Wandering Eyes

A day after an 'unexpected water issue' caused by Wednesday evening storms forced the closure to the public of Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky, track officials announced Friday morning that it would be business as usual for the afternoon's live program. “Thank you to our staff, the local Henderson community and racing fans for their patience,” said Ellis Park General Manager Matt Pressley. “We're looking forward to seeing everyone out at the track [Friday].” Strong storms passed through the region Wednesday night, causing a power outage to the grandstand that affected the water supply. Power was eventually restored, but water levels were insufficient to operate the facility. The post Ellis Park Reopens To Public For Friday Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's top tips from the Post's racing teamView the full article

Wathnan Racing's Aesterius (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}–Jane Doe {Ire}, by Hallowed Crown {Aus}) followed up an impressive debut score at Bath in May with a fifth in Royal Ascot's G2 Norfolk Stakes last month and was too good for five rivals to register a career high in Friday's Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown. The £380,000 Goffs Breeze-Up graduate broke smartly from the outside gate and stalked the pace in second through halfway. Looming large at the quarter-mile marker, the 6-4 pick seized control approaching the final furlong and kept on powerfully to easily outpoint It Ain't Two (GB) (Calyx {GB}) by 1 1/4 lengths. Aesterius is the first of two foals produced by a half-sister to G3 Horris Hill S. victor and G2 German 2000 Guineas third Tawhid (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). His multiple Grade III-winning second dam Snowdrops (GB) (Gulch) is out of the stakes-placed Roses In The Snow (Ire) (Be My Guest), whose descendants include G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Tiger Tanaka (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}). The January-foaled bay is half to a yearling colt by Cotai Glory (GB). Fifth behind Shareholder in the Norfolk, AESTERIUS lands the Listed Dragon Stakes at @Sandownpark in style for @Archie_Watson, @the_doyler and Wathnan Racing pic.twitter.com/Rv1MJcCi2y — Sporting Life Racing (@SportingLife) July 5, 2024 The post Wathnan Racing’s Aesterius Powers to Dragon Triumph at Sandown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The ThoroughBid Online Yearling Sale will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 13, the company announced on Friday. Nominations are now open. Englemere (Ire) (Goken {Fr}) and Sensorium (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), graduates of last year's inaugural sale, ran in the G2 Queen Mary Stakes and Listed Windsor Castle Stakes, respectively at Royal Ascot. Alpha Magic (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), another alumni, won at Thirsk on debut for Mick and David Easterby on Thursday. Any yearling sold that goes on to win first time out in any International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) country will receive a £5,000 Every 1's A Winner Bonus from ThoroughBid. CEO of ThoroughBid, James Richardson, said, “We're delighted to announce the return of our Online Yearling Sale for 2024. Off the back of last year's encouraging results, in which two Royal Ascot runners were unearthed, as well as yesterday's Easterby debut winner, we are excited to see who goes through our online sales ring come November. “It's another fantastic opportunity for people to make the most of one our bonuses, in this case the £5,000 Every 1's A Winner Bonus, which as the Easterby team can attest, offers anyone the chance land a nice prize should their purchase win first time out in any IFHA member country. “There was a nice buzz about the sale last year, with bidding coming in from across the world, and we look forward to offering vendors the chance to sell globally without the impact of staff and travel costs.” The post ThoroughBid’s Online Yearling Sale Returns For A Second Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

