Wandering Eyes

Relishing the heavy ground at Saint-Cloud on Sunday, the Wertheimers' Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}–Dancequest {Ire}, by Dansili {GB}) successfully defended his crown in the feature G1 Prix Royal-Oak. Tracking the leader Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) from the break, the Christophe Ferland-trained 13-2 shot was committed by Maxime Guyon with 300 metres remaining and stayed on strongly to deny the 23-10 favourite Sevenna's Knight (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) by 1 1/4 lengths, with Trueshan a head away in third. Back-to-back victories for Double Major in the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at Saint-Cloud for @maximeguyon_off and @teamchferland! #ダイワメジャー pic.twitter.com/iNC2ctPnMV — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 27, 2024 Sunday, Saint-Cloud, France PRIX ROYAL-OAK-G1, €350,000, Saint-Cloud, 10-27, 3yo/up, 15 1/2fT, 3:33.16, hy. 1–DOUBLE MAJOR (IRE), 130, g, 4, by Daiwa Major (Jpn) 1st Dam: Dancequest (Ire) (SP-Fr), by Dansili (GB) 2nd Dam: Featherquest (GB), by Rainbow Quest 3rd Dam: Featherhill (Fr), by Lyphard O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Christophe Ferland; J-Maxime Guyon. €199,990. Lifetime Record: 15-7-4-2, €768,110. *1/2 to Flop Shot (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), GSW-Fr, $266,711; and Veritas (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), 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–Sevenna's Knight (Ire), 130, c, 4, Camelot (GB)–Sevenna (Fr), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-OTI Management Pty Ltd; B-Gestut Ammerland (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. €80,010. 3–Trueshan (Fr), 130, g, 8, Planteur (Ire)–Shao Line (Fr), by General Holme. (€8,000 Ylg '17 OSLATE; 31,000gns 2yo '18 TATHIT). O-Singula Partnership; B-Didier Blot (FR); T-Alan King. €40,005. Margins: 1 1/4, HD, 5. Odds: 6.50, 2.30, 2.70. Also Ran: Al Qareem (Ire), Grosvenor Square (Ire), Shakti (Fr), Presage Nocturne (Ire), Align The Stars (Ire). The post Double Major Doubles Up In The Royal Oak appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In the kind of fascinating group 1 encounter that the preceding Criterium de Saint-Cloud definitely was not, Ballydoyle and Wootton Bassett (GB) were the main stories again at the culmination of Sunday's Criterium International. Ryan Moore had picked last Saturday's impressive Leopardstown maiden-winning TDN Rising Star Twain (Ire) over the stable's Arqana Series Criterium d'Automne winner Mount Kilimanjaro (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and his judgement was proven spot-on once more as the son of Wading (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) emerged with the Rosegreen bragging rights to stamp himself as a genuine Classic candidate for 2025. As expected, the unbeaten 3-5 favourite Maranoa Charlie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) set off in isolation as he had previously when winning the course-and-distance G3 Prix Thomas Bryon but it was soon evident that he was tanking in the hands of Aurelien Lemaitre and merely setting it up for the closers. With the leader's goose cooked two out, it was left to the Irish colts to come to the fore and the 53-10 shot Twain had more gears than his stablemate from 300 metres out. At the line, Twain held a 1 1/4-length margin over Mount Kilimanjaro, with the Joseph O'Brien-trained Goffs Million scorer Apples And Bananas (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) 4 1/2 lengths away in third and Maranoa Charlie a further five lengths back in fourth. “He must be very good horse,” Moore said of the descendant of Urban Sea (Miswaki), linking him to some of the Turf's recent greats. “He was a bit inexperienced and got to the front a long way from home and was a bit green still. He's a beautiful-looking horse by a sire who is doing unbelievable things with his 2-year-olds.” Aidan O'Brien added, “He's obviously a very good horse. We thought we were running him too early at Leopardstown, but we decided to run him with this in mind just in case he was as good as we thought he was. Ryan had to teach him and give him a chance there and we think he's very special. He's a legitimate Guineas horse.” Two from two! Twain remains unbeaten in the Group 1 Criterium International for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien… pic.twitter.com/hC4MblB8hL — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 27, 2024 Sunday, Saint-Cloud, France CRITERIUM INTERNATIONAL-G1, €250,000, Saint-Cloud, 10-27, 2yo, c/f, 8fT, 1:46.31, hy. 1–TWAIN (IRE), 126, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB) 1st Dam: Wading (Ire) (GSW-Eng), by Montjeu (Ire) 2nd Dam: Cherry Hinton (GB), by Green Desert 3rd Dam: Urban Sea, by Miswaki TDN Rising Star. 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €142,850. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, €153,470. *1/2 to Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}), GSW & G1SP-Ire, GSW-Eng, GISP-US, $462,744; and Lost Treasure (Ire) (War Front), GSP-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Mount Kilimanjaro (Fr), 126, c, 2, Siyouni (Fr)–Decorating, by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€420,000 Ylg '23 ARQOCT). O-Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Glen Hill Farm LLC (FR); T-Aidan O'Brien. €57,150. 3–Apples And Bananas (Ire), 126, c, 2, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Simannka (Ire), by Mastercraftsman (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€130,000 Ylg '23 GOFOR). O-MacLennan, Shanahan & Magnier; B-Phoenix Thoroughbred Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €28,575. Margins: 1 1/4, 4HF, 5. Odds: 5.30, 4.70, 10.00. Also Ran: Maranoa Charlie (Fr), Spirit Of Summer (GB), Matauri Bay (Ire). The post Ballydoyle’s Twain Brings Up Group 1 Double For Wootton Bassett appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Zac Purton secures a Sunday double thanks to Francis Lui’s course specialist and Frankie Lor’s exciting Hong Kong debutant.View the full article

