Wandering Eyes

By Jonny Turner Success on and off the track continued for Southland breeder-owner Megan Reidie when Macandrew Markup completed back-to-back wins at Winton on Sunday. The pacer had run into all sorts of bad luck before breaking through at Wyndham a week prior. Macandrew Markup then showed his fortunes had completely turned around when scoring again in the Winton’s Middle Pub Mobile Pace for Reidie’s partner, trainer Jeremy Douglas, with his son Hayden in the sulky. “He had been knocked over a couple of times and had plenty of bad luck but now he’s switched on to things and been able to get the job done quite nicely,” Reidie said. Like many of the pacers Reidie has raced, Macandrew Markup’s ownership is a family affair. “We have got the same base group that has raced most of our horses – my dad, my two brothers and I.” “But in this syndicate, we have also got my uncle and my dad’s best mate, too.” Megan, Mark, Andrew and Jamie Reidie also race open-class pacer Macandrew Aviator alongside the Kiwi Connection Syndicate. The horse made a strong start to his New Zealand Cup campaign before disappearing off the scene after suffering a hoof injury in the Hannon Memorial. Macandrew Aviator is close to putting the incident behind him and will be on his way back to Canterbury soon. “He is fully sound, the hoof just needs to grow out a little bit more,” Reidie said. “He will head back up the road soon, but we want to make doubly sure he is right before he goes so Jeremy, Brendon Bell and I are keeping a close eye on him.” Through her interest in breeding and racing, plus her day job as a veterinarian, Reidie is involved in a huge number of aspects of the harness racing industry. One of them is through her role as president Southland branch of the Standardbred Breeders Association. The group recently hosted an evening in Invercargill to promote breeding, with Harness Racing New Zealand CEO Brad Steele speaking. “It was a really good evening, the idea came from a couple of our committee members who had heard that bookings to stallions were a bit slow,” Reidie said. “So we needed to do a bit of a promotion.” “We had some great prizes including some stallion services donated which was awesome.” “We have had heaps of positive comments after the night.” Reidie is literally hands-on in the breeding industry, with her vet work including caring for newborn foals and getting mares in foal. Despite record rainfall in Southland this spring, Reidie reports that so far she has encountered few issues with foalings and good success rates with mares getting in foal. View the full article

New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2024 Ready to Run Sale is just moments away, set to take place on 20 and 21 November at the iconic Karaka Sales Centre. Inspections and parades and well and truly underway, and the grounds are busy with many guests also staying onsite at the DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka hotel situated just a minutes’ walk from the complex. Various international buyers will be met by an astute line up of Kiwi judges to provide strong competition in the sale ring, all looking to secure their next champion from the world’s best sale of two-year-olds. NZTR will also auction a single slot for the 2025 edition of the NZB Kiwi race tonight, with 50% of the Above Reserve Fee ($125k) to be donated to Rodney Animal Rescue. The slot will go up for bidding at 5pm on Tuesday 19 November. As usual, NZB will provide a world-class sale broadcast for the duration of the 2024 Ready to Run Sale. The Sale will be televised live in New Zealand on Freeview Channel 200, Sky Chanel 64, as well as on NZB’s website, online bidding platform and Facebook page. Viewers can tune in from as early as 10.30am (NZT) prior to the Sale to catch the daily preview show hosted by presenter Michael Guerin, with the review show also being broadcast at the closure of selling each day. View the full catalogue and sale information online here. View the full article

The past year has been a tough one for Matamata horseman Gary Hennessy, but he got plenty of satisfaction out of watching Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) take out Saturday’s Listed Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton. Hennessy bred the five-year-old gelding, who is by his five-time Group One winner and Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) hero Ocean Park, and out of unraced Dubawi mare Spirit of Karlu. “It was terrific. I have followed him all the way through, and I have his dam set to foal any day to Ocean Emperor,” Hennessy said. “It is a great little family. He has got a lot of brilliance. He is a lovely, big horse and has got some quality about him. He is out of a Dubawi mare and has a nice background.” Hennessy sold Mystic Park as a weanling to Kilgravin Lodge’s Eion Kemp and veterinarian Ronan Costello, with the pair offering him through the former’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft, where he was purchased by trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman for $40,000. He has gone on to win seven and place in three of his 12 career starts to date, culminating in Saturday’s stakes victory. Saturday’s win was a tonic for Hennessy, who has battled health issues over the last 12 months, which forced him to call an end to his training career. “Last year I got very crook, so I have stopped training,” he said. “I woke up one morning and I was completely paralysed and couldn’t dress myself for three days. You end up being very tired and your shoulders ache. You have some days that are good days and others that are not. “I also need an ankle replacement, so that will make it difficult working with horses. I am probably going to be in a moonboot for up to six months. “We have just sold the racing stable block. We have still got Weowna Park, which is 50-odd acres, and we have three or four broodmares there. I have got three nice two-year-old colts that we will probably put into work with somebody. “I have also got a three-year-old Ocean Park filly that I have kept that is a half-sister to Trust In You. We will have one or two racing and enjoy that.” Hennessy said he will now place his focus on his breeding endeavours, with Spirit of Karlu now becoming an increasingly important cog in his breeding wheel. As well as being the dam of Mystic Park, she has also left former promising juvenile Pluck That, and race winners Karlu Dreaming and Poitin. “She has had five to the races and four have been winners,” Hennesy said. “I bought her in Australia and she was in-foal to Pluck and the resulting foal we sold at the ready to run sale to Baker-Forsman and he was called Pluck That. He won a couple of trials and won two starts as a two-year-old before being sold to Hong Kong and he has won a couple up there. “Karlu Dreaming, she is a full-sister to Mystic Park, and we sold her in the Melbourne sales, and she has won three, while Poitin is another one that we sold at the ready to runs to Allan Sharrock for $50,000, and he has also won. View the full article

