Wandering Eyes

Local jockey aims to continue bright beginning to campaign in Sunday’s Celebration Cup (1,400m).View the full article

“Magic Man” Joao Moreira stated he needed to prove himself at Caulfield before doing just that when steering Buckaroo to an emphatic Underwood Stakes win. View the full article

A crowd of some 30,000 is expected to descend on Sha Tin for the three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year’s farewell on Sunday.View the full article

Autumn Glow cruising to victory in the Tea Rose Stakes. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Autumn Glow ($2.10) has cruised to victory in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, keeping her undefeated record intact while securing favouritism for the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m). James McDonald took all luck out of the equation from barrier eight, electing to go and sit outside the leader, with the Michael Freedman-trained Manaal ($3.60) forced to lead in a race devoid of a natural leader. It allowed the pair to stride out under steady sectionals throughout the 1400m, while Ameena ($10.00) was dragged back to avoid a speed battle from barrier nine. Lazzura ($13.00) got a lovely spot behind the leading pair, while the well-supported Snow In May ($13.00) got into a good rhythm towards the inside running rail. As soon as McDonald pulled the persuader in the home staright, there was only one horse you wanted to be on, with Autumn Glow building the revs to career away from her rivals in the concluding stages, leaving Snow In May, Manaal and Lazzura to battle out the minor money. 2024 Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes Replay – Autumn Glow Chris Waller was pleased with the adaptability she showed on Saturday, ridden out of her comfort zone to score impressively. “We rode her a little bit closer today,” said Waller. “There were no instructions. We just said to James, ‘Make sure she’s happy and comfortable,’ and James said, ‘She’s got a beautiful action (and) I’m not going to take it away from her. So just have her comfortable, and that’s what he did. “She’s probably a little bit foreign in that territory, but she’s all class. And if we get a perfect draw in the flight stakes, we can go back to riding her where we need to if she’s comfortable. “She’s improving with each run, being trained that way. We’ve got one race to go. I don’t think we’ll go too far beyond that.” James McDonald was impressed with the feel she gave him throughout and suggested there was still plenty of upside. “She’s very good,” said McDonald. “She’s just so economical in her action. She’s got a great constitution, good strength about her (and a) really good mind. She’ll keep improving, too. “It is to Chris’ credit. He said, ‘you ride her, you’re on top, you go with her. I’ve got as much faith in the filly as I do you.’ “She’s got all the class in the world. Have a look at her.” Autumn Glow is now the clear favourite at $1.80 with horse racing bookmakers for the Flight Stakes on October 5. Horse racing news View the full article

What Nowra Races Where Shoalhaven City Turf Club – 96 Albatross Rd, South Nowra NSW 2541 When Sunday, September 22, 2024 First Race 1:20pm AEST Visit Dabble Country racing heads to Nowra on Sunday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program awaits punters. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with perfect spring conditions forecast across the weekend, participants can expect a genuine Good 4 surface for race-day. All the action is set to kick-off at 1:20pm local time. Best Bet at Nowra: Here Comes Hogan Here Comes Hogan appears poised for back-to-back wins after a dominant front-running effort at Scone on August 19. He only had to beat two other runners on that occasion but put them away stylishly to break his maiden status. His tick-over trial at Warwick Farm on September 13 has kept him up to the mark, and with this BM58 lacking depth on paper, Here Comes Hogan should justify the short price with online bookmakers in the opening event. Best Bet Race 1 – #3 Here Comes Hogan (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Matthew Smith | J: Jean Van Overmeire (60.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Nowra: Sunrise Sunrise looks set to peak third-up for the Mitchell Beer barn. The New Zealand import didn’t shirk the task on Australian debut behind Alabama State at Hawkesbury on August 22, and although she was beaten by 6.8 lengths, she followed it up with an eye-catching performance at the same track and trip to close within 1.5 lengths of Opal Fields. An extra 100m should be ideal, and with Blake Spriggs set to get a lovely run with cover from barrier seven, Sunrise should be looming large in shadows of the post. Next Best Race 5 – #1 Sunrise (7) 3yo Filly | T: Mitchell Beer | J: Blake Spriggs (59.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Nowra: Heir Jordan Heir Jordan returns after a 130-day spell and brings an element of class to this BM58 contest. He doesn’t have a strong first-up profile; however, his form last preparation is simply too good to ignore, with his latest effort on the Kensington circuit at Randwick on May 15 behind Frankly Elegant particularly catching the eye. Madison Waters will have no choice but to drag back from barrier 12, but provided she can navigate into the clear at a crucial stage, the $10.00 available with online bookmakers will look a big price as they turn for home. Best Value Race 6 – #1 Heir Jordan (12) 5yo Gelding | T: Luke Musson | J: Madison Waters (a2kg) (61.5kg) Bet with Dabble Sunday quaddie tips for Nowra Nowra quadrella selections September 22, 2024 6-11 1-2-7 1-2-4-6-7 1-4-8-11-12-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Well-related filly Lilac has wasted little time in adding valuable black type to her CV, landing Saturday’s A$175,000 Listed NJT Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in only the fourth start of her career. A graduate of Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore draft at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka, Lilac is trained by Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald and kicked off her career with a win, a second and a fourth from three starts in Sydney. Neasham and Archibald sent her south for a shot at Saturday’s Listed feature, and Lilac rose to the occasion in style. After tracking the front-running Too Darn Lizzie up to the home turn, Lilac quickened at the top of the straight and took charge. Declichy Boulevard flashed home in the last 50m to provide a late scare, but Lilac held her out by a short head. The rest of the field finished more than two lengths behind the first two. “I felt like I had the leader covered the whole way and she was nice and relaxed, sitting a length and a half off,” jockey Mark Zahra said. “It was just a matter of her quickening when I asked her, and she did. She’s pretty sharp.” Lilac has now had four starts for two wins, a placing and A$145,875. She races in the colours of syndicators Champion Thoroughbreds, with Coolmore also sharing in the ownership. “This is the first horse we’ve had with Champion Thoroughbreds, and it’s great to have Coolmore in the ownership as well,” Neasham said. “It’s really satisfying to get a stakes win for them with a filly of this quality. “Obviously you hope she might be able to get up over a mile, because that’s the distance of the Group One races later in the spring (Flight Stakes and Thousand Guineas). But I’ve always slightly had my doubts because she’s sharp. She puts herself up on speed. Physically, she’s still got a bit of a way to go. She’s quite a slender filly with the best still ahead of her. “Most importantly, we’ve got the stakes win today, so the pressure’s off in that regard. But hopefully she can build on her CV from here on in. I’m just delighted for all the connections.” Lilac was bred by Katom and is by one of the world’s hottest stallions in Justify. Her dam is Paulownia, who raced in the Coolmore colours and was trained by Jamie Richards to finish second in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham in 2018. Paulownia is also a full-sister to Group One winner and sire Foxwedge. Offered by Curraghmore in Book 1 of Karaka 2023, Lilac was bought by Champion Thoroughbreds and Annabel Neasham Racing for $300,000. View the full article