Just three lined up for Sunday's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud and it went to form as Coolmore and Westerberg's G2 Beresford Stakes runner-up Tennessee Stud (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) upstaged Ahmad Al Shaikh's G3 Zetland Stakes runner-up Green Storm (Ire) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) in the match it had looked on paper. In a renewal marred by the dismal lack of appetite for competition among the home country's trainers, the Joseph O'Brien-trained 3-5 favourite only had to follow around the British raider and wear him down 100 metres from the line for a 1 1/2-length success. Harvey (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) enjoyed the easiest piece of group 1 black-type conceivable nine lengths away in third in a race that is surely asking to be stripped of its status by the EPC. Determined performance! Tennessee Stud chases down Green Storm to land the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud for @JosephOBrien2 and @DylanBrowneMcM… pic.twitter.com/MnjZYqdylZ — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 27, 2024 Sunday, Saint-Cloud, France CRITERIUM DE SAINT-CLOUD-G1, €250,000, Saint-Cloud, 10-27, 2yo, c/f, 10fT, 2:16.08, hy. 1–TENNESSEE STUD (IRE), 126, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB) 1st Dam: In My Dreams (Ire), by Sadler's Wells 2nd Dam: Offshore Boom (Ire), by Be My Guest 3rd Dam: Push A Button (Ire), by Bold Lad (Ire) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Westerberg, Michael Tabor, Mrs John Magnier & Derrick Smith; B-Mrs A M O'Brien (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Dylan Browne McMonagle. €142,850. Lifetime Record: GSP-Ire, 4-2-1-1, €178,300. *1/2 to Jumellea (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), SP-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Green Storm (Ire), 126, c, 2, Circus Maximus (Ire)–Banimpire (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€12,000 Ylg '23 GOFORB). O-Ahmad Al Shaikh; B-Banimpire Syndicate (IRE); T-Charlie Johnston. €57,150. 3–Harvey (Fr), 126, c, 2, Le Havre (Ire)–Nunzia (Fr), by Epaulette (Aus). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€47,000 Ylg '23 ARQAUG). O-Miss E Nolan & Paul Hancock; B-Elevage Haras De Bourgeauville (FR); T-Peter Chapple-Hyam. €28,575. Margins: 1HF, 9. Odds: 0.60, 1.90, 3.40. Scratched: Ballet Slippers (Ire). The post Wootton Bassett’s Tennessee Stud Prevails In Saint-Cloud Match appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Australian handler falls agonisingly short of a huge day at city circuit, enduring five runner-up finishes.View the full article