New Zealand has an exciting group of apprentice jockeys coming through the ranks, and last season’s standout performers were recently recognised at the Northern, Central Districts and South Island Apprentice Awards. On Monday night, the Milan Park Northern Apprentice Jockey Awards acknowledged the achievements of the region’s rising stars, with Niranjan Parmar awarded the Premier Apprentice Jockey Award as the highest-achieving Northern apprentice on the premiership table. Parmar, who was apprenticed to Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, recorded 50 winners last term, finishing second to Lily Sutherland in the premiership. Among his half-century were three stakes victories, including the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) aboard Pendragon, the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) on Perfect Scenario, and the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) with Discretion Rules. The 27-year-old was honoured to receive the top award, particularly as not all had gone as planned with several suspensions through crucial periods in the season. “It means a lot to win this award, especially as I was quite on-and-off throughout the season and spent more time on the sidelines than on the track,” Parmar said. “I received great support from all over the country, I just took it day-by-day and kept showing up. “Winning my first Group Two for Pam Gerard was very special and it gave me a massive boost, my name came up and I got some nice rides here and there after that. It really helped my confidence. “Also winning the Group race at Wingatui, that was really good, and Team Te Akau had a strong hand in my premiership. “My agent, Micky Coleman, he helped me a lot, as well as my new boss, Paul Richards. He has supported me through my career, so a big thank you to all of them.” Parmar is nearing another milestone, with less than 20 winners before outriding his claim in New Zealand, and he is hoping to take opportunities across the Tasman, should they arise. “My goal is to outride my claim, I’m sitting on 122 so I just need 18 more winners, which I can hopefully get through this season,” he said. “After that, I’m looking to see if I can go to Australia for a small stint next year, even for six months to a year. I haven’t spoken to anyone yet, but it’s something I’m hoping to do.” A relatively fresh face on the scene is Rihaan Goyaram, who was announced as the Most Promising First Year Apprentice. Indentured to Ralph Manning, Goyaram debuted in early June, and swiftly picked up five winners over the remaining six weeks in the season. The remainder of the accolades were awarded to Ngakau Hailey (Most Improved Apprentice Jockey), Jessica Allen (Most Outstanding Female Rider), Maria Sanson (Bill Simon Trophy for Most Outstanding Ride), Ace Lawson-Carroll (Most Dedicated To Succeed) and Sarah Fisher (Best Presented At Scales). At the Central Apprentice Academy Prizegiving, held in conjunction with RACE, Lily Sutherland was further congratulated for her outstanding performance to win the 2023/24 National Apprentice Premiership, with 52 winners placing her 14th overall among her senior counterparts. Apprenticed to Kevin Myers, Sutherland won the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m) on Chantilly Lace, Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) with Not Guilty, Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) aboard Churchillian, and the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) partnering No Rain Ever. Lemmy Douglas was recognised as the Head Pupil, for all-round dedication to their profession, and Jim Chung was Most Improved Apprentice Jockey, highlighted by his fifth-placing on the Apprentice Premiership. In the South Island, Yogesh Atchamah was awarded the Top Apprentice Jockey after recording a career-best of 24 winners last term. Indentured to Andrew Carston, Atchamah narrowly edged out fellow Southern rising stars Donovan Cooper and Denby-Rose Tait. Kendra Bakker, formerly in the North, was awarded the Most Promising Junior Rider, and Ruvanesh Muniandy won the Ashlee Mundy Jockey’s Choice Award, chosen by the South Island Senior Jockeys. View the full article

