Wandering Eyes

Sir Michael Stoute trainee Anna Swan (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}–Vivionn {GB}, by Dubawi {Ire}), a G1 Fillies' Mile entry who notched an impressive 5 1/2-length win at Great Yarmouth last month, remained on an upward trajectory and made all to post a two-length tally in Friday's Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises British EBF Fillies' Conditions Stakes at Newbury. British EBF Fillies' Conditions Stakes @NewburyRacing @BritishEBF Newbury – Classe 2 – 2 ans – 1408m – 4 Pts Anna Swan William Buick @WilliamBuickX (Almanzor (Fr) @Haras_d_Etreham – Vivionn (Gb) par Dubawi (ire)) Sir Michael Stoute… pic.twitter.com/qZo42v6TBO — French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) September 20, 2024 3rd-Newbury, £30,000, Cond, 9-20, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:29.50, sf. ANNA SWAN (GB) (f, 2, Almanzor {Fr}–Vivionn {GB} {MGSP-Eng}, by Dubawi {Ire}), who registered an impressive 5 1/2-length success in her Aug. 8 unveiling over this trip at Great Yarmouth last time, broke smartly and led from the outset of this four-runner affair. In command throughout, the 2-11 favourite was rowed along soon after passing the quarter-mile marker and kept on well under mild urging the latter stages to comfortably defeat Saariselka (GB) (Earthlight {Ire}) by two lengths. Anna Swan, a G1 Fillies' Mile entry, is the first of three foals out of G2 Park Hill Stakes and G3 Pinnacle Stakes placegetter Vivionn (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), herself a full-sister to G3 Deutsches St Leger and G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy victor Ispolini (GB). Vivionn, a daughter of GII New York Stakes victrix Giants Play (Giant's Causeway), is also a half-sister to Listed Lyric Stakes third Playful Sound (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}). The February-foaled homebred bay is kin to a yearling colt by Dark Angel (Ire) and a weanling filly by St Mark's Basilica (Fr). Anna Swan's fourth dam is G3 Musidora Stakes-winning matriarch Magnificient Style (Silver Hawk). Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, £20,835. O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute. The post Cheveley Park Stud’s Anna Swan Doubles Up in Style at Newbury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Josh Spasaro Greg Nichols and Vin Cox have called for a more thorough classification process to Group and Listed races after reports on Friday revealed the Golden Eagle and The Shorts were soon set for Group 1 status. News began circulating on Friday that the Golden Eagle and G2 The Shorts would be lifted to Group 1 status after being reported on News Corp publication Racenet. Other Sydney races mentioned to be boosted to Group 1 billing include The Everest and Victoria's The All-Star Mile, however it is understood the International Pattern Committee are yet to ratify any of these changes. Yulong general manager Vin Cox, a member of the Australian Pattern Committee, has implored racing authorities not to make these calls “willy nilly”, saying the tradition and integrity of the Pattern should be followed for these high-stakes features. Over many years, the Pattern has been a valuable tool and key performance indicator in the programming of progressive horses, with options of upper and lower paths to Group 1 glory. And Cox has called for an immediate return to this process. “I don't know much about the history on what's gone on in this particular (Group 1 adjudgments) case,” he told The Thoroughbred Report. “But I think it's kind of sad that – from what I understand speaking to a couple of people – they're just going to apply Group 1 status to any race that rates 115. “And having been on the former Pattern committee for 20 years, that's a very shortsighted, myopic approach.” There have been concerns – particularly among breeders – that the Australian Pattern has been frozen in recent years, and there is no Pattern committee applying guidelines to the programming of major races. The Australian Pattern Advisory Group (APAG), tasked with advising the Australian Pattern Committee, has met infrequently since its inception, resulting in stagnation in pattern development since May 2018. As a result, Cox believes some horses are being left behind when elite races are run. “So, a certain band of horses will prosper, whereas other bands of horses will suffer. Group and Listed racing have to be aspirational, and by definition you want to be aspiring to the elite races,” he said. “All of those races carrying Group 1, I think is a narrow approach.” The lack of evolution in the Pattern, along with perceived disregard for its principals in creating and placing new races, has been a concern for many in the racing industry. Cox called for a revival of the Pattern processes when adjudging the status of feature races, for the benefit of the sport's integrity nationwide and overseas. “The integrity of Pattern in Black Type racing is absolutely paramount, and Black Type racing is the international indicator. It creates an international language that can be acknowledged and recognised in any jurisdiction,” he said. “And therefore, it creates worth and equity in bloodstock. So, it's not something that you just want to apply willy-nilly. There has to be substance behind it, processes and protocols and discipline.” Cox did, however, find optimism after reports of ongoing tensions between Victoria and New South Wales racing jurisdictions eased at a recent Racing Australia meeting. “If racing can move forward in the interest of racing nationally, instead of self-serving interests, I would applaud and support that wholeheartedly,” he said. A Pattern Revival Would Enhance Australia's International Reputation Former Racing Victoria director and current Chairman of the Australian Racing Pattern, Greg Nichols also cautioned about issuing Group 1 status without going through a closely examined Pattern process. That is particularly the case because he believes there is only a limited amount of elite talent in the middle-distance and staying ranks. “I come from a position where there are far too many Group 1s in Australia, considering the quality of our horses,” he told The Thoroughbred Report. “We're universally acclaimed for our sprinters, so you can't knock anything up to 1400 metres. But beyond that it's threadbare.” Nichols said Australia's worldwide reputation would increase if it followed Pattern processes more closely. “To me, we should be more dominant or a prominent player internationally. And part of that is a commitment to conform to standards that not only have integrity, but have excellence as a core value,” he said. “And I just don't think we do that at the moment.” Cohesion a Positive Step Forward Former member of the Australian Pattern Committee and past independent chairman of Racing Australia, John Messara, did not want to comment in-depth when asked about a decline in the use of the Pattern processes in recent years. Messara was, however, optimistic about reports of increased cooperation between Racing Australia and state jurisdictions. “That's a positive. I think racing needs to have an Australia-wide position because, like any other sport, you don't know where the next champion will come from, or the next best trainer or jockey,” he said. “So having an Australia-wide coverage is very important. I think all the states getting together makes for a stronger industry, with consistent rules across the whole country. “Those things are important.” The post ‘There Are Far Too Many Group 1s In Australia’: Industry Leaders Call For A Return Of The Pattern appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Globe-trotting jockey Frankie Dettori dislocated his shoulder when he was unseated from his mount at the gate prior to the start of Thursday's ninth race at Aqueduct. While not considered a serious injury, agent Ron Anderson was not sure how long Dettori will be sidelined. “He dislocated his shoulder and they put it back in,” Anderson said. “We're going to see [orthopedist] Steve O'Brien as quick as we can get him in. It's a day-to-day thing. He is sore. We will see.” Anderson said the news could have been worse. “It's the first time it happened to him. It doesn't seem like he'll need an operation, which is good,” said Anderson. “But as far as today, tomorrow, the next day, I have no idea. Not a clue.” Following the accident, Dettori was taken to Jamaica Hospital and was released Thursday night. The internationally-acclaimed rider was due to make his first appearance at Finger Lakes on Monday, Sept. 23. I appreciate all the messages. I'm doing OK! I dislocated my right shoulder – my team here in the hospital have put it back together. Thanks for the messages of concern, it means a lot pic.twitter.com/ljaDkoqHwz — Frankie Dettori (@FrankieDettori) September 20, 2024 The post Dettori ‘Day-To-Day’ After Spill At Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A career-best year for Here To Shock continued with a third Group victory in Friday’s A$250,000 Gr.3 Australian Bloodstock Cameron Handicap (1600m) at Newcastle, and in the process the New Zealand-bred gelding booked himself a ticket into a A$3 million feature in November. The son of Shocking came into 2024 with seven wins to his name from a 25-start career, with his solitary black-type success coming in last year’s Listed Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo. He has taken that record to a new level over the last six months with big wins in the Gr.3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield, the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben and Friday’s Newcastle feature. Here To Shock was sent out as a $3 favourite on Friday and was prominently positioned throughout the race, settling in second on the outside of Matcha Latte. Here To Shock pounced at the top of the straight and gradually got the better of Matcha Latte, edging ahead to win by half a length with Nash Rawiller in the saddle. Trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes are now working backwards from the A$3 million The Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on November 5. “We’re thrilled and very excited,” Ben Hayes said. “He’s now qualified for The Big Dance. Dom Rhoden, our racing manager, alerted us that today’s race was a qualifier for that. Now he’s qualified, and hopefully we’ll be heading in that direction from here. “It’s going to be a great race for him, a great opportunity and a great incentive. It’s exciting. “Nash is a hard jockey to beat in a tight finish, and he gave the horse a great ride today. We normally canter this horse on race morning, so I was a bit worried he might over-race today. But he relaxed beautifully for Nash, who nursed him and then the horse gave a great kick.” Here To Shock has now had 32 starts for 10 wins, seven placings and A$1,053,580 in prize-money. Rob Slade went to $70,000 to purchase the then colt out of the Lonhro mare Frescoes from the 2019 Cambridge Stud yearling draft at the Book 1 Sale at Karaka. Bred by The Sunlight Trust, Here To Shock is a half-brother to Listed winner Turn The Ace. View the full article