World Pool's globally commingled pools will be in operation in Britain, Germany and South Africa this weekend, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) announced on Friday. The G1 Durban July and G1 Garden Province Stakes are both World Pool races at Greyville in South Africa on Saturday for the first time, while the G1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes returns to the World Pool fold at Sandown later that same day. Hamburg Racecourse in Germany will feature the G1 Deutsches Derby and three other races on the card on Sunday–the G3 Hamburger Stutenpreis, Listed Japan Racing Association Trophy, and the HKJC World Pool Handicap. Michael Fitzsimons, executive director, wagering products at the HKJC, said, “We're delighted to have such high-quality racing from Greyville, Sandown and Hamburg on the horizon this weekend–to be featuring Durban July Day for the first time, welcoming back the Eclipse to the World Pool roster, as well as expanding our offering on Deutsches Derby Day. “Commingling some of the world's top race meetings across three different countries all in one weekend is just what World Pool was intended for, and we look forward to providing our global customers with unrivalled value across the three meetings.” For the full wagering schedule, please visit the World Pool website. The post Trio Of Countries To Feature World Pool This Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lot 72, a filly by More Than Ready's Gimmethegreenlight (Aus), topped the Bloodstock South Africa KZN Yearling Sale on Thursday. She brought a new record price for the sale of R1,900,000 (£81,497/€96,336/$104,293) on the bid of Mary Liley. Consigned by Klawervlei Stud Party, Ltd., agent, the filly is a full-sister to the two-time winner Lovegrass (SAf), with the duo out of the Listed East Cape Oaks winner Eros's Girl (SAf) (Captain Al {SAf}). The dam is a three-quarter sister to South African champion Captain's Lover (SAf) (Captain Al {SAf}), and a half-sister to Gimmethegreenlight's Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed Universal (SAf) and to champion Vardy (SAf) (Var). A son of Canford Cliffs (Ire) was picked up by Vuyo for R900,000 later in the day as lot 103. Part of the Clifton Stud draft, the son of Irresistable Chris (Brz) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}) is the grandson of four-time Brazilian Group 1 winner Indian Chris (Brz) (Ghadeer {Fr}). The sale grossed R39,075,000 (£1,675,665/€1,981,035/$2,144,363) for 182 sold from 191 offered (95%). The average was R214,698 (£9,206/€10,886/$11,732) (+16%) and the median also increased to R150,000 (£6,432/€7,606/$8,233) (+7%). Leading the consignors was Klawervlei Stud, who sold all 10 lots for a total of R5,850,000. The top buyer was Pound Bloodstock, who acquired 15 yearlings for R3,515,000. For the full results, please visit the BSA website. The post New Record Price At BSA’s KZN Yearling Sale, As Gimmethegreenlight Filly Shines appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three members from the much-anticipated first crop by undefeated Horse of the Year Flightline (Tapit) are scheduled to go under the hammer during the foal session of the Japan Racing Horse Association (JRHA) Select Sale on Tuesday, July 9, on the northern island of Hokkaido. The foal sale is preceded by the Select Yearling Sale on Monday, July 8. TDN European Sales Editor Brian Sheerin will be providing on-site coverage. Flightline has every chance to make an enormous first impression when lot 347 becomes the first of the three offerings to enter the ring during the first couple hours of business on Tuesday. The Feb. 23 foal, consigned by Grand Stud, is the first from his dam Blue Stripe (Arg) (Equal Stripes {Arg}), a Group 1 winner and champion in her native Argentina before winning the GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes and finishing a nose second to Malathaat (Curlin) in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, a race won by her half-sister Blue Prize (Arg) (Pure Prize) in 2019. Emmanuel de Seroux's Narvick International purchased Blue Stripe for $4 million at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Argentinian champion 2-year-old filly Tan Gritona (Arg) (Full Mast) is the dam of lot 419 from Northern Farm. The bay colt, produced on Feb. 13 of this year, is also the first out of his dam, who won the G1 Jorge de Atucha at Palermo and the G1 Polla de Potrancas at San Isidro to secure divisional honors in 2022. Tan Gritona was a winner of three of five starts overall. The last of the Flightline trio is lot 436, a colt out of Grace Adler (Curlin). A $700,000 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearling purchase by Michael Lund Petersen in 2020, the daughter of Grade III winner Our Khrysty (Newfoundland) galloped by better than 11 lengths in the 2021 GI Del Mar Debutante Stakes and was another knocked down to Narvick International at FTKNOV, hammering for an even $2 million. Grace Adler's half-brother Pyrenees (Into Mischief) won the GIII Pimlico Special Stakes in May and was runner-up in last weekend's GI Stephen Foster S. To follow are some of the other yearlings and foals by American-based stallions scheduled to sell early next week. Grand Stud consigns the Flightline colt out of Blue Stripe | JRHA photo Yearlings: Lot 67, c, Essential Quality–Red Lark (Ire), by Epaulette (Aus) Consigned by Oiwake Farm A Feb. 9 foal, this colt is the first produce for his dam, once second from five starts in Ireland in 2019 for trainer Johnny Murtagh before upsetting the 2020 GI Del Mar Oaks at 19-1 for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trainer Paddy Gallagher. Red Lark was part of the first book of mares bred to Essential Quality, who hails from the same female family as Japan's Horse of the Year and Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Lot 119, c, Justify–Miss Marissa, by He's Had Enough Consigned by Shadai Farm An $11,000 OBS October Yearling, Miss Marissa punched well above her weight for Cammarota Racing and trainer Jim Ryerson, winning the 2021 GII Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and the GII Delaware Handicap the following year. Justify is the sire of 16 winners in Japan, including the listed scorers Yuttitham (Jpn) and Awesome Result. Foals: Lot 355, c, Justify–Sandra, by Bluegrass Cat Consigned by Kimura Hidenori Co Ltd The stakes-placed dam of Haynesfield Stakes winner Water's Edge (Candy Ride {Arg}), Sandra was sold for $200,000 with this colt in utero at last year's Keeneland November Sale. The 10-year-old is a half-sister to MGSW and GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint runner-up Dust and Diamonds (Vindication), the dam of Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), champion Japanese 2-year-old of 2021 and winner of the G1 Tokyo Yushun and G1 Arima Kinen. Dust and Diamonds also accounted for the multiple Grade III-placed Much Better (Pioneerof the Nile). Lot 372, c, Epicenter–Marcy Darcy, by Smart Strike Consigned by Matsuura Farm A $95,000 acquisition by Narvick at KEENOV last fall, Marcy Darcy is daughter of 2009 GI Spinaway Stakes heroine Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union), herself the dam of GI La Troienne S. winner Pauline's Pearl (Tapit), MSW/GSP Union Jackson (Curlin) and SP Marsalis (Curlin). The Grade III-winning third dam Above Perfection (In Excess {Ire}) produced 2017 GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming (Bodemeister) and Grade II winner Positive Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile) in addition to Hot Dixie Chick. Lot 398, c, Gun Runner–Armony's Angel, by To Honor and Serve Consigned by Shunsuke Yoshida Armony's Angel, a half-sister to Grade II winner Conquest Big E (Tapit) and SW Aquapazza (Stormy Atlantic), was sold for $67,000 in foal to Classic Empire at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale. The mare saw her stock improve dramatically when that in-utero purchase, Angel of Empire, won the 2023 GI Arkansas Derby and was third in the GI Kentucky Derby. As a result, Armony's Angel fetched $800,000 from Katsumi Yoshida at Fasig-Tipton November last fall. The Gun Runner half-brother to Angel of Empire | JRHA photo Lot 483, c, American Pharoah–Joy of Painting, by Munnings Consigned by Paca Paca Farm Paca Paca Farm signed the ticket on the Grade III-placed turf router and maiden mare Joy of Painting at $250,000 at Keeneland November in 2022. The mare is a granddaughter of Grade II winner Cat Chat (Storm Cat), the dam of GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes winner In Lingerie (Empire Maker)–now a broodmare in Japan–and second dam of Grooms All Bizness (Fed Biz), a two-time stakes-winning grass sprinter this season. Lot 503, c, Known Agenda–Thank You Marylou, by Birdstone Consigned by Afleet Farm Winner of the GIII Dogwood Stakes in 2014 and placed three times at Grade I level, Thank You Marylou was hammered down to Swynford Management for $27,000 when she was carrying this colt at Keeneland November last fall. The post First Flightline Foals Set For JRHA Select Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nineteen students graduated this week from the National Stud's Level 3 Stud Management and Sales Consignment course in a ceremony held at the Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket. Lorenna Rossi was named the top student on the course and received an award named in memory of the late Tim Dunlop. The stud's traditional diploma course was updated in 2023 to run in tandem with the academic year and to include practical work during the yearling and foal sales season. “We are delighted to celebrate the first cohort of students graduating from the Level 3 programme,” said the National Stud's CEO Anna Kerr. “The changes we have made to what was previously the diploma course have achieved our desired objectives and all of these graduates are going on to excellent positions within the industry. This is also the first year we have hosted the graduation at the Jockey Club Rooms, which is such a fitting setting for our graduates to embark on the next stage of their careers.” Award winners for 2024 The Tim Dunlop Memorial Top Student Award: Lorenna Rossi Watership Down Best Practical: Fflur Jones The John Pearce Foundation Award of Merit: Matthew Daubeney The Alborada Trust Most Improved Student Award: Eaun Marlow and Jess Hodgson. Georgina Morgan, who received an award of recognition, is set to join Australis's Hidden Stud for the start of the southern hemisphere breeding season. The National Stud class of 2024 | Dominic James The post Lorenna Rossi Named Top Student at National Stud Graduation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Second-season handler spent two years as the veteran’s right-hand man, a spell that included Golden Sixty’s famed unbeaten streakView the full article