Last week will live long in the memory of northern race caller George Simon. On New Zealand Trotting Cup Day at Addington Raceway, he became a Group One-winning standardbred breeder when Marketplace took out the Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Series Final (1980m), and four days later he called Talentoso, who he bred and part-owns with his wife Maryanne, to victory at Tauranga. “It was an unbelievable week,” Simon said. “I was calling Te Aroha last Tuesday and I just sat in the commentary box and watched the race from Addington and cheered him (Marketplace) home.” With Marketplace’s victory, Simon has become a dual code Group One-winning breeder, having bred three-time elite-level thoroughbred victor and now stallion Turn Me Loose in partnership with his wife Maryanne. While known as the northern voice of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand, Simon also has a passion for harness racing, having called the code for a number of years at Alexandra Park following Alby Gains’ retirement, and also enjoyed competing in the sulky himself in the amateur ranks. “I have raced a lot of harness horses over the years, and I really enjoy the harness racing side of things too. I was an amateur driver for a few years before it got too busy, I love it,” he said. Marketplace is out of five-win Christian Cullen mare Cullen Who, who has been Simon’s first foray into standardbred breeding. “We bought the dam, Cullen Who, after she had won her first start at Forbury Park. She won five races and over $50,000 on the track,” he said. “There are four mates involved with her – Gordon McKenzie, Tony Barron, Tony Clark, and I. “She is the first one we have bred from. She was probably the best-bred horse that we have raced.” The now 11-year-old mare has had five foals to date, all by champion standardbred sire Bettor’s Delight, with the ownership group electing to sell each of the resulting progeny at New Zealand Bloodstock Standardbred’s National Yearling Sales. “We have sold three for about $100,000 each on average, and Marketplace was the latest one,” Simon said. “Who’s Bettor was the first one and then Who’s Delight, who has been flying, and then Marketplace, who has been the standout.” “Maryanne, my wife, and I went to watch him go through the ring down at Christchurch the year he sold, and he was a lovely yearling. “Tony Barron had prepped him for the sale, as he does with all of our horses (standardbreds). He sold for $100,000 and went to some good judges (Philip and Glenys Kennard), and we have been following his progress all the way through. “Early reports that we got back from the stable (trainer Regan Todd) were that he was a very promising horse. “What he has done in his last five starts, culminating with the Group One win the other day, is just incredible to watch, it was a great thrill.” They say good things come in threes, and that is definitely the case for Simon, with both Marketplace and Turn Me Loose being third foals out of their respective dams. Like Cullen Who, Turn Me Loose’s dam Indomitable was Simon’s first foray into breeding in the thoroughbred code, and he and Maryanne struck the jackpot at just their second mating, with Indomitable already having had one foal prior to the couple leasing her. “We decided that we would get into the breeding side of things and we leased a mare off Sir Peter Vela and his late brother Philip,” Simon said. “She was a Danehill mare called Indomitable and they very kindly allowed us to lease her. We started breeding from her and her third foal turned out to be Turn Me Loose. “We sold him as a ready to run sale horse. We put a reserve of $25,000, we got $52,500 for him and we thought we were geniuses. He won $1.7 million in stakes and we have sent two mares back to him at Windsor Park Stud and that has cost us $20,000 a pop.” Turn Me Loose has been the standout graduate of the Simons’ Mana Park, with the three-time Group One winner holding pride of place at the couple’s home. “I always talk about there is going to be a big night at Iggy’s,” Simon said. “Iggy was our nickname for Turn Me Loose when he was a young horse here. He was the very first horse that we put our Mana Park brand on. “Maryanne wanted a swimming pool and I wanted a man cave, so my man cave is called Iggy’s as a nod to Turn Me Loose. So, everyone that is watching (trackside) and is thinking ‘what is he going on about with Iggy’s?’, that is my man cave.” There have been many a celebration at Iggy’s, and it experienced another on Saturday night following Talentoso’s win at Tauranga. The Simons bred the now four-year-old gelding and race him with a group of friends out of trainer Shelley Hale’s barn. “Iggy’s got a few victims on Saturday night after Talentoso’s win,” Simon quipped. The son of Tarzino is out of a half-sister to Turn Me Loose, and Simon was rapt to call his horse home on Saturday to cap the memorable week in style. “He was probably the easiest winner of the day, he was never going to get beaten – he put himself there and it was a lovely ride by Tayla Mitchell,” Simon said. “We have always had an opinion of him, but he has just been unlucky throughout his career so far. “He is by Tarzino out of a Rip Van Winkle mare, which we bred, Dormez Vous, she is a half-sister to Turn Me Loose. She is one of three in our broodmare band. “We kept him back from the sales. I like racing horses, so we thought we would keep him back and just have a bit of fun with him ourselves and roped in some good friends of ours. “One of them, Gary Thomas, it is his first horse he has ever had, so he thinks this game is easy.” Simon said the colours Talentoso carried to victory hold great sentimental value. “The colours that Maryanne and I race our horses in, the pink and mauve colours, are the colours of my late father-in-law Jim Mead,” Simon said. “He was a wonderful man and when he died, Maryanne got the colours, and we registered and race all of our horses in his colours. “They are very easy colours to see, especially when they are three lengths in front going for the line. “We have had a fair bit of success in those colours too. We had our own stakes winner last year, Denby Road, who won the Cambridge Breeders’ (Gr.3, 1200m). He has been off with injury. “We try and sell our horses, but through circumstances they are sometimes not ready for a sale or don’t make the grade, so we keep them back and we generally race them ourselves and have a bit of fun.” The Simons started breeding just over 15 years ago and Simon said it didn’t take long for their breeding numbers to expand. “It’s a vicious circle. We started with one mare, and we leased another off Sir Peter called Miranda Miss, she was a Reset mare and left a stakes winner we bred called The Soultaker,” he said. “After several years we had about 18 horses that we owned 100 percent ourselves at one stage. Once it’s in your blood it is there. We enjoy it. “We foal them down ourselves, so it is Maryanne and I out in the paddock at 3am in the morning, and we have done that for a number of years. “They become a part of your family. You have your ups and downs, and it is not a game for the weak of heart, but when you have a win, we enjoy it.” While he has enjoyed plenty of success as a breeder, Simon is quick to pass the accolades onto Maryanne with their thoroughbreds, and Gordon McKenzie and Tony Barron with their standardbreds. “I don’t take any of the credit for it, it is all Maryanne’s work as far as the gallopers are concerned, she is the breeding guru,” he said. “Gordon McKenzie and Tony Barron have always advised Tony Clark and I of what we are going to be doing with Cullen Who. We follow what we have been advised to do by the boys. They are good mates of ours and we listen to the experts.” Simon is still basking in Group One glory after last week’s success, and said the win was comparable to his previous elite-level achievements with Turn Me Loose. “It is the elite of the elite,” he said. “You dream about competing in a Group One race, whether that be as an owner, trainer, jockey, driver or breeder. For me it is quite a dream. “We had experienced the thrill of a Group One race through the deeds of Turn Me Loose all those years ago and now to do it in the harness racing game was so unique, it gave me a real buzz, and to do it with good friends is even better.” While unable to be trackside last week due to his northern calling commitments, Simon was able to head down a day later to spend some time with Marketplace at trainer Regan Todd’s property, and he is excited for what the future holds for the gelding following the visit. “After the Te Aroha races, I flew from Auckland to Christchurch and I popped out to Regan Todd’s stable, who very kindly allowed me to go out and have a look at the horse,” Simon said. “I spent the morning with Regan Todd and Craig Ferguson (driver) and saw Marketplace up close and personal. I hadn’t seen him since the day we sold him as a yearling, and gee he is a nice horse. “Indications are that they believe he is going to be a nice three-year-old and time will be his friend, so what he is doing now is fantastic to see. To see him get a Group One was unbelievable.” It was a timely win by Marketplace, with his breeders set to offer a full-sister to the exciting juvenile at next year’s yearling sales. “The full-sister that is going to the sale next year, she really fills the eye,” Simon said. “Tony Barron has been very positive in his reports about her. “The mare, Cullen Who, had another filly foal last week, so that was just great to see.” View the full article