Anyway back to the tracks. That Polytrack is shyte and where is NZTR? Doesn't matter how much you power harrow!

Nash Rawiller and Here To Shock after claiming the Group 3 Cameron Handicap. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au After taking out the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) aboard Terra Mater earlier in the day, Nash Rawiller added another black-type win to the resume, with Here To Shock ($2.80) claiming victory in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1400m) at Newcastle on Friday afternoon. The team Hayes-trained seven-year-old had proven to be a model of consistency during the winter months and returned in superb order first-up despite being headed by Another Wil in a BM100 at Caulfield on August 31. The son of Shocking was expertly ridden by Rawiller, holding a position outside the leader throughout the 1400m journey to take all luck out of the equation aboard the well-supported favourite. The Sara Ryan-trained Matcha Latte ($9.50) was the one trying to make-all under Regan Bayliss, and showed plenty of fight in the final 400m, considering he was first-up after a lengthy 538-day spell. Berkshire Shadow ($11.00) was gallant sitting on a three-wide line throughout, while Robusto ($13.00) showed a promising turn-of-speed for new trainer Bjorn Baker, but they were simply making up the numbers as the top two cleared out in the home straight. The pair sat down to battle out the finish, and while the 5kg swing in the weights appeared to be taking its toll, favourite backers could rest easy as Nash Rawiller drove Here To Shock through the line for an impressive half-length victory. 2024 Group 3 Cameron Handicap Replay – Here To Shock Ben Hayes was on course to represent the stable and was delighted with the victory, before leaving the suggestion that the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) is the main spring target for Here To Shock. “It was a great ride by Nash (Rawiller)”, said Hayes. “He travelled up here and I was a little bit worried because he can over race, but he relaxed beautifully for Nash, he nursed him, and he gave him a great kick. “Thrilled with the ride and very excited he’s qualified for the Big Dance, so hopefully we’ll be heading in that direction. “It’s just a great race for him, a great opportunity, and it’s a great incentive.” Here To Shock is now on the third line of betting at $11.00 with horse racing bookmakers for the Big Dance (1600m) on November 5. Horse racing news View the full article

