Wandering Eyes

HOKKAIDO, Japan-One thing the Japanese breeders are not short on is patience. It is here where the middle-distance horse is truly admired and cultivated arguably better than any other racing nation. That patience will come in handy, according to Shadai Stallion Station's Naohiro Hosoda, when it comes to getting the best out of Equinox (Jpn) at stud. Officially the best horse that the county has ever produced, having retired with a rating of 135 following a four-length triumph in the Japan Cup, Equinox is arguably the most exciting addition to Shadai's world-famous stallion operation. His opening fee of ¥20 million [about $140,000] is a record and puts him on a par with his own sire, Kitasan Black (Jpn). While Hosoda acknowledges the huge expectations surrounding Equinox at stud, he pointed to the fact that the six-time Group 1 winner took time to reach his full potential and it was only at four when the horse hit his pomp. “You know, he is a middle-distance horse and is not the type that will produce two-year-olds,” he explained. “He was a really nice two-year-old, very good at three, but he was just super at four. Unbeatable. Still, he was beaten in a Guineas and a Derby as a three-year-old, because he wasn't fully developed. “I think patience will be key with breeders supporting Equinox. Or, the other plan could be to send him some speedier mares. Maybe if breeders sent him some more two-year-old types, that could help him, I would say. That's just my opinion. He has covered 200 mares and many good ones.” New for 2024 at the Shadai Stallion Station in is none other than Equinox, the highest-rated horse in Japanese racing history @theTDN. pic.twitter.com/7BN2QL6Vm5 — Brian Sheerin (@BrianSheerin91) July 7, 2024 He added, “Domestic demand is huge for Equinox. I would say that Coolmore and those guys, they have been in this sport a long time and are very professional. The Wertheimers, for example, chose Kizuna (Jpn) with no hesitations. New things like Equinox, perhaps they appeal more to the domestic market rather than the major owner-breeders. It's domestic-only pressure, but it is huge nonetheless.” Hosoda has been in this game long enough to know that not all that glitters is gold. There is of course a certain element of him trying to manage expectations when it comes to a horse like Equinox embarking on his stallion career but keeping a lid on things is easier said than done when you are dealing with Japan's best-ever racehorse. “The new stallions are extremely popular,” Hosoda explained. “There is huge expectation from owners and breeders. Not only Japanese people, but I think the industry loves new things. Always new, new, new. You know, I prefer the proven horses, because I am more safe. Like Kizuna and Kitasan Black for example, they are proven stallions. But owners are always dreaming and that is why they love the newer stallions.” If some of the recent chat is to be believed, Hosoda and the Shadai team may not have to wait on Equinox in crowning their next champion, as the talk on Contrail (Jpn) is strong. The Japanese Triple Crown-winning son of Deep Impact (Jpn) already topped the foal session of the JRHA Select Sale last year when one of his colts sold for ¥520,000,00 and it seems as though nobody would be surprised if something like that is replicated in the sales ring this week. Hosoda said, “There is big domestic pressure behind him as well. He is a Triple Crown-winning son of Deep Impact and he has been very popular but then his first foals were very impressive and so two are his second crop. I mean, did you see him walking? Like a cat. You barely even hear a sound. It's like his feet do not touch the ground he walks so well. I have seen a lot of his foals-not just here but on smaller farms as well-and they are really, really good. Conformation, quality, walk-it seems to be very promising with him.” Coolmore is understood to have sent at least one mare to Contrail but, by and large, the international clients seem happier to row in with the proven Shadai stallions. Kizuna, a Japanese Derby winner himself, is the sire of Bathrat Leon (Jpn) and Deep Bond (Jpn) to name only a couple. He is enjoying a stellar year with 131 individual winners and sits at the head of the sires' championship in terms of prize-money amassed by his progeny for 2024 on ¥2,687,545,500 (approximately €15.5m). Kitasan Black is another who needs no introduction. The sire of Equinox, he is also enjoying another solid season, with 57 individual winners already. Some of his top-class performers this year include the G1 Takarazuka Kinen runner-up Sol Oriens (Jpn), Gaia Force (Jpn) and Wilson Tesoro (Jpn). Hosoda said, “The Werteimers have sent us a couple of mares and they are in foal to Kizuna. I think he is a future champion sire because his averages are very high. Not only does he get high-class horses, but he also has many stakes-placed horses and Graded performers. It doesn't matter if the distance is long or short-dirt as well. “Coolmore has sent mares to Kitasan Black, Contrail and I think one to Equinox as well. You know Shunsuke, who is [Northern farm boss] Katsumi Yoshida's son, is a good friend of MV Magnier. They are in regular contact and Shunsuke has sent mares to Coolmore in the past as well. And then the Wertheimers, they have been sending mares to us since the days of Sunday Silence, so it's a long, long relationship.” There are some stallions who, on the complete opposite end of the spectrum to Equinox, start off at stud with much more humble expectations. Take Suave Richard (Jpn), who was something of a surprise leading freshman sire in 2023, for example. He has done it the hard way and those closest to the young stallion, who now stands for more than seven times his initial fee of ¥2 million (€11,500), say that he can continue to surprise people. “He has been a big surprise package,” Hosoda says. “And not from top mares, either. He has improved by himself and I think there is more to come from him. Generally, the progeny of Heart's Cry (Jpn) gets better with age. They are slow-developing horses but the damsire of Suave Richard is quite precocious. His two-year-olds did really well last year which surprised us. That is why his fee has gone up to ¥15 million. Considering that he started out at ¥2 million, it is quite the progression.” Hosoda concluded, “But it's very exciting with Equinox. His performances on the track-super. For me, his performance in winning the Tenno Sho in the Autumn at Tokyo was super. He's cruising yet his time is phenomenal. He is setting a record pace. A crazy time. He is one of the best racehorses I have seen in my lifetime. Definitely the best in recent times. You know, we never stop trying to find the next champion stallion and maybe he can be one day.” The post ‘We Never Stop Trying – Maybe Equinox Can Be The Next Champion Sire’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Springing a 35-1 shock in Sunday's G1 Haras d'Etreham Prix Jean Prat at Deauville, Alain Jathiere's TDN Rising Star Puchkine (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}–Vadyska {Ire}, by So You Think {NZ}) led his peers a merry dance with everything falling perfectly into place up the seven-furlong straight. Tacked on to the tail of the Juddmonte pacemaker Zandy (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) from the outset by Ioritz Mendizabal, the homebred was allowed rope by the remainder who sat and waited but two out the damage was already done. Left in front there, the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained colt whose last piece of form was a fourth in ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix Paul de Moussac kept rolling to come home 2 1/2 lengths ahead of fellow TDN Rising Stars Havana Cigar (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) and Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) who were separated by a nose. “With this horse you must not fight him–he must be in a good rhythm and that happened today,” Jathiere explained. “Halfway, I was convinced he had it won.” Unbeaten in three starts at two at La Teste, Toulouse and Pau, Puchkine earned his TDN Rising Star tag when reappearing in the Prix Torrestrella mile conditions event back at Toulouse in March before being turned over at odds-on in the same track's Listed Prix Aymeri de Mauleon the following month. Sent to the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains regardless of that upset, he could fare no better than ninth beaten less than five lengths in that ParisLongchamp Classic before running too freely dropping back to this trip in the Moussac. Where Puchkine made the difference here was in his first two furlongs, where he took lengths out of the main contenders, and in the final furlong where his 11.98 was the second-fastest even allowing for his exertions earlier in the race. Only him and his stablemate runner-up dipped under 12 seconds for the last sectional, making this a performance of genuine merit with no hint of fluke. Jean Bernard Roth was on hand to represent Rouget and he said, “To finish first and second is the icing on the cake. With Puchkine, we now understand that he needs a lot of rhythm in his races so that he can settle. It was a strong-run race and we have been lucky enough to track the leader, so he could quicken as we hoped he would. Havana Cigar didn't have the best possible trip, but both have improved since the start of the season and both have run like genuine group 1 horses.” There is a sense that one day things will fall right for Beauvatier in his quest for a top-level success and trainer Yann Barberot was encouraged by the