Ellerslie is set to host two World Pool meetings in early 2025. Photo: Nicole Troost In a coup for the New Zealand racing industry, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) have announced the arrival of World Pool to two New Zealand thoroughbred meetings in early 2025. In an unprecedented development for the New Zealand racing industry, the Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie in Auckland on January 25 will be the first of the two World Pool meetings in New Zealand, with the second taking place on the newly created Champions Day on March 8, also at Ellerslie. Champions Day is home to four Group One races, including the New Zealand Derby (2400m), Bonecrusher Stakes (2000m), NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and Sistema Stakes (1200m), as well as the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), the richest race for three-year-olds in the Southern Hemisphere. The presence of World Pool leads to increased international viewership as well as providing much larger pools for New Zealand’s TAB customers to bet into. Lachlan Fitt, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Entain Australia and New Zealand, the operators of New Zealand’s TAB, said the announcement reflects the progress made in New Zealand racing in the past 18 months. “World Pool is an exciting opportunity to share the very best of New Zealand racing internationally,” Fitt said. “The benefits of having the thoroughbred racing world firmly focused on New Zealand for these two meetings cannot be underestimated. As well as the advantages that our TAB customers will see, World Pool meetings are a confirmation that New Zealand racing is making its mark on the global stage.” Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the hosts of World Pool, was delighted to welcome New Zealand as a World Pool partner. “New Zealand has a long and rich horseracing history with an outstanding record of producing champion horses, jockeys and trainers on the international stage,” he said. “Not only is New Zealand a proven nursery in terms of equine and human racing talents, but it also boasts a vibrant and respected domestic racing structure crowned by world-class Group One races.” New Zealand-bred thoroughbreds hold a great record in Hong Kong, with the likes of Sunline, Beauty Generation, Vengeance Of Rain, Aerovelocity, Lucky Sweynesse and Werther performing to the highest level in the leading racing jurisdiction. New Zealand-sourced gelding Golden Sixty has been crowned Hong Kong Horse of the Year for the last three seasons, while Kiwi-bred sprinting sensation Ka Ying Rising is proving to be one of the most exciting prospects in Hong Kong ahead of the renowned Hong Kong International Races next month. New Zealand horsemen have also made their mark in Hong Kong, with leading jockey James McDonald currently plying his trade there on a short-term contract following a standout spring in Australia. “New Zealanders James McDonald, Shane Dye, Paul O’Sullivan and Jamie Richards are synonymous with racing excellence and also strongly linked to Hong Kong and it is upon this foundation our World Pool partnership is founded,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said. “New Zealand becomes the ninth racing jurisdiction to have its elite Group One races included in the World Pool operation and, from a personal viewpoint, it is wonderful reflect on the close racing ties shared between New Zealand and Hong Kong. “New Zealand occupies a special place in the international racing ecosystem due to its excellence in breeding and, as a like-minded partner, the New Zealand TAB has been a strong supporter of international commingling, joining the HKJC pools for local races and other international World Pool events since 2019. We very much looked forward to a continuation of this collaboration.” Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Chief Executive Paul Wilcox is excited by the extra international attention the World Pool will bring to two of the Auckland track’s feature meetings. “We can’t wait to host these two meetings, and all the attention that World Pool brings,” he said. “With the addition of World Pool, we’ll be building on the hard work that delivered a game-changing TAB Karaka Millions in 2024 and producing a stunning new raceday on Champions Day.” New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Russell Warwick has welcomed the announcement and said it will be a great addition to the local industry. “To have World Pool operating on not one but two meetings in New Zealand is a great boost for the industry,” he said. “These meetings were already promising to be world-class affairs, and the arrival of World Pool takes them to another level.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, November 20, 2024 First Race 6:40pm HKT (9:40pm AEDT) Visit Dabble The bright lights of Happy Valley Racecourse await punters on Wednesday evening, with a bumper nine-race program set for decision. The rail is in the C course for the meeting, and although there is some light rainfall expected to hit the course proper, it shouldn’t deteriorate from the current Good 4 rating. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 6:40pm HKT. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Storming Dragon The Jamie Richards-trained Storming Dragon continues to be a costly commodity, finding the frame in six of his seven starts without a victory. The son of Star Turn went within a nose of justifying the short price with Neds at this course and distance on November 6, with Beauty Destiny narrowly getting the upper hand in the shadows of the post. James McDonald will do the steering from gate five this time around and should give Storming Dragon every chance to repay the faith for favourite backers. Best Bet Race 5 – #2 Storming Dragon (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: James McDonald (61kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Happy Valley: Silo Silo finished off best of the beaten brigade at Sha Tin on November 9 and appears set to peak heading to Happy Valley for the first time. The Mark Newnham-trained gelding relished the step up to 1600m on that occasion, closing off impressively behind the progressive Voyage Samurai. Luke Ferraris should lob into a handy position from barrier five, and with a strong tempo engaged in this Class 3 contest, watch for Silo to be storming down the centre of the course. Next Best Race 7 – #7 Silo (5) 4yo Colt | T: Mark Newnham | J: Luke Ferraris (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Happy Valley: Gluck Racer Gluck Racer was forced to sustain a long run turning for home at Sha Tin on October 20 and did a good job to close within three lengths of Majestic Express. The son of Super One maps to get a soft run in transit from stall one, and with fitness on his side third-up, punters can expect a peak performance. He’s on the verge of a class drop, but if Gluck Racer can find his peak at the bottom of Class 4 company, this guy will represent terrific each-way value with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 4 – #12 Gluck Racer (1) 7yo Gelding | T: Cody Mo | J: Vincent Ho (54.5kg) Bet with Dabble Wednesday quaddie tips for Happy Valley Happy Valley quadrella selections November 20, 2024 1-4-5-6-8 7-8-12 4-6-7-8-9-12 2-3-4-5-8 Horse racing tips View the full article

Pair of riders get their last chance to qualify for next month’s prestigious competition at city circuit.View the full article

Spacewalk. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The James Cummings-trained Spacewalk is set to line up in the inaugural running of the $1 million Meteorite (1200m) at Cranbourne on Saturday afternoon, with the son of Exosphere being put through his paces at trackwork on Tuesday morning. Stable representative Nacim Dilmi was on course to discuss the work of the Godolphin five-year-old, suggesting he should be ready to peak in the newly scheduled slot race. “He was good,” said Dilmi speaking with Racing.com. “Obviously he’s fourth-up, he was just here to look around the track more than anything, and the way he galloped I’m glad we did take him around. “Cranbourne’s not an easy track so we’re pretty happy with what we’ve seen. “He’s always ran well around tight tracks. He’s fourth-up, fit, and his run last time was pretty good. So we’re confident he’ll run well on Saturday, and it’s good to team up with the Busuttin (Trent) & Nat (Natalie) Young team for the slot.” “Overall it looks like a nice race, but Spacewalk will be right there in the finish.” Horse racing news View the full article

Trainer Joseph Pride. (Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride is gearing up for a potential three-pronged attack on the $1 million The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange this Saturday. Pride has entered Little Dance (1600m) runner-up Estadio Mestalla, recent winner King Of The Castle, and Group 3 victor Lekvarte for the mile feature. Lekvarte comes into the race off a stellar performance two starts back, winning the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. She was last seen finishing sixth behind Atishu in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, a result Pride acknowledged as a step up in class. “It was probably a bit strong for her, that Group 1 standard,” Pride said. “She has never raced as well when I have travelled her; she likes Sydney. I’ve had horses like that, so hopefully Kembla should suit her.” A nine-time winner, Lekvarte remains Pride’s top seed for The Gong. Estadio Mestalla and King Of The Castle, however, also bring compelling form into the race. Estadio Mestalla was narrowly defeated by St Lawrence in the Little Dance at Randwick, while King Of The Castle shouldered 62.5 kilograms to victory in a 1500-metre Benchmark 88 event on the same card. “Coming back off Group 1 standard, Lekvarte will probably be the best of those chances, although it might come down to luck, but they’ve all got a hope,” Pride added. Horse racing news View the full article