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Etna Rosso winning the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Etna Rosso ($3.10) has delivered Chris Waller his sixth victory in the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup, with the son of Decorated Knight fighting back to run past Wycliff ($12) in the concluding stages of the 2300m contest. Kerrin McEvoy couldn’t have given the talented stayer a better ride from barrier six, as he settled near the rear of the field on the fence before working off the inside to make his run on the home corner. As McEvoy went for his run, Jason Collett went for Wycliff, and he ran on by to lead the eventual winner by a length with 200m to go. However, to the winners credit, he lifted on the inside of the leader and picked himself up off the canvas to surge to the line and claim a tough victory. As for the second-favourite with horse racing bookmakers, Redstone Well ($3.40), he missed the kick by three lengths and had to work throughout the race to find a spot, which took the dash out of his legs, and he failed to figure in the finish. 2024 Newcastle Gold Cup replay – Etna Rosso Zane Jones represented the Waller stable in the post-race interview following their win. “This horse has gone strength to strength this preparation,” Jones said. “It was a stop-start affair today, but being at the bigger track at Newcastle, it gave him a chance to whind up and show his class late. “This is his third win in Australia from a handful of starts, so we are looking forward to seeing where he goes to this campaign.” Kerrin McEvoy was very happy with the win of Etna Rosso, and he echoed similar thoughts to Jones. “It was a really good win,” McEvoy said. “At Wyong, we expected a bit more, but maybe the circuit didn’t suit him, so I was confident that Newcastle, being a bigger track, was going to be more to his liking. “I knew the horse was feeling good, and it was good to see him put in a good performance there. “I don’t know much about Wycliff, but he went past my fella, but I knew I hadn’t asked him for the full effort yet, so I was confident that he was going to pick up and still hit the line. “He got the better of that horse in the last 100 (metres) so onwards and upwards for him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) has today announced a significant $4.07 million contribution to stake money for the current season, including a notable $100,000 increase to the Group 1 Sistema Railway, taking the total stake to $700,000. This increase highlights ATR’s continued commitment to bolstering New Zealand’s racing industry and supporting its participants. In addition to the stakes enhancement, ATR has introduced measures aimed at reducing costs for owners. One such initiative involves moving the nomination dates for some of the Club’s most prestigious races closer to the raceday. Nominations for the Group 1 Trackside New Zealand Derby and Group 2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup will now close on Friday 3 January 2025, rather than in early December as they did last season. This change follows an earlier shift, which saw nominations closing as early as November in previous years. Meanwhile, the Group 1 Sistema Railway nominations will close on Tuesday, 21 January, four days prior to the TAB Karaka Millions on Saturday 25 January 2025, rather than the traditional early November cut-off when the race was held on New Year’s Day. Paul Wilcox, ATR’s chief executive, emphasises the significance of these changes, stating: “We’re delighted to further invest in our racing programme with the additional funding for the Sistema Railway, one of the jewels in our racing calendar. “The changes to nomination dates are part of a broader strategy to ease the burden on owners and trainers, ensuring that they have more time to make decisions about their entries. These initiatives are designed to make racing more accessible and sustainable for all participants.” Another key change involves the Group 3 Concorde. Previously scheduled to be held as part of the SkyCity New Year’s Day Races, the race has been rescheduled to the Club’s Christmas Raceday on Saturday 7 December 2024 to align with the shift of the Group 1 TAB Telegraph at Trentham from Saturday 11 January 2025 to Saturday 4 January 2025. ATR remains committed to supporting the industry through these initiatives and looks forward to an exciting season ahead at its Ellerslie and Pukekohe Park venues. For further information please contact: Craig Baker Executive GM Racing & Operations Auckland Thoroughbred Racing craigb@ellerslie.co.nz | 027 441 2920 View the full article

Prisca capped a consistent and improving formline with a commanding maiden victory in Friday’s Taupo Vet Centre (1800m). The Puccini mare kicked off her career with an unplaced finish over 1400m at Matamata in May, which she followed up with sixth placings over the same distance at Taupo and Te Rapa. A strong-finishing second at Tauranga in early July prompted an increase in distance, running fifth over 1600m, third over 1800m and second over 1600m. Prisca stepped back up to 1800m on Friday and produced her best performance yet, racing in a prominent position and then taking command before the home turn. Under a hands-and-heels ride down the straight from Lynsey Satherley, Prisca opened up a winning margin of 4-1/2 lengths over Moon and Mood Painter. “She did a really good job today,” said trainer Catherine Cameron, who also owns and co-bred the five-year-old. “She’s been consistent and very honest all the way through, so it was pleasing to see her get that maiden win today and do it so comfortably.” Prisca became the sixth winner from six named foals out of the O’Reilly mare Molly ‘O. That group also includes the speedy Oh Hermani, who Cameron trained to win three times in only a six-start career between September of 2022 and July of 2023. Oh Hermani’s slick wins came over 970m, 1100m and 1200m, which is a stark contrast to Prisca’s powerhouse performance over 1800m on Friday. “They’re only out of a little mare, and none of her foals apart from Prisca have had much size to them,” Cameron said. “Prisca is a little bit bigger and is probably bred to go that bit further. She’s also not quite as feisty as her sister. “Oh Hermani unfortunately did a tendon and had to be retired. She had six starts for three very good wins, so she was there for a good time, not a long time. But we’ve found a good home for her and she’ll enjoy a nice retirement.” Cameron hopes Prisca’s success on Friday could be the start of a successful weekend, with Cyber Patch and Islebefine both lining up in the Barfoot & Thompson (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Former Hong Kong galloper Cyber Patch has made a promising start to his New Zealand career, recording close second placings at Ruakaka and Te Rapa in his first two appearances. Islebefine is reverting to maiden company after a pair of solid efforts against winners on the Cambridge synthetic track. She ran second in the Martin Collins New Zealand MAAT (2000m) on July 24, then finished fourth in Rating 68 company. “Cyber Patch has run really well in those first couple of runs and looks like quite a nice horse to carry on with through the spring and summer,” Cameron said. “Hopefully he can hold on to that good form and be very competitive again on Saturday. “I thought Islebefine ran two very good races against winners on the synthetic. We’ve freshened her up and we’re switching to grass for this race, but she’s back down against maidens. “I think they should be a couple of nice chances if they can hold on to their form.” View the full article

Andrew Bobbin has zero qualms about testing Off His Roca (NZ) (El Roca) in city grade, with the in-form galloper and regular hoop Tom Prebble to head to Flemington on Sunday. The son of El Roca has improved dramatically this campaign, kicking off with a third placing in 0-58 grade and dominantly winning a Benchmark 64 just three starts later. It is the form page of a horse who is relishing his racing and Bobbin is delighted to see him hit his straps over the longer distances this time in. As such, he doesn’t feel the rise to 2550 metres, nor Benchmark 70 grade, will pose any major issues for Off His Roca and he is keen to see what the five-year-old can do up in class. “He’s ticking along really well and he should get every bit of the 2550m, that’s the indication he’s given in his last few races,” Bobbin said. “He took a while to learn how to settle in his runs and it’s probably taken him two preps for the penny to drop in regard to staying. “But now, he’s very tractable, he can be ridden quietly and relax, or he can be up on speed, similar to how he was in his last two wins. His last two wins have been on the Heavy, but he does go on top of the ground as well. “At Flemington this weekend, I expect he’ll be getting some cover somewhere, building into the race and hopefully hitting the line very strongly.” Bobbin is delighted to give Prebble an opportunity in town, with the pair doing plenty of work together since the 22-year-old kicked off his career in 2022. Together, they boast five wins and a further seven placings from 39 starts, giving them a strike-rate of 12 per cent for winners and 30 per cent for placings when teaming up. “I’ve been a fan of Tommy Prebble’s for a long time, he’s really helped me out and I’ve enjoyed watching his development,” Bobbin said. “He’s been all over the countryside for me, riding in the bush … he really deserves his opportunities in the city. “He’s ridden this horse to his last two wins, so if Tom could win on him in town, it would certainly be a fitting reward for him.” View the full article