Entries for NZB’s 2024 Ready to Run Sale of Two-Year-Olds are now open, with the Sale set to be held at the Karaka Sales Centre on 20 and 21 November. Unprecedented results were witnessed at the 2023 edition of the Sale, with the total aggregate increasing by 39% to over $35.1 million and no less than 12 lots that sold for $500,000 or more. NZB’s graduate success continues to confirm the status of the Sale as the best of its kind in the world, with Ready to Run Sale graduates claiming 29 Group One accolades, and 116 stakes wins in the last five seasons alone. The likes of Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’or), Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse), Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree), Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), Pulchritudinous (NZ) (Wrote), Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) are all known as graduates of the Sale, plus emerging stars like last year’s record sale topper Megastar Heart (Star Turn), Antino (NZ) (Redwood), Snow Patrol (NZ) (Contributor) and Eternal Flame (NZ) (Sacred Falls) to name a few. The ongoing success on the racetrack by graduates has seen an increased buyer demand globally at Karaka for two-year-olds prepared by New Zealand’s expert horsemen and women. As a result, the 2023 Sale turnover of more than $35.1 million was 235% more than the closest Australian competitor equivalent sale with only 157 more horses catalogued. The record average of $156,031 at the 2023 Ready to Run Sale was also a clear 37% more than the closest Australian competitor sale average. NZB’s Managing Director Andrew Seabrook is looking forward to building on the incredible results seen at the 2023 edition of the Sale. “The 2023 Ready to Run Sale was just incredible, but we aren’t stopping there.” “It is consistently the best Sale of its kind for performance on the racetrack and results in the sale ring. “The fact our Breeze Ups are held on turf, on one track only, over two consecutive days, gives buyers such an advantage when analysing data and videos. “Our preparers and horsepeople are some of the best anywhere in the world, and are a major influence on the achieved results on the racetrack and why many purchase a New Zealand-bred or sold two-year-old. “While Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand are our major focus, we also work closely with buyers in other emerging markets to ensure the best possible outcomes. “We look forward to welcoming back all of our international and domestic buyers to Karaka in November where bookings for the hotel are already close to full,” he added. This year’s Breeze Ups will take place on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 October at Te Rapa where all horses catalogued have the opportunity to gallop prior to the entering the auction ring, whilst being timed and filmed for buyer analysis. To nominate your rising two-year-olds for NZB’s 2024 Ready to Run Sale, please visit NZB’s online portal at portal.nzb.co.nz. For entry enquiries, contact the Bloodstock Administrator Mary Jane Harvey (+64 9 298 0055 or email maryjane.harvey@nzb.co.nz). Entries close 5pm 2 August 2024. For any general sale enquiries, contact the NZB Bloodstock team here. View the full article

John Thompson will saddle up two runners at Randwick and both will be sporting a key gear change, one for the first time. Blinkers go back on With Your Blessing (NZ) (Vadamos) for Saturday’s Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1200m), while Jojo Was A Man will wear the shades for the first time in the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m). With Your Blessing raced well in blinkers last preparation but Thompson kept them off for his first-up run and he finished a solid fifth to Opal Ridge in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Thompson opted to keep them off for his next start in the June Stakes but the gelding disappointed. “He’s a horse that obviously needs them to switch on,” Thompson said. “I trialled him in them the other day at Randwick and he trialled really well. “He’s spot-on and it’s a nice race for him. He loves the wet.” Thompson is hoping the addition of blinkers also does the trick for JoJo Was A Man. The horse was largely consistent earlier in his career and didn’t need them, but after four unplaced runs from a spell, Thompson decided it was time to try something new. And while he hasn’t used blinkers on the gelding before he has thought about them based on the six-year-old’s pedigree. “He is by Al Maher and I’ve noticed a lot of the Al Maher’s do wear blinkers and I think Al Maher wore them himself,” Thompson said. “He has always been a really consistent horse and hasn’t really needed them, but it’s probably time to give them a burl. “Reece Jones is back on as well, he hasn’t ridden him for a while. He galloped him on Tuesday with the blinkers on and he said, ‘put them on, he worked great’ so we’ve put them on.” Jones has a great record aboard JoJo Was A Man, riding him 12 times for five wins and a narrow second to Taksu in the 2022 Winter Stakes. He is also the last jockey to partner him to victory and gets back aboard for the first time in 14 months. View the full article

Enigmatic galloper Crosshaven (Smart Missile) will try to do something he hasn’t done in close to four years on Saturday as he chases back-to-back wins at Flemington. The Ben, JD and Will Hayes-trained galloper last posted successive wins as a spring three-year-old in 2020, when he won the Listed Exford Plate (1400m) and the Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) in a campaign that saw him finish fourth in the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and then take out the Gr.3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on Victoria Derby Day. Crosshaven broke a run of outs when he saluted at his most recent start at Flemington and the earner of more than $1 million will be out to repeat the dose in the Listed Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final (1200m). “If he turns up again, he’s more than capable of winning and he’s giving every sign at home that he’s feeling great,” said JD Hayes. “He’s got lovely fitness under his belt, so hopefully he’s able to reproduce.” It might have been a moment of serendipity when the Hayes brothers discovered Crosshaven’s affection for Flemington’s straight course, after he flew home to run second in the Gr.3 Rising Fast Stakes (1200m) last spring in what was meant to be a fitness-building first-up outing. “He has shown a liking to the straight, he’s run some really credible races there and that seems to be where he puts his most consistent performances down, so we’re glad that it’s down the straight at Flemington on the weekend,” Hayes said. Crosshaven is at $21 with Sportsbet for the seventh race at Flemington. Lindsay Park will also saddle up last-start winner Le Ferrari in the VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final, although Hayes conceded that it won’t be easy for him from barrier 10. “It’s an awkward draw but he’s a horse in form,” he said. “He’ll give his all but he’s finding a very stiff race here, so we need a few things to go our way, but if you’re a Le Ferrari fan, he’s maintained from last run.” View the full article