Baraqiel. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Jockey Ben Allen remains unfazed by the competition that Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) winner Baraqiel will face in Saturday’s inaugural The Meteorite. Baraqiel, who last ran sixth in the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m), is viewed by connections as facing a more manageable field this weekend. “He’s in really good order,” Allen told Racing.com after a workout at Moonee Valley on Monday. “He’s bright, quite keen—not bad keen, but showing that he’s back to himself. (I) couldn’t fault his work. “After the run at Flemington I was a little disappointed, but you look at it, you’re up against the best sprinters in Australia. He’s probably nearly run a personal best; it’s just harder down the straight—it’s more pressure on the speed. “With his race pattern, you’ve got to be able to absorb pressure that first half and then have something left late. He’s got good early speed, so he’ll be able to put himself in a good spot (on Saturday). “A lot of those that go well are going to have to come from behind. If you kick well off the bend, they can be hard to catch at Cranbourne.” The Will Larkin, Leon, and Troy Corstens-trained gelding, who only began his racing career as a five-year-old last May, is set to be spelled after Saturday with an eye on the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) in the autumn. Horse racing news View the full article

Arkansaw Kid. (Photo: George Sal/Racing Photos) Arkansaw Kid, last month’s Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) runner-up, is set to represent Lindsay Park in Saturday’s inaugural $1 million The Meteorite (1200m) at Cranbourne. The gelding, trained by Ben, Will, and JD Hayes, was confirmed for the 1200-metre slot race on Monday. Arkansaw Kid has not raced since finishing tenth in the $2 million Group 2 Sydney Stakes (1200m) at victory in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington in September. The Meteorite is the first of two new $1 million slot races to be organised by Southside Racing in the coming month, with The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham set for December 21. Horse racing news View the full article

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BlondeBet mobile app review BlondeBet extends its accessibility to Australian users with a mobile app available on both iOS and Android platforms. The BlondeBet apps mirror the website’s smooth, intuitive navigation, offering a seamless experience for bettors on the go. Upon launching the BlondeBet app, users are presented with a home screen that highlights all upcoming races. Sports bettors can quickly locate their preferred markets through dedicated sport tabs at the bottom of the interface. Android users of Blondebet are well catered for, but you will not find the app in the Google Play store, with it available to download directly from the bookie. This is pretty common in online betting and Android apps, with many bookies choosing to host their own app, rather than getting it approved for the Google Play store. The Blondebet iOS app is much the same as the Android app and mobile website, and is available once you have created an account at the bookie. Simply follow the links to download the Blondebet iOS app and you will be redirected to the App Store. Follow the prompts and you will soon have the Blondebet app on your iPhone or iPad. Additionally, customer support on mobile is easily accessible via a knowledgeable live chat team, ready to assist whenever needed. BlondeBet horse racing promotions and offers Scone Races 5 to 8 – Bonus Cash Back BONUS CASH BACK FOR 2ND- Up To $100- Scone Races 5 to 8 BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Compared to its more established competitors, BlondeBet’s promotional offerings are limited. This could be a drawback for users who prioritise bonuses and special offers. Expanding its promotional suite would likely increase BlondeBet’s appeal. Probably the no.1 offer that we have seen on BlondeBet is the BlondeBet boosts, which essentially give you better odds on things like horse races, greyhound races and even sports events. Australians can also take advantage of some bet insurance type promos at BlondeBet, with these popping up from time-to-time. Blondebet AUD deposit and withdrawals BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 1 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. BlondeBet supports multiple deposit methods, including debit cards and PayID, though the withdrawal process is restricted to bank transfers. While this may be inconvenient for some, BlondeBet’s commitment to daily withdrawals is a positive feature for regular punters. Blondebet’s full list of payment options is: PayID Visa Mastercard Debit card BlondeBet Live Streaming of Australian Horse Racing BlondeBet does not currently offer live streaming for racing or sports events. While not a deal-breaker for all, the absence of live streaming can make the experience less engaging, particularly during high-profile meets. BlondeBet customer service and user Care BlondeBet aims to stand out through its customer service, offering a “personal touch” that goes beyond what many competitors provide. Quick response times and friendly service are part of the experience, reflecting a dedication to treating customers with care and respect. You can reach BlondeBet’s customer service via several different means, with these being via their email, support@blondebet.com.au or via their live chat. Both BlondeBet customer service have been reliable in our experiences testing for this review. If we had one criticism surrounding BlondeBet’s customer service it’s that they don’t support telephone calls. Pros & cons of using BlondeBet BlondeBet.com.au has got various pros and cons, with some of the key ones being: Pros: Competitive odds for racing markets. User-friendly interface. “Blonde Boosts” for enhanced odds. Emphasis on responsive customer service. Quick account verification process. Establishing its reputation as a newer bookmaker Cons: No live streaming for racing/sports events. Limited withdrawal options. Few promotional offers. Blondebet Review summary BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 1 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. BlondeBet brings unique elements to the horse racing scene, emphasising user experience, competitive odds, and customer service. While there is room for growth, particularly with BlondeBet’s promotions and live streaming, its focus on delivering value to racing enthusiasts is evident. BlondeBet has the potential to become a preferred option for punters who prioritise a straightforward, quality-driven betting experience. However, for those seeking extensive promotions and live event coverage, other bookmakers may still hold an edge. Overall, Horsebetting.com.au heavily rerecommends racing aficionados who want a mix of innovative features and traditional bookmaking strengths to use BlondeBet, with room to watch its future evolution. Our Blondebet review was last updated in 2024. View the full article

Seven New York-bred 2-year-olds were sent to the post for the $45,000 Tin Cup Chalice Stakes at Finger Lakes Nov. 18 and after a thrilling stretch run, it was Cast a Coin who would tenaciously come out the victor.View the full article

This week, ahead of this week’s sales, Michael is at the Ready to Run Breeze Ups, for a behind the scenes look, chat, and deeper dive into them. And what now for the likes of Alabama Lass and Captured By Love after the 1000 Guineas? Guerin Report – Ep. 12, Ready To Run Sales Preview View the full article