Sunday’s Thomas Green Handicap (1600m) at Oamaru could put Southland trainer Lisa Vaughan on a path towards saddling her second Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) runner in the last three years. Vaughan ran accomplished mare Asathought in the time-honoured Riccarton staying showpiece in 2022, finishing a creditable seventh. This year’s edition of the $400,000 New Zealand Cup is looming large on the horizon for Lochnaberry, who Vaughan bought for just $1,400 on Gavelhouse.com in 2019. Lochnaberry has won four of her 21 starts, and she rose to a new level as a five-year-old last season with three wins from eight races including a dominant three-length victory in the Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m) in February. Sunday’s Rating 79 handicap will be Lochnaberry’s first appearance since March. She has been allotted a 60kg topweight, with apprentice jockey Bailey Rogerson reducing that impost by 2kg. “We were thrilled with what she did last season,” said Vaughan, who shares ownership of the Jakkalberry mare with her husband Simon Culhane, along with Mike Fraser, Jo and Neil Fraser, Jesse Vaughan, Benji Culhane and Bryan Dunlop. “We started thinking about the New Zealand Cup after that. If we’re able to get enough racing into her between now and November, that would be our ultimate goal with her. “But our attempts to build up her fitness and get her up and running this spring have been a bit handicapped by the weather in our part of the country, so we’ll have to see how things go over the next few weeks. “Even if we run out of time to get her ready for the New Zealand Cup, there’s plenty of other nice staying races through the summer and autumn that we can look at with her instead.” The TAB currently offers odds of $61 for Lochnaberry in the New Zealand Cup, which will be run on November 16. The market is headed by Mary Louise ($9), Aljay ($12), Fierce Flight ($12), Nest Egg ($12) and Dionysus ($14). Vaughan is pleased with how Lochnaberry is shaping up for her six-year-old season, but expects her to find the 1600m distance too short first-up on Sunday. “It’s going to be more like a trial for her this week,” Vaughan said. “It’ll definitely be too short. We’ll just be happy to see her finding the line nicely towards the end of the race. “I’m really happy with how she’s coming up. She’s training well and definitely seems to have got stronger this time in. She just feels like a different mare. Having another year on her has been the making of her.” Vaughan has three other runners kicking off new campaigns at Oamaru on Sunday, with Cockahoop in the JJ’s Gore (1400m), Bonsai Bob in the Hokonui Suzuki (1200m) and Hazel May in the Grant Farming Partnership (1200m). “They’re all nice, handy horses and they’ve been working pretty well,” Vaughan said. “It’s a big trip up to Oamaru and they’re all first-up, so we’re going into it with limited expectations. We’ll just treat it as a trial. Hopefully the track isn’t too heavy. “I’ll just be happy to see them do things right in the running, finish off nicely and come through the races in good order. Then we can build from there and hopefully have a bit to look forward to with all of them.” View the full article

Last weekend’s New Plymouth abandonment has forced Allan Sharrock into a change of plans with his Group One winner Ladies Man, who is entered to kick off his seven-year-old season in the H&T Agronomics/Agricom Open (1200m) at Wanganui on Saturday. The Seaton Park (1400m) at New Plymouth was intended to be Ladies Man’s first step along the road to a defence of his title in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on October 12. With that race washed away and a week lost from the build-up, Sharrock is now unwilling to overly tax the Zed gelding in a race against time over the next three weeks. “Losing that run last weekend means his Livamol prep is finished,” Sharrock said. “It’s just going to be too tough to get him ready for that race in the small amount of time that we have left. And if I pushed him too hard to try to get him there, I’d run the risk of ruining a very good horse. “There’s a lot of other good weight-for-age races coming up for him over the summer, and the first target we’ll work towards with him will probably be the Balmerino Stakes (Gr.3, 2000m) at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day. “He’s entered for Wanganui on Saturday, but the track is going to be quite testing there, so I haven’t yet decided whether he’ll run there or not. I also have the option of saving him for a better track at Te Rapa next Friday. But either way, he’s coming up well. “It’s a bit of a shame to have to rule him out of the Livamol, but we’ve still got his stablemate Islington Lass heading in that direction. She won very well last week despite disliking the wet ground and not being fully at concert pitch.” The TAB currently rates Islington Lass a $10 fifth favourite in a Livamol Classic market headed by El Vencedor ($5), Campionessa ($7), Mustang Valley ($7) and One Bold Cat ($7). Meanwhile, Sharrock’s team at Wanganui on Saturday also includes the Gr.3 Hunterville Vet Club Metric Mile (1600m) contender Justaskme. This will be the 50th race of an outstanding career for the nine-year-old, who has won 13 races and banked more than $540,000. Justaskme’s 1800m open handicap was one of three races run at New Plymouth last Saturday before the meeting was called off. He made up ground from the back of the field to finish fourth behind Aljay. “That was a bit of a funny race,” Sharrock said. “They ran it six seconds slower than the first race, which was a Rating 65. It turned into a sprint to the finish and the on-speed horses just ran away from him a little bit, but it wasn’t a bad run. “With a senior rider on (Jonathan Riddell), 58 kilos on his back and a nice draw (nine), I think he’s a lot better than a runner’s chance on Saturday. It could end up being quite a nice race for him to finish up his very good career on. We’re not far away from that now.” Sharrock has a rare early two-year-old runner on Saturday with Almakeitgood lining up in the Pilet Contracting Ltd/Pioneer Seeds 2YO (800m). The filly is a daughter of Ardrossan and the Sepoy mare Cortado, which makes her a full-sister to last season’s talented juvenile Maracatu. Sharrock bought Almakeitgood for $90,000 from Elsdon Park’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2024. “I don’t have many early two-year-olds, but I bought this filly to run in the million-dollar race (Karaka Millions 2YO, 1200m) and I think she’s very talented,” Sharrock said. “It won’t be ideal track conditions on Saturday to kick a baby off in, although she seemed to handle heavy ground okay in her gallop on Tuesday. The fact that it’s the first race of the day should also help.” Sharrock also expects another strong showing from Bella Timing in the Manawatu Toyota/John Turkington Forestry (1200m). The four-year-old is a half-sister to Sharrock-trained stars Darci La Bella and Tavi Mac, and she has been runner-up in three of her last four appearances. “I’ve scratched a few runners on Saturday who had inside draws because of the way I think the track is going to be, but I think she’s nicely drawn at nine,” Sharrock said. “I thought she could win last week, but her race didn’t get run. From her work this week, I think she’s pretty close to the mark again and should be a very good chance. “She’s had quite a big campaign, so I might turn her out after this and save her for the autumn.” View the full article