latest step forward. “He has run a really good race after his break following his bad run in the Poulains and we are now fully reassured that he has lost none of his quality,” he said. “I'm not sure I will run him over a mile again and the [G1] Maurice de Gheest could be an option.” Puchkine lands the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at @fgdeauville for Ioritz Mendizabal and Jean-Claude Rouget! pic.twitter.com/GUYUNj0Ttq — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 7, 2024 Pedigree Notes Puchkine, who is the fifth TDN Rising Star for Starspangledbanner and his first group 1 winner in that bracket, is out of an unraced half-sister to the Listed Diana-Trial winner Romina Power (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}). She is a daughter of Rockatella (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), who was a listed winner placed three times in pattern races including the G3 Prix de Lieurey at this venue. Descended from Meon Valley's legendary foundation mare Reprocolor (GB) (Jimmy Reppin {GB}), he is connected to a host of past luminaries and also last year's G3 Hoppings Stakes winner and G1 Nassau Stakes runner-up Zeyaadah (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}). The dam's previous black-type performer was the filly Slevka (Fr) (Shalaa {Ire}), who was third in the Listed Prix Amandine staged on this card. Her 2-year-old colt by Fas (Ire) is named Zvokokiev (Fr). Sunday, Deauville, France HARAS D'ETREHAM PRIX JEAN PRAT-G1, €400,000, Deauville, 7-7, 3yo, c/f, 7fT, 1:21.49, g/s. 1–PUCHKINE (FR), 128, c, 3, by Starspangledbanner (Aus) 1st Dam: Vadyska (Ire), by So You Think (NZ) 2nd Dam: Rockatella (Ire), by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire) 3rd Dam: Patrimony (GB), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Alain Jathiere (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Ioritz Mendizabal. €228,560. Lifetime Record: 8-5-1-0, €301,060. *1/2 to Slevka (Fr) (Shalaa {Ire}), SP-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Havana Cigar (GB), 128, c, 3, Havana Grey (GB)–Speculating (Ire), by Xtension (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (21,000gns Wlg '21 TATFOA; 150,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-White Birch Farm; B-Josh Cameron (GB); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €91,440. 3–Beauvatier (Fr), 128, c, 3, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Enchanting Skies (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire). (€160,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Philippe Allaire & Haras d'Etreham; B-Ecurie des Monceaux, Qatar Bloodstock Ltd & Mme Barbara M Keller (FR); T-Yann Barberot. €45,720. Margins: 2HF, NO, 3/4. Odds: 35.30, 7.20, 10.00. Also Ran: Sajir (Ire), Kathmandu (Ire), Kikkuli (GB), Vespertilio (Fr), Devil's Point (Ire), Zandy (Ire), Monteille (GB), Iberian (Ire), Romantic Style (Ire). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Starspangledbanner’s Puchkine Leads TDN Rising Star 1-2-3 in the Jean Prat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Repeating the trick of coming stand's side to win in Liberty Racing colours, Palladium (Ger) (Gleneagles {Ire}–Path Wind {Fr}, by Anabaa) got up late to provide his owners with back-to-back renewals of Hamburg's G1 Idee Deutsches Derby on Sunday. Only fourth in Cologne's G2 Union-Rennen last month, the Henk Grewe trainee benefitted from being close to the tepid early pace set by the G2 Derby Italiano hero Borna (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) before Thore Hammer Hansen's calculated risk after the home turn. Losing lengths by crossing to the other rail, the 25-1 shot finished with a flourish to deny the long-time leader and the staying-on Augustus (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) near the line. Oh my PALLADIUM! Gets up just in time under @ThoreHammer to land the 155th G1 Deutsches Derby at Hamburg! #WorldPool pic.twitter.com/J2y97d5bb4 — World Pool (@WorldPool) July 7, 2024 Sunday, Hamburg, Germany PRIX IDEE 155H DEUTSCHES DERBY-G1, €650,000, Hamburg, 7-7, 3yo, c/f, 12fT, 2:37.18, g/s. 1–PALLADIUM (GER), 128, c, 3, by Gleneagles (Ire) 1st Dam: Path Wind (Fr) (SW-Ger & G1SP-Ity, $128,012), by Anabaa 2nd Dam: Wild Queen (Ger), by Sternkonig (Ire) 3rd Dam: Wild Romance (Ger), by Alkalde (Ger) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€80,000 Ylg '22 BBAGS). O-Liberty Racing 2022; B-B-Stiftung Gestut Fahrhof (GER); T-Henk Grewe; J-Thore Hammer-Hansen. €390,000. Lifetime Record: 6-2-1-2, €404,250. *1/2 to Panjari (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), SW-Ger & Ity. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Borna (Fr), 128, c, 3, Saxon Warrior (Jpn)–Kingdom Come (Fr), by King's Best. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€20,000 Ylg '22 ARQOCT). O-Darius Racing; B-Haras d'Ecouves (FR); T-Markus Klug. €130,000. 3–Augustus (Ger), 128, c, 3, Soldier Hollow (GB)–Andraxt (Ger), by Lord Of England (Ger). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Stall Lucky Owner; B-Klaus Hofmann (GER); T-Waldemar Hickst. €72,000. Margins: NK, HD, 1 1/4. Odds: 23.30, 6.30, 15.30. Also Ran: Alleno (Ire), Stingray (Fr), Wintertraum (Ger), Wilko (Ire), Tiamo Hilleshage (Ger), Weltbeste (Ger), Mister Gatz (Fr), Koelle (Ire), Larios (Ger), Lahzar Star (Ger), Narrativo (Ger), Brady (Ger), Thekingofmyheart (Ire), Mina Rashid (GB), Anspruch (Ire). Scratched: Queimados (GB), Geminiano (Ger). The post Gleneagles’s Palladium Gets Up Late in the Deutsches Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Deauville's six-furlong Prix de Lisieux for unraced 2-year-olds can throw up a smart filly and Sunday's edition looked full of promise as Yeguada Centurion's Epson Blue Cen (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}–Epsom Icon {GB}, by Sixties Icon {GB}) mastered her peers. Sent off at 10-1, the homebred daughter of the G3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes winner travelled strongly on the wing behind the leaders before being unleashed by Christophe Soumillon to take control 300 metres out. Staying on strongly as the eye-catching Wertheimer homebred Iron Bird (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) produced a rattle having played catch-up after an awkward break, the Maurizio Guarnieri trainee hit the line 1 1/4 lengths to the good. Les inédits 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗮 (C. Lecoeuvre / M. Delcher Sanchez) et 𝗘𝗽𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻 (@CSoumillon / M. Guarnieri) réussissent leurs débuts ce dimanche sur l'hippodrome de Deauville en ouverture de réunion. pic.twitter.com/BF8nwk0JO0 — Equidia (@equidia) July 7, 2024 The post Yeguada’s Daughter of Blue Point Lights Up Deauville’s Jean Prat Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Driver Penalty Z Meredith | Waikato Bay of Plenty 5 July; use of whip; fined $300. Horse Penalties BONJOUR PARIS | NZ Metropolitan 5 July; broke in running; must complete trial. BRAVEHEARTHIGHLANDER | NZ Metropolitan 5 July; poor recovery; veterinary clearance required. The post 1-7 July 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Dog Penalties GOLDSTAR BLONDIE | Palmerston North 2 July; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. HARRY BALE | Southland 4 July; failed to pursue the lure (2nd offence); stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. HOMEBUSH PIPER | Southland 4 July; unsatisfactory performance; veterinary clearance required and must complete trial. HOMEBUSH VALDEN | Southland 4 July; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. The post 1-7 July 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Te Akau Racing gelding Baronet (NZ) (Contributer) continued his winning form in the I.C.I.B Financial Independence 1200 on Sunday at Tauranga, aided by a well-rated ride by Wiremu Pinn. After scoring a front-running victory in the opening race with Night Warrior, Pinn was assertive early with designs on the lead aboard Baronet, controlling the tempo through the mid-stages and as the challengers started to level, he pulled away to stretch the field early in the home straight. Storming clear at the 300m, Baronet had the victory all sealed up and cruised to the line comfortably to score by 5 ¼ lengths to Highly Anticipated and Madiran, who were separated by a nose. The success was Pinn’s second aboard Baronet after winning on June 27 at Te Aroha, breaking a drought dating back to his debut victory in September 2022. Mark Walker, who trains the son of Contributer in partnership with Sam Bergerson, was thrilled to see the gelding continuing to thrive through the winter period. “We think the confidence he gained from the win last time at Te Aroha, and all the schooling he’s doing over the big hurdles, has really turned his form around,” Walker said. “Wiremu had him away from the gates quickly again today, so it was another lovely ride, and the owners are being rewarded for their patience. “He was a debut winner last season over 1200 metres and placed eight times before winning again, so he’s very consistent and now strung a couple of strong wins together. “He’s obviously going to be up in grade now, but I think these wins and the extra maturity will mean that he remains competitive in Rating 75 grade.” The gelding is out of an O’Reilly mare Alpha Dame, who was unraced but is a half-sister to Group Two performer Queen Of Pop. Among his breeders was Simms Davison, who sold the gelding under his Mapperley Stud banner for $135,000 at the 2021 Karaka Yearling Sales to Te Akau principal David Ellis. View the full article