Whether recalling the deeds of past champions or pondering which horse might be the next, there’s no getting away from the allure of the Melbourne Cup. Past and present came together this week when the Victoria Racing Club’s Melbourne Cup Tour arrived in New Zealand. First stop on Monday was Cambridge’s Kingsclere Stables to check out Mark Twain, the son of 2009 Cup winner Shocking who nailed a golden ticket to the big dance on November 5 with his last-to-first win in the Roy Higgins at Flemington in March. On Tuesday the tour proceeded to Matamata and, amongst various others, caught up with retired trainer Jim Gibbs, the original trainer of 1995 Melbourne Cup winner Doriemus. The bonus for Gibbs was that one of this year’s tour ambassadors was none other than recently retired jockey Damien Oliver, who nearly three decades ago partnered Doriemus in the first of his three Melbourne Cups. Doriemus belongs on an impressive list of horses selected by Gibbs at bargain prices, in his case $4,500 when he secured the slightly-built chestnut as a yearling in 1992. After winning two of his three starts as an autumn three-year-old, Doriemus caught the attention of Australian talent scouts and he duly changed hands to clients of the Lee Freedman stable, with Gibbs and his wife Ann retaining a 10 per cent share. By the spring of 1995 the ugly duckling had grown into the equine version of a swan and he became the just the eighth horse to complete the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double. Gibbs was still actively engaged with his Matamata stable, but that didn’t get in the way of enjoying the deeds of his star graduate. “I was training out at Parkvale Farm by then and Lee would send him back here to make the most of the lovely spelling paddocks,” the Hall of Famer recalled. “It was quite something to see how he matured year by year and by the time he was five he was a big, powerful horse and he knew he was good.” Freedman had put his toe in the water with the newcomer, giving Doriemus just one late three-year-old start, which he won, at the Queensland winter carnival and in the late spring he won another two races and finished third in his first major test, the Gr. 2 Sandown Cup. A year later and Doriemus was all horse, finishing second in the Gr. 2 Turnbull Stakes and two weeks later going one better in the Caulfield Cup. In that race he burst through the pack to get up late and score by half a length, but his Melbourne Cup win was far more dominant. Oliver had Doriemus ready to lodge his bid once the field had straightened up and after hitting the lead untested, he raced clear by four lengths over the VRC Derby winner Nothin’ Leica Dane and Irish raider Vintage Crop. Two years earlier that horse had changed the Melbourne Cup landscape with his victory for Dermot Weld and in 2002 Oliver and Weld combined to each add their second Melbourne Cup with Media Puzzle. That was an especially poignant victory for Oliver, coming just a week after his jockey brother Jason had died from injuries suffered in a trial fall. Oliver, who retired last year with an Australian record 129 Group Ones in a career total of more than 3,000, went on to add a third Melbourne Cup – and trail-blazer Gai Waterhouse her first – with Fiorente in 2013, but his first will always hold a special place. “Winning the Melbourne Cup is the ultimate for any jockey and the first one is unique,” says the man they call the GOAT. “Doriemus was just a good, tough stayer with tremendous stamina, and being in my early twenties he meant a lot to my career.” Doriemus contested four Melbourne Cups in all, with Oliver in the saddle when he finished seventh from well back in 1996 and Greg Hall the rider in 1997 when he finished second in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups to the rampant front-runner Might And Power. That Melbourne Cup is one that Hall would prefer to forget, having raised his whip in celebration thinking Doriemus had nailed Might And Power on the line, only for the photo-finish camera to confirm that he had failed by a nose. Doriemus was retired after finishing well out of the placings in the 1998 Melbourne Cup and lived out his days at Melbourne’s Living Legends Park, where he died aged 24 in 2015. While Oliver is on his first Melbourne Cup tour, the opposite applies to the man known as the Keeper of the Cup, Joe McGrath. As a long-time employee of the Victoria Racing Club, McGrath has played a pivotal role in displaying the Melbourne Cup to what is now a truly international audience. “I came on board for the first Cup tour and 22 years later here I am still doing it,” McGrath said. “The Melbourne Cup has never needed any introduction where ever we’ve taken it in New Zealand and Australia, and as it’s become more international, the rest of the world has also come to recognise and embrace it.” The 2024 Melbourne Cup tour covers 39 destinations across six countries. McGrath and his entourage have already visited the United States and Japan, and still have the United Kingdom and Ireland on their schedule. And anyone lucky enough to hold with their white-gloved hand the golden trophy in McGrath’s possession can rest assured it’s the real McCoy. “For sure,” adds McGrath, “that’s the Cup that will be presented to the next lucky winners on November 5. It weighs a total of 3.85 kilograms, 1.85 kilos of that consists of 18 carat gold and with the price of gold still on the rise, we’ve recently had it valued at A$750,000.” The A$8,560,000 Lexus Melbourne Cup is one of eight Group One races scheduled across the four days of Flemington’s Cup Week programme. Total stakes for those eight races is A$23,775,775. View the full article

Justaskme will contest the Valley D’Vine Restaurant Handicap (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Winter warhorse Justaskme is already a two-time winner of the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m), and New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock is using Saturday’s Valley D’Vine Restaurant Handicap (1400m) at Hastings as a springboard into another shot at the local feature on July 20. Justaskme won his first Opunake Cup with a two-length victory over his stablemate London Express in 2021. He finished fourth behind Helena Baby a year later, then triumphed again 12 months ago with a powerful performance under 60kg. The eight-year-old has kicked off his latest winter campaign in good style, making up eye-catching ground for fifth under 59kg in the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) and finishing a last-start third in the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui just over a month ago. “He’s had a little freshen up since Wanganui and has done really well,” Sharrock said. “This race fits in nicely in his preparation for the Opunake Cup. He needs a run to get him ready for that race. “I’m probably not expecting him to be overly competitive on Saturday. You don’t have much hope when you’re given 62kg, but that’s life. It helps to take a few kilos off with Elle Sole’s 4kg claim, but that’s also a bit of a disadvantage with this horse because he really needs a senior rider to get him going.” Sharrock’s Hastings contingent also includes the unbeaten Indian Gold in the Livamol Classic On Sale Now Handicap (1200m). The three-year-old son of Ocean Park was an impressive maiden winner over the same distance in his only previous start on June 6. “He’s a nice horse,” Sharrock said. “He’s second-up here and goes up in weight. It’s a much harder race for him, but I think he’s a fair bit better than a one-win horse.” Indian Gold also has the pedigree to extend over longer distances than Saturday’s 1200m. His dam is the High Chaparral mare Chapinta, who won six races up to 2200m, while her half-brother Sangster won a Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m) and Victoria Derby (2500m). Sharrock’s other runner at Hastings on Saturday is Fleming in the Three Wise Birds Handicap (1200m). The six-year-old has had just five starts in his stop-start career, but has won twice including a jaw-dropping romp by 13 lengths on debut in 2022. This will be Fleming’s first start since last September, but he finished second in a trial at Waverley last month. “I think we’ve got enough work into him,” Sharrock said. “The track conditions on Saturday will suit him. He’s got a terrible draw (11), which is against him, but he’s working well enough to suggest he can be competitive.” Sharrock also has three runners at Te Rapa on Saturday and gave a particular push for Bella Timing in the Jack & June Stewart Memorial (1200m). The daughter of Time Test is a half-sister to Sharrock’s Group 2 winners Tavi Mac and Darci La Bella. Bella Timing has won once in her five-start career and was a last-start second placegetter at Trentham. “I really like Bella Timing, who I’d say would be my best chance there this weekend,” Sharrock said. “She’s absolutely thrived since her last run.” Horse racing news View the full article

