Wandering Eyes

G1 Racing's Christmas Parade (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) earned her first stakes victory and group win in the G2 Shion Stakes on Saturday. The filly blitzed the 2000 metres in a new stakes record of 1:56.60. Sent off at 28-5, the Shizuya Kato runner stalked Isola Felice (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) from second as that foe sped through splits of :22.90, :46.70, and 1:10.70. The final four furlongs were all under :12 seconds each, with the eventual winner asked for her best inside the final 600 metres. She surged to the lead in upper stretch and fended off the late charge of Mi Anhelo (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) by a neck. Favoured Bond Girl (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) also closed from near the rear of the field to take third, another 1 1/4 lengths behind. The top three finishers have all booked their spots in the G1 Shuka Sho on Oct. 13. Jockey Yukito Ishikawa told NetKeiba, “The track was in great condition, and I had a feeling it could produce a record time, but it still surprised me. She's still a bit immature mentally, but the stable has done a fantastic job fine-tuning her, and I think she has a bright future ahead.” A winner of a 2000-metre Nakayama newcomers affair in December, the dark bay doubled up over 2200 metres there in her 3-year-old bow in February. She was fourth in the G2 Flora Stakes on Apr. 21 and ninth trying dirt for the first time in the Listed Kano Oaks at Kawasaki on June 12, a surface her dam triumphed over four times. This was her first start back. Pedigree Notes She is the 10th stakes winner and seventh group winner for her Shadai-based sire who stood for ¥20,000,000 this season. Kitasan Black is the sire of worldwide star Equinox (Jpn), who entered stud this year, and fellow Group 1 winner Sol Oriens (Jpn). Her dam, the $285,000 Keeneland September yearling Miss Erika (Blame), was consigned by Elm Tree Farm for Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings before selling to Katsumi Yoshida in 2013. She would go on to win five times over turf and dirt in her adopted country in the colours of Masami Aramaki. The winner is the second foal out of a half-sister to GII Fountain Of Youth Stakes and GIII With Anticipation Stakes winner and sire Soldat (War Front). She is followed by a juvenile colt named Debug (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) and a yearling colt by Satono Aladdin (Jpn). Saturday, Nakayama, Japan SHION STAKES-G2, ¥100,340,000, Nakayama, 9-7, 3yo, f, 2000mT, *1:56.60 (NCR), fm. 1–CHRISTMAS PARADE (JPN), 121, f, 3, by Kitasan Black (Jpn) 1st Dam: Miss Erika, by Blame 2nd Dam: Le Relais, by Coronado's Quest 3rd Dam: Malbay, by Apalachee 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. O-G1 Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Shizuya Kato (Jpn); J-Yukito Ishikawa; ¥52,938,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-0, ¥78,834,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. 2–Mi Anhelo (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Duramente (Jpn)–Mi Sueno, by Pulpit. O-Silk Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥21,268,000. 3–Bond Girl (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Daiwa Major (Jpn)–Coasted, by Tizway. (¥210,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL). O-Susumu Fujita; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥13,134,000. Margins: NK, 1 1/4, HD. Odds: 5.60, 4.60, 2.00. Also Ran: Lake Crescent (Jpn), For The Boys (Jpn), Hohelied (Jpn), Teleos Sarah (Jpn), Erato (Jpn), Gaju Nori (Jpn), Isola Felice (Jpn), Humming (Jpn), Balance Dancer (Jpn), Saronikos (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Christmas In September As Kitasan Black Filly Sets Stakes Record At Nakayama appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Catalina Cruiser (Union Rags–Sea Gull, by Mineshaft), a five-time Grade II winner at a variety of distances, will move from Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky, to continue his stud career at Haras Porta Pia in Chile. The deal was brokered by Matt Bowling of Bowling Bloodstock and J.P. Sullivan of Sullivan Bloodstock. Winner of seven of his nine career starts for Hronis Racing and John Sadler, the 10-year-old is the sire of 53 individual winners to date and three stakes horses from his second crop, including GI Curlin Florida Derby runner-up Catalytic, a starter in this year's GI Kentucky Derby. During the boutique summer meetings at Del Mar, the stallion was represented by maiden winner Artislas, a live chance in Sunday's GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf, and Cruise to Catalina, a seven-length allowance winner versus New York-bred competition at Saratoga. The post Catalina Cruiser To Stand In Chile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. Trainer Danny Gargan launched the careers of GI Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch (Good Magic) as well as GIII Matt Winn Stakes winner Society Man (Good Magic) during the 2023 meeting at Saratoga. Both starters in this year's GI Kentucky Derby, neither won on debut. Dornoch finished a strong second behind fellow future Classic winner Seize the Grey (Arrogate) in his unveiling in the Saratoga slop while Society Man was a well-beaten seventh first time out behind subsequent five-time stakes winner Valentine Candy (Justify). After unleashing 2-year-old filly Complexion (Complexity) with a 'TDN Rising Star' performance during the Belmont at the Big A meeting earlier this spring (she followed with a seventh-place finish after losing her race in the starting gate in the Schuylerville Stakes on opening day), a trio from Gargan's juvenile class of 2024 stamped themselves as ones to watch despite not visiting the winner's circle at the Spa this summer. “Obviously, last year's crop is probably gonna be hard to beat with two Derby starters out of 16 babies,” Gargan said. “We've had a winner already with Complexion, who's really talented. We didn't have as many babies this year–we only had like a dozen–but we're really proud of the ones we have.” Danny Gargan celebrates Dornoch's win in the Belmont Stakes | Sarah Andrew By the same leading young sire as the aforementioned unplaced Kentucky Derby duo as well as the Gargan-trained 2022 GII Remsen Stakes winner Dubyuhnell, Snowyte (f, 2, Good Magic–Snow Fall, by War Front) crossed the wire a strong second after doing all of the heavy lifting first time out going seven furlongs at Saratoga Sept. 1. Well-backed at 5-2 after firing a four-furlong bullet in :47 4/5 (1/94) Aug. 25, Snowyte was sixth out of the stalls and ridden to the front by Luis Saez from her inside draw. She set a pressured pace through fractions of :22.50 and :45.14, kicked for home as the one to catch, and, after racing down most of the stretch on her left lead, was run down late to finish second by 2 1/2 lengths to second-time starter Quickick (McKinzie). Snowyte earned a 74 Beyer for the effort. QUICKICK, the 2YO daughter of @Gainesway stallion McKinzie, breaks her maiden in the seventh race with @DavisJockey aboard for trainer @TomAmossRacing. pic.twitter.com/lMyo94L11E — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) September 1, 2024 Snowyte, a $250,000 Keeneland September yearling, was produced by a two-time stakes winner and half-sister to MGSW Upperline (Maria's Mon). She is campaigned in partnership by Pine Racing