Royally bred three-year-old Twain (NZ) (Per Incanto) couldn’t have been more impressive on debut at Tauranga on Sunday, winning the Saddlery Warehouse Cambridge & Tauranga (1200m) for John Bell. The son of Per Incanto is out of high-performing race mare Fleur de Lune, who had a glittering career on the track highlighted by her victory in the Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1200m) in 2013. In the shades of his star dam, Twain was eye-catching when successful at the trials before kicking off his career on Sunday, where his pedigree and prior performance were noted by punters backing him in $3.20 favouritism. Benefitting from the three-kilogram claim of in-form apprentice Triston Moodley, Twain was posted three-wide early forcing him to work forward and take over the pace making role from Jethro Tull. Despite this, the gelding cruised into the home straight and swiftly put a margin on the remainder of the field, pulling away from Saint Brigid and Johnny Rondo at the finish to score by 2 ½ lengths. Bell, who prepares Twain out of his Cambridge stable, was pleased to see his expectations met by the promising three-year-old. “If he didn’t do that, I’m a bad judge. I definitely expected that from him today,” Bell said. “Triston was most impressed with him as has anyone else that has ridden him. “He has a few issues and my team at home have done a huge amount of work looking after him and they deserve this win, putting him on the tracks that suit him in his work. He’s a work in progress, and that’s why we have put him out and brought him back in. “We’ll see how he comes through today, we’re a bit apprehensive in giving him too much work so we’ll just put the work into him for each race as we see fit. “He’s pretty special.” Fleur de Lune was bred and co-owned by the late Ada Parnwell and the Stravinsky mare’s transition into broodmare life has resulted in two foals to race by Per Incanto, the other a colt named Forte who raced in Hong Kong. Twain was bred by Parnwell’s daughter Elizabeth Martin, who entrusted the gelding in the care of Bell. “He originally came to us from Elizabeth Martin’s Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge where he was spelling to do some work with and possibly market,” Bell said. “As I say, he’s had his issues otherwise he may have gone to Australia or Hong Kong. “I did a lot of work for Elizabeth’s parents and we have a number of horses for her now. They are mostly related to Fleur De Lune, and another one named Spanish Lad who will possibly get a start at Cambridge on Wednesday. “They have some nice young horses and they’ve gone to good stallions, so they deserve every bit of success as they put a lot of effort into their horses.” View the full article

