Wandering Eyes

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7th-BAQ, $85k, Msw, 3yo/up, 1m, 4:10p.m. ET On the far outside for this maiden contest is ALIDADE (Tapit), a $350,000 KEESEP purchase by Harrell Ventures and trained by Todd Pletcher. A full-sister to GSW Iron First and MGSW & GISP Anchor Down, Alidade also claims GISW Sweet Lulu (Mr. Greeley) as a half-sister and hails from the female family of GISP Rhiana. On the polar opposite end of the field is Danzit (Tapit) on the rail, a $1.1-million KEESEP purchase by Whisper Hill Farm who debuted in early spring last year at Gulfstream Park to run third, but was forced to go on the shelf until this seasonal bow. The chestnut is a full-sister to GISW Tapit Trice from the immediate female family of MGSW & MGISP Mission Impazible and his half-brothers GSW Forest Camp and GSW Spanish Empire. TJCIS PPs The post June 15 Insights: Full-Sister to Anchor Down Debuts in New York appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the scratch of Augustin Stables' Mrs. Astor, the $100,000 San Juan Capistrano Stakes (G3T) becomes a wide-open affair June 15 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Staton Flurry has not let a disastrous first foray into purchasing a Royal Ascot runner stand in his way of ticking off what he describes as 'a bucket list experience' with the leading American-based owner having worked out a deal for Albany Stakes contender Oh Cecelia (Starspangledbanner) on the eve of the meeting. Flurry may have left it late to guarantee his participation as an owner at this year's meeting but it's nothing compared to last year. After securing the Jack Davison-trained Take Me To Church at the Goffs London Sale for £300,000, Flurry was on a plane to England less than 24 hours later, excited about what lay in store. However, what unfolded was nothing short of a nightmare. Take Me To Church pulled a shoe on the morning of the Jersey Stakes and was therefore scratched from the race. The dream was over before it had even begun. Beaten but unbowed, Flurry has returned to the same source in Irish-based Davison, with the pair hoping for better luck together when impressive Cork winner Oh Cecelia lines out for Friday's Albany Stakes. Flurry said, “We are looking forward to seeing what she can do over there and hopefully we can enjoy better luck than what we started out with last year at Royal Ascot!” He recalled that luckless experience, “Take Me To Church threw a shoe the morning of the race and was just a little off when the vet came to look at him. We didn't have time to get a new shoe on so he was scratched. It was just some bad luck.” Flurry is perhaps best known for having his recognisable black and white silks carried by Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil. At 34 years of age, he has already accomplished plenty within the industry, and a good showing from Oh Cecelia next week would represent another milestone achievement. He said, “I claimed my first horse here in the States when I was 21. I am 34 now and it's just been a rollercoaster ride ever since. We've won the Kentucky Oaks with Shedaresthedevil and I was the leading owner at Oaklawn Park here at Hot Springs. We've had a lot of success – several Grade Is and lots of Listed successes as well. I have been with the right people and that is key in this business. You need to align yourself with the best, be that trainers, bloodstock agents and advisors. I feel like I have aligned myself with the best that there is in the States.” He added on working with Davison, “I won two races with Jack late last year with a horse named Bucaneer's Spirit. I have a couple of other two-year-olds in training with Jack now and, when this opportunity became available to buy into Oh Cecelia, I decided to take 50 per cent. She won very impressively the second time up at Cork. The horse that finished second to her [Rogue Legend] has spun off two wins in a row and is pointing towards Ascot also. I believe he was purchased by an American buyer, John Stewart. It's something to look forward to because Oh Cecelia has beaten some quality horses. Hopefully she can continue that good run that she has been on and we can have some fun come Albany day at Ascot.” The money that has been speculated on the private market for Royal Ascot-bound horses in the weeks leading up to the meeting would be enough to be listed on the stock market. Horses with even the remotest of chances are being snapped up left, right and centre as owners from all around the world bid to get in on what Flurry describes as a “bucket list experience”. Speaking about the lure of a Royal Ascot runner, he said, “I have always watched Royal Ascot on TV – usually NBC would have the coverage and I would get up early every morning to watch the Royal procession and everything that went along with it. I always wanted a starter over there and last year, I had zero expectations until I purchased Take Me To Church on the Monday before heading over to Ascot the following day. That was just a whirlwind. We decided straight after Ascot last year that we were going to try and come over again and it's definitely not as rushed this year. I'm looking forward to taking it all in this year and am so happy that this deal with Oh Cecelia could be worked out because, up until two weeks ago, I had no idea if I would have a runner or not.” He added, “I've told Jack that there are three international races that I would love to have a starter in. Ascot is one but I'd love a runner on the beach at Laytown and hopefully we can get that done in September. Beyond that, I'd love a runner on the White Turf at St Moritz. These are experiences rather than races. Those are the three bucket list events for me.” For all that these are bucket list events, Flurry hasn't become one of the most recognisable owners in America by simply taking part. He believes in his latest recruit and expects Oh Cecelia to acquit herself well in the Albany. He concluded, “If she runs like she has done on her previous two starts, and possibly improves, I don't see why we can't be in the mix. I'm excited to see what she can do. Declarations come out on Monday and hopefully we will have a better idea about the opposition and how we draw but we're very excited.” The post Flurry And Davison Hoping For Better Luck At Royal Ascot With Oh Cecelia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Shadwell's unbeaten Falakeyah (New Bay) has been supplemented to the June 20 G1 Coronation Stakes. The listed-winning homebred delivered by 3 1/4 lengths in the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket in May, but was ruled out of the G1 Betfred Oaks with a dirty scope and was deemed not ready for Sunday's G1 Prix de Diane Longines. “Owen [Burrows] feels she is now back to where she was before the dirty scope,” said Shadwell's racing manager Angus Gold on Shadwell's website. “He's very happy with her and together we feel the Coronation is the right race for her now. Jim believes she has the pace to be competitive at a mile at that level. She's definitely got a lot of class, and we are looking forward to Friday.” Falakeyah will face the Aga Khan Studs' G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Zarigana (Siyouni) in the one-mile race. The duo are part of a 15-strong field that also features Pouliches second Shes Perfect (Sioux Nation) as a possible, who also runs in the Diane on Sunday. Aidan O'Brien runs several, including multiple group winner Bedtime Story (Frankel). The post Shadwell’s Falakeyah Supplemented To Coronation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Known as the only horse to have beaten superstar Ka Ying Rising, talented sprinter Wunderbar bounced back from a string of out-of-character defeats with a stylish win at Sha Tin on Saturday night. Beaten on his previous four starts after starting his career in a blaze of glory, the John Size-trained gelding saluted for punters who crunched him late from $7 to $3.5 favouritism in the Class Two HKU Business School And Faculty Of Engineering Handicap (1,200m). Hugh Bowman settled Wunderbar...View the full article