Stables, Belmar Racing and Breeding, LLC and R. A. Hill Stable. Breeder Don Alberto Stable is also on the ownership line. “She's my favorite,” Gargan said. “I think she's gonna be a super-talented horse. It was one of those situations where it was seven-eighths and we never worked her past a half-mile. She didn't have that many breezes, but we went ahead and wanted to get her started to just get a race in her to get her going. She'll probably run back at Keeneland opening week. I think she can be any kind of horse in the future.” After working in company with Dornoch and not backing down one bit in a four-furlong breeze recorded in a visually impressive :47 1/5 (3/175) Aug. 8, there was plenty of buzz surrounding Rookie Card (c, 2, Adios Charlie–Glamalert, by Vindication) as he lined up as the 5-2 second-choice in the highly coveted Travers Day six-furlong maiden special weight. Hustled to the front by Dylan Davis after not getting off to the sharpest of beginnings from his two draw, Rookie Card was hounded from the outside by the slightly favored Todd Pletcher-trained first-time starter Tip Top Thomas (Volatile) through an opening quarter in a sharp :21.95. Tip Top Thomas turned up the heat on the far turn and reached even terms with Rookie Card as they approached the eighth pole. Rookie Card dug down gamely along the rail and wasn't going out without a fight, but just couldn't withstand a final surge from Tip Top Thomas, who got up to win by a head and earn a 'TDN Rising Star' badge in a blanket finish. It was another nose back to third-place finisher Keewaydin (Instagrand), who came storming home down the center with giant strides after tracking the top two throughout. Fourth-place finisher Sovereignty (Into Mischief) rallied from last of 10 to finish a better-than-it-looked fourth in a race completely dominated on the front end. The top three all earned matching 85 Beyer Speed Figures. TIP TOP THOMAS, the 2YO son of @Three_Chimneys stallion Volatile, breaks his maiden in the seventh race with @iradortiz up for trainer @PletcherRacing. pic.twitter.com/5GCePwCdfU — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 24, 2024 Bred in Florida by Ocala Stud and Centaur Farms, Inc., the son of Adios Charlie is out of a winning half-sister to GISW Swift Temper (Giant's Causeway). The $165,000 OBS June breezer (:21) carries the colors of R. A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables. “It's a big-time raceday,” Gargan said. “We knew we were gonna catch some good horses. He broke just a touch slow and rushed up. They went super fast and came back with a big number. If Todd's horse would've drawn the rail–the rail was dead that day–and we draw the outside and sit the trip instead of rushing, we win the race. It's just unfortunate. He's a really nice horse and we're looking forward to running him back. He's probably gonna run [at Aqueduct] on Sept. 21.” Rookie Card (inside) & Tip Top Thomas throw down in the loaded Travers Day maiden special weight | Sarah Andrew Dragoneer (c, 2, McKinzie–Altamura, by Artie Schiller) rallied smartly from last of 10 after an impossible journey on debut going 1 1/16 miles over the Saratoga lawn Aug. 17. The 13-1 chance hesitated a touch at the start and caboosed the field through fractions of :23.61 and :48.74 over the good going. He began to enter the picture while traveling nicely under a tight hold beneath Kendrick Carmouche heading into the far turn and saved ground along the hedge as they turned for home. He quietly made progress through all of the chaos in the stretch and came rocketing home while racing in tight quarters between horses to finish in a field-best :30.53 while crossing the line third, beaten 1 1/4 lengths behind Concord Green (War Front). CONCORD GREEN shocks the field with a 13-1 upset in the second race, guided by the unstoppable @DavisJockey for trainer Shug McGaughey! pic.twitter.com/qgnN1r4hcI — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 17, 2024 Dragoneer hails from the first crop of freshman sire McKinzie and was produced by three-time stakes winner Altamura. He brought $450,000 from Carl F. and Yurie Pascarella, R. A. Hill Stable and Belmar Racing and Breeding, LLC, after breezing in :9 4/5 at OBS March. He previously sold for $135,000 as a KEENOV weanling and RNA'd for $125,000 as a KEESEP yearling. “He just never had anywhere to get through,” Gargan said. “He's a really talented horse, we really like him. It just was a little unfortunate that he had no chance to slip through. He's a two-turn horse and he ran so well. He's gonna run back on the grass Sept. 28 at Aqueduct.” The 'Second Chances' Honor Roll is headed by Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin), fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) and GISWs A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo), Honor A. P. (Honor Code), Locked (Gun Runner), Paradise Woods (Union Rags) and Speaker's Corner (Street Sense). The blinkered Dragoneer (yellow saddle towel, burgundy silks) rallies through traffic to finish third on debut over the Saratoga lawn Aug. 17 | Sarah Andrew The post Second Chances: Gargan 2-Year-Old Trio Lose Little in Defeat at the Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It's the final day of the meet where the 'turf meets the surf' where trainer Bob Baffert will likely finish the afternoon with an unprecedented 18th winner of the GI Del Mar Futurity, the final major contest of the season before the track gets all decked out in purple for the arrival of the Breeders' Cup in early November. The Hall of Famer saddles three of Sunday's seven intended runners, each capable of walking away with the victory on their best. 'TDN Rising Star' Getaway Car (Curlin) is the most experienced of the trio with two starts to his credit, having wired a local five-furlong maiden by 3 1/4 lengths July 20 before validating 3-10 favoritism against just three rivals in the Aug. 11 GIII Best Pal Stakes. The barn's number one rider Juan Hernandez sticks with the $700,000 Keeneland September yearling over Gaming (Game Winner), who is drawn outside of his stablemate and may have the superior early speed which was on full display when donning cap and gown by a wide margin at first asking Aug. 11. The dark bay colt gets the services of the visiting Flavien Prat, hardly a downgrade. Mike Smith takes over from Martin Garcia aboard the outposted Citizen Bull (Into Mischief), a $675,000 purchase at Keeneland last fall whose debut 84 Beyer Speed Figure on Aug. 17 is just one point shy of the number recorded by Getaway Car in the Best Pal. If any of the Bafferts stub their toe, McKinzie Street (McKinzie) could pull a minor upset and give his young sire a second top-level winner in two weeks. The Tim Yakteen-trainee carried Kazushi Kimura to a front-running victory going 5 1/2 panels, defeating the Baffert-conditioned Emerald Bay (Nyquist), who saluted at 1-5 in his next start. The Baffert barn has one of the chief protagonists for the GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf in the form of Mischief River (Into Mischief). A full-brother to Grade III-winning distaff sprinter Into Chocolate and to Grade III-placed dirt router Secret Keeper, the $160,000 KEESEP yearling turned $500,000 OBS April juvenile returned better than $16 when graduating first time out at Los Alamitos June 29 and gave a good account of himself when the distant runner-up in the Best Pal. Tiz Happy (Runhappy) was last of the four in the Best Pal, but prior to that posted a 71 Beyer when proving a game first-out winner going five grassy furlongs at Santa Anita June 13. The in-form Kyle Frey will be looking to end the meet on a high note while carrying the same Calumet Farm colors as he did aboard Mixto (Good Magic) in the GI Pacific Classic for Tiz Happy's trainer Chief Stipe O'Neill last weekend. The post It’s ‘Getaway’ Day At Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