Less than 24 hours after watching her former star Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto) collect the A$2 million Gr.2 The Invitational (1400m) across the Tasman, Lisa Latta unveiled another Group One hopeful in the same colours at Trentham with Connello (NZ) (Time Test) storming home to take out the Happy Hire 1400. Latta prepared Belclare to win two editions of the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) among a number of other feature successes, and now in the care of expat-Kiwi Bjorn Baker, the quality mare displayed her class in an all-the-way-win on the big stage at Royal Randwick. Belclare was bred and raced by Deb and David Woodhouse, and their familiar black-and-white silks were back on top closer to home on Sunday with the Time Test filly, who was coming off a last-start victory earlier this month at Egmont. Connello defeated Wire Rope on that occasion, but the latter started favourite in Sunday’s race at $2.80 ahead of the filly, who closed at $4.70. In the hands of Tina Comignaghi, Connello jumped away positively and settled into the one-one behind Anushka Shesastar, who sat outside of Wire Rope at a leisurely tempo. Coming off the turn, several of the three-year-olds struggled to kick in the heavy conditions, but Connello was in her element and stormed to the lead at the 200m, continuing to extend the margin to the post over a game Skipper’s Canyon and Wingman. Connello holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park, a race Latta has firmly on her agenda in three weeks’ time. “She’s just a really genuine filly that does everything right,” Latta said. “I think she’ll step-up to the mile and we look forward to heading south for the Guineas.” Latta shared a similar sense of pride after Belclare’s victory, particularly for her Wairarapa-based connections. “I was so proud watching her win a Group race over there and it’s great for the owners, Deb and David Woodhouse,” she said. “They really deserve it, and then to top it off with Connello was great.” Bred by David Woodhouse alongside HGT Bloodstock, Connello has won three of her 10 starts and over $80,000 in stakes for the former and Bill Rutherford. She is the eighth foal out of Woodhouse’s homebred Towkay mare Ballieborough. Connello’s success was one of three by the Latta stable with Popsagoosey (NZ) (Tivaci) and Deadly Pony (NZ) (Puccini) saluting throughout the card, alongside a game Diss Is Dramatic finishing second in the Gr.3 Gee and Hickton Thompson Handicap (1600m). View the full article

Allan Sharrock continues to be rewarded for the careful handling of his untapped sprinter Lazio (NZ) (Per Incanto), who collected a fourth-consecutive victory in the WRC Life Members 1000 at Trentham on Sunday. The son of Per Incanto has been lightly-raced by Sharrock, having just his sixth start on Sunday, with five previous appearances resulting in two seconds and three victories in succession. The market reflected his impeccable record, backing Lazio into $2.30 favouritism ahead of Bold Belle ($6) and Waihaha Falls ($8.40) as the only other runners in single figures, which was accurately emulated in the result. Carrying just 51kg under Rihaan Goyaram, Lazio gained cover early behind Bold Belle and the pair travelled comfortably through the testing conditions down the chute. The gelding got on terms with Bold Belle on straightening and they eventually broke clear of the remainder of the field at the 100m, fighting out the finish before Lazio proved too strong, taking the contest by a long head with Waihaha Falls a further 1 – ½ lengths back in third. Sharrock was thrilled with the five-year-old’s performance, particularly in a career limited by soundness issues. “I’m really proud of him, he’s a gorgeous type of animal and he would be a pin-up boy if he was a model,” Sharrock said. “With the issues he’s got with his joints, he’s doing a terrific job. While there is a bit of precipitation around, I’ll probably continue this prep, but the first sign of the tracks firming up, he’ll go to the paddock. “Unfortunately, his body just won’t let him do that, it’s quite sad in a way but I’m very proud of him in another way. “There’s a Listed race at Te Rapa but the chances of getting an off-track there are probably limited, and if it was firm, there is also an 1100m race at Wellington in a fortnight. “There’s more chance of rain at this end of the island, so it will all be determined by the weather at this stage.” Lazio is raced by Luigi Muollo’s Explosive Breeding, who bred the five-year-old alongside Sharrock and Paul Dombroski from Listed winner Madonna Mia. The well-performed race mare has been a star in the broodmare paddock, also producing Group Three placegetter Signora Nera and champion Hong Kong sprinter Lucky Sweynesse. Madonna Mia, part-owned by Waikato Stud, has been served by Savabeel in the 2024 breeding season. The victory capped off a successful week for Sharrock, picking up a double at New Plymouth on Friday with Grit and Swingit Our Way, while he was also pleased with the performances of juvenile filly Almakeitgood and Islington Lass, who finished fifth in the Gr.3 Gee and Hickton Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham. “I was thrilled with her (Almakeitgood), she absolutely hates heavy ground and was dead on her feet at the 300, then had the audacity to pick herself up and get beaten a head,” he said. “I’m very proud of her efforts and she’d be going close to qualifying for the Karaka Millions, we’ll probably look for another race for her pre-Christmas but I like her, she’s a really nice filly. “Islington Lass was very brave to run fifth in the Thompson, I was really proud of her too. She went super.” View the full article

