gimcrack Stakes Race 3 – #6 Icarian Dream (3) 2yo Filly | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Zac Lloyd (56kg) +300 with Dabble Race 4: Listed Dulcify Stakes (1600m) After a tough effort in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) on September 14, Just Party appears well-placed back in Listed company. The Justify colt was outmatch in the concluding stages but showed plenty of fight in the last 100m to get within a length of Lady Shenandoah. The only question mark is if he can run out a strong mile, but with the Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou barn scratching from a very winnable mid-week race at Rosehill for this, punters should be confident Just Party can get the job done in the Dulcify Stakes. Selections: 2 JUST PARTY 1 DEPTH OF CHARACTER 3 SWIFTFALCON 7 JOHNNY THE KID Next Best Race 4 – #2 Just Party (2) 3yo Colt | T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | J: Joshua Parr (56.5kg) +360 with Bet365 Race 5: BM94 Handicap (1600m) The Chris Waller-trained Chica Mojito is unlucky not to be searching for back-to-back wins after storming home over 1400m at Rosehill on September 14. She was only nosed out by stable companion Firestorm, and with that horse heading to the Epsom later in the day, that must be considered strong form heading into this BM94 contest. Craig Williams takes the reins on the minimum 52kgs, and with barrier three allowing this progressive mare to slot into the ideal stalking position, Chica Mojito should finally claim her first Australian victory. Selections: 12 CHICA MOJITO 7 RIYAZAN 2 CAFE MILLENIUM 4 FLOATING Best Bet Race 5 – #12 Chica Mojito (5) 4yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: Craig Williams (52kg) +300 with Picklebet Race 6: Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) Autumn Glow might be special. The undefeated filly continues to impress with every start, securing her hat-trick of wins in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) without being fully extended under James McDonald. Powers Of Opal, Lady Shenandoah and Snow In May will all be finishing off well, but it’s hard to see them getting by this potential star in the 2024 Flight Stakes. Selections: 1 AUTUMN GLOW 9 POWERS OF OPAL 4 LADY SHENANDOAH 2 SNOW IN MAY Flight Stakes Race 6 – #1 Autumn Glow (3) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (56kg) -200 with Boombet Race 7: Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) Although he was beaten by three lengths in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m), Giga Kick got a pass mark heading into this second-up assignment. He was three wide without cover throughout on that occasion, and his subsequent barrier trial at Canterbury on September 24 suggests the five-year-old is nearing a return to his best. The Clayton Douglas-trained gelding gets one more chance to make a strong impression for the 2024 Everest (1200m), and provided he’s at his peak, watch for Giga Kick to be launching down the centre of the course in the Group 3 Premiere Stakes (1200m). Selections: 1 GIGA KICK 7 BELLA NIPOTINA 2 THINK ABOUT IT 8 CHAIN OF LIGHTNING Premiere Stakes Race 7 – #1 Giga Kick (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Clayton Douglas | J: James McDonald (58.5kg) +150 with Neds Race 8: Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) Multiple scratchings allow Unusual Legacy to take his place in the 2024 Metropolitan Handicap. This untapped stayer burst onto the scene after a second-up romp at Rosehill on September 14, and although he was beaten last Saturday in BM88 company, the son of Unusual Suspect lost no admirers. He’s been crying out for a genuine staying journey, and with 50kg on his back stepping out to the 2400m for the first time, Unusual Legacy should get every chance to claim Group 1 glory. Selections: 21 UNUSUAL LEGACY 10 ZARDOZI 13 ETNA ROSSO 11 FUTURE HISTORY Metropolitan Handicap Race 8 – #21 Unusual Legacy (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Jay Ford (50kg) +550 with Playup Race 9: Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) The