Saturday will mark the return of racing to Ellerslie Racecourse and last season’s New Zealand Champion Three-Year-Old Orchestral. The now four-year-old mare is unbeaten at the Auckland track in three starts, winning the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (1600m), and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). She subsequently went on to win the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill and finished third in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m). Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood have been pleased with the way she has returned, and have given her a trial at Taupo and jump-out at Ellerslie in the lead-up to her resuming run in the Almanzor – Proven Value 1400. The daughter of Savabeel will carry 60.5kg from barrier six, with Craig Grylls aboard, two-kilograms less than Group One winner Campionessa. “It is good to be finally getting her out there and it’s nice to see a horse above her (in the weights). We thought we would be top weight,” Wellwood told Trackside. “We have been pretty soft on her this spring, she has grown a lot between three and four. “She looks a completely different mare now, she has got a big wither, she has probably lengthened out a little bit. She is probably only a frame of what she is going to be in six to 12 months. “She had a good jump-out at Ellerslie. We were thinking perhaps heading to the Arrowfield (Gr.1 1600m), but after that jump-out we thought if we tried to get her there we would probably flatten her first-up. That’s the reason she is going to Ellerslie. 1400m and you know you are going to get a good track there. It will bring her forward for her next run.” Despite being a short-priced $2.20 favourite with TAB bookmakers, Wellwood believes 1400m will be too short for his charge this weekend. “We are going into the weekend pretty happy with her,” he said. “1400m is going to be too short for her, but as long as she is hitting the line well and comes through it well, heading to a mile and further into the prep is where we are hoping to be competitive.” Australian targets beckon Orchestral post-Saturday, With the Cambridge trainers weighing up between either Sydney or Melbourne. “The two options that we are looking at are the Toorak (Gr.1, 1600m) in Melbourne, which is three weeks post Ellerslie, or four weeks to the Angst Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m), which is a mares’ mile in Sydney.” Orchestral will be joined in Saturday’s contest by stablemate Sudbina, who is on a path towards New Zealand Cup Week at Riccarton Park in November. “She went nicely in her first run without a trial, so she is going to come along from that well. Her work has been very good and I think the race will suit her,” Wellwood said. “She is ready to run a race and she is at a light weight (54kg). Whether she has got the class of the top two or three, we are unsure, but she is a nice mare and I think we are going to see her come into a nice race. “She has got a nomination for the TAB Mile (Gr.3, 1600m) at Riccarton, so we have got that pencilled in, but we are just going to have to see how she is going. There are a lot of nice races around and there are some good fillies and mares options over Christmas and New Year.” View the full article

There have been few horses with the consistency of Bradman over the past 12 months, and the versatile galloper will aim to continue that vein of form in Saturday’s Gr.3 Hunterville Vet Club Metric Mile (1600m). Since winning the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m) in April, the son of Pins has placed in the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m), Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m) and the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m), demanding respect in the Wanganui feature. Trained and co-owned by Roydon Bergerson, Bradman will be ridden by a very in-form Wiremu Pinn out of barrier seven, coincidentally jumping alongside his older full-brother No Compromise. “In the Winter Cup, he copped a check down the back when he’d just got settled and he over-raced, which probably cost him in the finish, but he fought like a tiger,” Bergerson said. “He went out to the paddock for a week to Chris Rutten’s for a quick freshen-up and we thought we’d bring him back for this race. “We intended to go to the jump-outs last week but they were cancelled, hence why he trialled on Wednesday. He does really well when he has a spell, so he just needed a bit of a tighten-up. “He’s pulled up super after yesterday and he looks a million dollars, so we’ll press on and run him.” The son of Pins holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) next Saturday, but his Awapuni trainer indicated the final day at Hastings may prove more appealing. “We would possibly consider putting in a late nomination for the Livamol Classic (Gr.1) at 2000m, the quick-back up wouldn’t probably suit unless it poured with rain at Hastings next week,” he said. “He’s still in the nominations for the Arrowfield, so we’ll know more after Saturday where we want to go.” Bergerson will have a pair of runners contesting the H&T Agronomics/Agricom OPN 1200, with the near certain Heavy conditions to suit both Reign It In and Farravallo. “Reign It In stood on a plate and missed a start a couple of weeks ago, but he’s come right now and we just gave him a quite trial yesterday, where he went to the line under a hold,” Bergerson said. “He’s ready to go again, wetter the better for him. “I thought the field may have been a little bit weaker, but with New Plymouth being abandoned last weekend, I see a few of those horses have popped up. “As long as he does everything right in the running, he should be competitive.” Reign It In was a last start winner at Otaki, while Farravallo was unsuited to the firm surface at Hastings, which came after a pair of wet-track victories in lower grades. “There’s just no races for Farravallo, I know it’s a big ask to step-up from winning a 65 race to running in an open handicap, but he loves the wet and likes to get on speed so that’s why we are running there,” Bergerson said. “It was just too firm for him at Hastings and he couldn’t keep up, so he’ll probably lead on Saturday and we’ll see what happens.” Up the road on Sunday, Queen Of Spades and Sweetjineen have accepted into the Ultra-Scan Mike O’Keefe (1650m) at Waverley, with the latter set to visit new Grangewilliam Stud sire Hilal should she bypass the Rating 75 contest. “She (Queen Of Spades) gets four-kilos off with Ralph’s apprentice (Rihaan Goyaram), I gave her a quiet trial yesterday just to keep her up to the mark and she’s run really well,” Bergerson said. “She should go well and wetter the better for her, she should be competitive. “Sweetjineen is working well and raced well at Woodville, but she was disappointing at Wanganui the other day. “We put that down to the track so we may not run her if the tracks too heavy, if that’s the case, she’ll probably go to the stallion instead and get a service, then we’ll carry on racing her in foal.” View the full article