Northern apprentice jockey Joe Nishizuka experienced the highs and lows of race riding at Tauranga on Sunday and fortunately finished the meeting on a high with his first winning double. Partnering Stephen Ralph’s filly Ride Sally Ride in the opening event, Nishizuka settled in behind the speed but clipped heels with eventual winner Night Warrior near the 1000 metres, resulting in the young hoop falling from his mount. “It was just an unlucky situation, my greenness didn’t help when Wiremu (Pinn) made a decision and I wasn’t quick enough to react, so I just clipped heels which was unfortunate,” Nishizuka said. “Luckily I was fine, I went through a couple of rails on the ground but came up standing again thinking ‘that was a bit sore’. It all happens very quickly, you’re on the ground before you know it.” Walking away unscathed, Nishizuka had three remaining rides on the card and turned his fortunes around aboard $50 chance Verdi’s Opera (NZ) (Verdi), another of Ralph’s representatives who was having her eighth start in the Triton Pacific Maiden (2100m). Jumping from barrier ten, Verdi’s Opera sat three-wide throughout the staying contest and rolled up to the lead turning for home, sustaining a brave effort to score in a photo finish with the fast-closing Canulovemeagain. “She was great, she jumped out and Mr Ralph had said that if I couldn’t find cover, it was fine,” Nishizuka said. “There was a lot happening at the start and I hoped to sit behind Sam Spratt, but Pam (Gerard, mentor) had told me to look up more and try to read what will happen before it does. I tried to do that, and ended up deciding to avoid that by kicking up and sitting forward. “She was really nice and relaxed and as we got to the corner she just kept clicking up more and more. She came home really strongly and when I saw Masa (Hashizume, jockey of Canulovemeagain) coming, I did get a bit desperate because he had beaten me in a close finish at Ruakaka last week. I was pretty determined and luckily it went my way. “Mr Ralph has given me lots of rides and we’ve had a lot of placings together, so I really wanted to give him a win to thank him for the support.” Heading into the final event on the card, Nishizuka was engaged to ride a more-favoured runner in Mister Pucci ($5.80), who was successful over 1400m at Rotorua on Wednesday and was on the quick back-up for trainer Gavin Opie. The son of Puccini jumped away fairly and settled last of 11 in the running with plenty of ground to make up in the home straight, but he began to storm home in the final 100m in pursuit of Drop Of Something to produce another tight finish. Mister Pucci and the Wayne Hillis-trained gelding were unable to be split at the line, the race eventually being announced as a dead heat. “Pam gave me a lot of advice after the last race going into Mister Pucci’s run, because we knew he would be very competitive,” Nishizuka said. “The instructions from Mr Opie were to get going from the 800, he said Pucci would probably sit in behind but the gap I was going for was closed very quickly at the start so I pulled back. “I started rolling from the 800 and there wasn’t really anywhere to go, but Pucci picked up and came home so strongly and luckily we got up in time to share the win. “Mr Opie had given me a lot of support around a year ago before my injury, so it’s great to get one for him this season.” View the full article