Hunterville gelding Jay Bee Gee is going from strength to strength as a spring seven-year-old, collecting the first two black-type wins of his career within the first two months of the 2024-25 season. The son of Complacent had showed promising signs with five wins from 17 starts as a five and six-year-old, but he hit new heights when he edged out Freeze Frame and Bradman in a thrilling three-way photo finish to the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton on August 3. Saturday’s Gr.3 Hunterville Vet Club Metric Mile (1600m) at Wanganui saw Jay Bee Gee double his black-type tally, and this performance painted a very different picture to last month’s Winter Cup nail-biter. This time Jay Bee Gee and jockey Kelly Myers strode to the lead within the first 100m of the race and dominated every moment of the Metric Mile from that point on. Bradman briefly loomed on the outside and lodged a challenge coming down the side of the track, but then Myers cranked Jay Bee Gee up around the corner and turned him loose. Jay Bee Gee put three or four lengths on the field within a few powerful bounds at the top of the straight, and the result of the $100,000 feature was immediately put beyond any doubt. Chase and Master Marko finished strongly out of the pack to eat into the margin in the last 100m, but Jay Bee Gee had his ears pricked and plenty left in the tank as he crossed the finish line a length and three-quarters in front of them. The Metric Mile was the third win on the Wanganui card for Myers, who had guided Landlock and Wire Rope to debut victories earlier in the afternoon. Myers has taken special satisfaction from riding Jay Bee Gee to this season’s two Group Three victories for trainer Adrian Bull, who shares ownership with his son Harry. Myers has ridden dozens of winners in Bull’s distinctive emerald green and gold colours, including the Gr.1 Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) with Nashville in 2013. “He (Jay Bee Gee) is special, and the Bulls are a special family,” Myers said. “It’s so, so nice to win in these colours. “I was happy to sit outside Tobias today, but then I thought, you know what? He only has 53.5kg, so we’ll take the bull by the horns. The inside part of the track was still good, so it worked out. “He pulled himself up something chronic halfway up the straight. He thought it was Sunday and pricked his ears and loafed to the line. He had a lot more up his sleeve. I don’t know whether we should put some blinkers on going forward, but he’s a talented horse going through the grades.” Jay Bee Gee was bred by Sir Peter Vela’s Pencarrow Thoroughbreds and is out of the remarkable Pins mare Huluava, whose nine winners from nine foals to race also include the dual Listed winner William Wallace. Jay Bee Gee is one of three winners in New Zealand so far this season for Huluava, along with talented Pencarrow homebreds Harmonious and Branciforti. Another of Hulava’s progeny, the unraced Hirondelle, is dam of last year’s Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) winner Pignan. Jay Bee Gee was offered by Bradbury Park in Book 2 of Karaka 2019, where Harry Bull bought him for $26,000. From a 22-race career, Jay Bee Gee has recorded seven wins and five placings and has earned $240,960. View the full article