Ellis Wong Chi-wang continued his red-hot streak and out-rode his 7lb claim thanks to his first Sha Tin turf double aboard Aerovolanic and Joy Of Spring on Saturday. The 24-year-old got off to the perfect start when Aerovolanic, a dual trial winner, weaved his way through traffic to make a winning debut in the Class Four HKU Heritage Handicap (1,200m). Wong travelled just ahead of midfield on the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained four-year-old, with the debutant looking very green and rolling around...View the full article

Promising New Zealand-bred mare Sacred Rocks (NZ) (Sacred Falls) made a big impression in her first appearance in Sydney on Saturday, storming home from well off the pace to win the A$160,000 Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1300m) at Rosehill. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old had previously had four starts in Victoria, starting with a winning debut at Pakenham in January. She was runner-up in two appearances at Sandown in January and February, then returned from a freshen-up with an impressive five-length victory at Sale on May 28. Sacred Rocks was sent out as a $3.10 favourite on Saturday and more than justified that billing. After settling near the tail of the field for jockey Dylan Gibbons, she began to warm into her work down the outside of the home straight. Still only fourth with 200m remaining, she changed gears late in the piece and finished over the top of Weeping Woman (Lonhro) and Drift Net (Exceed And Excel) to score stylishly by a neck. From five starts, Sacred Rocks has now recorded three wins and two second placings. She has earned A$143,550 in prizemoney. Sacred Rocks was bred by Stareye NZ Ltd, who are best known for breeding the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) winner Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino). Sacred Rocks is by Sacred Falls out of the Fastnet Rock mare Rocks For Me. That makes her a half-sister to the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) winner She’s A Con (NZ) (Contributer). Offered by Edinglassie Stud at the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Sacred Rocks was bought by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock and Thompson Creek for A$240,000. View the full article

Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park) made a welcome return to winning form when he prevailed in a pulsating three-horse finish to the A$1.2 million Gr.2 HKJC World Pool Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The Kiwi-bred son of Ocean Park was the standout three-year-old of the Queensland Winter Carnival two years ago, winning the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) and Gr.2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) and placing against older horses at weight-for-age in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m). Kovalica went winless in 20 starts through the two years after that Derby success, but regularly performed with credit against elite opposition. He ran second in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and Gr.2 Hill Stakes (1900m), third in the Doomben Cup, Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) and two editions of the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m), fourth in the Epsom Handicap, fifth in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m), and sixth in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m). Saturday was finally the five-year-old’s day. Kovalica spent most of the race at the tail of the eight-horse field, but improved his position coming up to the home turn and came widest of all into the straight. New Endeavour (New Bay) and Fawkner Park (Zoffany) kicked away at the 300m mark to fight it out, but Kovalica was steadily gaining ground on them down the outside. It developed into a three-way shootout to the finish line, which Kovalica won by a short half-head. “It was a long ride back to scale, making sure that I’d got there,” jockey Nash Rawiller said. “What a horse he’s been. We made a call during the week – as late as Tuesday morning – to put the blinkers on today. You could tell in the run that he was going to do something. He’s so strong. I thought he’d keep going, even though he pulled a bit in the race.” The Chris Waller-trained Kovalica has now had 30 starts for seven wins, eight placings and A$4.18 million in prizemoney for owners Neville Morgan and David Devine. “It took the length of the Eagle Farm straight to get there,” Waller said. “First win for a couple of years, but we haven’t lost faith in him and he’s been a good horse without winning. He’s been working to something good. “He might win his next race again this time next year, if not two years. He’ll be back to Queensland.” Kovalica was bred by Nearco Stud and was offered in Curraghmore’s 2021 Karaka Book 1 Yearling Sale draft, where he was purchased by Mulcaster Bloodstock for $110,000, Kovalica is out of the Makfi mare Vitesse (NZ), a half-sister to triple Group One winner The Bostonian (NZ) and Group Three winner Cheval D’Or (NZ). View the full article