Trainer lands maiden Hong Kong brace thanks to wins from Charity Gain and Young Emperor.View the full article

Dog Penalties GOLDSTAR TYSON | Christchurch 21 October; marring; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. QUINTIS BALE | Christchurch 25 October; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. OPAWA VANESSA | Christchurch 25 October; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. The post 21-27 October 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Driver Penalties J Kriechbaumer | Waikato Bay of Plenty 22 October; use of whip; fined $300. D McGowan | Waikato Bay of Plenty 22 October; use of whip; suspended 26 October – 15 November inclusive. D Ferguson | Waikato Bay of Plenty 22 October; careless driving; suspended 26 October – 11 November inclusive. A Lethaby | NZ Metropolitan 23 October; medical clearance required. R May | NZ Metropolitan 25 October; careless driving; fined $300. S Ottley | NZ Metropolitan 25 October; careless driving; fined $350. N Williamson | Tuapeka 27 October; out of position at start; fined $100. Trainer Penalties D Balle | Waikato Bay of Plenty 22 October; failed to affix gear so as not to come adrift; fined $100. J Morrison | NZ Metropolitan 25 October; incorrect gear; fined $100. Horse Penalties BOOT SCOOTIN BOOGIE | Waikato Bay of Plenty 22 October; broke in running; must complete trial. SO MYSTIFYING | Waikato Bay of Plenty 22 October; broke at start; must complete standing start trial. COURMEYER | Auckland 25 October; broke in running; must complete trial. REVOLUTION | NZ Metropolitan 25 October; displayed unsatisfactory manners prior to start; must complete mobile start trial. ITZ FLASH HARRY | NZ Metropolitan 25 October; atrial fibrillation; veterinary clearance including ECG required and must complete trial. BROOKIES PLAYER | Tuapeka 27 October; atrial fibrillation; veterinary clearance including ECG required and must complete trial. Protests IRON GATE | Auckland 25 October; excessive pacing in home straight; disqualified from 4th. REVOLUTION | NZ Metropolitan 25 October; refused to score up; declared a non-runner. OPAWA PEAK | NZ Metropolitan 25 October; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 21-27 October 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties T Moseley | Gore 23 October; use of whip; fined $250. A Mudhoo | Taranak1 25 October; medical clearance required. M Hashizume | Auckland 26 October; careless riding; suspended 3-7 November inclusive. D Danis | Auckland 26 October; careless riding; suspended 3-10 November inclusive. R Elliot | Auckland 26 October; failed to make weight; fined $100. W Pinn | Canterbury 26 October; use of whip (2 charges); suspended 11-17 November inclusive and fined $500. A Najib | Canterbury 26 October; use of whip; suspended 6-17 November inclusive. Y Atchamah | Canterbury 26 October; careless riding; suspended 27 October – 5 November inclusive. M Singh | Wellington 27 October; use of whip; suspended 4-10 November inclusive. R Goyaram | Wellington 27 October; careless riding; suspended 6-13 November inclusive. Trainer Penalties K Myers | Taranaki 25 October; late rider declaration; fined $50. A Sharrock | Taranaki 25 October; late rider declaration; fined $50. S Walsh | Wellington 27 October; incorrect gear; fined $50. C Cole | Wellington 27 October; unauthorised scratching; fined $450. Horse Penalties MOMENTS LIKE THESE | Taranaki 25 October; lame; veterinary clearance required. SAVACAT | Auckland 26 October; cardiac arrhythmia; veterinary clearance required. FLASH EFFECT | Auckland 26 October; late scratching after failing to load; must complete trial. Protest OUR DAYMO | Wellington 27 October; caused interference; relegated from 1st to 2nd. The post 21-27 October 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