Underrated galloper Shamus bounced back to his very best form as he provided a massive upset when taking out the feature flat event at Ellerslie on Saturday, the Almanzor – Proven Value (1400m). All eyes were focussed on the resumption of glamour mare Orchestral who was recently voted Champion Three-Year-Old and Champion Stayer at the 2024 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards, while Group One winner Campionessa was also amongst a talent-packed line-up. The Moira and Kieran Murdoch-prepared six-year-old slipped under the radar despite winning the Waipu Cup (1400m) two starts back at Ruakaka and then going a bold race for fourth at the same venue behind talented mare Malt Time. Punters sent the son of Shamexpress out at a juicy $31 on the Fixed Odds market as apprentice Ace Lawson-Carroll produced a heady front-running ride despite spending some petrol to assume pacemaking duties after jumping from barrier 13. Shamus kicked strongly when asked for an effort at the 300m and clung grimly to a half-length margin over the final stages as Rudyard, Campionessa and former Hong Kong galloper Meaningful Star charged at him in a blanket finish. Moira Murdoch was thrilled to have owners Noel and Ron Stanley on-course to witness the victory after they sent her the horse from original trainer Allan Sharrock earlier this year to take advantage of the Murdoch’s access to beach training facilities. “It was a super win as he drew 13 and we thought do we scratch in that quality of field,” Murdoch said. “It was really nice as Ace just seems to have a way with him as he lets him be himself. “He loves this surface at Ellerslie as we brought him to the jumpouts and he revelled in it as it is nice and smooth with a little bounce in it. “We’d like to step him up in distance now as Ron is keen on that. “We thought we would kick off here and I actually would have been thrilled if he had only weighed in, but there you go.” By Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress, Shamus was bred by the Carter family under their Jomara Bloodstock banner and was purchased for $85,000 by Allan Sharrock out of the Woburn Farm draft at the 2020 NZB Ready To Run sale. He has now won eight of his 18 starts and over $278,000 in prizemoney. Supporters who backed Orchestral into the $2 favourite for the race would have been disappointed she didn’t pay a dividend, however her performance would have delighted connections as she settled second-last in the 13-horse field before running on strongly to finish eighth less than two lengths from the winner in a perfect pipe-opener to her campaign. View the full article

Awapuni trainer Roydon Bergerson produced an early highlight at Wanganui on Saturday when his speedsters Farravallo and Reign It In quinellaed the feature 1200m contest on the card, the H&T Agronomics/Agricom Open (1200m). Farravallo, who had put back-to-back victories together before blotting his copybook at Hastings earlier in the month, started the $7.70 third favourite for the event with last start Otaki winner Reign It In allowed to drift to an attractive $14.10 on the tote by punters. Bergerson had exuded some confidence when interviewed about the chances of the pair before the race, but felt Reign It In would be hardest to beat although he didn’t dispel the chances of Farravallo despite him making the jump from rating75 company to open class. Farravallo led clearly for rider Kavish Chowdhoory after a brilliant beginning, with Reign It In and rider Wiremu Pinn stalking him in his slipstream. Farravallo kicked clear at the top of the straight and looked to be holding his rivals comfortably, however he began to wander around in the final 200m as Reign It In closed to within a neck at the line with a huge late lunge. The drama didn’t end there as the protest siren sounded with an enquiry opened after Pinn alleged Reign It In had been denied victory as Farravallo moved wider on the track in the closing stages. After considerable deliberations the placings were upheld by the Judicial Committee and Farravallo kept the victory. Bergerson was feeling a little conflicted when the protest siren went and wasn’t sure how he wanted things to be resolved. “I’ve never been in that situation before as we train Farravallo for Ian (Farrelly) and one of my best mates Chris Rutten, while my kids own the second horse,” Bergerson said. “We are heading to a party for Chris tonight as he is turning 65 so I guess it is the best result in the end although my family might not agree with me. “He (Farravallo) is a very fast horse on wet tracks but he was stepping up to open company for the first time today so you couldn’t be over-confident and the other bloke is also very talented on wet tracks. “I’m really pleased for both of them and I think the winning of the race was when Khavish snuck that break at the 600m. “I’m not too sure where they will go next, but with this spring weather we could keep getting these sorts of tracks for a few more weeks at least, so we will find something for them both.” Bred by a group that includes the late Trevor McKee and Sir Colin Meads, Farravallo was purchased for $20,000 by Rutten out of the Haunui Farm draft during the Book 2 sale at Karaka in 2022. He has now won four of his 16 starts for just over $108,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Wire Rope winning the MDN 3YO (1200m) on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Victories with a pair of promising first-starters at Wanganui on Saturday provided jockey Kelly Myers with the 50th and 51st wins of her career at the track. Myers brought up her Wanganui half-century with a hard-fought win aboard Landlock in the opening race on Saturday’s card, the Pilet Contracting/Pioneer Seeds 2YO (800m). Little was known about the northern raider, who had no trials before being sent south by Matamata trainer Cody Cole to make his debut in Saturday’s $40,000 juvenile dash. But after settling in third behind the front-running Princess Elsa and Ensign Area, Landlock kicked through on the inside of that pair to boldly stake his claim at the corner. Princess Elsa saw him coming and lifted again, and that pair pulled ahead of the rest of the field to fight out a head-bobbing finish. Landlock prevailed by a nose, with Princess Elsa finishing three and a quarter lengths in front of the third-placed Almakeitgood. “He hadn’t had any trials leading into this, and I think Cody was almost using this race as a bit of a trial,” Myers said. “The horse has a bit of improvement in him and has obviously got a lot of ability as well.” Cole paid just $20,000 to buy Landlock from Woburn Farm’s Book 2 draft at Karaka 2024. The gelding is Karaka Millions-eligible, and the $23,000 stake he won on Saturday takes him straight to the top of the order of entry for the rich Ellerslie sprint in late January. Landlock is by Merchant Navy out of the winning Lonhro mare Blue Blue Sky, whose three winners from four foals to race also include the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m) winner Bright Blue Sky and the talented Mr Blue Sky. Just over half an hour after Landlock’s winning debut, Myers struck again with fellow first-starter Wire Rope in the Maiden 3YO (1200m). The Bill Thurlow-trained gelding had placed in one of his three trials before Saturday’s debut, and the three-year-old produced an impressive come-from-behind performance in his first raceday assignment. Myers rode a patient race at the back of the field behind a slow pace, then cruised up behind the leaders just before the home turn. Wire Rope bounded up alongside Librero and Sand Point, then quickened stylishly and drew away through the final 300m to win by four lengths. “I was pretty confident on the corner,” Myers said. “The race worked out really well for him. He’s obviously a first-starter and still has a bit to learn, but he has plenty of raw ability.” Bought by Thurlow’s brother Grant for $40,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2023, Wire Rope is by Darci Brahma out of Halobelle, whose eight wins included the Listed Gore Guineas (1355m) and Hazlett Stakes (1200m). Halobelle is the dam of four winners from four foals to race, including Group 3 winner Miss Federer and the Listed-placed Starlight Angel. “He’s a progressive horse and he went well today,” Thurlow said. “We had to trial him on Wednesday because he’d been a bit naughty at Woodville before that, but that was all fine. We were pretty confident that he’d run well today. “He seemed to travel beautifully the whole way. He settled well, then peeled out in the straight and won nicely. “I think he’s got a future. We’ll go race-by-race with him for now, we haven’t set anything for him yet, but I think there’ll be a nice race in him somewhere.” Horse racing news View the full article