4th-DMR, $75K, Msw, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 6:00 p.m. ET. CASH CALL (McKinzie) makes her first start for CSLR Racing and trainer Bob Baffert. Bred by Brent Harris and Beth Harris, the filly went for $600,000 at the OBS April Sale after she clocked :20 1/5 during the under tack show. The debut runner's dam is D'Fashion (D'wildcat), who out of her eight foals has five to race with as many winners, including MSW Strategic Dreams (Archarcharch). TJCIS PPS The post Sunday Racing Insights: McKinzie Filly Looks To Cash In With First Start By The Seaside appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Charlie Fellowes trainee Luther (GB) (Frankel {GB}–Give And Take {GB}, by Cityscape {GB}) followed up a debut success at Salisbury with a runner-up finish back there in last month's Listed Stonehenge Stakes and regained the winning thread with a dominant performance in Saturday's Listed Betfair Daily Tips On Betting.Betfair Ascendant Stakes at Haydock. Steadied to track the leaders in fifth and last off the bridle in the home straight, the 16-5 chance was shaken up to challenge entering the final furlong and lengthened clear in the closing stages to easily outpoint 40-1 outsider Qilin Queen (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}) by two lengths. Impressive Royal Lodge & Dewhurst entrant Luther oozes class in the Listed Ascendant Stakes@FellowesRacing | @haydockraces pic.twitter.com/3SG8xESHzn — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 7, 2024 Luther, a G1 Dewhurst Stakes entry, is the third foal and scorer produced by G3 Musidora Stakes vixtrix Give And Take (GB) (Cityscape {GB}), herself out of an unraced full-sister to multiple Group 1-winning European champion Fame And Glory (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}). The February-foaled bay, who becomes the 149th stakes winner for his sire, is a half-brother to the dual stakes-placed Good Gracious (GB) (Kingman {GB}), a yearling colt by Too Darn Hot (GB) and a weanling colt by Baaeed (GB). His second dam Grace And Glory (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) is also a full-sister to the dam of multiple Group 1-winning distaffer Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and hails from the family of G1 Deutschland-Preis heroine Gonbarda (Ger) (Lando {Ger}), herself the dam of dual Group 1-winning sire Farrhh (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). The post Frankel’s Luther Outclasses Ascendant Rivals at Haydock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings, which attract its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Sunday at Kentucky Downs and Del Mar: Sunday, September 8, 2024 KY Downs 1, $170k, 2yo, 6 1/2fT, 1:25 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Golden Afternoon (Goldencents), OBSAPR, 70,000, :21 2/5 C-Ocala Stud, agent; B-Carlo Vaccarezza KD 7, JuvMileS., $1000k, 2yo, 1mT, 4:42 p.m. ET Forged Steel (Vekoma), OBSMAR, 190,000, :10 C-de Meric Sales, agent; B-C2 Racing Stable LLC I'm Otter Here (Munnings), OBSAPR, 77,000, :10 1/5 C-Harris Training Center LLC, agent; B-Evan Trommer Kirin (Lord Nelson), OBSJUN, 190,000, G C-CM Thoroughbreds; B-Morplay Racing LLC West Beach (Omaha Beach), OBSMAR, 100,000, :10 C-Scanlon Training & Sales, agent; B-Fergus Galvin, agent KD 8, Untapable S., $1000k, 2yo, f, 6.5fT, 5:17 p.m. ET Andrea (Thousand Words), OBSAPR, 105,000, :9 4/5 C-Eddie Woods, agent; B-Saffie Joseph Jr Dreamgirl (Mo Town), OBSAPR, 65,000, :10 1/5 C-Grassroots Training & Sales, agent; B-DKW Racing Perfect Figure (Caracaro)-AE, OBSMAR, 125,000, :9 4/5 C-Cesar Loya Training & Sales, agent; B-Full of Run Racing II, BSW/Crow Shezafunkydrummer (Maclean's Music), OBSMAR, 200,000, :9 4/5 C-Wavertree Stables Inc (C Dunne), agt; B-Patricia's Hope LLC Viggiedal (Vekoma), OBSMAR, 350,000, :9 3/5 C-Wavertree Stables Inc (C Dunne), agt; B-CJ Stables LLC Winfinity (Not This Time), OBSAPR, 300,000, :10 1/5 C-de Meric Sales, agent; B-John Wade KD 9, JuvFilliesS., $1000k, 2yo, f, 1mT, 5:51 p.m. ET May Day Ready (Tapit), OBSAPR, 325,000, :10 C-de Meric Sales, agent; B-Katierich Stables Mean Eileen (Twirling Candy), OBSMAR, 50,000, :10 3/5 C-Richardson Bloodstock; B-Joe Sharp, agent Playful Lass (Mitole), FTMMAY, 80,000, :10 3/5 C-Best A Luck Farm LLC, agent; B-Michael Maker Del Mar 4, $75k, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 6:00 p.m. ET Alanis (Brethren), OBSMAR, 75,000, :10 C-Arindel; B-Peter Miller, agent Aunt Mo (Uncle Mo), OBSMAR, 160,000, :10 1/5 C-CM Thoroughbred, agent; B-Dennis O'Neill Cash Call (McKinzie), OBSAPR, 600,000, :20 1/5 C-Eddie Woods, agent; B-Bill Childs Helen's Revenge (Solomini), FTMMAY, 45,000, :10 2/5 C-Little Farm Equine LLC, agent; B-Steven W Young, agent Practical Dream (Practical Joke), OBSAPR, 210,000, :20 4/5 C-Tom McCrocklin, agent; B-Pierre & Leslie Amestory & R Beasley DMRJuvTurf-GIII, $100k, 2yo, 1mT, 8:32 p.m. ET Artislas (Catalina Cruiser), OBSMAR, 100,000, :20 4/5 C-Omar Ramirez Bloodstock; B-Michael Pender, agent Ivan the Great (Kantharos), OBSMAR, 150,000, :10 C-Coastal Equine LLC (Jesse Hoppel), agent;B-Steve Rothblum, agent for Mark Davis Mischief River (Into Mischief), OBSAPR, 500,000, :10 C-de Meric Sales, agent; B-Bow River Ranch, Hoby Kight, agent Pali Kitten (Vino Rosso), OBSAPR, 82,000, :10 1/5 C-Kaden Clary; B-Steven Rothblum Scipio (Caravaggio), OBSMAR, 60,000, :10 2/5 C-Scanlon Training & Sales, agent; B-Richard Baltas (PS) Toppers At Seaside (Instagrand), OBSJUN, 40,000, :10 1/5 C-Skies Thoroughbreds, agent; B-R B Hess Jr Uncle Dude (Volatile), OBSAPR, 320,000, :10 1/5 C-Randy Miles, agent; B-Phil D'Amato, agent DMR Futurity-GI, $300,000, 2yo, 7f, 9:02 p.m. ET Brother Tony (Unified), OBSMAR, 72,000, :10 C-Flynt Fesmire, agent; B-Peter Miller, agent Gaming (Game Winner), OBSMAR, 250,000, :20 2/5 C-Pick View LLC, agent; B-Three Amigos McKinzie Street (McKinzie), OBSAPR, 290,000, :9 4/5 C-Julie Davies, agent; B-P & L Amestoy & R Beasley The post Summer Breezes, Sponsored By OBS: September 8, 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Montassib Partnership's selectively campaigned 6-year-old gelding Montassib (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}–Felwah {GB}, by Aqlaam {GB}) notched a first pattern-race triumph in June's G3 Chipchase Stakes and outstripped all prior form to claim a career high in a thrilling renewal of Saturday's G1 Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock. The 25-1 outsider found a modicum of cover after an alert getaway and occupied a slot in rear through the initial fractions of this straight six-furlong contest. Nudged closer once past halfway, he came under sterner urging when moving into contention approaching the final furlong and was driven out in the closing stages to deny 'TDN Rising Star' Kind Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) by a head in a bobbing finish. Montassib's William Haggas-trained stablemate Unequal Love (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) kept