time-honoured Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) has attracted a capacity field of 20 set to do battle for the $1.5 million prize. Royal Patronage and Ceolwulf have both been heavily backed with horse betting sites, with the pair installed as $6.50 favourites. Meanwhile, Kovalica ($7.00) is looking to go one better after finishing runner-up in this race 12 months ago. Will one of the favoured trio get the job done? Or is there an upset brewing? Click here for our full preview of the 2024 Epsom Handicap Race 10: BM94 Handicap (1200m) Ostraka blew them away first-up at Rosehill on September 14, going on to score by 1.5 lengths in stylish fashion. The son of Pariah did it the hard way, launching down the centre of the course to claim victory. Stepping up to the 1200m at Randwick should be no issue, and with barrier two allowing Jasson Collett to take a trail just in behind the speed, Ostraka looks primed to secure back-to-back wins for the Annabel Nesham & Rob Archibald barn. Selections: 4 OSTRAKA 5 MORAVIA 19 PORT LOCKROY 8 RHYTHM OF LOVE Epsom Day quaddie tips for Randwick Randwick quadrella selections Saturday, October 5, 2024 1-7 3-4-10-11-13-19-21 1-2-4-6-7-8-9-15 4-5-19 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Moonee Valley Races Where Moonee Valley Racecourse – 1 McPherson St, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039 When Friday, October 4, 2024 First Race 6:15pm AEST Visit Dabble Racing will return to Moonee Valley this Friday night, where an eight-race card is set down for decision. The track was rated as a Good 4 at the time of acceptances; however, with rain forecast on Friday, expect a downgrade before the meeting begins. The rail will be pushed out to the +7m position for the entire circuit, with racing set to kick off at 6:15pm AEST. Best Bet at Moonee Valley: Muktamil Muktamil has won two of his last three starts for the Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young stable and he will rise to 3000m for the first time on Friday evening. The son of Sea The Stars recorded a dominant win at Sandown over 2400m last start, where he settled on speed before running away from his rivals late. Jamie Mott will continue his strong affiliation with this gelding, and if he can settle midfield off the fence, Muktamil will prove hard to beat. Best Bet Race 2 – #5 Muktamil (9) 5yo Gelding | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Jamie Mott (55kg) +220 with PlayUp Next Best at Moonee Valley: Romani Ite Domum It is easy to make a case that Romani Ite Domum should have broken his maiden on debut at Sandown, where he led the field up over 1300m and looked a strong winning hope before the jockey dropped the whip. The Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained gelding battled hard in the final 100m but was run over by Andrina late to finish second. Although he has to contend with a wide barrier (10), Romani Ite Domum has the speed to overcome the draw, and with even luck, he should be winning this. Next Best Race 1 – #4 Romani Ite Domum (10) 3yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Michael Dee (58kg) +300 with Picklebet Best Value at Moonee Valley: Wolfgang Wolfgang returns as a gelding for his third racing preparation, with the benefit of a strong 800m trial victory at Cranbourne on September 16. The Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans-trained galloper kicked off last campaign with back-to-back victories over 1000m and 1200m, indicating that he races well fresh. With a lot of speed expected in this contest, Michael Dee can settle Wolfgang behind the speed, peel off the leaders heels and finish off strongly at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 7 – #10 Wolfgang (9) 3yo Gelding | T: Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans | J: Michael Dee (56.5kg) +800 with Neds Friday quaddie tips for Moonee Valley races Moonee Valley quadrella selections Friday, October 4, 2024 1-3-5-8-14 4-5-6-10 4-6-8-10 1-7-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