Mark Oulaghan has moved on from the disappointing outcome of the Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) and is looking forward to an unexpected opportunity with Berry The Cash. The Awapuni trainer has been around the jumping game long enough to not get too despondent when bad luck comes knocking, as it did last weekend at Te Rapa. Berry The Cash had been unbeaten in five lead-up outings over hurdles, including victory in the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) before he was badly hampered by a fallen rival in the Northern and dislodged rider Portia Matthews. The son of Jakkelberry had also won a flat event in July at Waverley and will return there on Sunday for a crack at the NZB Airfreight Road To The Jericho (3200m). “He seems really well so we’ll push on and give him his chance,” Oulaghan said. “I’d like to try him over two miles on the flat, it’s a good opportunity seeing as how he missed out last Sunday. “I didn’t think the field looked that strong on the noms and he’s a handy horse in the right grade, so it will be interesting.” However, even with the right result at Waverley, Oulaghan has all but ruled out Berry The Cash venturing across the Tasman for The Jericho Cup (4600m) to be run at Warrnambool on November 29. “You could say it’s Plan B and even if he won the chances of him going to Australia are pretty remote,” he said. Oulaghan will also have a strong winning chance at Wanganui on Saturday with his promising stayer Pinkerton to run in the Nufarm/Property Brokers Handicap (2040m). “He’s a good little horse, he’s just not very big and in the grade he’s in he has to carry a bit of weight,” he said. “The claim will help him and then we’ll look at running him in a few of those provincial open handicaps. That will suit him better when he drops back to 54kg.” The Niagara gelding has been allotted 61.5kg, which will be reduced by 3kg with the booking of apprentice Liam Kauri. Pinkerton was successful at Woodville and Trentham to take his tally to five wins from 22 appearances before time off and returned for a midfield finish at Wanganui at the end of last month. “He wasn’t very strong as a young horse so we left him alone and he started late so he hasn’t done a lot for a seven-year-old, hopefully he can do a bit over the next few months,” Oulaghan said. Meanwhile, star jumper West Coast is enjoying a deserved spell following a campaign that netted him his third Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) and second Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m). “He’s come through it all pretty good and seems to recover very well,” Oulaghan said. Overseas opportunities beckon West Coast, although options have yet to be seriously considered. “I still have to discuss it with the owners, at this stage the logical step would probably be to look a bit further afield, but we haven’t got anything specific in mind,” Oulaghan said. View the full article

Terra Mater ridden by Nash Rawiller has taken out the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Jarrod Austin and Nash Rawiller combined with Terra Mater ($3.50) to take out the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle on Friday afternoon, with the win delivering Austin his first Group 3 winner of his training career. Rawiller has been aboard the Wandjina mare for eight of her 17 starts, and he recorded his sixth victory in the Tibbie, following an absolute peach of a ride from barrier two. After jumping the best of the field, Rawiller allowed his mount to settle behind Overriding ($7), who took the lead within the first 300m before working off the rail to cruise up to the leader on the home turn. Behind the leader and winner, Roots ($5), Hell Hath No Fury ($19), and Hellavadancer ($8) chased hard but never looked as though they would catch Terra Mater, as she kicked clear with 200m to go and was able to record a strong win. After trailing the winner and only getting into clear air late in the piece, Roots flew home for second, and Overriding was able to hold on for third place. 2024 Tibbie Stakes replay – Terra Mater Jarrod Austin was on course to speak about the win post-race. “What a ripper she is,” Austin said. “We came here with a bit of confidence, she came through her Mona Lisa run really well. “Every hurdle we give her, she jumps through easily, its a really great feeling. “He’s (Rawiller) a fantastic rider, he’s educated her early and really nursed her through all of her wins. “He got the trail and when she got out, she loves a fight and she was too good.” Horse racing news View the full article