With a powerful and poignant performance in Saturday’s The Star Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm, budding superstar War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) added extra Group One sparkle to the legacies of two much-missed New Zealand industry figures. The triumph came less than a week after the sudden passing in Kentucky of internationally renowned bloodstock agent Michael Wallace, who sourced War Machine’s dam Caserta on behalf of his brother David and late wife Maddy and parents Jim and Mary Wallace. War Machine was bred by the Wallace family’s MDJ Bloodstock and was offered by Ardsley Stud at both the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales and the Ready To Run Sale, but failed to reach his $100,000 reserve on both occasions. War Machine went on to make the first nine appearances of his exciting career from the stable of Mike Moroney, a decorated and widely respected trainer who passed away earlier this year. The Harry Angel gelding is now trained by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, who were aware of the multi-faceted significance of Saturday’s win. “We’re very proud, it was an amazing result today,” Ben Hayes said. “The Wallace family bred this horse and is in the ownership group. They’ve had a really tough time lately and hopefully his win today will make them feel better. “Also Mike Moroney, we’re fortunate to be able to be entrusted with this horse. He’s an amazing, exciting horse, and to be able to have a horse like this to train is just amazing. To be able to get a result like this for Will, JD, the whole team, Mike Moroney, his family, the Wallace family – it’s really, really exciting.” War Machine now boasts a perfect three-from-three record for the Hayes stable. He won a Benchmark 100 handicap at Caulfield on May 10, then earned clear-cut Stradbroke favouritism with an easy victory in last month’s Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben. The form out of that race was boosted earlier on Saturday afternoon when the third placegetter, the Kiwi galloper Pier (NZ) (Proisir), took out the Listed Wayne Wilson (1600m) by three lengths. Sent out as a $3.20 favourite, War Machine and jockey Tim Clark sat in eighth, three-wide but with cover, as Front Page (Magnus) and Punch Lane (So You Think) led the Stradbroke field up until the home turn. Clark swooped five wide around the corner and let War Machine rip at the top of the straight. The four-year-old produced an explosive turn of foot and burst to the front 250m from the finish. Yellow Brick (The Mission), Private Eye (Al Maher) and Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride of Dubai) gave chase and ate into the margin, but War Machine was of reach and scored by three-quarters of a length. “Obviously I was thrilled to get on him today,” said Clark, who had his first ride on War Machine on Saturday. “He put the writing on the wall a few weeks ago and it was a pleasant surprise on Sunday morning when I got the news. “He got away okay. He was just laying on the side of the gates a little bit, but he got away okay and it worked out pretty well from that draw. “Myself and Ben, we spoke before the race. We just wanted to get on a three-wide line with a bit of cover. He found Transatlantic’s (Snitzel) back, who I knew was going to take him far enough. “He travelled so well, I probably let him loose a bit early. But this was the grand final, there’s no tomorrow, so I wasn’t going to die wondering. “He let rip, really let rip. Maybe just wandered a little bit late. He could feel Yellow Brick coming late and sort of surged again. “I can’t take too much credit for it. What a great job by Ben and his brothers to just have him spot on for today. I was just the lucky one to get the call-up.” After being passed in at the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, War Machine went into training with Jim Wallace and won his only trial at Foxton by six lengths before his private purchase by bloodstock agent Steven Pinfold. “I spotted him at a jumpout before that Foxton trial,” Pinfold said. “I did a lot of business with Michael Moroney over the years. I worked for Mike for a long time, including running stables in Adelaide and Melbourne for him through the halcyon days of Brew and Second Coming. He was a champion to me and a very good mate for thirty-odd years. Once I saw War Machine at the jumpouts, I told Mike about him, and then when he won the trial, we pounced. “I put a lot of good clients into the horse and so did Mike, including Rupert Legh, so it’s nice to see the horse rewarding them. “Mike said to me that War Machine might be one of the better horses he trained. Last year, when he ran in the Golden Eagle (1500m), he was just a kid running against men. He went a really good race, and Mike said we will give him a crack at the Rupert Clarke (Gr.1, 1400m) and then put him away for the Stradbroke. So here we are, but sadly Mike isn’t with us. “I went to school with David Wallace. I also went to school with Andrew Williams, Adon Byron and Kieran McCaul who are all Silverstream boys that are in War Machine. “I have been friends with the Wallace family for forty years and their Ardsley Stud has been one of the great thoroughbred nurseries in New Zealand. Jim Wallace actually gave me my first job when he ran the Magic Millions sales at Trentham way back in my schooling days. “It’s a sad series of events. We would have loved David and Jim to be here with us this weekend, but unfortunately, they have had to go to America after the passing of Michael.” With six victories and four placings from 13 starts, War Machine has amassed A$2.48 million in prizemoney. War Machine’s two-year-old half-brother by Darci Brahma, named Vanvitelli (NZ) (Darci Brahma), was also the winner of a recent trial at Waipukurau and has subsequently been sold to clients of the Hayes team. View the full article

Group winner Path Of Soldier (lot 30) is one of a trio of late additions for the Goffs London Sale, held on Monday, June 16. Successful in the G3 Bavarian Classic in May, the son of Soldier Hollow was runner-up in the G3 Derby Trial at Baden-Baden for trainer Peter Schiergen. The G1 Deutsches Derby hopeful holds a German rating of 94.5 (approx. 109). Gavin Cromwell has entered the winners Bonus Time (Too Darn Hot) (lot 28) and Mo Chroi (Galiway) (lot 29). Nineteen lots will be offered with Royal Ascot engagements, and prospective buyers wishing to purchase a Royal Ascot runner must be registered as an owner prior to the sale in order for the change of ownership to be transferred on the day. For more information on the sale, which will be held at the Kensington Palace Gardens, please visit the Goffs website. Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby said, “The 2025 Goffs London Sale catalogue is as exciting as ever and we look forward to a memorable evening on Monday at a sale like no other, and then following our sale graduates at the iconic Royal meeting.” The post Path Of Soldier Anchors Latest Goffs London Recruits appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