Nest Egg winning the OPN HCP (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) The 2023 Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) runner-up Nest Egg showed he was right on track to head south later in the spring to try and go one better in the race a year later after he scored a stylish victory at Ellerslie on Saturday. The six-year-old gelding didn’t really kick on over the rest of the summer last year after his Riccarton heroics, which included winning the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) in his lead-up to the New Zealand Cup, with trainer Stephen Marsh putting him aside for a decent spell after he finished near last in the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) in March. Nest Egg resumed at Matamata over 1600m earlier this month off the back of a quiet 1100m trial at Te Rapa, where he gave some cheek before his condition gave out in the heavy ground on offer. Regular pilot Warren Kennedy took the mount on Saturday and had the son of Reliable Man settled nicely towards the middle of the pack as Fly My Wey set up a muddling pace in front. Kennedy made his move as a number of his rivals swooped into contention on the home bend and quickly joined issue with eventual runner-up Cleese as the pair set down to a terrific struggle that went in favour of Nest Egg by a head at the line. Marsh was all smiles afterwards as he noted he had some confidence in the horse performing to expectations on the Soft 5 surface as opposed to the Heavy 10 at Matamata. “I thought his first up run was very good as the track was very heavy that day and he didn’t like it at all,” Marsh said. “Back on a great track today and second up at this distance, I thought he might have enough sharpness and while he didn’t have to win I thought he could be top four as he is going a lot better in this campaign. “Nice to win back at headquarters and nice to have this horse back in form.” Marsh indicated he has similar plans to what he used last year with his charge including a possible Group 1 target thrown in before being set for the Martin Collins-sponsored New Zealand Cup at Riccarton on 16 November. “He has a cheeky nomination for the Livamol (Group 1, 2040m) as he is going so good but with the New Zealand Cup going to $400,000 (prizemoney) that is our target,” he said. “With the way the Livamol has evened up it could be a nice race for him but he has some nice targets ahead of him in this campaign.” Horse racing news View the full article

Eliyaas after winning the Kingston Town Stakes. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Eliyass ($4.00) has kept his undefeated Australian record intact, claiming the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, giving him a hat-trick of wins since arriving to the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott barn. The son of Le Havre recorded his ninth win at start eleven on Saturday, holding off a gallant Ceolwulf ($2.80) in the shadows of the post, solidifying himself as the early favourite for the Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) later in the spring. Things couldn’t have panned out better for Tim Clark from barrier one, gaining the back of stable companion Serpentine ($26.00) in the early stages, ensuring they ran along at a genuine clip throughout the 2000m. Eliyass hit the front with 400m left to travel and was left vulnerable with a wall of horses chasing him down, including the well-supported Ceolwulf, along with Golden Path ($5.00) and Zardozi ($11.00) making inroads late. They were all playing for minor money in the end, however, as Eliyass proved too strong to claim his third Australian success. 2024 Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes Replay – Eliyaas Adrian Bott was on course to represent the stable, and confirmed the Metropolitan would be the path for the impressive five-year-old gelding. “He’s got a great constitution, doesn’t he,” said Bott. “Obviously a great will to win. “Once again, he had to dig deep. He was challenged solidly there. It was a good tempo throughout. It was a good staying test once again today and he’s exposed for quite a while there. So for him to dig deep once again, it just shows those true staying qualities that he’s got. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in this horse and no doubt that there’s still more upside and more progression. It was a month between runs and we’ve got some big targets for him, not just the Metropolitan.” Tim Clark was confident going into the race and couldn’t have been happier with his mount. “I thought his trial was excellent,” said Clark. “We came here full of confidence and pretty much just rode him like the best horse. “The second horse challenged him late, but it sort of got to him and he was never letting it pass. “His manners were all so much better. “I think he’s always got to be that little bit bouncy and a little bit hot he did parade better. “He’s obviously only had the three stars here, so he’s still working it out, but he’s got a very bright future.” Eliyass is now the clear favourite at $4.00 with horse bookmakers for the Metropolitan Handicap on October 5. Horse racing news View the full article