It takes a talented galloper to run down Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock), and her rivals were no match for the classy mare in Sunday’s Gr.3 Gee and Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham. The Tavistock mare had a career-best season last term, winning the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), alongside placings in the Gr.3 Anniversary Handicap (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Roydon Bergerson, who trains the mare out of Awapuni, had hoped to target the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival, but elected to bypass the features and returned to defend her crown in the Taranaki Breeders’, where she finished a commendable second to The Hottie. Primed for a step-up to the mile, Town Cryer started the $7.10 third-favourite behind Islington Lass ($3.80) and Spencer ($5.70) and she flew away from the barriers, assuming control of the tempo early under Craig Grylls. Grylls increased the pressure passing the 600m and set a task for the field in the straight, where in her typical fashion, Town Cryer was too tough and held off last year’s winner Diss Is Dramatic by three-quarters of a length to claim the feature. A photo finish between Liffey and Lightning Jack respectively completed the first four. Grylls collected his fourth stakes-level success for the season in the race, giving plenty of praise for Town Cryer. “She popped away nicely and got rolling along as she does, but she was beautiful and relaxed the whole way,” he said. “She’s best trying to get away from them a little bit, because she can sustain a gallop. The question mark was on the heavy ground, but she’s so tough, she just wants to keep on running. “I thought they were coming at me about the 200, but she gets going again. She’s a very tough mare and has been a great racehorse for the team.” Bergerson indicated post-race that he had questioned whether to start Town Cryer after heavy rain in the region across the weekend, but her quality shone through. “I nearly scratched her, but there’s no races for her for about six weeks until we come back for the Group One,” he said. “She loves it at Trentham, Gryllsy gets on so well with her and I was pretty confident after her run the other day at Hawera, she was just so well above herself. “She loves the fight, he took her to them at the 600 and they just couldn’t get past her.” Town Cryer finished a game seventh in last year’s edition of the Gr.1 Mufhasa TAB Classic (1600m), a result Bergerson hopes to improve when she returns to the venue on December 7. “She might have to go to Riccarton in the interim, but I’ll probably just give her a trial, she races so well fresh. She’s a good horse, a really good horse,” he said. “She goes on anything and good horses do that. “I told the boys at her first start that we have a good horse here, and I think she ran 26 lengths last. I’ve always had faith in her and I’d like to thank all of my staff, they do a great job with her. It’s a hard job for them, but they’re there every morning, it’s great.” Out of a three-win and Listed-performing mare The Speaker, Town Cryer has won eight of her 35 starts with a further 13 minor placings, earning just shy of $500,000 in stakes for a large ownership group. View the full article

Storm Front’s pedigree, trial form and reputation within the Tony Pike stable created a buzz around his race-day debut in Saturday’s Dunstan Horsefeeds 2YO (1100m) at Ellerslie, and the promising colt produced a first-up performance worthy of the hype. Storm Front (NZ) (Snitzel) is by Australian super-sire Snitzel out of the Per Incanto mare Indecision, who Pike trained to win six races including the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m), Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) and NZB Finance Sprint (1200m). Indecision also placed in the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) and was a close fifth in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m). Offered by co-breeders Trelawney Stud in Book 1 of Karaka 2024, Storm Front was bought by Pike for $400,000. The colt has made a highly favourable impression on his trainer through the early stages of his two-year-old preparation, including a smart two-length trial win at Ellerslie on September 10. Storm Front returned to the same venue to make his debut in Saturday’s $45,000 two-year-old sprint, and he lived up to his $2.10 favouritism with a dominant performance. Storm Front broke well from the starting gates and jockey Matt Cartright sent him forward to sit on the outside of the leader, last-start winner Vega For Luck. Once Storm Front got balanced up in the home straight, Cartwright released the brakes and went for gold. The favourite kicked away from Vega For Luck and the strong-finishing Belle Du Monde, pulling ahead to win impressively by two and a quarter lengths. “He’s a pretty progressive colt,” Cartwright said. “I’ve ridden a few two-year-olds this season, and he’s definitely one of the better ones. “He did a bit wrong coming around the turn, and it just goes to show how green he still is and how much improvement he’s got. But he put them away well and had a lot more left. “He’s a nice horse going forward. I think he’ll be pretty exciting come the autumn.” Storm Front earned $25,875 from Saturday’s win, which propels him straight to the top of the order of entry for the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 25. The weekend’s other two-year-old winners, Roc ‘N’ Ready at Riccarton and Too Sweet at Trentham, each earned $23,000 and took prominent positions just behind him in the standings. “He’s a lovely horse going forward,” Pike said. “We always thought he might be a bit new and green in his first start today, but most two-year-olds are. He just got on the wrong leg. “But the best part of his race was the last 200m. He really drew away and did it comfortably in the end, which was good to see. “We can work our way towards the Karaka Millions now. He’s a horse that I think is going to improve with a bit of time on his side, so it’s really exciting to have a nice colt like this in the stable. “He’s a Snitzel colt, so it would be nice to get a bit of black type along the way as well if we can. But we’ll probably give him a week in the paddock for now and then make some plans after that.” View the full article

