Wandering Eyes

Obataye forged to the front in a four-horse battle June 23 to win the 1 1/2-mile Grande Premio Brasil (G1) by 1 1/4 lengths at Hipodromo Da Gavea. The winner earned an automatic starting position, and fees paid, into the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T).View the full article

Daily tips will no longer be a feature of BBC Radio 4's Today programme, it was announced on Monday. The tips, which were read out during the sports bulletin each morning, had been a feature for over 40 years. Presenter Amol Rajan said, “There's no racing tips today because we have decided to break the tradition and reserve the tips for the biggest days on the racing calendar. “We will very much continue to cover horse racing, as we do so many other sports, not least through interviews with leading lights in the racing world. And we will sometimes continue to broadcast from the big ticket events like the Grand National or Cheltenham Gold Cup week.” A statement from the BBC added, “After careful consideration, we have decided to focus racing tips on the big races across the year. “The Today programme remains committed to covering racing news and this will continue on the programme's sports bulletins.” The post Daily Racing Tips Dropped by BBC Radio 4 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation will host its annual Fashionable Fillies Luncheon honoring their former Executive Director, the late Nancy Kelly who, over the course of her 32-year career, helped thousands of individuals in need in addition to organizing fundraising events and creating the inaugural Fashionable Fillies Luncheon. The event will be held in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., at Saratoga National Golf Club Monday, August 5. The theme of this year's luncheon is 'All Things Nancy!'. The event will feature shopping for handbags from Kent Stetson and Lisi Lerch, shoes from Violet's of Saratoga, hats by Christine A. Moore, Patty Tobin Jewelry, and teaser spa and salon services, including HydraFacials, from Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness. There will be an Italian menu chosen by Angelo Mazzone's team and Jackson Family wines. “This event is an important fundraiser for The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, whose mission is to assist those in need in the racing industry,” said Executive Director of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation Shannon Kelly. “Common colds, broken bones, disease, family emergencies, the need for suitable clothing, holiday celebrations, and warm meals are all within the scope. This cause was near and dear to Nancy's heart. She immersed herself in every case and was a nurturing and calming force for many who sought us out. Her smile was captivating, and her thoughtfulness and love were present in all that she did. For Nancy, it was personal. She grew our foundation into what it is today, and she will be forever missed.” Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available here. The post 2024 Fashionable Fillies Luncheon To Honor The Late Nancy Kelly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ellis Park will host 'Breakfast with the Works', a family-friendly behind-the-scenes look at morning training ahead of the upcoming race meet. The free event, held Saturday, June 29 from 7-9:30 a.m., will include complimentary coffee and donuts while allowing guests an up-close look at horses during the morning training session. Guests will also be able to speak with local trainers who will be on site and register to win a signed Ellis Park saddle towel. The post Ellis Park To Host Family-Friendly ‘Breakfast With The Works’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) will be given the chance to gain compensation for his “nightmare” run in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes when he makes his next intended appearance in the G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, a race in which he filled the runner-up spot behind Paddington (GB) in 2023. Trainer Jerome Reynier was optimistic of a prominent showing at Royal Ascot from his stable star, who was having his first start since winning the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in March. In the event, however, Facteur Cheval never looked likely to double his top-level tally, ultimately passing the post over eight lengths behind the winner, Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), in sixth place. It's a performance which his trainer is keen to put a line through as he plots a return to Britain for the Goodwood highlight on Wednesday, July 31, with the way the race developed at Ascot going against his runner from an early stage. “The tactics of following Big Rock [did not work] as at the three-furlong pole he had to make his effort on his own, which was impossible,” Reynier explained. “He needs someone [another horse] to rely on and he was just on his own. He's a fighter and when he won the Dubai Turf he came between horses and when Namur came on his outside he kept battling hard. “He also lost a shoe, I think quite early in the race, so it was just a disaster and a nightmare. “The plan is to go back to Goodwood because he ran so well there last year. Obviously the ground was very heavy and I think he is better with a bit of cut in the ground.” Reynier enjoyed better luck at the meeting with his G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes runner-up Zarakem (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), who is now being considered for a tilt at the G1 Juddmonte International following his career-best effort in defeat behind Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). One place behind Zarakem in the Prince of Wales's was his compatriot Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), another for whom the York feature on Wednesday, August 21 has been identified as a potential target, having delighted his connections at Ascot. “We were very happy with our results during Royal Ascot week,” said Pauline Chehboub, racing manager for her family's Gousserie Racing operation who part-own the gelding. “Horizon Dore ran a great race, mentally he grew a lot. Next time we can ride him more positively, depending on the draw. We have to decide the plan but he will have an entry for the Juddmonte International at York in August.” The post Facteur Cheval and Horizon Dore Being Considered for Return Trips to Britain appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Arena Racing Company (ARC), Racecourse Media Group (RMG), Tabcorp and 1/ST CONTENT have announced a new strategic alliance which brings together four content leaders of the horse and greyhound racing world, creating a network of rights holders that will distribute content across multiple international markets. ARC is the largest racing group in the UK, operating a total of 16 racecourses and 5 greyhound stadia around the country, while RMG is a British-based media rights management company. In Australia, Tabcorp is the largest gambling company operating multichannel wagering, media and gaming services, while 1/ST CONTENT is a division of 1/ST, the premier racing company in the Americas. The new collaboration ensures that global and local operators will be able to choose from an array of bespoke 24/7 racing video, data and wagering solutions, including tote and managed trading services. Wagering customers will also have easier access to additional content and services. Brendan Parnell, managing director of Media and International at ARC, said, “Customers will be able to enjoy access to a complete service hub which will enable our betting partners to deliver a best-in-breed product to their consumers at any time of the day, every day. “The strength of our data and wagering technology, coupled with a depth of 24/7 broadcast and video streaming rights, places this newly-created alliance in the vanguard of driving growth and diversified revenues for the horse and greyhound racing sector.” Martin Stevenson, CEO of RMG, added, “This is an excellent illustration of different racing jurisdictions innovating together to create new products and services to grow access and interest in horse racing around the world.” The post New Alliance Announced Between ARC, RMG, Tabcorp and 1/ST CONTENT appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Almost three months since Hennu Stall dead-heated for second at Macau’s last-ever meeting, the Fabulous Fillies Syndicate is no closer to knowing when their four-year-old will run again.View the full article