Rising ten-year-old Interllectus (Intello) showed there was still plenty of fight left in the old dog as he refused to yield over the closing stages when capturing the Taumarunui Racing @Te Rapa 27/7 Steeplechase (3900m) on Saturday. A maiden winner on the flat back in August 2019, the Kevin Myers-prepared son of Intello has found his niche over jumps since winning at his hurdling debut back in 2020. Good enough to place fifth in the 2022 Great Northern Hurdle (4200m), Interllectus made a successful switch to the bigger fences last season and was ready to strike after finishing in the placings in two of his last three steeplechase starts in his current campaign. Rider Hamish McNeill took the bull by the horns early in the contest as he sent his mount straight to the front, disputing a slow pace with Renegade Fighter for most of the journey before taking control with 1000m left to run. Hotly pursued by stablemate Afterallthistime, Renegade Fighter and a fast-closing Captains Run, Interllectus showed plenty of courage to hold out the powerful finish of Captains Run by a neck with Renegade Fighter shading Afterallthistime for third. McNeill was quick to pay tribute to the performance of his mount. “That was a massive run,” McNeill said. “I really liked how he went at Te Aroha two weeks ago (second) and I thought today don’t die wondering as he is an old boy without a turn of foot, but he has a heart as big as himself. “He jumped out of his skin today and it was a very good race. “From what I’ve been told he could be heading towards the National and he will come in on a sneaky weight. “He does everything you want a chaser to do as jumps well, settles and gets through the ground so you can’t ask for more than that.” The Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 149th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) will be contested as the feature event on the card at Riccarton on 10 August. Out of the Irish mare Shanya, Interllectus is closely related to a host of outstanding European gallopers including Shankardeh, the joint Champion 3YO Female Stayer in Great Britain in 2011. Raced by a group that includes his trainer, Interllectus has now won five races from just 27 starts. View the full article