Prominent owner Chris Rutten knows a thing or two about the Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie, and he might be heading in that direction again after a debut victory by Too Sweet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) in Sunday’s Graham’s Painters 2YO (900m) at Trentham. Rutten won the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) with Vespa in 2014 and has since collected minor placings with Kingsman (2016), Yourdeel (2019) and Avonallo (2021). He also had success with Scott Base in the Karaka Million 3YO (1600m) in 2018. Rutten paid $50,000 to buy Too Sweet from the Phoenix Park draft at Karaka earlier this year. She is by exciting Rich Hill Stud stallion Satono Aladdin, while her dam Sparkling Rose comes from the family of quality racehorses and sires Darci Brahma and Burgundy. Too Sweet headed into her raceday debut with two trials under her belt, finishing second at Foxton on September 18 before winning at the same venue two weeks later. The Roydon Bergerson-trained filly was sent out as an $8 fourth favourite in Sunday’s five-horse field, but she upstaged her more-fancied opponents with a classy and determined performance. Too Sweet and jockey Lily Sutherland sat back in fourth as Landlord, Grocer’s Deelight and Almakeitgood pushed forward through the early stages of the race. That trio still showed the way coming into the home straight, but then Too Sweet quickened through an opening one from the outside and soon joined in. She found plenty in the testing Heavy10 conditions, reaching her neck out and edging ahead of Almakeitgood to score by a head. Too Sweet earned $23,000 from Sunday’s win, which has historically been more than enough to secure a place in the Karaka Millions starting gates at Ellerslie on January 25. “She’s a beautiful filly,” Bergerson said. “I was surprised that she raced quite greenly today, but she still quickened well in the straight and stuck her neck out and won nicely. “The Karaka Millions is the big goal. That’s the reason Chris bought her, and there’s not many better judges when it comes to that race, outside of maybe David Ellis. “She’s qualified now, so it takes the pressure off and we can just pick and choose our path from this point on. We’ll give her a look around Ellerslie at some stage between now and then.” View the full article

Guy Heveldt, is joined by Emily Murphy and Jayne Ivil in the studio as they break down The Cox Plate & JMac’s 100th group 1 win with Britt Taylor. Review the The Soliloquy and War Decree Stakes, and are joined by Andrew Gourdie to preview the NZB Kiwi Weigh In, October 27 View the full article