War Machine lived up to his name with an explosive display to win the Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1,400m) at Eagle Farm for the Hayes brothers. Ridden by Tim Clark, the winner of 59 races in Hong Kong including the 2013 Classic Cup on It Has To Be You, the Harry Angel gelding settled just forward of midfield, sitting three wide with cover. Hooked out on the turn, War Machine charged home down the outside and readily collared the leaders, winning by just under a length from a fast-finishing...View the full article

By Jonny Turner Yet again it has been proven that a horse with ability and Phil Williamson’s masterful hand are a potent combination. In the depths of winter while most star three-year-old trotters are off the scene, Tarragindi is taking huge strides towards his big spring targets. The trotter cleared out for an emphatic win for driver Nathan Williamson, on a big Friday night at Addington for his father Phil, who later produced Becky’s Girl for an effortless debut victory for driver Brad Williamson. Tarragindi showed all sorts of ability as a two-year-old, with only his manners holding him back. A late gallop when looking a serious threat in Meant To Be’s Group 1 Ace Of Diamonds typified that. While surely frustrating, owner Bev Williamson has one of the most powerful weapons in her corner – being married to New Zealand’s greatest-ever trotting trainer. And he has a cunning plan to have Tarragindi ready to show his best when he tackles more Group 1 features at Addington later this year. “I think anyone who knows the game and saw the horse as a two-year-old would have thought he was going to make a nice horse,” Phil said. “He was green and had a lot to learn, and I was reluctant to put too much gear on him. I didn’t want him getting too fired up.” “He’s had a good break and he’s racing now to get that ringcraft, because when we race the better ones later on, we have to be fit, ready, and doing everything right.” “Because he is lower in the ratings, we can afford to give him a few starts at this time of year and get that experience.” Tarragindi takes his name from a suburb of Brisbane with a population of around 11,000. It caught Phil Williamson’s attention when he heard it on TV and he subsequently used it to name his progressive trotter. Phil and Bev enjoyed a breeding, owning, and training double between them with Becky’s Girl, a daughter of their smart former racemare Alderbeck scoring later in the Addington card. The two-year-old showed excellent manners as she cruised to an easy win on debut. Though they may not share too many similarities on type, like Tarragindi, Becky’s Girl has plenty to learn early in her two-year-old career. “She is still green —when she was left in front, she didn’t know exactly what to do,” Phil said. “She got a little bit pacey in her gait, and it wasn’t until the other horses got up to her that she really got into gear.” “All three of those horses in that race will go to the paddock now — they’ve all got a future.” “Becky’s Girl has really nice speed, which will be her biggest asset going forward.” The Williamson wins at Addington on Friday night didn’t stop with Becky’s Girl and Tarragindi. Son Nathan produced She’s Crunchy for a strong front-running victory in her debut. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Top junior driver Crystal Hackett is nursing a few bumps and bruises but is otherwise ok after an eventful and scary time at Alexandra Park last night. She had just won Race 8 with debutant Buddy Guy at the park and was returning to the stabling area when the two-year-old got spooked. Hackett was tipped from the sulky and got dragged along the infield. “It was a good distance and it was at a good clip,” Hackett says, “it certainly felt we were going quick.” “I was just lucky I had a good grip on the inside rein and I could slow him down.” Buddy Guy was clearly agitated by the whole experience and there were a few anxious moments all round before the situation was brought under control. It was gutsy and courageous stuff by Hackett. “I’ve got a few bruises this morning mainly to my wrist and hip and lower back.” “I’ve watched the video a few times and it just gets better the more times you watch it,” she laughs. To see the video click here Remarkably Hackett fronted up in the very next race at Alexandra Park, winning with Maro Mackendon for her parents Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett. It’s not the first time Hackett has been involved in such an incident. It also happened at Hawera in January. “It was in a race and I was kicked out and it was the same thing – I just held on for dear life!” Then at Cambridge in March a bit holding the reins on her runner Herb snapped leaving her with no control. “I was just a passenger,” she said at the time. On that occasion the Clerk of the Course came to her rescue without incident. “It’s been an eventful year that’s for sure,” says Hackett, “but these things can happen and you just press on.” And that’s what Hackett is doing. She was back at work this morning though feeling a little bit worse for wear. View the full article

The New Zealand Amateurs Drivers championships looks set for a big finish at Addington tomorrow (Sunday). The Raceway will host the final two heats of the four-race series, with Bruce Hadley, Cheree Wigg and Frank Phelan all tied on seven points, one ahead of Alan Edge, and Michael House and John Kriechbaumer on five. Wigg won last night’s heat at Addington thanks to a determined finish by the Matt Purvis-trained Almighty Clever in the IRT.Your Horse. Our Passion Mobile Pace. Almighty Clever will back up at the Raceway tomorrow as a $2.45 favourite in Heat 3 (1.24pm), though he will be driven then by northern reinsman Craig Sharpe. Sharpe will also drive the favourite in the final heat of the series when he combines with Stephs Boy. He’s at $2.60 currently, just ahead of Auntie Deb ($3), to be driven by Wigg. Craig’s brother Andrew, the defending champion, is currently seventh on four points. Bruce Hadley won the opening heat at Cambridge on Thursday night with the Jeremy Young-trained Billy The Kid. Leaderboard (with two races left) : Bruce Hadley 7 Cheree Wigg 7 Frank Phelan 7 Alan Edge 6 John Kriechbaumer 5 Michael House 5 Andrew Sharpe 4 Neil Munro 2 Colleen Negus 1 Craig Sharpe 0 View the full article

The Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) looms as a possible spring target for New Zealand-bred stayer Campaldino (NZ) (Ghibellines), who continued his rapid rise with another outstanding win in the A$400,000 Gr.2 XXXX Brisbane Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Within the space of nine weeks, the Ghibellines gelding has strung together four increasingly impressive victories. He kicked off with wins in the Orange Cup (2100m) and a Benchmark 78 handicap on Randwick’s Kensington track, prompting trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott to take him to Brisbane and raise the bar to black-type level. Campaldino passed his first major test with a dominant performance in last month’s Gr.3 Premier’s Cup (2400m) on a rapidly deteriorating heavy track. Saturday’s Brisbane Cup marked a step up in class and distance, along with a switch to Good3 ground, but there was no difference to the result. Jockey Tim Clark gave Campaldino a comfortable run, initially sitting outside the front-running True Marvel (Masked Marvel) before easing back into fourth with a lap to go. He was travelling smoothly every step of the way. Clark allowed him to creep forward from the 700m mark, moving up alongside True Marvel just before the home turn. Campaldino took command coming into the straight, powering into a clear lead with 300m to run. Etna Rosso (Decorated Knight) tried his hardest to eat into the margin, but Campaldino kept going strongly all the way to the finish line and won by a length and a quarter. “Since the blinkers have been removed, he has been much better,” Clark said. “That has helped him be so strong at the end of his races. “He’s a pleasure to ride and another good find out of New Zealand. He has come here and really found his mojo now. “He’s shooting through the grades nicely. He’s thrived with the sun on his back and he can run a strong two miles. When he had clean air, he really dragged me forward. He had energy stored in the run and he picked up when I let him go.” Waterhouse and Bott are now keen to push on to Melbourne in the spring. “I think we’ll have to go for the Melbourne Cup,” Bott said. “He’s an amazing, progressive horse. He’s come a long way and that tops off the campaign nicely. “He can’t have too long off, but he’s had some nice conditioning this preparation and we’ll try and work backwards from the Melbourne Cup. “He’s still learning what it is all about. Even when he hit the front today, I was worried about him getting there too early. There is still progression to come. He had a bit of a wander around when he got to the rail, but when he was challenged, I thought he responded nicely in the end. “He’s lightly raced for a stayer and it will be exciting to see what he can do in a few campaigns ahead.” From 14 starts, Campaldino has now recorded six wins and four placings. He has banked more than A$500,000 for a Darby Racing syndicate. Campaldino was bred by the Ricky & Anna Rhodes Partnership and is by White Robe Lodge stallion Ghibellines out of the Shocking mare Zuzana (NZ). Campaldino began his career in the Matamata stable of Cody Cole, for whom he had four starts last year. He finished seventh and eighth in his first two appearances, then put together back-to-back wins in a 1750m highweight at Taupo and a 2200m Rating 65 at Pukekohe. His performances caught the eye of Rob Waterhouse, and he was purchased privately. From 10 starts in Australia, Campaldino has now recorded four wins, three seconds, a third, and two fifths. View the full article

A runaway victory in Saturday’s A$160,000 Listed The Wayne Wilson (1600m) at Eagle Farm was a proud moment for Pier’s (NZ) (Proisir) connections, but they could also be forgiven for wondering what might have been in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). Pier ventured across the Tasman as the winner of four races in New Zealand, headed by the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in 2022. The son of Proisir has found a promising vein of form in his latest preparation, producing powerful finishes for placings in the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Trentham and the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben. But he had earned insufficient prizemoney for a place in the Stradbroke Handicap field, sitting on the ballot as the fourth emergency and getting only two of the four scratchings he needed to make the field. The Wayne Wilson on Saturday’s Stradbroke handicap was the consolation prize, and Pier grabbed it in emphatic style. Ridden by Ethan Brown, the five-year-old settled in third place before cruising up alongside the front-running Attractable (I Am Invincible) just before the home turn. Pier dashed past that rival at the top of the straight and burst clear, going on to win by three lengths from Sibaaq (NZ) (Dark Angel). “He’s a horse with great stamina,” Brown said. “Third-up here today, he broke well, so I was happy to use his action and his fitness. “He’s proven at the mile and was always going to run it out strongly today. I used that to my advantage and he was strong all the way through the line. He’s a very nice horse. “I’m sure he can measure up here in Australia and he has proven himself today. I think he’s up to it. “He drew a lot more favourably today. Last start he ran a blinder – got too much out of his ground from a wide gate, but ran home well.” Pier has now had 13 starts for five wins, four placings and A$579,870 in stakes. He is trained at Matamata by Darryn Weatherley and his daughter, Briar. Darryn Weatherley and his wife Lou, also co-bred and part-own the gelding, who is a half-brother to their multiple stakes-winning sprinter Maria Farina (NZ) (Contributer). “This is super,” Darryn Weatherley said. “We have been here a month now. We bred this horse. I’ll give a special mention to my wife at home, who’s had a bit of a health scare. “This horse has achieved what I expected he would. I truly believe he would have been a force to be reckoned with in the Straddie, but maybe next year. “He drew 16 from 16 at Doomben and he was second-to-last on the turn. His sectionals were huge. Ethan rode him beautifully the other day and he’s backed it up again today.” Weatherley is now keen to chase Group One spoils on home soil in the early stages of the new season. “I would like to spell him here for a month, then have a crack at the first Group One in New Zealand, and then hopefully head to Melbourne later in the spring.” View the full article