Rugged Taranaki visitor Liquid Les (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven) showed just what he is capable of when given a clear run in front as he led all the way to capture the John F Grylls Memorial Classic (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. The seven-year-old son of Echoes Of Heaven relishes wet tracks and had been given two runs to fit himself for Saturday’s challenge by trainer and part-owner Craig Williamson. Sent straight to the lead by rider Matt Cameron, Liquid Les set up a steady gallop before slipping a length clear rounding the home bend. Immediately tackled by the well fancied Electric Time, Liquid Les responded to vigorous riding from Cameron in the closing stages to cling to a narrow lead and claim the victory by a short head at the winning post. It was an exciting win for Williamson, who owns the horse in partnership with wife Sue, as he is the only horse that he currently races as he juggles training with ownership of the popular Oscars Kiwi Café in Inglewood. “I am lost for words,” Williamson said. “To win a race like this is the ultimate thrill for a little trainer. “He is a nice horse who just needs to be ridden right and Matt did a great job today. “He is lightly raced for his age and has a good deal of ability, but he has really tested us at times as he is a big boy and needs plenty of maintenance at times.” Williamson is currently also developing a Darci Brahma filly but admits that Liquid Les is a dream come true for his family. “We have had him since he was a weanling as we purchased him off gavelhouse.com for just $900,” he said. “Winning races with a horse like this is what you dream about and because we have to juggle training the horse with our business it can be long hours and tough work but today makes up for all that. “My staff have already been in touch to congratulate us and find out where the party will be and I’m sure the Inglewood locals will be wanting to know as well.” Out of the O’Reilly mare O’Reilly’s Secret, Liquid Les comes from an extended family that includes multiple Australian Group One winner Bounty Hawk. He has now won four of his twenty starts with more to come as he thrives on the deep winter tracks on offer over the next few months. View the full article

Lightly raced filly Cornelia (NZ) (Swiss Ace) made a return to the winner’s circle at Te Rapa on Saturday with an impressive display in the Jack & June Stewart Memorial (1200m). A daughter of Swiss Ace trained by Simon & Katrina Alexander, Cornelia made a successful debut in late December and was spelled after finishing close-up at her first test out of maiden grade. Returning at Tauranga last month, she made up late ground to finish second which saw her in demand second-up, closing a $3.60 favourite behind Bella Timing ($3.40). Speedy front-runner Shoes set a strong tempo out in front while Cornelia settled second-last for Michael McNab, giving the pacemaker a decent head-start turning for home. Cornelia posed the main danger to the leader as Shoes maintained her gallop into the final 100 metres, but the Alexander runner was too powerful in the finish claiming the victory by three-quarters of a length. The victory was McNab’s second for the meeting, after scoring earlier aboard Shaking Stevens. “She (Cornelia) ran really well first-up, I sort of thought I’d be one-one, but they’ve let Jas (Jasmine Fawcett) come off (the inside rail) so I’ve ended up a spot further back that what I thought,” McNab said. “She tracked into the race well, she’s still very new but was tidy. “I’ve had a little bit to do with Shoes so I knew she would be vulnerable late, especially first-up. But I wasn’t necessarily confident because my horse was doing a bit wrong. “She’s got good scope so she should get to a bit better grade.” Jockey Michael McNab Photo: Trish Dunell After a firing first-up effort, Katrina Alexander was hopeful Cornelia would be amongst the finish and she duly delivered. “When she ran on so well at Tauranga, where there was such a front runner’s bias, I was quite impressed because I did think she may have come up a little bit short at that distance,” she said. “It gave us a little bit of confidence coming into today, just knowing she’s coming back. “She’s tricking me a little bit, I thought she’d be a bit keener out of the barrier but maybe she’s looking for more ground. “We knew there was going to be the genuine speed and in particular from that horse, so with the draw that we had, I thought she might have just tacked on a little bit closer earlier on. But she’s got the job done anyway which was nice.” Bred and co-owned by Hawke’s Bay local Simon Tremain, the Alexander’s hope to target the Spring Carnival at Hastings with the filly. “She hasn’t done a lot of racing left-handed, she won at Taupo in that direction, but it’s been a while. I’d love to get her down to Hawke’s Bay for Simon Tremain her owner, he’d love to see her at the carnival there,” Katrina Alexander said. “We’re just playing around with distances and things here and going left-handed to see if that is the suitable option, and it’s looking like it could be.” Out of Tremain’s Mastercraftsman mare Stratosphere, Cornelia’s granddam Lamington Vegas was a Listed juvenile winner. View the full article