Mchale surges to victory in the Bill Ritchie Handicap. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au After Rediener won the race 12 months ago, the Chris Waller barn have picked up back-to-back wins in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m), with Mchale ($26.00) powering between horses to claim victory at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The son of Shooting To Win was first-up after a 98-day spell, bringing residual fitness from the Queensland winter, and a very similar profile to last year’s winner coming through the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 15. Felix Majestic ($19.00) was the one attempting to make every post a winner under Molly Bourke and gave a strong kick heading into the home straight, while Kintyre ($16.00) was brave throughout, sitting three-wide no cover throughout the journey. Mchale settled slightly worse than mid-field in the middle stages, while the well-supported favourite Tom Kitten ($3.70) was forced to sit back-and-wide throughout the contest. The four-year-old gelding needed to navigate a passage through a wall of horses in the final 400m, with Rachel King utilizing timing her ride to perfection, as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gringotts ($4.60) launched to make it a grandstand finish. The pair could only be separated by a photo, with Mchale getting the nod by the barest of margins, claiming victory and booking his ticket for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) later in the spring. 2024 Group 3 Bill Ritchie Stakes Replay – Mchale Chris Waller was on course to represent the stable and spoke to the lack of luck Mchale had in Queensland before praising the ride of Rachel King. “He’s always been thereabouts and not had a lot of luck,” said Waller. “Things went against him in Queensland. “It was a great ride from Rachel, saved every inch of ground and got there where it counted. “I was surprised to see his odds but when you see those odds, you sort of say, ‘Oh gee, maybe I’ve got it wrong,’ but yeah, he’s a handy horse. “He’s always never far away and decent races in a couple of group races.” Rachel King was delighted with the win and credited the horses toughness first-up. “My horse, he just popped up a little bit at the gates,” said King. “I actually got in the position I probably thought I would be, but there was a little bit of jostling around the corner and I wasn’t quite sure what the jostling was for, but it worked out well for me. “A gap appeared on the fence and this horse, watching his replays, he likes racing like that. He’s a real sort of bulldog and he shot through that gap and put them away well.” Mchale is now an $18.00 chance with horse racing bookmakers for the Epsom Handicap on October 5. Horse racing news View the full article

What Flemington Races Where Flemington Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria When Sunday, September 22, 2024 First Race 1:25pm AEST Visit Dabble The traditional Spring Preview meeting will take place at Flemington on Sunday afternoon with eight races carded. The VRC Derby and VRC Oaks trials will give punters a look at the potential contenders for the time-honoured features later in the spring. The rail is out 14m the entire circuit, but traditionally Flemington still plays fairly when the rail is out that far, especially considering the track is rated a Soft 5. Action is set to commence at 1:25pm AEST. VRC Oaks Trial Top Tip: Hurry Curry Hurry Curry was a dominant Bairnsdale 1600m maiden winner on September 9 and was running away from her rivals to suggest the step up in trip to 1800m should be no issue. She settled midfield with cover and pounced on the leaders in smart fashion to score by close to two lengths. From barrier nine, Jye McNeil will need a touch of luck in finding cover, but if the pair can slot in one off the rail, Hurry Curry should solidify her spot in the VRC Oaks with victory. VRC Oaks Trial Race 5 – #2 Hurry Curry (9) 3yo Filly | T: Danny O’Brien | J: Jye McNeil (56kg) Bet with Picklebet Derby Trial: Politely Dun Remarkably, the Danny O’Brien-trained Politely Dun is still a maiden, but at the fifth time of asking, the Dundeel progeny should prove too good for his rivals in the Derby trial. He was forced to sustain a long run at Geelong, and the early work told inside the final 100m when peaking on his run. Blake Shinn will look to have him settled close to the speed throughout, and if he runs up to what he has put forward so far in his career, Politely Dun should be too strong late. Derby Trial Race 6 – #5 Politely Dun (8) 3yo Gelding | T: Danny O’Brien | J: Blake Shinn (56kg) Bet with Bet365 Best Bet at Flemington: Isthmus Isthmus could not have been any more impressive when saluting at Sandown first-up off a five-month spell. The I Am Invincible mare stalked the speed over 1000m and, when asked to quicken, did so like a smart horse should. She returns to the Flemington 1100m for the second time in her career, with her experience down the straight beneficial in a race like this. Mark Zahra will have her stalking the speed once more, and with a bit of luck, Isthmus should dispose of her rivals in the finale. Best Bet Race 8 – #10 Isthmus (9) 4yo Mare | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Mark Zahra (59.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Flemington: Le Mans Le Mans looks to be screaming out for the 1800m, especially if her last start fifth at Moonee Valley is anything to go by. The five-year-old mare was beaten less than a length when finishing midfield and was seemingly doing her best work through the line. This is her first crack at the trip, but with Mark Zahra on board from barrier one, the Kodiac mare will be given every conceivable hope to claim victory. Barring any bad luck in the home straight, Le Mans should prove too good. Next Best Race 2 – #3 Le Mans (1) 5yo Mare | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | J: Mark Zahra (57.5kg) Bet with Playup Sunday quaddie tips for Flemington Flemington quadrella selections September 22, 2024 1-2-4-10 2-4-5 7-8-10-12-13 10-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

The past five horses to win this weekend’s feature at the age of five all went on to become Group One winners.View the full article