Stratford visitor Soldier Boy (NZ) (Proisir) made a long-awaited return to the winners’ enclosure when he came out on top in a three-horse tussle in the SKYCITY Hamilton Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa. The Gavin Sharrock-prepared galloper hadn’t been seen on top of the victory podium since he claimed the Listed Maron Cup (2200m) at Trentham in January 2023. Sharrock has never lost faith in his versatile son of Rich Hill Stud stallion Proisir, who tends to excel on tracks with plenty of cut in them. With Te Rapa coming up a Heavy10 on race morning, it played well for the six-year-old who also enjoyed the services of in-form jockey Kelly Myers, who was having her first ride aboard the gelding at his 47th race start. Myers allowed Soldier Boy to find his feet in midfield before beginning to improve his position along the rail at the 600m. Angled off the fence rounding the home bend into a fast lane in the middle of the track, Soldier Boy and the well-fancied Saint Bathans (Maurice) took control of proceedings at the 250m with Drop Of Something (NZ) (Telperion) chasing gamely on their heels. Soldier Boy fought best in a dour struggle as he held out his rivals by half a length, in the process returning his supporters a healthy Fixed Odds dividend of $27. Sharrock, who went close to a notable double on the day when his other runner, Stewart (NZ) (Darci Brahma) was narrowly beaten in the fourth race on the card, was thrilled to see one of his stable favourites back in winning form. “That was great today as he has always been a good horse but as he has got older, he has got a few more quirks and can be a little cantankerous at times,” Sharrock said. “I stripped all the gear off him and let him run au naturel and he loved it. “I thought Kelly rode him a treat as we discussed it before the race and I just said make sure you keep him nice and warm behind the barrier. Last time he stood there and wouldn’t go, but today he got away nicely and the old bugger was in for the fight.” Sharrock is keen to press on over the winter months with a tilt at the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth on 19 July a possible option for his charge. “He is back to form and when he is like that he stays that way,” he said. “He can have a freshen up now and maybe take a shot at the Opunake Cup next month as he has won twice over 1400m. “He is really versatile as he ran fourth in a New Zealand Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) and won the Marton Cup over 2200m and has that winning 1400m form so anything is possible with him.” Raced by Hawera accountant Gavin O’Dea, who co-bred him from his Ekraar mare Forty Love (NZ), Soldier Boy is the younger brother of Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) runner-up Vancooga (NZ) and the older brother of former promising juvenile Sergeant Major (NZ), who was purchased by well-known Australian owner Ozzie Kheir before going on to win the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) out of the Ciaron Maher stable in April. Soldier Boy has now won five of his 47 starts and over $256,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson had a perfect two-from-two day at Wanganui on Saturday, capped by potential black-type contender Belles Beau (NZ) (Iffraaj) in the Loaders Civil (1340m). Patterson had only two horses entered all weekend, and both of them produced impressive performances at Wanganui – Ma Te Wa (NZ) (Time Test) in the Hirepool 3YO (1340m) and Belles Beau in the day’s open sprint. “Two wins from only two runners is a really satisfying day, and I think they were two good performances by a couple of very progressive geldings with bright futures,” Patterson said. Saturday marked the first appearance in open company for Belles Beau, who had made a good impression in recording three wins and three placings from his eight previous starts. Patterson admitted to some concerns with Belles Beau leading into this week’s $40,000 assignment, but the four-year-old Iffraaj gelding was sent out as a $4 favourite and produced a performance that quickly put Patterson’s doubts to rest. Belles Beau was confidently ridden by Kavish Chowdhoory, who allowed him to slide forward around the outside of the field coming down the side of the track. The favourite swooped past Bradman (NZ) (Pins) to take the lead at the home turn, and the result was in little doubt from there. Carrying 4kg less than the gallant topweight, Belles Beau pulled ahead and kept him at arm’s length all the way down the straight. He had a half-length margin up his sleeve at the finish line. “Belles Beau missed a gallop leading into this race and I was a little bit concerned that he might blow out,” Patterson said. “For him to beat a good open handicap field the way he did, in only the ninth start of his career, was a very good effort. He’s got a lot of ability and upside and is such a straightforward horse to do anything with, so I’m looking forward to what’s in front of him.” Bred and raced by Eddie and Nicola Bourke and Allan Piercy, Belles Beau has had nine starts for four wins, three placings and $84,895 in stakes. Patterson now has his sights set on the $120,000 Sinclair Electrical & Refrigeration Opunake Cup (1400m) on his home track on July 19. “I’ll talk to Eddie (Bourke) before making any plans, but I might be tempted to go straight into the Opunake Cup without another run now,” he said. “If he came out and won another race in between times, he’d pick up a bunch more points and have a bigger weight in the Opunake Cup.” View the full article