In a coup for the New Zealand racing industry, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) have announced the arrival of World Pool to two New Zealand thoroughbred meetings in early 2025. In an unprecedented development for the New Zealand racing industry, the TAB Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie in Auckland on January 25 will be the first of the two World Pool meetings in New Zealand, with the second taking place on the newly created Champions Day on March 8, also at Ellerslie. Champions Day is home to four Group One races, including the Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m), Bonecrusher Stakes (2000m), NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and Sistema Stakes (1200m), as well as the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), the richest race for three-year-olds in the Southern Hemisphere. The presence of World Pool leads to increased international viewership as well as providing much larger pools for New Zealand’s TAB customers to bet into. Lachlan Fitt, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Entain Australia and New Zealand, the operators of New Zealand’s TAB, said the announcement reflects the progress made in New Zealand racing in the past 18 months. “World Pool is an exciting opportunity to share the very best of New Zealand racing internationally,” Fitt said. “The benefits of having the thoroughbred racing world firmly focused on New Zealand for these two meetings cannot be underestimated. As well as the advantages that our TAB customers will see, World Pool meetings are a confirmation that New Zealand racing is making its mark on the global stage.” Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the hosts of World Pool, was delighted to welcome New Zealand as a World Pool partner. “New Zealand has a long and rich horseracing history with an outstanding record of producing champion horses, jockeys and trainers on the international stage,” he said. “Not only is New Zealand a proven nursery in terms of equine and human racing talents, but it also boasts a vibrant and respected domestic racing structure crowned by world-class Group One races.” New Zealand-bred thoroughbreds hold a great record in Hong Kong, with the likes of Sunline, Beauty Generation, Vengeance Of Rain, Aerovelocity, Lucky Sweynesse and Werther performing to the highest level in the leading racing jurisdiction. New Zealand-sourced gelding Golden Sixty has been crowned Hong Kong Horse of the Year for the last three seasons, while Kiwi-bred sprinting sensation Ka Ying Rising is proving to be one of the most exciting prospects in Hong Kong ahead of the renowned Hong Kong International Races next month. New Zealand horsemen have also made their mark in Hong Kong, with leading jockey James McDonald currently plying his trade there on a short-term contract following a standout spring in Australia. “New Zealanders James McDonald, Shane Dye, Paul O’Sullivan and Jamie Richards are synonymous with racing excellence and also strongly linked to Hong Kong and it is upon this foundation our World Pool partnership is founded,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said. “New Zealand becomes the ninth racing jurisdiction to have its elite Group One races included in the World Pool operation and, from a personal viewpoint, it is wonderful reflect on the close racing ties shared between New Zealand and Hong Kong. “New Zealand occupies a special place in the international racing ecosystem due to its excellence in breeding and, as a like-minded partner, the New Zealand TAB has been a strong supporter of international commingling, joining the HKJC pools for local races and other international World Pool events since 2019. We very much looked forward to a continuation of this collaboration.” Auckland Thoroughbred Racing Chief Executive Paul Wilcox is excited by the extra international attention the World Pool will bring to two of the Auckland track’s feature meetings. “We can’t wait to host these two meetings, and all the attention that World Pool brings,” he said. “With the addition of World Pool, we’ll be building on the hard work that delivered a game-changing TAB Karaka Millions in 2024 and producing a stunning new raceday on Champions Day.” New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Russell Warwick has welcomed the announcement and said it will be a great addition to the local industry. “To have World Pool operating on not one but two meetings in New Zealand is a great boost for the industry,” he said. “These meetings were already promising to be world-class affairs, and the arrival of World Pool takes them to another level.” For more information: worldpool.hkjc.com View the full article

Wentwood Grange savoured a trans-Tasman double at the weekend and the Hawkins family will be looking for further reasons to celebrate at this week’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. They bred and race impressive Tauranga winner Miss Bo Peep (NZ) (Astern) and also bred and sold Group performer Harlow Mist (NZ) (Contributer), successful at the feature Newcastle meeting. Wentwood will be hoping that roll continues into the two-year-old sale when they offer a pair of youngsters by Hello Youmzain and Almanzor deep into Thursday’s session at Karaka. Astern four-year-old Miss Bo Peep was untested on Saturday to account for her Rating 65 rivals over 1200 metres and now has consecutive wins from three outings for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott. She is a daughter of Wentwood’s Gr.1 Railway (1200m) winner Miss Raggedy Ann, who unfortunately died foaling Miss Bo Peep. “It was a great shame, but she gave us a lovely filly and when she was born, she was obviously never going to go to a sale,” Dean Hawkins said. “Lance and Andrew got her for obvious reasons because they trained the mother.” Miss Bo Beep had won her previous start at New Plymouth, a venue where Miss Raggedy Ann broke her maiden and subsequently joined elite level company with her boil over win in the Railway. “She came down the outside, Tasha Collett rode her, and she paid about 100-1 and we had a little bit on her,” Hawkins said. Contributer four-year-old Harlow Mist has now won four of her 13 starts from John Sargent’s Randwick stable and was also third in last season’s Gr.3 Wakeful Stakes (2000m). “She’s a quality mare and showed a lot as a spring three-year-old and it was great to see her win that Midway so impressively,” Hawkins said. She is out of the late Cullen mare Sila Jasak, who won on three occasions and was twice placed at black type level. She was a daughter of the three-time Group One winner Grand Archway and a half-sister to stakes winning siblings Stand Tall and Seul Amour. Harlow Mist was sold by Wentwood to Tricolours Racing & Syndications at Karaka for $85,000. “It was a shame to have also lost Contributer, we had a share in him,” Hawkins said. They do have a daughter of Sila Jasak in the Preferment mare Preferential, who has won three times for trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes and will join their broodmare band at the end of her career. Meanwhile, Wentwood’s pair of juveniles will be offered during the second session of the Ready to Run Sale through the draft of Pertab Racing. “We’ve got a Hello Youmzain colt and an Almanzor gelding and Kurtis has done a great job with them, so we’ll see how they go,” Dean Hawkins said. The Hello Youmzain, Lot 335, boasts a pedigree close to Wentwood hearts with her dam the Stravinsky mare Crescendo, a half-sister to Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) winner Leigh Valley who produced the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) winner Valley Girl. The son of Almanzor, Lot 392, is a half-brother to the multiple winner and Gr.1 Diamond Stakes (1200m) placegetter O’Rachael with their dam the Snippetson mare Guessed. View the full article