Mauritian partners the John Size-trained galloper on Sunday, while his equally exciting stablemate Wunderbar also returns this weekend.View the full article

Favored Roses for Debra, boxed in leaving the turn of the $300,250 Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2), found daylight inside down the stretch and accelerated to catch overseas shipper Pandora's Gift by a neck in track-record time.View the full article

California-based trainer Phil D'Amato is hoping his first trip to Parx Racing will be a memorable one. The 48-year-old was on the Parx backstretch the morning of Sept. 20 watching his 3-year-old colt Stronghold gallop over the main track.View the full article

Week 6 Results View the full article

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on Friday affirmed a ruling out of a lower federal court in Arkansas that had denied a preliminary injunction sought by horsemen in Arkansas and Iowa to halt the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) and its Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) program. Chief Judge Steven Colloton took the lead in authoring the opinion for the three-judge panel, writing that the plaintiffs/appellants have “not established a fair chance of success on the merits, so the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion for a preliminary injunction. The order of the district court is affirmed.” The plaintiffs/appellants in the case are led by Bill Walmsley, the president of the Arkansas Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA), and Jon Moss, the executive director of the Iowa HBPA. The defendants/appellees are executives with the HISA Authority and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The Eighth Circuit opinion only concerns the denial of the preliminary injunction to keep HISA from being enforced, and the plaintiffs are free to pursue other aspects of their underlying lawsuit over HISA's constitutionality in the lower court. The three-judge panel in the Eighth Circuit established in their opinion that they were well aware that two other federal appeals courts, the Fifth and Sixth Circuits, currently conflict in their opinions over whether HISA is constitutional, a matter that seems increasingly likely to be taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Fifth Circuit panel opined July 5, 2024, that even though HISA's rulemaking structure is constitutional, HISA's enforcement provisions are unconstitutional. A Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals panel opined in a different case Mar. 3, 2023, that Congressional changes to the law in 2022 made all of HISA completely constitutional. “We agree with the Sixth and Fifth Circuits that the Act's rulemaking structure does not violate the private nondelegation doctrine,” Colloton wrote. “As others have recognized, Congress modeled the Act as amended on a regulatory scheme in the securities industry that has been widely approved as constitutional,” Colloton wrote. “We join the other two circuits in concluding that the Authority is subordinate to the [FTC] such that the rulemaking structure of the Act does not violate the private nondelegation doctrine.” The horsemen appellants also challenged the Authority's enforcement powers, contending that HISA unconstitutionally delegates executive power to the Authority, a private entity. “The Fifth Circuit declared the enforcement provisions of the statute unconstitutional because it thought the [FTC's] power to modify and add to the rules of the Authority does not 'authorize basic and fundamental changes in the scheme designed by Congress,'” Colloton wrote. But, he added, “Like the Sixth Circuit, we are satisfied that the statute's enforcement provisions are not unconstitutional on their face and in all of their applications.” The appellants further argued that HISA violates the public nondelegation doctrine. “Congress may not delegate the legislative power of Article I to a federal agency,” Colloton wrote. But, he added, “those who act under general provisions of a law may 'fill up the details.' When Congress sets forth 'an intelligible principle to guide the delegee's use of discretion,' there is no unconstitutional delegation.” Colloton continued: “Congress specified twelve elements that must be included in a horse racing safety program. Congress set forth several elements of rule violations and of a disciplinary process for the industry. These provisions meaningfully guide the [FTC's] exercise of discretion. The Supreme Court has upheld delegations made with comparable or lesser guidance.” The appellants also asserted that HISA violates the Appointments Clause of the Constitution because the members of the Authority's board of directors are allegedly officers of the United States who must be appointed by the President, a court of law, or the head of a department. “We agree with the Fifth Circuit that the Act does not conflict with the Appointments Clause,” Colloton wrote. “The requirements of the Clause apply only to officers of the United States [but] the Authority, however, is a 'private, independent, self-regulatory, nonprofit corporation.' “A private corporation must be regarded as a governmental entity for constitutional purposes only in limited circumstances [and