What Albury Races Where Albury Racing Club – 16-46 Fallon St, Albury NSW 2640 When Monday, July 8, 2024 First Race 12:25pm AEST Visit Dabble Albury Racing Club is the destination for country racing on Monday afternoon, with an ultra-competitive eight-part program set for decision. The rail is out +5m between the 1100m to 350m markers, while the remainder is out 3.5m the rest of the way around. The sunny skies forecast in the lead-up should have the track firming from the Heavy 8 rating at the time of acceptances. However, with more rainfall likely to hit the course proper on race-day, expect the track to return to the Heavy range prior to the opening event at 12:25pm local time. Albury Best Bet: Ditterich After being transferred from Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott to the Andrew Bourke barn, Ditterich returns from a 128-day spell. His provincial form in Sydney reads well heading into this event, with a minor placing behind Bonita Queen at Hawkesbury on February 13 before a second-up failure left the son of Exceed And Excel retreating to the paddock. He returns without an official barrier trial and a gelding operation, so you do need to take him on trust, but with superior form compared to some key rivals, Ditterich is worth the risk in this wide-open country maiden. Best Bet Race 2 – #2 Ditterich (8) 3yo Gelding | T: Andrew Bourke | J: James Innes Jnr (59kg) +300 with PlayUp Next Best: Cooee Cooee is on deck for a hat-trick of wins, all of which have come at this course since debuting on May 20. He was impressive on debut before stepping up to the 1400m second-up, dispatching his rivals by a half-length. The five-year-old still possesses plenty of upside heading into this BM58 contest, and although Matthew Cahill will need to steer him to victory with 62.5kg on his back, Cooee should have the class to get the job done. Next Best Race 6 – #1 Cooee (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Ron Stubbs | J: Matthew Cahill (62.5kg) +220 with Neds Best Value: Dalroshio Despite being beaten a combined 12.4 lengths across her two starts to kick off the campaign, Dalroshio warrants plenty of respect at the each-way odds available with horse racing bookmakers. She returns to the clockwise way of going, which is where her only win came last preparation at Wagga on January 26. She’ll strip a lot fitter third-up into the preparation, and with apprentice hoop Holly Durnan taking 2kg off with the claim, Dalroshio looks perfectly placed to make an impression in this BM58 affair. Best Value Race 7 – #5 Dalroshio (8) 4yo Gelding | T: Erin Maher | J: Jack Martin (56.5kg) +1000 with Picklebet Monday quaddie tips – Albury Races Albury quadrella selections Monday, July 7, 2024 6-7 1-2-3 1-5-6-7-10 2-3-6-9-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

The United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously July 5 that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's enforcement policies violate the private nondelegation doctrine.View the full article

Acting upon the recommendation of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission veterinarians and stewards, Delaware Park postponed racing July 6 due to the excessive heat index forecasted. The entire card is transferred to July 8.View the full article