Pacheco will contest the TAB Hurdle (2800m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Shaun Phelan is set to be represented by leading contenders at both New Zealand race meetings on Saturday, despite the likely scratching of his six-race winner Enchanted Elle. The daughter of Jakkalberry is entered for the Beard Brothers Handicap (2200m) at Hastings, where the 4kg claim of apprentice jockey Rihaan Goyaram would reduce her impost to just 50kg. “Unfortunately, she’s got a bit of a sore foot, so it’s looking like she might have to be scratched from that race on Saturday,” Phelan said. “But we’re still hoping to get her back to something like the Taumarunui Cup (2200m) later in the month, which she won last year, and she could have a hurdle career ahead of her yet as well.” Enchanted Elle’s defection would leave Phelan with two runners at Hastings – Perfectmanz in the Tipsy Towbar Handicap (2100m) and Danzino in the Happy Hire Handicap (2100m) – while promising hurdler Pacheco headlines the Cambridge trainer’s two-strong team at Te Rapa. Pacheco is rated a $3.80 favourite for the TAB Hurdle (2800m), having made a big impression with his maiden hurdle victory over the same course and distance on June 15. The six-year-old son of Makfi has also been racing well on the flat, including a second placing behind subsequent black-type winner Casino Princess at Rotorua in May, along with a close fourth at Ruakaka last Saturday. “His maiden hurdle win was a pretty promising performance,” Phelan said. “There’s been a bit of form out of that race as well, with Mont Ventoux winning his next start by a big margin. “I thought his run on the flat the other day was really good too, so he’s going pretty well at the moment. I couldn’t be any happier with him.” Hastings candidate Perfectmanz contested the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March, finishing 12th. His first appearance since then came at Tauranga on June 22, where he finished at the tail of a seven-horse field over an unsuitable 1300m distance. “Perfectmanz is coming up really well,” Phelan said. “He obviously ran in the Derby last prep. This is a big step up in distance for his second run of the campaign, going straight from 1300m to 2100m. But we did something similar last time too, where he ran fifth over 1400m on debut and then won a 2040m maiden in his second start. So I’d expect the big increase in distance to suit him, and he seems to handle wet tracks well.” Danzino is taking a similar step up in distance for his second-up assignment on Saturday, having made up good ground for fourth over 1400m in his resuming run at Tauranga late last month. The Tarzino gelding was a maiden winner over 2200m earlier in the season. “I thought it was a massive run over 1400m fresh up,” Phelan said. “It’s a big jump in distance for him too, but he’s a lovely big 17-hands Tarzino. Getting up over ground should be absolutely ideal. We’re lucky to have Johnathan Parkes booked to ride him too, because I think he needs a strong rider.” Horse racing news View the full article

Sir Mikki winning at Awapuni on Friday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Local trainer Lisa Latta was a dominant force at Awapuni’s Synthetic meeting on Friday, winning four races, including the Ashurst-Pohangina Cup (2140m) with Sir Mikki. It was the second consecutive win on the surface for the son of Mikki Isle, who was once again piloted by Chris Dell. Dell settled the four-year-old midfield and enjoyed an economical passage throughout before he was asked to improve with 500m to go and quickly found the lead at the top of the straight and held off the challenge of Just Charlie to win by a neck. “It was really good to take out the Cup with Sir Mikkie. He has had to lug the 60 kilos, but he is tough,” stable representative Josh Herd said. “He came through his last start win really well and it was another great ride by Chris today.” Sir Mikki will now head north next month to tackle a lucrative Cambridge Synthetic target. “We will look to head to that $100,000 Cambridge Synthetic race over 2000m (on August 8),” Herd said. The stable also tasted success on Friday with Final Chapter in the Chris Gommans & Sons Contracting 2140, Bee Enchanted in the Murray Free Contracting LTD 1200, and Lincoln Towers in The Pavemasters 1400. “Final Chapter improved a tonne today on the synthetic,” Herd said. “That was a great ride by Chris (Dell), he got back and weaved a passage through them. He was impressive and strong through the line. “Be Enchanted is a really handy horse on the synthetic. That was his fourth win on the synthetic and we will target one of the $100,000 races with him now. “Lincoln Towers galloped up on Saturday in the blinkers and we were pretty confident heading into today. Ace Lawson-Carroll (jockey) jumped off last start and said to put the blinkers on and he will improve six lengths, and he did that.” Herd is hoping the stable can continue their winning momentum into Saturday where they will have six representatives at Hastings, with Herd labelling Lurid in the Happy Hire Handicap (2100m) as their best chance. “It will be interesting to see how the track plays,” he said. “I think Lurid in the last is probably a good eachway bet, he handles the heavy tracks quite well.” Horse racing news View the full article