on well to finish 3/4-of-a-length adrift in third. Montassib wins the G1 @Betfair Sprint Cup, leading home a 1-3 for William Haggas @haydockraces pic.twitter.com/IUKhmX27Ax — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 7, 2024 The post Exceed And Excel’s Montassib Battles to Sprint Cup Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars SUPREME LUCKY - R7 (1) Will enjoy any cut out of the ground and his trial suggests he's ready to go Jay Rooney FAST NETWORK - R4 (1) Won impressively on debut and trialled superbly ahead of his return Jack Dawling SMART LEADER - R2 (5) Looks to have plenty in his favour dropping in grade and with Purton aboard Phillip Woo HAPPY FOR ALL - R9 (11) Is well rated and looks ready to resume a winner off a good trial Shannon (Vincent Wong) FAST NETWORK - R4 (1) Won impressively last season and looks ready from his nice recent trial Racing Post Online MY WISH - R5 (4) Comes off an unlucky second place last term and can go one better this time Tom Wood SUPERB BOY - R7 (4) Won fresh last season and off his trial looks capable of that againView the full article

Setting the form standard in Saturday's G3 Sirenia Stakes at Kempton, having finished third in York's G3 Gimcrack Stakes, Adrian Keatley's Symbol Of Strength (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}–Symbol Of Love {GB}, by Shamardal) mastered the challenge to continue his upward trajectory on the Polytrack. Settled in mid-division early by Tom Marquand, the 5-2 favourite was delivered to overwhelm Jouncy (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) inside the last 100 yards en route to a half-length verdict over that rival, with Brian (Ire) (Shaman {Ire}) another head back in third. “I think he hated the slow surface–he wants quicker ground,” Keatley said. “Tom said he was having a look around in front and had plenty left in the tank. It very much depends on the ground, but the [G2] Mill Reef and [G1] Middle Park are options. His form is right up there and he's not just a 2-year-old–he could get seven next year no problem.” Big drift No problem Gimcrack third Symbol Of Strength (5/2) wins the G3 Sirenia @adrian_keatley | @TomMarquand | @kemptonparkrace | @UnibetRacing pic.twitter.com/XYtFl3DVzZ — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 7, 2024 The post Kodiac’s Symbol Of Strength Wins The Sirenia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Matt Cartwright announced his arrival among the top echelon of New Zealand’s jockeys with a stunning treble on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival at Hastings on Saturday, culminating in a giant-killing Group One win with Grail Seeker in the Tarzino Trophy (1400m). Formerly a leading apprentice in Victoria, Cartwright decided at the beginning of the season to move across the Tasman in search of better opportunities as a senior rider. Barely a month later, the 22-year-old stole the show on one of New Zealand racing’s biggest stages with victories aboard Wolfgang in the Livamol International Health Products Premier (1600m), Poetic Champion in the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m), and the super-impressive Grail Seeker in the Tarzino. “I’m over the moon,” Cartwright said. “To come over here and have this happen so soon, it’s a big thrill. I was happy just to get a ride in the first Group One race, let alone win it. It’s what I came over for. “I’m speechless, to be honest. It would have to be my best moment in racing, a treble and a Group One winner, and I can’t thank everyone enough. Onwards and upwards from here.” Grail Seeker showed glimpses of something special as a three-year-old last season. She stormed home from third-last to win the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) by almost three lengths at Trentham in March, and she also picked up placings in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m). The Iffraaj mare was overlooked as a $32 outsider for her first-up tilt at the Tarzino, in which she faced a formidable field featuring no fewer than seven Group One winners. But Grail Seeker rose to the occasion with a sensational coming-of-age performance. Cartwright took up a comfortable position in sixth along the rail as the favoured pair of Crocetti and Bonny Lass set a solid speed out in front. Those two rounded the home turn side by side, seemingly set to renew their rivalry after fighting out a thrilling finish in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa earlier this year. But that script was torn up in the straight as Faraglioni and Sacred Satono sprinted past the two favourites with 200m remaining. Cartwright had angled Grail Seeker out to the middle of the track in the meantime, and when he let her rip, the four-year-old came with giant bounds and blasted past Faraglioni to win by a length and a quarter. The race was run in a slick time of 1:21.46 – the fastest Tarzino since 2006. “She travelled beautifully,” Cartwright said. “She jumped and settled. In her previous prep, it looked like she could get quite keen, but she travelled lovely for me and tracked into it perfectly. Once I let her go, she accelerated really well.” Grail Seeker was bred by Jamieson Park and was a $130,000 purchase from their Book 1 draft at Karaka 2022. Her 10-start career has now produced three wins, four placings and $413,465 in stakes for owners Trevor Clarke and Chris Jones. She delivered the second Tarzino Trophy victory in the last three years for Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, who had previously won the season-opening feature with Dark Destroyer in 2022. “It’s just amazing,” Scott said. “It’s great to have owners who believe in the dream and are happy to bypass a Foxbridge (Gr.2, 1200m) and believe in what we hope could happen. They believed in Wexford, believed in us and believed in our team. “We sat back for this and hoped that she’d just come with one big run. What a ride from Matt. He’s just on the crest of a wave today. “We’ve got a massive team, and we can’t do this without the people we have around us. It’s a team thing and it’s just amazing. “We had dinner in Rarotonga with Trevor, and we said we’d sit back and have one go at this race. Chris and Trevor have been amazing. It’s a fairytale and a great result. “Rudy Liefting sent Trevor and Chris our way. They wanted to try some fillies, buy them from the sales and invest in the game. To get results for guys like them is what racing is all about.” Grail Seeker became the fifth newly turned four-year-old mare to win the Tarzino in the last 20 years, joining Seachange (2006), Keep The Peace (2010), Melody Belle (2018) and Skew Wiff (2023). Faraglioni and Sacred Satono collected highly creditable second and third placings in Saturday’s weight-for-age showpiece, with defending champion Skew Wiff fourth and Waitak fifth. Bonny Lass and Crocetti crossed the finish line in sixth and seventh place respectively. View the full article