Rider Penalties T Moodley | Rotorua 3 July; failed to make weight; fined $100. L Callaway | Ashburton 4 July; careless riding; suspended 5-12 July inclusive. Y Atchamar | Ashburton 4 July; careless riding; suspended 13-25 July inclusive. S Wynne | Ashburton 4 July; use of whip; suspended 5-12 July inclusive. L Chief Stipelas | Ashburton 4 July; failed to make weight; fined $100. L Sutherland | Manawatu 5 July; careless riding; suspended 12-18 July inclusive. L Kauri | Manawatu 5 July; failed to make weight; fined $100. J Allen | Waikato 6 July; use of whip; fined $500. T Newman | Waikato 6 July; use of whip (2 charges); fined $750. T Mitchell | Hawke’s Bay 6 July; use of whip; suspended 14-26 July inclusive. L Sutherland | Hawke’s Bay 6 July; use of whip; fined $500. B Grylls | Hawke’s Bay 6 July; medical clearance required. W Pinn | Tauranga 7 July; careless riding; suspended 14 July – 10 August inclusive. T Moodley | Tauranga 7 July; careless riding; suspended 14-24 July inclusive. B Jacobson | Tauranga 7 July; use of whip; fined $150. M Cameron | Tauranga 7 July; medical clearance required. Trainer Penalty S Marsh | Rotorua 3 July; late rider declaration; fined $200. Horse Penalties MILLENIUM DAWN | Rotorua 3 July; lame; veterinary clearance required. TIME WILL TELL | Rotorua 3 July; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. MISS BEE | Rotorua 3 July; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. CHOUX MACHER | Ashburton 4 July; lame; veterinary clearance required. DONARDO | Waikato 6 July; lame; veterinary clearance required. SOLIDIFY | Waikato 6 July; lame; veterinary clearance required. PRINCESS ADDA | Waikato 6 July; very slow to begin; must complete trial. The post 1-7 July 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Winchell Thoroughbreds and Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen took home the exacta in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) July 6 with Red Route One and Unload.View the full article

With Kazushi Kimura in the irons, Gal in a Rush was content letting the race come to her. But as the field approached the final turn to head down the stretch, Kimura swung the mare eight wide where she powered her way to the wire in 1:15.54.View the full article

Juddmonte's Dragoon Guard introduced himself as a top contender in the 3-year-old division with a powerful front-running performance in the $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3) at Horseshoe Indianapolis July 6.View the full article

After a dominating frontrunning score in the $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3) at Horseshoe Indianapolis July 6, trainer Brad Cox discusses what's next for the rising 3-year-old Dragoon Guard.View the full article

After a tenacious stretch duel victory, trainer Grant Forster discusses how Chatalas looked in her $200,000 Indiana Oaks (G3) victory at Horseshoe Indianapolis July 6 and how he became her trainer a month ago.View the full article

Last-out GI Beholder Mile Stakes winner Sweet Azteca (f, 4, Sharp Azteca–So Sweetitiz, by Grand Slam) made it three in a row with a facile win in Saturday's GII Great Lady M Stakes at Los Alamitos. After attending the sizzling :21.65 and :43.96 pace set by GI La Brea Stakes winner Daddysruby (Frac Daddy), Sweet Azteca took command in the stretch before powering clear to win by about five lengths. Super Shine (Arg) (Super Saver) overcame a disastrous start to finish third. Sweet Azteca's time for the 6 1/2 furlongs was 1:14.33, a new track record at Los Al for the distance. O/B-Pamela C. Ziebarth (KY); T-Michael McCarthy; J-Juan Hernandez. SWEET ATZECA ($3.40) set a new course record for 6.5f in the $200,000 Great Lady M Stakes (G2) at @LosAlRacing. @JJHernandezS19 had her geared down crossing the line for trainer @mwmracing. Congrats to the connections! pic.twitter.com/MdWEVMQVU2 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 7, 2024 The post Sweet Azteca Sets New Track Record in Great Lady M appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Paul Messara. The Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich-trained Clear Thinking kept her undefeated record intact at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with suggestions the lightly raced four-year-old will now be targeted for The Kosciusko (1200m) later in the spring. The daughter of Dubawi looked be in danger of securing the hat-trick of wins when caught behind a wall of horses under Zac Lloyd in the final 400m, with the star apprentice patiently waiting for the gaps to appear. They only eventuated in the final 100m, however, with Lloyd navigating a path to victory as Clear Thinking careered away with the prize to score by a half-length. 6/7/24 Randwick Race 4 Replay – Clear Thinking (1st) “Really pleased with the effort,” said Messara speaking with Sky Thoroughbred Central post-race. “At the 100m I thought we were doing it pretty tough, and I thought it would be a nice second or a third, but she got out, got home and the win was excellent. “She’s a filly with a big future and you can’t do more than win three from three, so we’ll find out where the ceiling is next preparation. “She’s a lovely horse to have in the stable and she’s been a complete surprise for us, and coming out and doing what she’s done has been a bonus and where she goes from here will be another bonus. “She goes out now (for a spell), we’ll look to bring her back for maybe the Kosciuszko, something like that. Obviously with these three wins on the board now she’s going to be a horse that’ll feature in those discussions, and she’s got a well-earned rest. I think three runs in her first prep is enough.” Clear Thinking is now on the second line of betting at +700 with Australian bookmakers for The Kosciuszko (1200m) on October 19. Horse racing news View the full article

There are seven horse racing meetings set for Australia on Sunday, July 7. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Warrnambool. Sunday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – July 7, 2024 Warrnambool Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on July 7, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

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