that] standard is not satisfied here,” Colloton wrote. “The Act did not create the Authority; the Authority incorporated under Delaware law before the Act's passage. None of the board members are public officials, and the government plays no role in selecting or retaining them. The members of the Board are thus not officers of the United States, so their appointments are not governed by the Appointments Clause.” One judge on the panel, Raymond Gruender, concurred in part and dissented in part with the overall decision to affirm the lower court's denial of the injunction. As part of his explanation, he wrote: “In a case such as this, where Congress has avoided the limitations of the Appointments Clause by vesting in a private entity the wholesale power to regulate doping, medication, and safety issues in the horse racing industry nationwide, it is imperative that the private nondelegation doctrine carry force to prevent broad delegation of governmental powers to unsupervised private parties. “The court's opinion fails to reckon with the plain language of HISA, which grants to the Authority a broad enforcement power that is not subordinate to the FTC. Like the Fifth Circuit, I conclude that HISA's enforcement provisions facially violate the private nondelegation doctrine. I respectfully dissent from [that part] of the court's opinion,” Gruender wrote. Late in the day on Friday, TDN requested comment on the opinion from the HISA Authority and the lead attorney for the horsemen appellants, but those queries did not yield replies prior to deadline for this story. The post Eighth Circuit Upholds Lower Court’s Order Denying Horsemen’s Request for HISA Injunction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. How stacked exactly was this year's Travers day 2-year-old maiden? Even the fourth-place finisher should be on your radar. In a race completely dominated on the front end, Godolphin homebred Sovereignty (c, 2, Into Mischief–Crowned, by Bernardini) kicked home impressively from last of 10 on debut for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott to stamp himself as one to watch. The 11-1 chance broke on top from his outside draw and was quickly outsprinted to trail as Rookie Card (Adios Charlie) (entered in Saturday's opener at the Belmont at the Big A meeting and highlighted in these same pages Sept. 7) and Tip Top Thomas (Volatile) motored along with Keewaydin (Instagrand) in hot pursuit in third through an opening quarter in :21.95. Still with a ton left to do in seventh with the top three positions unchanged at the top of the stretch, Sovereignty leveled off beautifully beneath Junior Alvarado for the final furlong and flew home in a field-best :12 while finishing 3 1/4 lengths adrift as the top three hit the wire together in an absolute thriller. The Todd Pletcher-trained Tip Top Thomas earned a 'TDN Rising Star' badge after fighting past an ultra-game Rookie Card to graduate by a head. It was another nose back to Keewaydin in third. The final time for six furlongs was 1:10.46. The top three finishers all earned 85 Beyer Speed Figures; Sovereignty received a 79 rating. “It got us excited,” Godolphin USA Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan said. “We were delighted to see the way he finished up and it was as per usual a hot maiden on Travers day. It was a big day of racing and there were a lot of people talking about him, which is interesting, you know, for a horse that was fourth in a maiden.” Banahan added, “To see him at the top of the stretch thinking we had no chance to finishing up like he did and running by everybody a couple of strides after the wire while galloping out strongly gave us a lot of encouragement.” Sovereignty has posted two workouts since his unveiling at Mott's Saratoga base, most recently breezing four furlongs in :49 (10/71) over the Oklahoma training track Sept. 15. He could make his second career start later this month at the Belmont at the Big A meeting, Banahan said. “He's training well and doing well and showed an enormous amount of potential,” Banahan said. “He's a well-bred colt and we're looking forward to seeing him run again.” The son of leading sire Into Mischief was produced by the unraced Bernardini mare Crowned, a daughter of GISW Mushka (Empire Maker) and a $1.2-million Keeneland September yearling purchase by Sheikh Mohammed's operation. The Into Mischief x A.P. Indy has produced GISWs Atone (o/o an A.P. Indy mare) and Newgate (o/o a Majestic Warrior mare). The 'Second Chances' Honor Roll is headed by Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin), fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) and GISWs A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo), Honor A. P. (Honor Code), Locked (Gun Runner), Paradise Woods (Union Rags) and Speaker's Corner (Street Sense). TIP TOP THOMAS, the 2YO son of @Three_Chimneys stallion Volatile, breaks his maiden in the seventh race with @iradortiz up for trainer @PletcherRacing. pic.twitter.com/5GCePwCdfU — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 24, 2024 The post Second Chances: ‘It Was a Big Day of Racing and There Were a Lot of People Talking About Him’ – Sovereignty One to Watch Out of Loaded Travers Day Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