This year’s 7+ Sport Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick has been narrowed down to eight runners following the early withdrawal of Zardozi. Despite the smaller field, the competition remains fierce for the $1 million prize. Leading the odds at $2.10 through Ladbrokes, Chris Waller’s multiple Group 1 winning mare Fangirl is the favourite to improve […] The post Fangirl Leads the Charge in Competitive 7 Stakes 2024 Field appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Race 7 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK CANTERBURY BELLE STAKES 1200m DIABLO BLANCO (A Goindasamy) – Trainer Mr. R Didham reported to Stewards, that upon return to the stable the filly was examined by the stable veterinarian, which confirmed DIABLO BLANCO’S heart rate had returned as normal, and the filly underwent an endoscopic examination and blood tests with no abnormalities being detected. R Didham further advised it is his intention to carry on with the filly’s current preparation and may look to nominate DIABLO BLANCO for the Ashburton RC meeting on 12 October. The post Canterbury Jockey Club @ Riccarton Park, Saturday 14 September 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The 2024 Underwood Stakes takes centre stage at Caulfield this Saturday, marking a major stepping-stone on the road to the spring’s feature staying races. Two horses have emerged as the frontrunners for top spot in Underwood Stakes betting on the Group 1 showdown. Following the scratching of Kovalica, the field for the $750,000 Underwood Stakes […] The post 2024 Underwood Stakes Heats Up: Place Du Carrousel and Pericles Battle for Favouritism appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Golden Sixty is a 26-time winner in Hong Kong. Throughout Golden Sixty’s storied career, Zac Purton and Karis Teetan were united in two facets as they searched for ways to foil the Hong Kong champion – the almost certain inevitability of defeat and unqualified admiration. Of the five defeats Golden Sixty suffered in a glittering 31-start career, Purton was responsible for three – triumphing on Waikuku in the 2022 Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) when Golden Sixty was attempting to equal Silent Witness’ record of 17 consecutive wins, winning on California Spangle in the 2022 Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) and finally, piloting Beauty Eternal to victory in the 2024 Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m). The last of those three Purton victories doubled as Golden Sixty’s final race but, having consigned Francis Lui’s gelding into fourth place, nothing could dilute Purton’s appreciation of Hong Kong’s equine hero. “He’s the best horse I’ve seen in my time here in Hong Kong,” Purton said. “He was the perfect racehorse, really. “Firstly, it was heartbreaking, just to be behind the gates and in the races with him knowing that you’re basically going to run second. He was such a good horse. “I loved his will to win, the way he pinned his ears back, the acceleration he showed – that turn of foot is very rare to see horses run home in the sectionals he would run home in, over the distances he ran. “He became more versatile as his career progressed as well. He was able to be ridden more prominently on the speed. He’d go inside or outside. “Our challenge was to always try and find a way to beat him and really at the end of the day, it was just circumstances and bad luck that beat him. “I always love seeing horses of his calibre race and although it was difficult through those years to go up against him, it also made it challenging to try find a way to beat him. Fortunately, I did a few times, but not enough.” Like Purton, Teetan has been associated with some of Hong Kong racing’s most decorated horses, none more so than Romantic Warrior, twice finishing on the losing side of the ledger in clashes aboard Danny Shum’s star with Golden Sixty – the 2023 Stewards’ Cup and the 2023 Hong Kong Gold Cup, marking the only time Romantic Warrior has been beaten over 2000m in Hong Kong. “Being in a race with him was just different. We all had to be aware of when he was coming and I remember him beating me when I was on Romantic Warrior, and that was not a nice feeling. I thought I had the race won and I just remember this massive head coming on my outside,” Teetan said. “He was just a different horse and I think he’s going to be missed by many people in Hong Kong. He brought so many fans to the races – I don’t think we’ll see it again.” Along with Lui, Vincent Ho, who rode Golden Sixty in all 31 starts, will be central to the nine-year-old’s farewell celebrations at Sha Tin on Sunday (22 September) and it is clear owner Mr Stanley Chan’s gelding has left an indelible mark on everyone associated with the horse. “Of course (he was life changing). He helped me to build up my name and, actually, I would say he taught me how to train,” Lui said. “The horse helped us all to build up our names and he gave the team confidence about how to train.” Ho, who piloted Golden Sixty to a Hong Kong record 10 Group 1s, said the earner of an unmatched HK$167.17 million was “a horse who taught me to be a better athlete and a better jockey. From him I’ve grown a lot, mentally as well.” “From receiving all the pressure of riding in a Group 1 on a horse like him to enjoying myself in a Group 1 and winning, it’s another feeling. That’s what he taught me and gave us all,” Ho said. “He is special because no matter what, he did his best all the time. Even if he wasn’t the fittest sometimes and not feeling his best, he still gave his all and made things happen. “This is something everyone can learn from. Every time I rode him, I learned something new. I really appreciate what he has done for us.” A farewell ceremony for Golden Sixty will be held at Sha Tin on Sunday from 3.10pm HKT. The three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year will be honoured by Hong Kong racing officials and patrons to mark his contribution to the city’s racing and his phenomenal achievements. Racegoers who wear a top or a cheering scarf, featuring a motif of Golden Sixty or his racing silk elements, can enjoy free admission to the Sha Tin Public Enclosure from 11am HKT. Horse racing news View the full article

Following a week with eight races as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In, some of them hosted internationally, just a single qualifier is scheduled this weekend: the Sept. 21 Princess Rooney Stakes (G3) from Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Lochnaberry will kick off her Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) campaign at Oamaru on Sunday. Photo: Monica Toretto Sunday’s Thomas Green Handicap (1600m) at Oamaru could put Southland trainer Lisa Vaughan on a path towards saddling her second Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) runner in the last three years. Vaughan ran accomplished mare Asathought in the time-honoured Riccarton staying showpiece in 2022, finishing a creditable seventh. This year’s edition of the $400,000 New Zealand Cup is looming large on the horizon for Lochnaberry, who Vaughan bought for just $1,400 on Gavelhouse.com in 2019. Lochnaberry has won four of her 21 starts, and she rose to a new level as a five-year-old last season with three wins from eight races including a dominant three-length victory in the Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m) in February. Sunday’s Rating 79 handicap will be Lochnaberry’s first appearance since March. She has been allotted a 60kg topweight, with apprentice jockey Bailey Rogerson reducing that impost by 2kg. “We were thrilled with what she did last season,” said Vaughan, who shares ownership of the Jakkalberry mare with her husband Simon Culhane, along with Mike Fraser, Jo and Neil Fraser, Jesse Vaughan, Benji Culhane and Bryan Dunlop. “We started thinking about the New Zealand Cup after that. If we’re able to get enough racing into her between now and November, that would be our ultimate goal with her. “But our attempts to build up her fitness and get her up and running this spring have been a bit handicapped by the weather in our part of the country, so we’ll have to see how things go over the next few weeks. “Even if we run out of time to get her ready for the New Zealand Cup, there’s plenty of other nice staying races through the summer and autumn that we can look at with her instead.” Horse racing bookmakers currently offers odds of $61 for Lochnaberry in the New Zealand Cup, which will be run on November 16. The market is headed by Mary Louise ($9), Aljay ($12), Fierce Flight ($12), Nest Egg ($12) and Dionysus ($14). Vaughan is pleased with how Lochnaberry is shaping up for her six-year-old season, but expects her to find the 1600m distance too short first-up on Sunday. “It’s going to be more like a trial for her this week,” Vaughan said. “It’ll definitely be too short. We’ll just be happy to see her finding the line nicely towards the end of the race. “I’m really happy with how she’s coming up. She’s training well and definitely seems to have got stronger this time in. She just feels like a different mare. Having another year on her has been the making of her.” Vaughan has three other runners kicking off new campaigns at Oamaru on Sunday, with Cockahoop in the JJ’s Gore (1400m), Bonsai Bob in the Hokonui Suzuki (1200m) and Hazel May in the Grant Farming Partnership (1200m). “They’re all nice, handy horses and they’ve been working pretty well,” Vaughan said. “It’s a big trip up to Oamaru and they’re all first-up, so we’re going into it with limited expectations. We’ll just treat it as a trial. Hopefully the track isn’t too heavy. “I’ll just be happy to see them do things right in the running, finish off nicely and come through the races in good order. Then we can build from there and hopefully have a bit to look forward to with all of them.” Horse racing news View the full article