A thrilling victory on Afterallthistime (Deep Field) in Saturday’s Signature Homes Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) capped a Te Rapa double for Portia Matthews that was unforgettable in more ways than one. Matthews won both of the steeplechase races on the card, having previously taken out the Ken & Roger Browne Memorial (3900m) in extraordinary fashion aboard Uncle Charlie (NZ) (Alamosa). Six of the seven horses in that field were out of contention by the end of a chaotic first lap, leaving Uncle Charlie the only one still standing. Uncle Charlie mixed his jumps from that point on, and Matthews lost her irons, but the Hamilton crowd willed them on, and they completed the journey for a win that had to be seen to be believed. The final margin was 89 and three-quarters lengths, with Dean Parker re-mounting Catch And Release (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) to finish the race in a distant second place. The Waikato Steeplechase was a very different story. Matthews and Afterallthistime settled in second-last for a large part of the 3900m journey, biding their time as Jakama Krystal (NZ) (Jakkalberry), Nedwin (NZ) (Niagara) and The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) showed the way out in front. Afterallthistime began to warm into his work ominously coming down the side of the track towards the home turn, striding past more than half of the field and setting his sights on the leaders. Nedwin lost all momentum with a poor jump at the third-to-last fence, and two-time defending champion The Cossack parted company with Mathew Gillies at the last. Through all of that, the $14 outsider Afterallthistime kept advancing. He took a clear lead coming into the straight, but his job wasn’t over yet. He saved his worst jump for last and then faced a late challenge from strong-finishing stablemate Call Me Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) in a Kevin Myers quinella. But Matthews got Afterallthistime to lift again, clinging on to win by a long head. Nedwin finished another 22 and a quarter lengths away in third. “It’s definitely a day I won’t forget,” Matthews said. “I’d like to thank Kevin Myers for putting me on this horse today. I’ve had a bit of an association with him in the past and I’ve won on him before. I really like him. He’s a lovely, big horse. “He got through the ground so well today. It’s quite a nice feeling looming up so easily behind horses like Nedwin and The Cossack. That’s not something I’ve experienced before – passing them and thinking, ‘Oh, I’ve still got a bit left here.’ “He got in front and was a bit balky at the last jump, but we got over it and got him going again. We lost a bit of momentum with that jump, and I knew the stablemate was coming, but he kept trying. It was a big effort and it’s a credit to the horse. “Credit to the Myers team too – they had him so fit today.” Afterallthistime has now had 24 starts for four wins, seven placings and $118,965 in stakes. He has had a win and a placing from two starts over hurdles, while his 13-race steeplechase career has produced three wins and three placings. View the full article

Robbie Patterson has unearthed another potential topliner from his New Plymouth stable as progressive gelding Ma Te Wa (NZ) (Time Test) kept his winning Wanganui record intact with victory in the Hirepool 3YO (1340). The three-year-old son of Time Test opened his career with a fourth on his home track back in February. Patterson gave him a few weeks off to recover from that effort before producing him to score by more than four lengths in a maiden contest at Wanganui in late May. Ma Te Wa returned to the scene of that triumph on Saturday, with punters jumping in boots and all to send him out a dominant $1.60 Fixed Odds favourite against his age-group rivals. Apprentice Sima Mxothwa had his mount away nicely and sitting pretty outside pacemaker Cypress (NZ) (Telperion) throughout before applying plenty of pressure as he shot Ma Te Wa to the front rounding the home bend. Cypress and Palmarow (NZ) (Derryn) chased gamely but were left floundering in the favourite’s wake as he cruised home by four lengths once again to make it back-to-back Wanganui wins. Patterson, who returned on Thursday from a winter break in Brisbane, admits he is in a quandary about just what to do next with his charge. “The good thing about this guy is that he jumps out of the gates so well and just puts himself right in the contest from the off,” Patterson said. “He can quicken when you ask him, and even though he is handling the wet stuff now, I think when he gets over a mile on a good track he will be even better. He has really just needed time and is getting better with more racing experience. “I just don’t know what to do with him now, as it is very hard to put them away when they are winning like he is and without a hint of mud on his silks. “We do have the big Opunake meeting coming up at home, where there is a special maiden he could go in with Sima getting his 4kg claim which would suit him perfectly. “Sima rode him well and he is a lovely lad. All I said was to get outside the leader and don’t panic, which he did perfectly.” Bred by Jack O’Brien, Ma Te Wa is the first foal out of Per Incanto mare Fascino Lass (NZ), a half-sister to Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) winner Girl Of My Dreams (NZ) and from a family that includes well-performed stakes winner and winter galloper Joal (NZ). View the full article

Saturday’s A$150,000 Sportsbet Jockey Watch Handicap (1000m) at Sandown was Hello Romeo’s (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) first appearance since the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) in January, and the talented two-year-old resumed in style. Hello Romeo comes from the first New Zealand crop by Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain, and he brought up a first southern hemisphere win for the sire with his victory at Bendigo in November. His performances in that initial preparation prompted trainers Ben, Will, and JD Hayes to take a shot at the Karaka Millions in Ellerslie, where he finished a creditable eighth behind La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth). Gelded in between times, Hello Romeo showed promising signs with a trial win at Flemington on May 30. He returned to race day in Saturday’s two-year-old sprint and set a promising tone for the campaign ahead. “He’s an absolute professional mentally,” Will Hayes said. “He coped extremely well with the New Zealand trip as a colt. He’s obviously had the ultimate gear change between that prep and this prep, and it was a great display from him today. “There’s plenty of upside with him. He’s up, he’s sound and he’s firing, so we’ll look to make hay while the sun shines. Hopefully he’s in for a long, successful prep.” Hello Romeo drew the outside gate of 13 on Saturday, but jumped well and slid forward to sit outside the leader for jockey Daniel Stackhouse. Hello Romeo kicked well in the straight and took command, going on to win by a neck from the late-closing Street Legal (Exceedance). The third placegetter finished another two lengths away. “I’ve always liked this horse,” Stackhouse said. “I rode him quite a bit in his early days leading into that win at Bendigo. He went to New Zealand after that and was competitive in strong company. “He’s obviously been gelded ahead of this preparation. He trialled up well and seems to have come back better and stronger. “It was tricky from the outside gate today. I had Plan A or Plan B, either to go forward or back depending on how he stepped. He broke quite nicely. Big credit to him, because I had to put a bit of work into him early. But we controlled the race from there, and I liked how he got down the hill and then put his best foot forward when I asked him to go.” From five starts, Hello Romeo has now recorded two wins and a placing, earning A$127,418 in stakes. Hello Romeo was bred by Jomara Bloodstock and purchased by Lindsay Park for $150,000 out of Halmark Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale. He is the first foal of the Shooting To Win mare Julieta (NZ), who is a half-sister to Humidor (NZ), the three-time Group One winner of the Australian Cup (2000m), Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), and the Memsie Stakes (1400m). View the full article