During the 11th session of the 2021 Keeneland September Sale, Kazakhstan-based bloodstock agent Nadir Khassanov paid $12,000 for a colt by California Chrome–Little Emily (Castledale {Ire}). After nearly running the table in Kazakhstan and Russia, the colt that came to be called Kabirkhan took his show on the road to Dubai over the winter, where he won the G1 Al Maktoum Classic in his second start for trainer Chief Stipe Watson. Khassanov was back in Lexington on the hunt for his next diamond in the rough during Friday's opening Book 6 session at the September Sale and accounted for the day's top-priced offering when giving $95,000 for a May-foaled colt by Upstart. He was easily the dearest of six purchases on the afternoon for Khassanov and the most expensive of his 26 acquisitions (for $593,500), all since day eight of the sale. The dark bay is the second foal out of Amiens (Oxbow), a half-sister to the stakes-placed dam of Canadian multiple graded stakes winner Dragon Bay (Parading) and to the dam of GI Awesome Again Stakes hero Mongolian Groom (Hightail). The multiple Grade I-winning third dam Versailles Treaty (Danzig) produced GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero George Vancouver (Henrythenavigator) and Grade II winner Saarland (Unbridled). Hip 3965 was bred in Kentucky by Wimbledon Farm, who acquired Amiens for $80,000 in foal to Violence at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale. The colt was consigned by Eaton Sales, agent. Colts accounted for the session's top five priciest horses and nine of the top 11. The session's most expensive filly was hip 4002, who was hammered down to Royal Flush Racing for $70,000. The Jan. 21 foal, who was purchased for $18,000 at this year's Fasig-Tipton Digital April Sale, was consigned to the September sale by Hartwell Farm, agent, and is the first produce for her dam Brewster Flats (Mineshaft), whose stakes-winning granddam Yoursmineours (Belong to Me) produced GSW Shared Property (Scat Daddy) and MSW Whiskey Romeo (Forestry). This is also the female family of 1987 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and Eclipse Award winner Epitome. During a session that also featured strong participation from Central American, Russian and Middle Eastern interests–so-called 'emerging markets' that Keeneland has taken pains down the years to pursue–the auction house reported sales on 206 head for $3,568,000, an average of $17,320 and median price of $11,500, representing gains of 5.8% and 4.6%, respectively. With one day of selling remaining, some 2532 horses have sold for record turnover of $409,087,500 (not including post-RNA sales), good for an average of $161,567 and a median of $80,000. The cumulative average price increased by 6.4%, while the median was up by 6.7%. Are We In Australia? The crowd gathered in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion must have been confused when they looked at their catalogue and saw that hip 3797 had been foaled on Aug. 19, 2023. Keeneland's Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said that the unusual foaling date was flagged when the Montana-bred yearling–a daughter of first-crop Wheresthemoneyjack (Union Rags) out of Nothinglikegold (More Than Ready)–was entered in the sale. The filly was bred and consigned by Kairos Stables & Arena, Agent. “That yearling came from Montana, and quite honestly it was one we flagged early on,” said Lacy. “The sellers were adamant they wanted to do this. We spoke to them about the fact that this was probably going to be a challenge in this marketplace. They were very reasonable people and wonderful to talk to.” Bidding stalled out at $3,500 and the filly was an RNA. “It didn't work out but they were very grateful,” said Lacy. “We are here for everyone at all levels and sectors of the marketplace. We wanted to make sure they had the best experience possible. We welcomed them here and they are heading back to Montana. The horse was well cared for, but immature and obviously in this type of market, bred on a Southern Hemisphere timeline, didn't fit in the marketplace. We try not to discriminate. The horse came in healthy and it's not something we can eliminate from the sale.” Nothinglikegold was one of 21 mares that was covered in the state of Montana in 2022, according to the state fact book on The Jockey Club website. Wheresthemoneyjack is the sire of four foals from his second crop. He has not been represented by a starter to date. —Sue Finley September Sale finishing strong! Book 6 buyers are here until the last hip. See you tomorrow for one final day! #KeeSept pic.twitter.com/dT6gyMsiqV — Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) September 20, 2024 The post Upstart Colt Catches Khassanov’s Eye At Keeneland September appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Spendthrift Farm's Ned Toffey has been named the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club (KTFMC) 2024 Ted Bates Farm Manager of the Year. Toffey has been at Spendthrift since 2004, when he worked with the late B. Wayne Hughes to rebuild the historic farm to a leading modern-day institution in the sport. KTFMC will host its annual Dinner Dance to honor Toffey at the Carrick House in Lexington on Friday, Dec. 6. A silent auction will be held with all proceeds benefitting a charity of Toffey's choosing. “Ned's management of Spendthrift, their racing division, and their hugely successful stallion roster on behalf of the late B. Wayne Hughes and now under Eric and Tamara Gustavson has been exemplary and a model for all to follow,” said Adrian Mansergh-Wallace, president of KTFMC. “More than that though Ned is a great family man, admired by his peers, friends, and clients alike, and has mentored countless members of the Thoroughbred industry.” As General Manager of Spendthrift, Toffey has been responsible for the stallion career of reigning five-time leading sire Into Mischief, Hall of Famer Beholder, leading sire Malibu Moon, Horse of the Year Authentic, and many others. Toffey serves on the Board of Directors for the KTA/KTOB, Breeders' Cup, Gluck Center, and KTFMC. In a release from the organization, officials from KTFMC said, “The committee felt Ned's dedication, success, loyalty, and kindness to those around him are unmatched, and under his leadership and guidance, Spendthrift has become a global powerhouse in the breeding industry.” Eric Gustavson, current owner of Spendthrift with his wife, Tammy, added: “Wayne Hughes did a lot of great things for Spendthrift Farm. The first was hiring Ned Toffey to be our General Manager. Tammy and I are so thankful to have him running the show. Ned is dedicated to the farm, extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of our business, and has an amazing team approach in his leadership style. He's well respected in the industry, but even more so by us.” Toffey has been married to his wife, Katie, for 32 years. They have four children, all adults: Matthew (married to Natalie), Megan, Daniel, and Annie. They also have one grandson, Ellis. Tickets for the Dec. 6 Dinner Dance and sponsorship opportunities will be available for purchase through KTFMC's website later this month. The post Ned Toffey Named KTFMC Farm Manager of the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a half-brother to Victor Ludorum (GB). 13.35 Newmarket, Novice, £8,500, 2yo, f, 8fT PEARL OF HOPE (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a notable Godolphin newcomer, being a half-sister to Shamardal's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere-winning sire Victor Ludorum (GB). Charlie Appleby sticks to tried and trusted territory for her debut, where she meets Shadwell's Suhub (GB) (Mohaather {GB}), the William Haggas-trained first foal out of the G1 Falmouth Stakes and G1 Sun Chariot Stakes heroine Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) who was a well-beaten fourth at Newbury on debut. 15.50 Chantilly, Debutantes, €50,000, 2yo, f, 8fT TAJLINA (GB) (Kingman {GB}) takes part in an intriguing affair and is one of the key members of the cast as a daughter of the G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Bateel (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Owned and trained like that talented soft-ground specialist by Al Asayl Bloodstock and Francis-Henri Graffard, she encounters another homebred of note in SARL Darpat France's Viento De Levante (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), a Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained half-sister to the sire Recoletos (Fr) and the Fabres' Aqua Mirabilis (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), a half-sister to the G1 Tancred Stakes winner Arapaho (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). The post Dubawi Half To Victor Ludorum Starts At Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An extensive investigation by trainer Jorge Duarte Jr. identified contamination from a freelance hot walker he used at Delaware Park. View the full article