Major Beel snapped a 17-month win drought that dated back to his triumph in last year’s Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) when he returned to Randwick and took out Saturday’s A$160,000 City Tattersalls Patrick Campion Handicap (1600m). The Savabeel gelding scored his fourth win from an 11-race career when he took out the Australian Derby in April of 2023, but his next eight starts produced a solitary placing in last spring’s Gr.2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m). Major Beel showed encouraging signs in two trials leading into his return to racing on Saturday, and the five-year-old confirmed that was right back at his very best with an outstanding first-up win. Sent straight to the lead by jockey Tim Clark, Major Beel dictated terms throughout the Benchmark 94 handicap and kicked hard in the straight. Challengers lined up across the track to try to reel him in, but Major Beel kept up a strong gallop and held on to win by a head. “Obviously he was a Derby winner at three, but he just went missing on us a little bit as a four-year-old, which they can sometimes do,” Clark said. “I’ve been really pleased with how he’s come back and the way he’s been working. He’s filled out a bit more. He’s always had good desire, and he needed that today.” Major Beel has now had 20 starts for five wins, six placings and A$1,640,500 in stakes. “We’ve had some fantastic memories with this horse,” said Adrian Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse. “I’m just not quite sure how to place him or profile him at the moment. “Obviously it’s good to see him back here today, resuming over the mile and showing good tactical speed. That was a tough effort, the way he had to fight on. I thought he showed plenty of sprint late. “The way he started to quicken just before the turn, I was filled with a lot of confidence. Even if he’d been run down, we would have been very satisfied with that performance. But for him to keep finding the way he did under his 60kg, it shows plenty of merit. “I know he got away with a Derby as a three-year-old, but I’m not sure how far we’ll go with him in this preparation. He could even stay around that mile or 2000m range.” Major Beel is the first foal of the unraced O’Reilly mare Gram – a daughter of the Gr.2 Karakatta Plate (1200m) winner Gold Rocks, whose daughters Gold Fever and Gold Rush both won the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) as two-year-old fillies. Their half-sister Calaverite was successful at Listed level as a juvenile in the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) and St Albans Stakes (1200m), and she is the dam of Caulfield Guineas (1600m) winner Golden Mile. Major Beel was purchased out of Waikato Stud’s draft at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale for A$260,000 by Waterhouse, Bott and Kestrel Thoroughbreds, with the Matamata farm remaining in the ownership. View the full article

Royal Patronage ridden by Tim Clark has taken out the Group 2 Tramway Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos Royal Patronage ($18.00) has caused a minor upset on Australian debut to claim victory in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained import was first-up after a 420-day spell and two barrier trials, and fitness didn’t seem to be an issue for the son of Wootton Bassett, bounding clear with the prize after receiving an economical run under Tim Clark from barrier 10. He was able to slot into the one-one position throughout proceedings and didn’t look to be in any danger turning for home, hitting the front with only Amelia’s Jewel ($3.60) making significant inroads in the final 300m. Kovalica ($12.00) and Freedom Rally ($3.80) were left to fight out the minor placings on a day it was difficult to make ground from the back; however, it was all honours the winner as the five-year-old import stamped himself as one to follow throughout the spring. 2024 Tramway Stakes replay – Royal Patronage Adrian Bott was on course to breakdown the victory of his European import before suggesting the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) could be a possible target. “We were really confident with what we’d seen from him at home,” said Bott. “He worked up quite sharply during the week, which was encouraging going into today. But in fairness, Europeans having their first start in Australia and traditionally showing form over further. “Also the conditions today, we were just a bit over-minded whether he may find the 1,400m a bit too sharp for him. But the way the race panned out was excellent. There was good pressure on from the outset. He really put himself in the race from the gates. “He’s put in an excellent performance today, and I’m sure there’s still plenty of improvement to come. “He could well be (an Epsom horse). Tim [Clark] and I were discussing that off the back of his last trial. “We thought that might be a really nice race to target, but in the back of our mind, we thought there could be some targets over further, so we wanted to see what we got today, and I think that could definitely be on the cards off the back of today’s run.” Tim Clark was elated with the win and happy with the work Royal Patronage was putting in at the trials leading into Saturday. “First up from a long spell, it’s a pretty pretty good effort from him,” said Clark. “He had a prep early in the year in Melbourne, but he’s come back in and he’s just been going so well at home, working fantastic, trials were good. “When he was able to bounce and adjust to that seven-furlong speed so comfortably, if anything, raced a bit keen early, because that was the unknown, how he was going to react to a fast run seven, but he traveled sweetly, he was really tough.” Royal Patronage is now on the second line of betting at $8.00 with horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) on October 5. Horse racing news View the full article

Chief Executive John Lee is expected to be on track to strike the gong at Sha Tin on Sunday.View the full article

The 2024 Moir Stakes at The Valley delivered a thrilling upset as the track specialist, Mornington Glory, claimed victory for trainer Gavin Bedggood who celebrated his maiden Group 1 success. “He took bad luck out of the equation today,” winning trainer Bedggood told Racing.com speaking of his horse’s barrier one draw and front-running ride. “He’s begun really […] The post Mornington Glory Wins 2024 Moir Stakes appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Mornington Glory ridden by Ethan Brown wins the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Mornington Glory ($10) has given the combination of Gavin Bedggood and Ethan Brown their first Group 1 victories as trainer and jockey, following an all-the-way win in the Group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday afternoon. The son of Shalaa had won his last two starts at Moonee Valley before entering the Group 1 contest, and even though he opened as a massive outsider with horse racing bookmakers, he was heavily backed during the day and saluted for his supporters in the biggest race of his 20-start career. After drawing barrier one, many were wondering what Bedggood and Brown would conjure up, but there wouldn’t have been many that had Mornington Glory leading both Lady Of Camelot ($5) and Estriella ($3.10) throughout the 1000m journey on a solid tempo. Brown allowed his mount to run the race at his own tempo; however, he appeared to pick up the speed at the 400m mark, and the other two speed influences came off the bit before the home corner. It was all honours to the winner, thanks to a brave front-running ride by Ethan Brown, as Mornington Glory took out the feature race by half a length over the fast-finishing Hayasugi ($10), who flashed home for second place ahead of a brave Lady Of Camelot. 