The curtain comes down on racing in the Lion City this Saturday with the final running of the time-honoured Singapore Gold Cup.View the full article

What Doomben Races Where Doomben Racecourse – 75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, October 5, 2024 First Race 12:13pm AEST Visit Dabble Brisbane Racing Club will host a nine-race card at Doomben this Saturday afternoon, where the meeting is set to kick off at 12:13pm AEST. The track was rated as a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, but with warm weather forecast for the remainder of the week, expect an upgrade to the Good range by raceday. The rail will be in the +4m position for the entire circuit. Best Bet at Doomben: Redford Redford suffered his first defeat of his four-start career when the Stuart Kendrick-trained gelding ran home from the rear of the field to finish fourth over 1400m at Eagle Farm. Prior to last start, this son of Snitzel recorded a dominant three-length victory at the Sunshine Coast with James Orman in the saddle. Orman will be legged aboard for this run over 1615m, and considering how strongly he finished off previously, Redford will appreciate a rise in trip and return to winning ways. Best Bet Race 2 – #12 Redford (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Stuart Kendrick | J: James Orman (57.5kg) +200 with PlayUp Next Best at Doomben: Iverson Following two solid performances this preparation, Iverson appears ready to win third-up as the Robert Heathcote-prepared gelding rises to 1615m. This son of So You Think was bumped in the home straight at the Gold Coast in his most recent start, but he still managed to record the best final 600m section of the race and finish in third place over 1400m. Although he steps up in grade on Saturday, Iverson will get into the race with a light weight (52kg), which will give him every chance to record a deserving victory. Next Best Race 3 – #7 Iverson (3) 7yo Gelding | T: Robert Heathcote | J: Samantha Collett (52kg) +200 with Neds Best Value at Doomben: Majorelle Matthew Dunn has found the sweet spot for Majorelle in recent starts, with his five-year-old gelding claiming two wins from three starts this campaign, both coming over 1100m. The son of Zoustar saluted at an odds-on quote with horse racing bookmakers at Lismore last start and maintained his undefeated record at the trip (5:5-0-0). With good barrier speed, Majorelle will be able to overcome the wide draw (12), settle on speed, and prove hard to run down late. Best Value Race 8 – #3 Majorelle (12) 5yo Gelding | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Andrew Mallyon (58.5kg) +900 with Picklebet Doomben quaddie tips – 5/10/24 Doomben quadrella selections Saturday, October 5, 2024 3-4-5-10 1-2-7-11 3-6-16-17-22 1-3-7-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

A top edition of Sydney’s Group 1 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) is pending on Epsom Handicap Day this Saturday at Royal Randwick. A capacity field of spring stayers will battle it out in the mile and a half showdown, with many eyeing a potential Caulfield Cup bid later in the month down in Melbourne. It […] The post The Metropolitan Handicap 2024 Field & Betting Update appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The interesting part of a graded stakes for 2-year-olds in early October is the mix of proven ability and untapped potential. You'll find that Oct. 5 in the $500,000 Champagne Stakes (G1) for 2-year-olds at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

Owned by Kenny McPeek, Magdalena Farm's history dates back to the 1800s during the Revolutionary War. Magdalena Shely, for whom the farm is named, died during the Civil War and is buried on the farm.View the full article

Arzak is 2-for-2 on the Keeneland turf while the other 11 in the main field for the Oct. 5 Woodford Stakes (G2T) are a combined 3-for-25.View the full article

Local galloper Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini) continued the perfect start to his spring preparation at Matamata on Wednesday when doubling up in the Team Wealleans Premier (2000m). The six-year-old gelding was victorious first-up over a mile at Hastings last month and repeated the result when beating Australian raider Rolls on Wednesday. The son of Puccini settled midfield early on for jockey Matt Cartwright, who asked his charge to improve from the 400m, and he loomed ominous at the turn. Rolls hit the lead with 150m to go, but Wolfgang had momentum on his side and reeled in his foe and scored by half a length. Co-trainer and part-owner Peter McKay was a bit wary about the step-up to 2000m second-up, but he needn’t have worried, with Wolfgang posting his sixth career win. “Being second-up going to 2000m I was a little bit worried, but he has really come into his own this year,” said McKay, who trains in partnership with his son Shaun. “Since the trip to Hastings, he has come home and put on three of four kgs. It was a brilliant ride, he had him in a beautiful spot, and followed the right horse into it. It was a really good finish.” A son of McKay’s former Group One winner Puccini, Wolfgang may have inherited some of the family traits according to the Matamata horseman. “Maybe he has the old man in him, Puccini, he was a tough horse,” McKay said. “That family got better and better, so maybe he is following that line a little bit and hopefully there is more left in him.” McKay is now weighing up a potential late nomination for next Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), which has been transferred to Te Rapa. “We will just see if a couple fall away, maybe (we might put in a late nomination for the Livamol),” he said. “It’s not ideal to go to weight-for-age, but we will just watch and see what happens, there could be a few disappointed ones. I will think about it.” View the full article