Star hurdler Berry The Cash will contest the Road To The Jericho (3200m) at Waverley on Sunday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Mark Oulaghan has moved on from the disappointing outcome of the Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) and is looking forward to an unexpected opportunity with Berry The Cash. The Awapuni trainer has been around the jumping game long enough to not get too despondent when bad luck comes knocking, as it did last weekend at Te Rapa. Berry The Cash had been unbeaten in five lead-up outings over hurdles, including victory in the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) before he was badly hampered by a fallen rival in the Northern and dislodged rider Portia Matthews. The son of Jakkelberry had also won a flat event in July at Waverley and will return there on Sunday for a crack at the Road To The Jericho (3200m). “He seems really well so we’ll push on and give him his chance,” Oulaghan said. “I’d like to try him over two miles on the flat, it’s a good opportunity seeing as how he missed out last Sunday. “I didn’t think the field looked that strong on the noms and he’s a handy horse in the right grade, so it will be interesting.” However, even with the right result at Waverley, Oulaghan has all but ruled out Berry The Cash venturing across the Tasman for The Jericho Cup (4600m) to be run at Warrnambool on November 29. “You could say it’s Plan B and even if he won the chances of him going to Australia are pretty remote,” he said. Oulaghan will also have a strong winning chance at Wanganui on Saturday with his promising stayer Pinkerton to run in the Nufarm/Property Brokers Handicap (2040m). “He’s a good little horse, he’s just not very big and in the grade he’s in he has to carry a bit of weight,” he said. “The claim will help him and then we’ll look at running him in a few of those provincial open handicaps. That will suit him better when he drops back to 54kg.” The Niagara gelding has been allotted 61.5kg, which will be reduced by 3kg with the booking of apprentice Liam Kauri. Pinkerton was successful at Woodville and Trentham to take his tally to five wins from 22 appearances before time off and returned for a midfield finish at Wanganui at the end of last month. “He wasn’t very strong as a young horse so we left him alone and he started late so he hasn’t done a lot for a seven-year-old, hopefully he can do a bit over the next few months,” Oulaghan said. Meanwhile, star jumper West Coast is enjoying a deserved spell following a campaign that netted him his third Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) and second Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m). “He’s come through it all pretty good and seems to recover very well,” Oulaghan said. Overseas opportunities beckon West Coast, although options have yet to be seriously considered. “I still have to discuss it with the owners, at this stage the logical step would probably be to look a bit further afield, but we haven’t got anything specific in mind,” Oulaghan said. Horse racing news View the full article

Group 1 winner Ladies Man. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Last weekend’s New Plymouth abandonment has forced Allan Sharrock into a change of plans with his Group 1 winner Ladies Man, who is entered to kick off his seven-year-old season in the H&T Agronomics/Agricom Open (1200m) at Wanganui on Saturday. The Seaton Park (1400m) at New Plymouth was intended to be Ladies Man’s first step along the road to a defence of his title in the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on October 12. With that race washed away and a week lost from the build-up, Sharrock is now unwilling to overly tax the Zed gelding in a race against time over the next three weeks. “Losing that run last weekend means his Livamol prep is finished,” Sharrock said. “It’s just going to be too tough to get him ready for that race in the small amount of time that we have left. And if I pushed him too hard to try to get him there, I’d run the risk of ruining a very good horse. “There’s a lot of other good weight-for-age races coming up for him over the summer, and the first target we’ll work towards with him will probably be the Balmerino Stakes (Group 3, 2000m) at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day. “He’s entered for Wanganui on Saturday, but the track is going to be quite testing there, so I haven’t yet decided whether he’ll run there or not. I also have the option of saving him for a better track at Te Rapa next Friday. But either way, he’s coming up well. “It’s a bit of a shame to have to rule him out of the Livamol, but we’ve still got his stablemate Islington Lass heading in that direction. She won very well last week despite disliking the wet ground and not being fully at concert pitch.” Horse racing bookmakers currently rates Islington Lass a $10 fifth favourite in a Livamol Classic market headed by El Vencedor ($5), Campionessa ($7), Mustang Valley ($7) and One Bold Cat ($7). Meanwhile, Sharrock’s team at Wanganui on Saturday also includes the Group 3 Metric Mile (1600m) contender Justaskme. This will be the 50th race of an outstanding career for the nine-year-old, who has won 13 races and banked more than $540,000. Justaskme’s 1800m open handicap was one of three races run at New Plymouth last Saturday before the meeting was called off. He made up ground from the back of the field to finish fourth behind Aljay. “That was a bit of a funny race,” Sharrock said. “They ran it six seconds slower than the first race, which was a Rating 65. It turned into a sprint to the finish and the on-speed horses just ran away from him a little bit, but it wasn’t a bad run. “With a senior rider on (Jonathan Riddell), 58 kilos on his back and a nice draw (nine), I think he’s a lot better than a runner’s chance on Saturday. It could end up being quite a nice race for him to finish up his very good career on. We’re not far away from that now.” Sharrock has a rare early two-year-old runner on Saturday with Almakeitgood lining up in the Pilet Contracting Ltd/Pioneer Seeds 2YO (800m). The filly is a daughter of Ardrossan and the Sepoy mare Cortado, which makes her a full-sister to last season’s talented juvenile Maracatu. Sharrock bought Almakeitgood for $90,000 from Elsdon Park’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2024. “I don’t have many early two-year-olds, but I bought this filly to run in the million-dollar race (Karaka Millions 2YO, 1200m) and I think she’s very talented,” Sharrock said. “It won’t be ideal track conditions on Saturday to kick a baby off in, although she seemed to handle heavy ground okay in her gallop on Tuesday. The fact that it’s the first race of the day should also help.” Sharrock also expects another strong showing from Bella Timing in the Manawatu Toyota/John Turkington Forestry (1200m). The four-year-old is a half-sister to Sharrock-trained stars Darci La Bella and Tavi Mac, and she has been runner-up in three of her last four appearances. “I’ve scratched a few runners on Saturday who had inside draws because of the way I think the track is going to be, but I think she’s nicely drawn at nine,” Sharrock said. “I thought she could win last week, but her race didn’t get run. From her work this week, I think she’s pretty close to the mark again and should be a very good chance. “She’s had quite a big campaign, so I might turn her out after this and save her for the autumn.” Horse racing news View the full article