Solidify will contest the John Young Family (2200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images) Solidify has been finding his feet over middle-distances this autumn and winter, and another bold performance in Saturday’s John Young Family (2200m) at Te Rapa could be a stepping stone towards a Group 1 target in the spring. The son of Redwood was a stakes-winning autumn two-year-old in last year’s Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a placing in Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) last September was the highlight of an inconsistent spring and summer. But Team Rogerson has lifted the gelding to a new level since the beginning of April, placing over 1600m at Pukekohe before stepping up in distance with a gallant second behind Moonlight Magic in the Group 3 Championship Stakes (2100m). Another two placings followed at Te Rapa over 1600m and 2100m, and then Solidify ventured down to Otaki on June 8 and scored a convincing win in a 2100m Rating 75. He stays in the same grade for Saturday’s $35,000 race, in which bookmakers rate him a $3.70 favourite despite his weight rising to 61.5kg. “I hope the market has got it right,” Rogerson said. “He looks good and has got a lot going for him. “He’s still a bit of a work in progress. We’ve had to teach him to be a stayer and really make him as a staying horse, but I think he’s getting there now. “He’s certainly weighted up to his best on Saturday with 61.5kg, but Bailey Rogerson knows him well, has ridden him on raceday before and will take 2kg off.” Solidify is nominated for next month’s Group 3 Winter Cup (1600m) and is prominent in that market at $16, but Rogerson would prefer to continue racing him over longer distances. “I think he’s on the cusp of being a really nice staying horse,” he said. “His performance this weekend will tell us where he should head. If he runs well again, he may go to the Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) at Te Rapa later in the month (July 27). The Livamol Classic (Group 1, 2040m) could be a nice target to work towards with him if we continue to be happy with his progress.” Rogerson will also keep a close eye on his stable’s two-pronged representation in Saturday’s Sign Central 2YO (1100m) at Hastings. He has plenty of time for Grove Street, who finished fifth against talented line-ups in his first two starts earlier in the season. Grove Street is a son of Rogerson’s multiple Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) placegetter Ferrando, whose first-crop juveniles are showing surprisingly different attributes to those of their sire. “Grove Street’s got some good ability and is learning all the time,” Rogerson said. “He’s a typical Ferrando. They’re not really two-year-old types, and they’re looking more like stayers than sprinters, which I’ve found hard to believe. “I think we’ve got a lot to look forward to with his progeny next season. We’ve got half a dozen of them that look really good. Zorro’s Revenge placed in the Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1600m) in the autumn, and he came back into the stable this week. We’re going to aim him at the 2000 Guineas (Group 1, 1600m), and then I think he’s a lovely prospect for the Derby (Group 1, 2400m). “Skymax is another one, she got home really well for fourth at Ruakaka the other day. She’ll go out for a spell now and will come back better at three.” Rogerson also gave a favourable report on a number of his stable stars as they build fitness ahead of their spring campaigns. “Sharp ‘N’ Smart, Just As Sharp and Domain Ace are all coming up beautifully,” he said. “I’ve been very happy with them and I think they’re all on target for the spring at this stage.” Horse racing news View the full article

Caitlyns Wish will contest the Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Quality mare Caitlyns Wish has fashioned an enviable record through the past two winters for Stephen Autridge, and she will chase a winning hattrick at Te Rapa on Saturday. The daughter of in-form sire Belardo has recorded six wins and five minor placings over 15 starts, consistently performing in the favoured heavy conditions that she struck at Wanganui and Te Rapa at her two latest appearances. “She was really courageous last-start and things did go our way including the weight she carried (51kg),” Autridge said. “She’s come through it well, on a sticky heavy track we aren’t sure, but she loves Te Rapa anyway.” Caitlyns Wish has been ridden in all but three of her races by Autridge’s apprentice Maria Sanson, but with the three-kilogram claimer out with a suspension, the mare will be partnered by Bailey Rogerson in the Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m). “We’ve had to have a change of rider but that shouldn’t matter, having the apprentice claim certainly helps and she’s quite easy to ride,” Autridge said. “She’s always had a female rider and she always goes well for them, so we aren’t going to change that in a hurry.” Enjoying rain-affected tracks allows for plenty of options for the four-year-old, and Autridge is happy to let her guide their path forward this campaign. “She’s good to have around, she’ll eat anything you give her and loves her work,” he said. “Wherever she goes, she’ll go at a hundred miles an hour, just like in a race. She jig-jogs going out to the track, she’ll try to trot into the swimming pool, she jumps onto the truck and is just loving everything she does. “She loves the wet tracks, so while they are around and she’s going well, we’ll carry on. Last year we turned her out a bit before the winter was over, but when she has too long of a spell she gets too fat on us.” Autridge will also be represented at Hastings on Saturday by Loch Katrine, the Ardrossan filly contesting the Book Your Function @ Hawke’s Bay Racing Handicap (1650m). Loch Katrine has also shown plenty of consistency throughout her preparation and will reunite with local hoop Kate Hercock in the Rating 65 contest. “She’s as good as she’s ever been, but she’s drawn 10 of 10 which is the worst place to be at the mile start at Hastings,” Autridge said. “There’s always something that seems to be against her, if she’d drawn nicely I would’ve said I believe she’d be winning, but from there we’ll need some luck. She will run a good race.” Horse racing news View the full article

The Winnabe makes it two in a row. Fresh from a Happy Valley double on Thursday night (4 July), Hugh Bowman is optimistic unbeaten The Winnabe can continue an impressive debut campaign with a strong performance in the Class 3 Chow Silver Plate Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Saturday (6 July). Stepping to 1400m for the first time after a pair of 1200m victories, The Winnabe faces 12 rivals including a string of recent winners led by Lovero, Gracious Express, Galvanic, King Miles and Greenwich. The Caravaggio three-year-old shapes as one of master trainer John Size’s most exciting prospects next season and Bowman is confident the gelding has what it takes to build on an impeccable start to his career. “There’s no doubt he (The Winnabe) is up to it, but he’s still relatively young and inexperienced,” Bowman said. “But he’s very natural and he’s shown he’s got an engine. It’s going to be an interesting test to see where he’s at but he’s an exciting horse.” The Winnabe finished powerfully from midfield to down Vantastic Choice at Sha Tin on 8 June after a similar display when defeating Super Infinity – also over 1200m – on 19 May with both wins coming from barrier two. The grey jumps from gate five tomorrow. With 65 winners so far this season, Bowman also partners Top Scorer for Size in the Class 4 Arculli Trophy Handicap (1200m). “He’s a consistent horse and it’s only a matter of time until he wins and hopefully it’s this weekend,” Bowman said, referring to the gelding’s four seconds, two thirds and a fourth from seven starts. Echoing Bowman’s ambitions for The Winnabe, Jerry Chau hopes Thunder Blink can maintain his unbeaten run with success in the Class 3 Stevenson Cup Handicap (1400m). Triumphant in Griffin company over 1000m on 14 April and again over 1200m on 26 May for Jimmy Ting, the Ribchester three-year-old rises in class and distance and meets 12 more seasoned rivals tomorrow. “Before he raced, he trialled very well and he’s won twice since and I feel like he’s kept improving and I think he can handle Class 3,” Chau said. “He’s still immature and green, but I think he can get better. Class 3 will be tough, but with a good draw he can be competitive.” Thunder Blink will start from gate six against a string of recent winners headed by Hasten Delight, Beauty Glory, Beauty Fit, Super Goldi and Our Lucky Glory. Chau, 24, has 33 wins for the season and hopes to finish with a flourish with only three meetings left. “It’s been a good season. Everything has gone pretty well,” he said. “I’ve had more support and that’s been very good for me, especially getting nice horses like James Tak and Fun Together. I’ve enjoyed the season.” With Zac Purton (122 wins) assured of a seventh Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, the battle for training honours continues between Pierre Ng (67) and Francis Lui (65). Ng has eight entries tomorrow, while Lui has 12. Saturday’s (6 July) Sha Tin meeting starts with the Purves Quaich Plate (1200m) for Griffins at 4pm HKT. Horse racing news View the full article

Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Bletchingly Stakes Group Three Betting Guide Date: Saturday, July 27, 2024 Location: Caulfield Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria Prize Money: $200,000 Distance: 1200m The Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes is ran over 1200 under weight-for-age conditions at Caulfield, with the next edition on July 27, 2024. First run in 1994 as a Listed Race, the Bletchingly Stakes was extended to 1200m, with the race earning Group 3 status in 1997. Trainers Lee Freedman, Peter Moody, Clinton McDonald, Lance Smith and James Cummings have all registered multiple victories in the Bletchingly Stakes since the turn of the century. Damien Oliver, Michael Rodd and Luke Nolen has achieved the same success as jockeys since 2000. In 2019, Scales Of Justice would go on to win the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) a month after his success in the Bletchingly Stakes. The 2023 Bletchingly Stakes was won by the Godolphin-owned Ingratiating. 2024 Bletchingly Stakes betting odds 2024 Bletchingly Stakes odds are currently unavailable. HorseBetting will update this page when Bletchingly Stakes odds are released. How to bet on the Bletchingly Stakes Being a strong betting race, any bookmaker that doesn’t offer the markets on the Bletchingly Stakes well in advance of the event is leaving money on the table. The team at Horse Betting has compiled comprehensive reviews of our trusted online bookmakers which all offer odds on the Bletchingly Stakes. The best Bletchingly Stakes betting sites are accessible across multiple platforms, with most having bookmaker apps available for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. 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. 7 On Your Side Betfair Australia Australia’s only betting exchange Visit Betfair Review What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit. Full terms. 8 By Players, For Players UniBet Unibet offer daily promotions to registered and logged in customers only Join Unibet Review 18+. Gamble Responsibly. Chances are you are about to lose. Full terms. 9 Ladbrokes Switch Ladbrokes Ladbrokes offer daily promotions to registered and logged in customers only Visit Ladbrokes Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. Bletchingly Stakes News Ingratiating claims Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Despite being poor on face value first-up, Godolphin’s Ingratiating was a smart winner in Saturday’s Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) … Read More Caulfield free racing tips & quaddie | Saturday, July 22 Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago The Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) headlines Caulfield’s nine race program. Check out HorseBetting’s free preview and quaddie tips here … Read More Windstorm to return in Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield Australia horse racing news 12 months ago Windstorm will line up in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, ending a near three-year break from … Read More Berkeley Square, Scallopini nearing wins | The Follow Files Australia horse racing news 2 years ago While Randwick got the flick after one race due to the state of the track on Saturday, some good racing … Read More King Of Sparta reigns supreme in Bletchingly Stakes Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Leading Victorian hoop Jye McNeil has managed to lift the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained King Of Sparta to victory in … Read More Stokes confident in a good performance from Mileva this Saturday Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Fresh from a courageous victory last start in the Sir John Monash Stakes, Phillip Stokes is confident in another good … Read More 2024 Bletchingly Stakes Final Field HorseBetting will update this page when the 2024 Bletchingly Stakes final field is released. Previous Bletchingly Stakes Fields 2023 Bletchingly Stakes field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Ingratiating James Cummings Blake Shinn 3 58.5kg 2 General Beau Mathew Ellerton Dean Yendall 1 58.5kg 3 Tycoonist Chris Waller Jordan Childs 10 58.5kg 4 Regardsmaree Nick Ryan Billy Egan 5 58.5kg 5 Mnementh Mitchell Beer Craig Williams 6 58.5kg 6 It’sourtime Danny O’Brien Ben Allen 7 58.5kg 7 Nicolini Vito Ben & JD Hayes Damien Oliver 9 58.5kg 8 Windstorm John Leek (Jnr) Beau Mertens 8 58.5kg 9 Alpine Wolf Barry Campbell Daniel Ganderton 4 58.5kg 10 Starlight Scope Pat Carey Jamie Mott 2 56.5kg 2023 Bletchingly Stakes result 1st – Ingratiating (+300) 2nd – General Beau (-142.86) 3rd – It’sourtime (-142.86) Recent runnings of the Bletchingly Stakes: 2023: Ingratiating produces powerful finish Despite being poor on face value first-up, Godolphin’s Ingratiating was a smart winner in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. The four-year-old son of Frosted finished midfield when beaten 3.6 lengths in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) when first-up off a 34-week spell. Given a perfect ride from Blake Shinn, Ingratiating ($4.20) found the winner’s circle for the first time since his win in an 1100m sprint at Caulfield on September 17, 2022. He had been racing in much tougher company than what he faced in the Bletchingly and class managed to shine through when it mattered most, getting the better of leader General Beau ($4) and the fast-finishing It’sourtime ($4.60). Despite giving General Beau a four-length head start upon turning, Ingratiating dug deep to claim the leader inside the final 50m. 2022: King Of Sparta reigns supreme Top Melbourne jockey Jye McNeil could not have wished for a better opening, pouncing on a dream crease in the field 300m out, to win the $200,000 Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes aboard King Of Sparta. It didn’t come without a struggle, only edging out Scallopini for Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted on the line in the Group 3 sprint over 1200m at Caulfield. After conceding the lead early, McNeil deliberately waited for his opportunity after rounding the turn and pounced when the opportunity came. King Of Sparta’s time of 1:10.88 on a Soft 7 was a respectable effort for race eight on the program, after race seven was conducted in Soft 6 conditions 35 minutes earlier. 2021: Sansom returns a winner Phillip Stokes’ Sansom, returning from a lengthy hiatus, triumphed in a fiercely competitive 2021 $160,000 Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. After his last outing in February, where he finished sixth in the Shaftesbury Avenue Stakes at Flemington, the talented four-year-old gelding commenced his new campaign in stellar form. Despite starting from the second widest barrier in a field of 12, Sansom settled just ahead of midfield early on under the guidance of jockey Ben Allen. Approaching the final turn, Allen maneuvered Sansom wide, positioning him for a decisive run down the home stretch. In a nail-biting finish, Sansom surged down the centre of the track, narrowly clinching victory on the post ahead of Streets Of Avalon. 2020: Oliver guides Viridine to Group 3 success A rails-hugging ride from champion jockey Damien Oliver has helped favourite Viridine to a determined victory in Melbourne’s final stakes race of the 2019-20 season at Caulfield. The James Cummings-trained Viridine was the $2.70 favourite in the weight-for-age Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) and Oliver was able to position the sprinter midfield early before improving to be in a position to strike entering the home straight. Oliver was able to take a run along the fence to the inside of Great Again in the straight and Viridine went on to defeat Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) winner Streets Of Avalon, who was first-up from a spell, by three-quarters of a length. Great Again held on for third, another long neck away. Previous winners of the Bletchingly Stakes Bletchingly Stakes Past Winners Year Horse Jockey Trainer 2023 Ingratiating Blake Shinn James Cummings 2022 King Of Sparta Jye McNeil Peter & Paul Snowden 2021 Sansom Ben Allen Phillip Stokes 2020 Viridine Damien Oliver James Cummings 2019 Scales Of Justice Dean Yendall Lindsey Smith 2018 Vega Magic Damien Oliver David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig 2017 Race Not Held 2016 Lord Of The Sky Damien Oliver Robbie Laing 2015 Smokin’ Joey Chris Parnham Wez Hunter 2014 Thiamandi Michael Rodd Lloyd Kennewell 2013 Second Effort Brad Rawiller Clinton McDonald 2012 Ready To Rip Luke Nolen Peter Moody 2011 Mid Summer Music Luke Nolen Peter Moody 2010 Shoot Out Sthati Katsidis John Wallace 2009 Commanding Hope Nick Ryan Chris Hyland 2008 Apache Cat Michael Rodd Greg Eurell 2007 Minson Craig Williams Michael Hibbs 2006 Regal Roller Mark Flaherty Clinton McDonald 2005 Le Zagaletta Michael Walker Lee Freedman 2004 Super Elegant Patrick Payne Tony Vasil 2003 Rubitano Nash Rawiller Brian Mayfield-Smith 2002 Windigo Noel Callow Ramon Goldsmith 2001 Dandy Kid Luke Currie Robbie Griffiths 2000 Sports Neville Wilson John Hawkes Bletchingly Stakes winners pre-2000 Bletchingly Stakes Past Winners Pre 2000 Year Horse 1999 Sports 1998 Jugulator 1997 Blazing Reality 1996 You Remember 1995 You Remember 1994 Poetic King Recommended! Take It To The Neds Level Home of the Neds Toolbox Check Out Neds 18+ Gamble Responsibly It Pays To Play New online bookmaker Check Out PlayUp 18+ Gamble Responsibly Say Hey to the social bet! Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?. Full terms. Never Ordinary Never Ordinary Visit Bet365 GETON is not a bonus code and does not grant access to additional offers. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. New customers only. #ad Full T’s and C’s. Next Gen Racing Betting Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? View the full article