Former high-flying three-year-old Wild Night (NZ) (Vanbrugh) gave the impression that he is back to his best form at Matamata on Wednesday, taking out the Matamata Function Centre Premier (1300m). The powerful chestnut was unstoppable in periods of his three-year-old term, winning five races on the bounce including the Gr.2 James And Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) and Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m), alongside placings in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). The horse’s soundness has been difficult to manage since that phenomenal campaign, and for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Wednesday’s contest would reveal where the gelding’s five-year-old season was heading. In a compact field of five, Wild Night’s talent was not entirely underestimated by punters, placing him as a $4.20 second-favourite, while Group Three winner Master Fay was heavily backed into $1.40 favouritism. Wild Night jumped positively away from the barriers under Warren Kennedy to settle in behind pacemaker Sagunto, while Master Fay clearly dipped early and found himself in third position. Those three would end up fighting out a competitive finish, with Master Fay looming up strongly on the turn before Wild Night and Sagunto kicked strongly to the inner and just a short head separated that pair in the finish. Bergerson couldn’t have been happier to see the son of Vanbrugh back in the winner’s circle. “On the corner when Master Fay went around him, we thought he was done and dusted, but it’s fantastic to see him back like that,” he said. “He’s obviously one of the stable favourites, he’s been through a lot in his career and he’s very talented on his day. “He’s had a really long, slow build-up, and a massive thank you to the team at home, they’ve done a fantastic job with him and he’s taken a lot of managing. But he’s very exciting.” Wild Night was one of many horses that had travelled to the abandoned Hastings meeting last Saturday, and Bergerson indicated he will keep that in mind when considering a start in the Gr.3 Valley D’Vine Spring Sprint (1400m) on the final day of the carnival at Te Rapa. “He’s quite well in the handicap, so he could back up in 10 days’ time in the Group Three over 1400, which would’ve been at Hawke’s Bay and now at Te Rapa,” he said. “He’s done the travel to Hastings and back and now raced, so it could be a bit too much, but that looks to be the most suitable option in the initial stage. “We think 1400 and a mile in time (will suit), whether he goes down to Wellington or something like that, but like I say, we’re just so stoked to have him back.” Te Akau principal David Ellis purchased the five-year-old for $50,000 out of Windsor Park Stud’s draft at the 2021 Karaka Yearling Sales, and the victory took his career earnings just shy of $500,000, with seven wins from 14 starts. The fourth-placegetter in the race, Campionessa, also pleased Bergerson ahead of next Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), where she is an equal second-favourite at $7 on the TAB Futures market. “We thought in the pre-race that the 1300 may be a bit sharp, but hopefully that will tighten her up nicely for the 2000,” he said. “It’s not an ideal prep, but at least we’ve got 10 days to get on top of her and hopefully she’s ready to go.” View the full article

The Calgary International Equine Symposium awarded equine surgery resident and recent StrideSAFE study first-author Dr. Denise McSweeney with the Best Podium Presentation Award during its global conference Sept. 5-6.View the full article

StrideSAFE, a biometric sensor used as a tool to help identify horses at risk of injury, was recognized at the recent Calgary International Equine Symposium when Dr. Denise McSweeney was honored with the Best Podium Presentation Award. The global conference, held Sept. 5-6 and hosted by the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM), brought together experts the world over for a named focus in “Innovation in Equine Health and Welfare.” McSweeney's presentation, “Using accelerometer-based inertial measurement unit sensors to identify racing Thoroughbreds at high risk of catastrophic musculoskeletal injury,” was awarded the top honor at the conference, as well as $10,000 in cash, among the presentations focused on cutting-edge research and exceptional contributions to equine science. “I am grateful to the University of Calgary for giving us this platform to share what we have learned from the StrideSAFE data so far,” said StrideSAFE study first-author McSweeney. “There were many excellent presentations this year, however what we are doing here at StrideSAFE, collecting and interpreting data on the strides of thousands of starters every month, is something that has never been done before and it's pretty hard to not get excited about it.” The post StrideSAFE’s Dr. Denise McSweeney Honored at Calgary Equine Symposium appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last year, eight Japanese horses entered Breeders' Cup races at Santa Anita Park. That established a record, but one that is likely to be far surpassed when Del Mar hosts the Breeders' Cup Nov. 1-2.View the full article