The Waikato Thoroughbred Racing (WTR) board has announced that members have agreed to undertake further work towards securing a single fit-for-purpose site for racing and training in the Waikato. This announcement follows endorsement by WTR members at its AGM yesterday and is the result of extensive feasibility studies and independent assessments to identify a sustainable option that will meet the long-term needs of the racing industry. “A Greenfield site will not only centralise our operations but also futureproof the entire racing ecosystem in the Waikato region,” WTR board chairman Bruce Harvey said. Harvey said the options considered under the feasibility study included various combinations of racing and training locations, with the Greenfield site emerging as the most realistic and beneficial option. “The decision to pursue a Greenfield site was influenced by several factors, including the financial operation of the current sites, the challenges of training at Cambridge into the future due to new housing developments, and the need for a self-sustaining operation,” he said. The Board identified several other factors that contributed to the decision to go for an entirely new site, including: bringing together the expertise and strength of the local racing fraternity into one centralised location creates a fit-for-purpose venue designed for training and racing provides a ‘super-hub’ for other horse-related activities and users creating a modern functions and events centre as part of the development that can be used to generate additional income. The new Greenfield site is likely to be located within a triangle between Hamilton, Te Awamutu and Cambridge and work will begin immediately to narrow down options that could potentially meet WTR needs. “The criteria for the Greenfield site includes having excellent access to major transport routes, flat land with good soil and a reliable water supply,” Harvey said. WTR is running an open process to find the best opportunity for a Greenfield site and has engaged Bayleys to lead this process. A shortlist of possible options is expected to be considered in the first quarter of 2025. A due diligence process will be undertaken on the preferred site. As part of this process a formal business case will be prepared around de-risking the project and there is still significant work to be undertaken to be able to address the total project funding. This business case will be presented to members for consideration in October 2025. Harvey said a new site would eventually replace the racing and training venues in Te Rapa, Cambridge and Waipa. View the full article