2024 Moir Stakes replay – Mornington Glory Gavin Bedggood wasn’t as emotional as he was when Mornington Glory claimed the Carlyon Stakes last start, but he was still very happy with the win post-race. “I’m pretty good, I felt a bit of pressure last time, but I was pretty comfortable coming here today,” Bedggood said. “We were the underdog and he seems to always be that way. “He took bad luck out of the equation today. “He’s begun really well his last two starts and when he jumped a half in front of them today – there was no instruction to lead – but Browny just used his initiative and went with the horse and the rest is history. “I wanted to draw two, three, four, give us options, but one was better than nine. So I was pretty happy. “It nearly didn’t happen, he was retired this horse and as I said last time, these owners throwing me a bone (is appreciated). “It’s a great ownership group and they’ll party hard tonight, no doubt.” Ethan Brown was just as happy with the victory and he spoke post-race. “He was presented here in terrific order,” Brown said. “He drew gate one and he flew the lids and just had an easy time of it. “(He was) fit, well. I was the beneficiary of a well-prepared horse for a great bunch of owners. “I don’t know, really. “I’m very over the moon, it’ll take a while to sink in but, as I said, there’s a great bunch of owners in this horse, it’s terrific to get a Group 1 win for Gav, it’s his first, capped off what was a challenging day. I’m so rapt.” Horse racing news View the full article

Superstar Australian itching ‘to go back into battle’ after enjoying his off-season in Europe.View the full article

Buckaroo ridden by Tommy Berry has taken out the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos Chris Waller and Tommy Berry combined with Buckaroo ($8.00) in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, fighting out the finish with stable companion Hinged ($5.00) to pick up his first Australian success. The writing was on the wall after a strong first-up performance in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on August 24, where the son of Fastnet Rock closed within 3.5 lengths of Via Sistina. The well-supported favourite Zardozi ($2.40) came through the same form-line and was given every opportunity to make an impression second-up, slotting into a midfield stalking position throughout under James McDonald. Tommy Berry was positive on the eventual winner, however, bounding across to sit on the hammer of the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Just Fine ($8.50) in the early portion of the race before persuading the five-year-old to give a bold kick at the top of the straight. Buckaroo gave them the slip with 300m left to travel, with Hinged the only one making any impression as Nash Rawiller went searching for back-to-back features after claiming the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) the race prior. It was a ding-dong go on the wire, but it was Buckaroo just getting the verdict in a tight finish to the 2024 Chelmsford Stakes. 2024 Chelmsford Stakes replay – Buckaroo Chris Waller spoke post-race to discuss the victory and what’s next for the pair of Buckaroo and Hinged. “The real top liners are at home today, but these horses deserve their time in the sun,” said Waller. “There’s some good prize money on offer in the next few weeks, and they won’t have to clash with the better horses. “I think Hill Stakes, Craven Plates, they’re million-dollar races, and that’s where first and second will be running. That’s where they’re heading.” Tommy Berry was impressed with the victory of his mount and suggested the change of tactics to go forward being the major difference. “Really good,” said Berry. “He was a little bit colty out the back and he’s been slow away but he’s been gelded this prep and he’s really made a statement today. “Chris [Waller] just said, ‘Look if you can get him to jump today, put him into the race and let him know it’s game on,’ and he was brilliant today, so he really deserved that win. “I thought I just got him but I’m a bad judge, especially when you’ve got Nash breathing down your neck he just throws them over the line.” Horse racing news View the full article

Matt Cartwright and Grail Seeker winning the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Matt Cartwright announced his arrival among the top echelon of New Zealand’s jockeys with a stunning treble on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival at Hastings on Saturday, culminating in a giant-killing Group 1 win with Grail Seeker in the Tarzino Trophy (1400m). Formerly a leading apprentice in Victoria, Cartwright decided at the beginning of the season to move across the Tasman in search of better opportunities as a senior rider. Barely a month later, the 22-year-old stole the show on one of New Zealand racing’s biggest stages with victories aboard Wolfgang in the Livamol International Health Products Premier (1600m), Poetic Champion in the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m), and the super-impressive Grail Seeker in the Tarzino. “I’m over the moon,” Cartwright said. “To come over here and have this happen so soon, it’s a big thrill. I was happy just to get a ride in the first Group One race, let alone win it. It’s what I came over for. “I’m speechless, to be honest. It would have to be my best moment in racing, a treble and a Group 1 winner, and I can’t thank everyone enough. Onwards and upwards from here.” Grail Seeker showed glimpses of something special as a three-year-old last season. She stormed home from third-last to win the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) by almost three lengths at Trentham in March, and she also picked up placings in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Group 3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m). The Iffraaj mare was overlooked as a $32 outsider for her first-up tilt at the Tarzino, in which she faced a formidable field featuring no fewer than seven Group 1 winners. But Grail Seeker rose to the occasion with a sensational coming-of-age performance. Cartwright took up a comfortable position in sixth along the rail as the favoured pair of Crocetti and Bonny Lass set a solid speed out in front. Those two rounded the home turn side by side, seemingly set to renew their rivalry after fighting out a thrilling finish in the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa earlier this year. But that script was torn up in the straight as Faraglioni and Sacred Satono sprinted past the two favourites with 200m remaining. Cartwright had angled Grail Seeker out to the middle of the track in the meantime, and when he let her rip, the four-year-old came with giant bounds and blasted past Faraglioni to win by a length and a quarter. The race was run in a slick time of 1:21.46 – the fastest Tarzino since 2006. “She travelled beautifully,” Cartwright said. “She jumped and settled. In her previous prep, it looked like she could get quite keen, but she travelled lovely for me and tracked into it perfectly. Once I let her go, she accelerated really well.” She delivered the second Tarzino Trophy victory in the last three years for Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, who had previously won the season-opening feature with Dark Destroyer in 2022. “It’s just amazing,” Scott said. “It’s great to have owners who believe in the dream and are happy to bypass a Foxbridge (Group 2, 1200m) and believe in what we hope could happen. They believed in Wexford, believed in us and believed in our team. “We sat back for this and hoped that she’d just come with one big run. What a ride from Matt. He’s just on the crest of a wave today. “We’ve got a massive team, and we can’t do this without the people we have around us. It’s a team thing and it’s just amazing. “We had dinner in Rarotonga with Trevor, and we said we’d sit back and have one go at this race. Chris and Trevor have been amazing. It’s a fairytale and a great result. “Rudy Liefting sent Trevor and Chris our way. They wanted to try some fillies, buy them from the sales and invest in the game. To get results for guys like them is what racing is all about.” Grail Seeker became the fifth newly turned four-year-old mare to win the Tarzino in the last 20 years, joining Seachange (2006), Keep The Peace (2010), Melody Belle (2018) and Skew Wiff (2023). Faraglioni and Sacred Satono collected highly creditable second and third placings in Saturday’s weight-for-age showpiece, with defending champion Skew Wiff fourth and Waitak fifth. Bonny Lass and Crocetti crossed the finish line in sixth and seventh place respectively. Horse racing news View the full article