What Benalla Races Where Benalla Racing Club – Midland Hwy, Benalla VIC 3672 When Monday, October 28, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble A new week of racing in Victoria commences with an eight-race meeting out of the Benalla Racing Club on Monday afternoon. Perfect conditions will greet punters and runners alike, with the track coming up a Good 4, whilst the rail sticks to its true position the entire circuit. The first race from Benalla is set to jump at 1:30pm AEDT. Best Bet at Benalla: Eagle Express On the back of a handy jumpout win, the Chris Waller-trained Eagle Express looks awfully hard to go past as she returns from a five-month spell. The three-year-old filly chased solidly on debut despite doing plenty wrong at Ballarat back in May, and the time in the paddock has seemingly done this girl the world of good. Craig Newitt will likely stalk the speed from barrier one, and barring any bad luck, once the gap appears, Eagle Express should easily account for maiden grade at the second time of asking. Best Bet Race 3 – #11 Eagle Express (1) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: Craig Newitt (55kg) Bet with PlayUp Next Best at Benalla: Too Big Too Good did enough on return at Sale on October 9 when hitting the line nicely over 1210m. The four-year-old gelding steps up to 1400m, a trip he broke his maiden at on debut and from barrier one draws to gain every favour in running. The Anthony & Sam Freedman team have found a somewhat weak BM64 for the son of Son You Think to bounce back to winning ways, and with the run under her belt and with natural improvement, Too Big should be too good. Next Best Race 7 – #9 Too Big (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Thomas Stockdale (58.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best Again at Benalla: Cameron Falls Lee & Shannon Hope send Cameron Falls to the Benalla 1406m after consecutive third-place efforts to begin his spring campaign. The four-year-old gelding was only overhauled late at Seymour after leading the field up, and from barrier one on Monday should have no issue in dictating the terms from the get-go. There does not look to be too many other front-runners in this maiden event, which should mean Jarrod Fry can rate this guy perfectly out in front with a cheap sectional or two. The $5 with horse betting sites looks the wrong price; he should be a bit shorter. Next Best Again Race 4 – #2 Cameron Falls (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Lee & Shannon Hope | J: Jarrod Fry (59.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Monday quaddie tips for Benalla Benalla quadrella selections Monday, October 28, 2024 1-2-4-6-7-8 1-3-6-7-13 1-9 3-4-11-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Addington, here we come. Leap To Fame locked in his first trip across the ditch for the $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup with a dominant win at Menangle last night. It was everything trainer-driver Grant Dixon and owner Kevin Seymour hoped for after his recent health scare. “You couldn’t ask for more. He won well, did it easily, ran a quick time and came through it really well,” Seymour said. “We’re off the NZ Cup now and can’t wait to get there. “It’s race we’ve been excited about for a long time and now we can get excited again because he’s going. “He’s booked on the flight next Sunday and, all going well, it means he can run in the Cup Trial at Addington the week before. “That’s the plan, but plans can change. It’s up to Grant. If he thinks he’s travelled and settled well and thinks another hit out like that would help, then he’ll go to the Cup trial.” Leap To Fame’s win last night was his first start since winning the Group 3 Smoken Up Sprint at Melton on October 5. Six days later, on the eve of the Group 1 Victoria Cup, Leap To Fame was scratched from the race with a virus. It cast grave doubts on the planned NZ trip, but a speedy recovery turned things around. “There were a few days there when I didn’t think we’d go, I’ll be honest,” Seymour said. “You think to yourself how hard a race it (NZ Cup) is to win. How gruelling a race it is. “And, in those days after the Victoria Cup, we wondered whether any setback at all would make it hard to have him exactly where we want him, where we need him, for a race like the NZ Cup. “But Grant’s been so happy with him in Sydney and we had this race to test him out. “He’s back right where we want him. He’s good to go.” Leap To Fame’s win was his 44th from just 55 starts and he’s banked $3,248,810. Following his win last night, the five-year-old firmed from $1.80 to $1.55 to win the NZ Cup. He is trying to become just the third Aussie-trained winner of the NZ Cup since My Lightning Blue way back in 1987. The others were Kerryn Manning’s Arden Rooney in 2015 and Swayzee for Jason Grimson last year. View the full article

Breeders' Cup Notebook: works and activity reports from across the country.View the full article