There are “active discussions” between representatives of Churchill Downs Inc. and officials in Louisiana to reach some kind of agreement to see the owners of Fair Grounds continue to operate live racing at the track, according to a report Friday in DRF. Earlier this week, CDI's chief executive, Bill Carstanjen, sent a letter to the Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) and to some of the state's high-ranking politicians, warning that the track's inability to operate historic horse racing machines (HHR) at its OTBs put the company in a precarious economic position–so much so, it was planning to surrender its license to operate racing at Fair Grounds. In March, the Louisiana Supreme Court declared a 2021 statute that had legalized historical horse racing machines as unconstitutional without voter approval. CDI subsequently announced a roughly 25% cut to purses at the track on the back of the court's decision. “This ruling places at risk an entire horse racing ecosystem that relies on historical horse racing revenue,” the company wrote in a statement at the time. Prior to the court ruling, CDI operated HHR machines at 13 OTBs in Louisiana. According to DRF, CDI issued a statement Friday morning that Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry was directly involved in the discussions, and that the company was “engaged in active discussions with the Louisiana Racing Commission and the horsemen with the aim of reaching a resolution that is favorable to all of the stakeholders.” Besides Landry's office and CDI, it is understood the discussions also involve the state racing commission and Louisiana's HBPA. Carstanjen's June 9 letter to Landry states the following: “Given the legislature's ease with which it approved legislation that is directly adverse and harmful to the economic interests of Fair Grounds, the opposition by elected officials to engage in meaningful solutions in collaboration with the Fair Grounds, and the forthcoming adjournment of the legislative session, CDI is left with no choice but to request an appearance before the LSRC to begin the next steps for voluntarily surrendering the racing license held by the Fair Grounds.” Carstanjen added that, “It is my understanding that soon after the Louisiana Legislature adjourns on June 12, 2025, an emergency meeting of the LSRC will be conducted. This correspondence is CDI's formal request to appear at the meeting to discuss the timeline and next steps concerning the license” that CDI holds for Fair Grounds.” The post Ongoing Discussions on Future of Fair Grounds Amid HHR Dispute appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As major renovations continue at Belmont Park, NYRA officials express steadfast confidence in the project's completion by fall 2026 at June 13 meeting of the New York State Franchise Oversight Board. View the full article

8th-Churchill Downs, $123,202, Alw, 6-13, (NW1X), 3yo/up, 1 1/2m (off turf), 2:31.72, sy, 14 1/2 lengths. EMERGENCE (c, 3, Uncle Mo–Belle Watling, by Pulpit) closed from well back in his Feb. 1 debut to graduate at first asking over Gulfstream's synthetic track by 3 1/4 lengths. Moved over to the grass two back Mar. 1 at that venue for the Listed Colonel Liam Stakes at a mile, he failed to produce that same kick and finished a flat eighth behind winner Mi Bago (Vekoma), who would just miss hitting the board in Churchill's May 3 GI American Turf Stakes and was recently seen running second June 7 in the off-turf rendition of the Pennine Ridge Stakes at Saratoga. Improving to third last out May 9 going 1 1/16-miles over this course, this mile and a half contest came off the turf as rain moved through the area, but the betting public still liked Emergence to the tune of 8-5 favoritism. Pursuing from midpack over a muddy main track, he inched forward after a mile had gone by in 1:38.21, and was the looming danger as they turned for home. Inhaling Domingo (American Pharoah) and Presider (Connect) passing the five-sixteenths, Emergence rolled away and won by an eye-catching, geared-down 14 1/2 lengths. Domingo won the battle for second by three-quarters of a length and it was a long way back to fourth. The victor is a half-brother to a pair of elite runners, namely War Story (Northern Afleet), MGSW & GISP, $3,271,996 and Land Over Sea (Bellamy Road), GSW & MGISP, $746,500. The latter has gone on to a broodmare career in Japan after changing hands to Shadai Farm in 2017 at the FTKNOV sale for $1.3-million. Land Over Sea now claims GSP-Jpn Satono Epic (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) to her credit in her adoptive home country. Another of Emergence's half-sisters, Diamonds and Rust (Curlin), is the dam of last year's GIII With Anticipation Stakes runner-up Tenacious Leader (Not This Time). Belle Watling's last registered offspring is this winner after her 2023 Gun Runner foal was stillborn. Second dam Polly Adler (Housebuster) most accomplished offspring is MSW Yoursmineours (Belong to Me), who herself went on to produce MSW Whiskey Romeo (Forester) and GSW Shared Property (Scat Daddy). She is also the granddam of SW Alla Breve (Mendelssohn), MSP Send the Boss (Street Boss) and MSP Fraudulent Charge (Will Take Charge). This is the immediate female family of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Epitome (Summing), dam of multiple group winner Essence of Dubai (Pulpit). Sales history: $475,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-1, $129,984. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Qatar Racing, CHC, Inc. and Trilogy USA; B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. Emergence and Vincent Cheminaud score in R8 at @churchilldowns! Another winner for trainer @bradcoxracing. TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/O5cEpjSFvQ — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 13, 2025 The post Uncle Mo’s Emergence Puts on a Show over the Slop at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article