Longtime track superintendent Juan Meza will be retained by Woodbine Entertainment as a Racing Surfaces Consultant, the track said on Monday. Meza served as the track superintendent at Golden Gate Fields for over two decades up until the track ceased operations this past June. Like Woodbine, Golden Gate Fields held racing on a Tapeta (all-weather) racing surface, installing the synthetic track in 2007. Meza's brings an extensive knowledge in Tapeta to Woodbine and has worked closely alongside the surface manufacturer (Tapeta Footings). “The safety and well-being of both our equine athletes and human participants is our top priority,” said Bill Ford, Executive Vice President of Racing, Woodbine Entertainment. “We are pleased to have Mr. Meza available to assist in our ongoing efforts and commitment to maintain the highest safety standards. We will continue to work closely with the HBPA and AGCO to ensure the safest possible conditions for all involved.” Meza will work in coordination with Ryan Stafford, Director of Racing Surfaces, to maintain the safe condition of the Tapeta surface and support the Racing Surfaces team. Following a pair of horse deaths on the Nov. 9 program, Woodbine officials were forced to cancel the last two races, including the GIII Autumn Stakes, which was postponed to this past weekend. As a precautionary measure, the live card scheduled for the following afternoon was canceled. Discussions and evaluations took place during the week and the track was given the go-ahead to resume racing Nov. 14 and it continued through the weekend. In a separate incident deemed unrelated to track conditions, a horse was eased during the Saturday finale at Woodbine and was ultimately euthanized. The post Meza To Consult On Racing Surfaces at Woodbine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Senor Buscador (Mineshaft), whose career was highlighted by a win in this year's $20-million G1 Saudi Cup, will join the stallion ranks in 2025, but, first the owners plan to race him twice more before he heads to stud. He is slated to run in the Dec. 7 GII Cigar Mile H. at Aqueduct and then the Jan. 25 GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream before beginning his stallion career. The story was first reported by Horse Racing Nation. “The horse is training really well,” breeder and majority owner Joey Peacock said. “We thought he ran a creditable race in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He beat nine very talented horses. He just couldn't catch the other four. The Beyer figures came back pretty nice, at a 103 for him. He's been training really well and these races are coming up pretty fast. We thought it would be worthwhile to give him the opportunity to keep going forward and get in a couple more nice races. Things can always change with a horse. If we wake up one morning and say this doesn't feel right then we won't push things. We never have with him. This is the same path he took last year. He ran in the Breeders' Cup and then the Cigar and then the Pegasus. He just seemed to be getting better at this time of year. The horse is doing great. We'd just like to give him two more chances to go out and run in two big races.” Wins in the Cigar Mile and Pegasus will not mean that Senor Buscador will remain in training. “He's going to be seven and although he was fairly lightly raced for a 7-year-old because he missed so much of his 3- and 4-year-old years,” Peacock said. “I just feel that after Pegasus there's not anything immediately in front of us other than going to the Middle East again. To do that again would be asking too much of the horse at this stage in his career.” Peacock said he has not yet reached an agreement with a stud farm, but believes he is getting close. “We've already started buying mares for him,” Peacock said. “We're excited about his next career and looking forward to seeing what his babies can do for us. I think we're getting pretty close and are in discussions with some farms but nothing we can announce at this point.” During the recently concluded Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, an entity called Senor Buscador Mares purchased eight horses for $477,000, with a top price of $95,000. Senor Buscador, who is trained by Todd Fincher, has been a modern day Silky Sullivan. He has no early speed, usually drops back several lengths behind the leaders and then makes a run. Sometimes it got him to wire first and sometimes it did not. “This horse has taken us all over the U.S. and then halfway around the world to compete on the world stage with the best horses on the planet,” Peacock said. “It doesn't get any better than that. It's been a phenomenal ride. He's the type of horse who always put a solid effort in. His running style is a heart attack for the owners. But it's a lot of fun to watch when it works. It's always thrilling, it's always dramatic, it's always fun. But we know he makes things hard for himself because of his running style.” To this point in his career, Senor Buscador sports a record of 7-2-3 from 22 starts and earnings of $12,941,427. His other graded wins came in the GII San Diego H. and the GIII Ack Ack S. He was also third in this year's G1 Dubai World Cup. The post Senor Buscador To Have Two More Starts Before Being Retired appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dual-surface Grade I winner War of Will (War Front–Visions of Clarity {Ire}, by Sadler's Wells), the sire of 14 individual winners from his first crop to the races in 2024, will stand the 2025 breeding season for $20,000 LFSN, officials at Claiborne Farm announced Monday. Victorious in the GI Preakness Stakes on the dirt and the GI Maker's Mark Mile on the grass, War of Will is the second-leading freshman sire by turf winner and earnings and has been represented to date by three stakes horses She's Got Will, My Emmy and Garden of War. War of Will is the sire of seven juveniles that sold in excess of $100,000 during this season's breeze-up sales, including a colt out of Sunday Sonnet (Any Given Saturday) that was hammered down for $400,000 at OBS April. Members of his second crop include a daughter of Star Silver (Aldebaran) who was purchased by Ken McPeek for $230,000 at Fasig-Tipton October. The post War of Will To Stand for $20,000 In 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Victory Racing Partners' More Than Looks (More Than Ready–Ladies' Privilege, by Harlan's Holiday), who most recently stormed home from the back of the field to win the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar, has been retired from racing and will enter stud at William S. Farish's Lane's End in 2025. He will command an introductory fee of $15,000, live foal, stands and nurses terms. Bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms, More Than Looks was acquired by Victory Racing Partners for $135,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale and was turned over to trainer Cherie DeVaux. A maiden winner in his first start going long over the Gulfstream synthetic surface at his second career appearance in March 2023, More Than Looks was the impressive winner of the GIII Manila Stakes in his black-type debut that July and, following a third to 'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in the GIII Hall of Fame Stakes, rolled home in the Jefferson Cup Stakes at Churchill Downs. Dealt a miserable draw for the 2023 Breeders' Cup Mile, the dark bay came with a flying finish to miss by two lengths in a bunched finish. More Than Looks made his 4-year-old debut against Carl Spackler in the GI Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga, racing freely off the layoff before charging home into second. A troubled runner-up to his arch-rival in the GI Coolmore Turf Mile Oct. 5, More Than Looks got his revenge at Del Mar Nov. 2, jumping out of the ground in the final furlong to take it by three-parts of a length while posting a career-best 105 Beyer Speed Figure. “He's an eye-catching horse that showed elite ability from day one,” said DeVaux. “His explosive turn of foot and competitive nature led to consistency at the highest level, and ultimately resulted in him becoming a Breeders' Cup champion.” The most recent of his much-missed sire's 27 international Grade I/Group 1 winners, More Than Looks is out of a stakes-winning full-sister to three-time graded winner Takeover Target who was purchased by Hinkle Farms for $575,000 at Keeneland November in 2019 with More Than Looks in utero. The Grade I-winning dirt distaffer Critical Eye (Dynaformer) appears under the third dam. More Than Looks is now available for inspection at Lane's End. Contact Chris Knehr (cknehr@lanesend.com) or Jill McCully (jillmac@lanesend.com) to set up an appointment or for additional information. The post Breeders’ Cup Mile Winner More Than Looks Retired To Lane’s End, To Stand For $15,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After all the Group 1 action and the prestige of Addington’s biggest carnival of the year there’s a change of pace for the next week, though no shortage of harness racing action. There will be seven meetings in six days right across the country, with Manawatu hosting the first of its two meetings tonight with the feature being the $20,000 Wairarapa Cup. Sandwiched between the two meetings is Rangiora on Wednesday with Invercargill and Auckland on Friday. The meeting at Alexandra Park will feature the latest round of the $16,000 Northern Metro heats for the Pacers and Trotters. There will be two heats of each before the $30,000 Finals at the Park on Friday November 29. Timaru will see the running of the Timaru Nursery Stake for the two-year-olds on Saturday before the week finishes on the grass at Motukarara on Sunday. Arna Donnelly has big hand in Wairarapa Cup By Brigette Solomon Country Cups racing continues in the north and Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly has a trio of runners set to contest the Connie Stewart NZ Sotheby’s Int Realty $20,000 Wairarapa Cup today at Manawatu. Her three runners Rough And Ready, Bad Medicine, and Red Rackham, all who have good form on the track. “They’re all well and I think they should all go good races,” says Donnelly, “they’ve all been racing well and Rough And Ready has enjoyed a freshen up after some tough racing in Auckland.” A winner of 15 races, Rough And Ready has a strong record with two wins and four placings from his six starts at the Central Districts track. He starts tonight from barrier four and is driven by in-form junior driver Crystal Hackett. “I guess you could say he’s a bit of a course specialist here, he’s nice and fresh and he’ll certainly appreciate the drop back in class to what he’s been racing in Auckland,” says Donnelly, “I think he’s possibly my best chance tonight.” Bad Medicine, driven tonight by Jay Abernethy, is another who boasts an excellent record in the CD and was the winner of the 2023 Wairarapa and Manawatu Cups. The Bettor’s Delight gelding finished second here in his last start after sitting parked for the majority of the race and was beaten a length by Gotta Elect Bill who also starts in the Wairarapa Cup tonight. “He’s another with a good record on this track and he’s such an honest horse that always tries his best, so I expect he’ll give a good performance,” says Donnelly. Donnelly’s third runner is Red Rackham, a horse who has recently come into his own having won five times in his last eight starts. The Vincent gelding has had just one start at Manawatu where he finished third on November 4. Driven tonight by Andre Poutama, Red Rackham starts from barrier six. “It will be tricky for him tonight from the draw and he’s racing horses that have a fair bit more experience than him and are pretty seasoned,” says Donnelly, “but he did race well last week and if he gets a good drag into the race he should still give a good account of himself.” Racing gets underway tonight at 5.08pm with the Connie Stewart NZ Sotheby’s Int Realty Wairarapa Cup (R4) at 6.29pm. View the full article

Tourist (Tiznow–Unbridled Melody, by Unbridled's Song), upset winner of the 2016 GI Breeders' Cup Mile, has been sold to Fazli Yurdabak and will continue his stallion career at Izmit Stallion Complex in Turkey in 2025. The deal was brokered by Bowling Bloodstock's Matt Bowling and Murat Sancal. Also victorious in the GI Fourstardave Handicap, the 13-year-old entered stud at his part-owner's WinStar Farm in 2018, accounting for nine stakes winners from his five American crops of racing age, including GIII Valedictory Stakes winner Wentru. He is also the sire of Chilean Group 3 hero El Mentalista (Chi). Tourist relocated to Rockridge Stud in Hudson, New York, for the 2023 breeding season. Tourist will do a period of quarantine at Sancal Racing at Elmendorf Farm in Lexington prior to his export. The post Dual Grade I Winner Tourist Moving To Turkey appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There are four horse racing meetings set for Australia on Tuesday, November 19. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Scone. Tuesday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – November 19, 2024 Scone Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on November 19, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting pickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article