The Jason Manning-trained Bon’s Pride, posted yet another impressive victory at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Picture: Darwin Turf Club Darwin trainer Jason Manning is enjoying a wonderful period with five-year-old gelding Bon’s Pride. The son of Bon Aurum continued his good form when he outclassed BM76 opposition over 1200m at Fannie Bay on Saturday. That made it two wins and three seconds from his past five starts, which included victory in the $50,000 Magic Millions Top End Classic (1300m) on Darwin Cup Day in early August with 62.5kg. With Noir De Rue, whom Manning regarded as the best horse he has ever trained, recently retiring, it hasn’t taken Bon’s Pride long to fill the void as the stable star. Noir De Rue, who carried the big weights due to a high rating, had his last start as a 10-year-old when 10th in the Darwin Cup (2050m). The son of Blackfriars finished third in the 2021 Darwin Cup and his win in last year’s Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) during Cup Carnival was spectacular. Ridden by Manning’s partner Vanessa Arnott and starting as the $3.30 favourite with online bookmakers, Bon’s Pride missed the start on Saturday, but recovered and only three lengths separated the six-horse field passing the 900m. Gary Clarke’s Mr Cashman – returning after 11 months – held a narrow lead over stablemates Doc O’Connor and Siakam. Bon’s Pride and Phil Cole’s Tubthumper were close by approaching the final bend. Turning for home, Bon’s Pride again produced good finishing speed to sit outside Mr Cashman and Siakam at the 200m before saluting by 1.2 lengths. Siakam, victorious in an open 1200m handicap six weeks ago, was second, while former Darwin Guineas winner Tubthumper pipped Mr Cashman for third. For Bon’s Pride to be considered a serious contender for next year’s Palmerston Sprint (1200m) has merit. Purchased by Manning and the On Fire Racing syndicate at the 2023 Darwin Magic Millions Select Tried Horse Sale, Bon’s Pride boasts five wins and five seconds from 12 Fannie Bay starts. Horse racing news
 View the full article

The team around record-breaking Cox Plate heroine Via Sistina will spend the next few days weighing up options for the mare including next week’s Melbourne Cup. View the full article

Atitlan got a clean trip and took full advantage to win the Twilight Derby (G2T) Oct. 26 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Trainer Cherie DeVaux, enjoying her finest year since beginning her training career in 2018, watched her two trainees, Brilliant Berti and Depiction, finish 1-2 in the 12-horse Bryan Station Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland Oct. 26.View the full article

WinStar Farm stallion Global Campaign sired his first black-type stakes winner Oct. 26 when his daughter Special Aviator captured the Our Dear Peggy Stakes at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Superwolf became the first black-type winner for his sire, Taylor Made Stallions' freshman Instagrand, when he landed the Best of Ohio Juvenile Stakes Oct. 26 at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Betting on green looks like a very workable strategy for Tuapeka Lodge Tuapeka Cup Day. Kirstin Green starts seven horses at Ascot Park on Sunday and each one of them appears to have genuine eachway claims. Among the trainer-driver’s strong team is Emily who ran a very creditable fifth in last weekend’s Group Three Dark Horse Trot. After handling her toughest test well, the mare is ready to fire again this week. “She seems to have come through that run well, hopefully she can take advantage of the drop back in grade and get the job done,” Green said. “She would probably be my best chance, she seems really well in herself.” Bobbies Rock is another of Green’s team who steps back in grade on Sunday. Though the pacer has been freshened since his last run in September, he has produced a strong recent workout effort. “It is a drop back for him and he is a horse that has gone well fresh in the past.” “He could be a run short, but with the way he has gone fresh before, I am not too worried about it.” The well-related Garonne looks another strong each way chance for Green on the back of his solid debut 4th at the same track. Samanthas Moon returns to Ascot Park on Sunday after an epic win at the same track last weekend. “If she trotted like she did last weekend, it is only a small field with the scratchings, so she would have to be a chance.” Last weekend, Samanthas Moon won with Green wearing the colours of the late Wayne McEwan following his recent passing. McEwan bred and raced Jayar Mac who looks a serious winning threat in race 2 on Sunday. Green is hopeful the horse can deliver a special victory, just two days after the harness racing breeder, owner and sponsor was remembered at his funeral in Invercargill. Betting Sensation looks another solid each way threat for the Green stable on Tuapeka Cup Day. The mare has taken on stronger company than she meets in Sunday’s finale. “We have been struggling to get the weight off her, so I gave her a trial during the week and she finished hard on the back of them.” “She needs this race to get fitter for (New Zealand) Cup Week, but she should be a good top-three chance.” Big Vinnie is also among the Green team bound for Tuapeka Cup Day. The pacer produced a fair debut at Gore, but he’s produced a tidy recent workout since suggesting he’s ready for an improved race day effort. View the full article