Bregman Family Racing's daughter of Justify comes into the Jessamine Stakes (G2T) off a victory in the P. G. Johnson Stakes in New York. The Jessamine is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series event for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T).View the full article

As recently as 2015, it looked like Dylan Davis's career was stuck in neutral. He won just 57 races that year with earnings of $1,859,318. He was, at best, a middle-of-the-pack rider on the NYRA circuit. Fast forward to 2024 and a new Davis has emerged. With three months to go on the year he's already won 147 races and earned $11,318,656 and is on schedule to have the best year of his career. His win aboard Todd Pletcher trainee Tapit Trice (Tapit) in last Saturday's GII Woodward Stakes was hardly a surprise as he is now riding for many of the top trainers on the circuit and he proved himself at the toughest meet possible, Saratoga, finishing with 36 wins. That was good for a tie for third in the standings behind only Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Flavien Prat. What has changed his fortunes? That was among the questions Davis, the Guest of the Week, answered on the TDN Writers' Room Podcast, which is presented by Keeneland. “I think it was a matter lot of hard work and grinding it out throughout the years on the NYRA circuit and just building my business up with my agent Mike Migliore,” Davis said. “He was a big believer in me in the beginning. I have been improving as a rider and Mike has improved as an agent. We work together and I think communication has been a big factor for us. We try to build on our success every year and look toward the future. I'm really happy with it and am just trying to continue to capitalize on all the opportunities that are given to me.” Davis said that at one point he was ready to leave New York for a lesser circuit. “I was at a point where I was going to leave New York because I wasn't doing well enough throughout the wintertime,” Davis said. “I thought that I would have to go somewhere again and then come back again and try the next winter. I was working with Rudy Rodriguez in the morning, 5:30, with no agent and trying to see what opportunities were available to me. Mike Migliore, he was there every morning, at 5:15, trying to get my book. “I really didn't pay no mind to him because he had no experience in New York and didn't know many people,” said Davis. “But because he wanted me so badly and he didn't have many established relationships, I thought we could both start fresh. I saw that he had the passion and he had the drive that I was looking for in an agent that was willing to put in the hard work and lay it down just as badly as I did. I gave him the opportunity and I put a lot of trust into him and that's what we see today, that all that hard work is paying off.” Davis has even caught the eye of Charlie Appleby, who has given him three mounts this year, including Beautiful Love (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). Davis teamed up with that filly to win the GIII Fasig-Tipton Jockey Club Oaks Invitational. “It actually started when I beat Silver Knott (GB) with Carson's Run at Saratoga [in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes]. So Flavien [Prat] wasn't available and I heard that he said, 'I want that jockey that beat me in that race.' That's how he got me,” Davis said. “They must have liked what they saw from my riding abilities and my performance for them. I'm just trying to do my best out there for whoever I ride for and I'm happy to ride for new clients, especially someone like Mr. Appleby.” In our breeding spotlight section we looked at the WinStar stallion Life Is Good. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, WinStar and XBTV.com, the team of Randy Moss, Zoe Cadman and Bill Finley reviewed the California Crown races at Santa Anita and the concept behind the redesign. Is it the type of event that will create new racing fans? Moss and Cadman, who were both at the event, gave it favorable reviews. They also looked ahead to the big races that will be run this weekend at Keeneland, Aqueduct and Santa Anita. To watch the Writers' Room, click here. To listen to the show as a podcast, click here. The post Dylan Davis Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article