Two weeks after being edged out by fellow Kiwi-bred galloper Lauding in a tight photo finish at Moonee Valley, Lincoln Rocks turned the tables in the pair’s rematch over the same course and distance in Saturday’s A$80,000 Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank Handicap (2040m). Previously a two-time winner from nine starts in New Zealand for Lisa Latta, Lincoln Rocks has made a strong start to his Australian career with three wins and two placings from five starts in the colours of OTI Racing. He has earned A$156,680. Lauding pipped Lincoln Rocks by a nose in their previous meeting on August 24, and a repeat appeared to be on the cards as that pair strode to the front together around the home turn on Saturday. But this time Lincoln Rocks slowly but surely got the upper hand over Lauding, pulling ahead to win by half a length. Another New Zealand-bred runner, Gentian Blue, flashed home in the final 100m to just edge out Lauding for second. “I thought ‘not again’ when I saw those two fighting it out again,” said Rob Archibald, who trains Lincoln Rocks in partnership with Annabel Neasham. “But probably that little bit of a weight swing told late in the race. “I just loved the way he fought it out late. He showed real determination over that final 150m to really dig in and find the line. I thought Mark (Zahra, jockey) gave him a lovely ride. “I’m just so pleased for the owners. It hasn’t been the most straightforward ride with this horse, they’ve had to be very patient, but just starting to get rewards now. “We’re just so pleased, the team here at Pakenham have done a great job with him, got him going really well, and hopefully there’s more to come. “I think we’ve just taken it step by step with him because of the interrupted path we’ve had to now, so we’ll see how he comes through it. He’s done a really good job this time, though. Annabel and the team will sit down and we’ll make a plan on Monday.” Bred by John and Lynne Street’s Lincoln Farms Bloodstock Ltd, Lincoln Rocks is out of the winning Darci Brahma mare Princess Maryanne, who was retained as a broodmare after she injured a tendon in just her second start in 2017 when showing enormous potential. View the full article

I Am Me ridden by Nash Rawiller has taken out the Group 3 Concorde Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos The well-supported I Am Me ($5.00) has come with a withering burst to claim the $1 million Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, stamping herself as a possible contender for The Everest (1200m) later in the spring. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare was first-up after a 119-day spell on Saturday, and with the daughter of I Am Invincible boasting an impressive first-up record of five starts for three wins and two more minor placings, she continued to add to her formidable fresh resume. Nash Rawiller was able to get on the back of the leader from barrier two, with Way To The Stars ($61.00) bowling along in front, with the James Cummings-trained Red Card ($15.00) sent forward under Adam Hyeronimus. Giga Kick ($4.60) was friendless in the market and ran accordingly, sitting on the three-wide line throughout the journey, with James McDonald unable to slot in for cover at any stage. Private Eye ($6.00) produced his usual late burst in the concluding stages, but it was the ever-consistent Bella Nipotina ($4.60) surging over the top with 200m left to travel. I Am Me simply got every favour in the end—thanks to Rawiller holding the rail until the last possible moment—and she clung on to victory as the pair cleared out significantly on the remaining rivals. 2024 Concorde Stakes replay – I Am Me Johann Gerrard-Dubord was on course to represent the Ciaron Maher stable and was impressed with the return of their mare. “She has come a long way, but she’s improved every prep,” said Gerrard-Dubord. “Obviously last prep in those group ones you always find one too good, but she’s come back very well.” “She’s been spending some time at Bong Bong, we have some very good tracks there, it’s very relaxed and it’s probably just what she needed. The team there have done a very good job with her and she loves these conditions, fast tracks. “She’s got a very good record first up, gate helped, it was a very good ride from Nash [Rawiller] and yeah great to get another win for Dynamic [Syndications]. “Obviously they have had a lot of fun with this horse and it’s been a plan to target the sprint series with her and this was the race we had in mind from the get-go and everything worked out well.” Nash Rawiller was delighted with the performance and was impressed with the fight his mount showed when Bella Nipotina loomed. “She was amazing, wasn’t she,” said Rawiller. “I was surprised, because I really dove through that gap, came off Way To The Stars back, and as soon as I produced her, I thought, I’m in trouble, because, you know, obviously, Bella Nipotina was coming; it was pretty quick at that point.” “I thought she’d out-tough me, but I loved the character of my horse. She picked up and really just wasn’t going to lay down.” Horse racing news View the full article

Alabama Lass holds out the challenge of Captured By Love to win the Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) The rapid rise of Alabama Lass continued on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival on Saturday, the filly putting on a stellar display to win the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m). A daughter of Alabama Express, Alabama Lass has turned heads since debuting in early February as a juvenile, with a nine-length demolition followed by a meritorious run for second behind Captured By Love in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). Captured By Love was among the main dangers to the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained filly in the Hastings feature, where she started a shortening $1.90 favourite with bookmakers, courtesy of an impressive fresh-up display at Taupo last month. The only factor that stood in the way of Alabama Lass was the outside barrier draw (10), but her sizzling gate speed soon put any early queries to rest, with jockey Sam Spratt powering forward to sit in behind a strong tempo set by Pleasing. While eight of the original field of ten got on their way, the race wasn’t without drama as local filly Anushka Shesastar was late scratched for refusing to enter the barriers, and Sister Ping, while making her way into gate nine, reared at the start and played no part in the contest either. Meanwhile, Alabama Lass was cruising into the home bend and swiftly took the lead as she descended down the straight, and while Captured By Love was game in chasing her, she never looked in doubt powering to the line by three-quarters of a length. Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) runner-up Damask Rose closed strongly in her return to racing ahead of Renovations. Spratt was all smiles returning to the winner’s circle, collecting her third win in the fillies’ feature after guiding both Best Seller (2022) and O’Marilyn (2014). “She’s really quick, she pinged out of the gates and they kicked up a little bit, but she’s nippy both ends of the race,” Spratt said. “We cruised along around the corner and kicked and at the top of the straight I thought it was going to be a track gallop, but then I could hear them coming for me. I think she was almost waiting for them a little bit, she’s done it pretty easily. “I think if she came up to us, she would’ve kicked again. “The girl who looks after her said she gallops like that, goes past the stablemate then gets there and waits for them a little bit. Hopefully she can get out of that habit, but it was good that she got there.” Alabama Lass is nominated for the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November, and the way she conducted herself in the mid-stages of the contest gave Spratt some insight into whether she will see out the mile. “You don’t know until you try, I don’t see why not as she’s quick but she settles so if she got a decent run, she probably could see a mile out. We’ll see how it goes,” she said. The Matamata-based Kelso’s are also no strangers to success in the Gold Trail, securing a similarly dominant victory with subsequent Group 1 Railway (1200m) winner Bounding back in 2013. “She was brilliant, she got across easily from that outside gate and settled off the leader, and she’s kicked away,” Ken Kelso said. “She was very shin-sore going into the (Matamata) Breeders so that probably accounted for a little bit there, but she’s got an abundance of speed, she’s a very exciting filly. “I don’t make decisions on race-days, it’s a long season so we’ll get home and see how she gets over the trip. “She’s a very good eater and her temperament has really improved this year from last year, so she’s a little dream to train.” Horse racing news View the full article

Manaal ridden by Jason Collett has taken out the Group 2 Furious Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Bradleyphotos The Michael Freedman-trained Manaal ($2.30) justified the short price in the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with the daughter of Tassort turning the tables on Ameena ($4.80) after suffering a narrow defeat in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) on August 24. She had to give her fellow fillies 3kg in the weights last time out, but back to set weights appeared to be the recipe for success on Saturday, with Jason Collett getting into the perfect stalking position in the middle stages. She jumped evenly, biding her time mid-field with cover throughout the journey, with Too Darn Lizzie ($11.00) and Photographics ($151.00) striding out at a genuine tempo, allowing the back markers to come into play in the final 400m. The Chris Waller-trained Lazzura ($14.00) was the first to be presented down the middle of the course, with the undefeated filly giving a bold kick turning for home, while Zeitung ($8.50) was attempting to make a run back towards the inside under Rachel King. It was Manaal and Ameena finishing off best down the heart of the track; however, with the former just getting the head down where it matters most, with the Group 1 Sires’ Produce (1400m) winner proving too strong second-up into the campaign. 2024 Furious Stakes replay – Manaal Michael Freedman was on course to discuss the win before suggesting the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) could be next on the agenda. “Yeah look it’s a big relief,” said Freedman. “Because you always like to see those two-year-olds that have had a good two-year-old season come back and do it at three. “I certainly wasn’t disappointed with the run the other day she was just a bit above herself in the parade beforehand and she was much much better today. “The three kilogram pull in the weights made all the difference and I think they’re a fairly even bunch of fillies so it sort of makes for an exciting Tea Rose.” Jason Collett credited his mount for the maturity she showed heading to the barriers as one of the keys to victory on Saturday. “I gave her a nice hit out on Tuesday,” said Collett. “And I knew the fitness was right and you know, got into her late. “She still gets a bit antsy going out onto the track, but then she goes to the start like a lamb, so, it’s a complete contrast. “She was in the gates first, she handled that well enough, she was cleanly away and able to get into a good spot, nice win.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Bendigo Races Where Bendigo Jockey Club – Heinz St, White Hills VIC 3550 When Sunday, September 8, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEST Visit Dabble Horse racing in Victoria returns to Bendigo on Sunday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race card programmed. Clear skies are forecast in the lead-in, and with a Good 4 track and the rail out 8m, fancied runners will have no excuses. The Bendigo races are set to commence at 1:30pm AEST. Best Bet at Bendigo: Bizot Bizot has not been seen since December 2, yet she brings some of the strongest formlines into this 1100m BM58. She finished 5.25 lengths off Roll On High in Listed company, not far off potential spring stars Joliestar and Kimochi. She will no doubt improve on whatever she produces on Sunday, but if Bizot is anywhere near her best, her class should shine through in the quaddie opener. Best Bet Race 5 – #3 Bizot (9) 4yo Mare | T: Archie Alexander | J: Tom Prebble (a2) (64kg) +125 with Picklebet Next Best at Bendigo: Call To Glory Call To Glory gave nothing else a chance at Terang when leading throughout to post victory by 3.5 lengths. Jordyn Weatherley gained an uncontested lead throughout the 1000m scamper, and from barrier three on the weekend, he looks likely to gain similar favours. This is a tougher assignment, but with another strong front-running ride, Call To Glory should prove too hard to run down. Next Best Race 6 – #1 Call To Glory (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Tom Dabernig | J: Jordyn Weatherley (a3) (62.5kg) +300 with Dabble Next Best Again at Bendigo: Rue De Royale It beggars belief that Rue De Royale is still a maiden through eight starts. The three-year-old colt is already placed at Group 2 level, so he has been competitive in far tougher company than what he faces this weekend. Drawn in barrier one, he will be given every opportunity in running, and as long as John Allen finds clear air on the home turn, Rue De Royale should be bringing up an overdue maiden victory. Next Best Again Race 1 – #8 Rue De Royale (1) 3yo Colt | T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy | J: John Allen (58kg) +300 with Bet365 Sunday quaddie tips for Bendigo Bendigo quadrella selections Sunday, September 8, 2024 3-4 1-10-12 2-3-6-7-15 5-6-7-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article