Talented three-year-old jumps to Class Three level as handler makes late bid to meet trainer’s criteriaView the full article

Kuroyanagi on the way to the barriers prior to the running of the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) South Australia’s Kuroyanagi targets a home-state black-type win, with trainer Will Clarken dreaming of spring features in Melbourne and Sydney. The Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) placegetter returned quietly with a 600-metre jump-out at Murray Bridge, pleasing both Clarken and jockey Ben Price. Clarken eyes the Listed Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville for her comeback, aiming for a stakes win after Group 1 and Group 2 placings. “All being well, we’ll trial her at Balaklava in seven days and then a gallop on Good ground, aiming for the Lightning,” Clarken told Racing.com. “It’ll hinge on her first-up run, but Melbourne and Sydney races are options. It was a great year for juveniles, so we’ll navigate carefully. “Our focus is on securing black-type and building momentum.” Horse racing news View the full article

Press Down ridden by Neil Farley winning the Golden Topaz at Swan Hil. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) B Press Down will aim for a third consecutive win in Saturday’s Santa Ana Lane Series Final at Flemington, continuing his impressive winter form. Trainer Peter Hardacre’s strategy to extend beyond the Adelaide Racing Carnival has paid off, with the four-year-old securing back-to-back victories, including a strong performance in the Golden Topaz (1200m) at Swan Hill. “He’s really well,” Hardacre told Racing SA. “He did a nice piece of work on the course proper at Murray Bridge on Monday and had a nice little gallop up the hill on the sand this morning (Thursday). “It’s a nice stepping stone for him coming through, he’s weighted to run well. We were able to give him ten days off after Swan Hill and he seems to be even better again. “The one thing I’ve noticed is just how much stronger he’s getting and he’s a more relaxed horse around the stable.” Horse racing news View the full article

Showmanship ridden by Damien Oliver on the way to the barriers prior to the running of the 2022 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Once touted as an Everest (1200m) contender before being sidelined by soundness issues, Showmanship will be looking to prove he still possesses talent when he returns to Sydney for the first time in almost two years. The eight-year-old will line up in Saturday’s Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, having had his career interrupted twice for lengthy periods. Showmanship was considered one of the rising stars of the sprinting ranks after winning seven of his first eight starts and was in discussions for the 2020 Everest before a tendon issue sidelined him for 18 months. He returned for three runs, including a slashing Group 3 victory on his only Sydney visit two years later, before spending another 15 months out of action. Owner Bob Peters eventually sent Showmanship to John Leek Jnr, and the gelding made a great start for his new stable, finishing a half-length fourth in the Listed Doveton Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in December. He wasn’t beaten far when resuming with a midfield effort in May. “He’s a beautiful horse,” Leek said. “He’s got a lot of ability but as you can see, he hasn’t raced much, so we’ve just got to plan his runs and get him onto a wet track. “There have been no ratings races to suit him, but we’ve found one on Saturday. He’s in well, and I’m looking forward to it.” Horse racing news View the full article

En Francais ridden by Lachlan Neindorf prior to the running of the 2023 Tesio Stakes at Moonee Valley. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Lachlan Neindorf will be travelling north to ride the classy South Australian mare En Francais in Saturday’s Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1600m) on the Sunshine Coast. Neindorf has ridden the mare in four of her five wins, including her impressive last-start victory in the Group 3 Cummings Stakes (1600m) in May. He expressed his hopes that the recent wet weather in the Sunshine State clears up. “Hopefully they go ahead,” Neindorf told Racing SA. “It’s touch and go at this stage but I fly up there Friday morning and hopefully she runs well,” he said. En Francais failed to meet her $350,000 reserve at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast in late May, which prompted connections to leave her in Queensland with David Vandyke. The rising seven-year-old trialed nicely on the Gold Coast recently, marking her first time racing in the opposite direction. “She looked pretty good given it was her first time going the other way,” Neindorf said. “It’s my first time riding that direction, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity.” Horse racing news View the full article