Leaderboard winning during the Warrnambool May Carnival. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Leaderboard has found a new avenue for success in a jumping role out of Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne stable, and his latest victory on Sunday has set him up for a shot at three of Australia’s feature jumps races. A former victor in the Listed New Zealand St Leger (2600m) and Group 3 Wellington Cup (3200m), Leaderboard had been out of the winner’s circle since his win in the latter last January, but that all changed when he headed across the Tasman to further his career as a jumper. The son of Street Cry produced an exciting first for trainer Mark Walker when winning a maiden hurdle during the prestigious Warrnambool May Carnival, and lost no admirers when finishing second in the Australian Hurdle (3900m) to Port Guillaume earlier this month. Returning to Warrnambool to tackle his first steeplechase event on Sunday, Leaderboard was rated an overwhelming favourite at $1.90 and expat-Kiwi jockey Aaron Kuru controlled the race from the outset with a faultless showing in the 3450m contest, pulling away at the post for a 3.5-length victory. “It was a brilliant display of jumping and a lovely ride of Aaron’s,” Walker said. “He’s really taken to the jumping caper and absolutely loves it. He can jump off a short stride, a long stride, he’s very nimble, and really has huge potential. “It’s great for Fortuna Racing, John and Jessica Galvin and their owners, they have a great understanding of racing and it’s lovely to train Leaderboard in Australia, and for him to have now won his first steeplechase assignment.” The nine-year-old will have his opportunity to test that promise in the Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) on July 7, before contesting both the Australian Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown and Australian Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat in August. “They are three really big assignments ahead of him, but we do think he is a top-class jumper,” Walker said. Leaderboard was purchased as a maiden winner in Europe out of the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale, and he has earned majority of his $422,000 in prizemoney for the Fortuna Leaderboard Syndicate, managed by John Galvin. “I’ve been watching jumping races for most of my life and seen some pretty good jumpers in that time, but this boy is really showing to have the goods,” Galvin said. “We’ve had Leaderboard for six years and he’s probably only been a bit in and out with his form because he hasn’t been able to run in races that are long enough for him. “He showed us when winning the Wellington Cup and St Leger, and third in the New Zealand Cup, what he could do over ground, and now he’s excelling in the jumping game. “I’ll be there for his next start in the Thackery. It’s a bit of a mission, three and a half hours on the train to Warrnambool, but it’s a great venue and I heard the commentator say that the meeting in July is always a sell-out, as well.” Te Akau Racing stablemate Prismatic also put in a strong performance for second behind runaway leader Fabalot in the open hurdle over 3200m at Warrnambool, in the hands of Kuru. Horse racing news View the full article

Trainer Danny Crozier has lofty ambitions with Imptee next season following his debut win in the Bain McCall Memorial Two-Year-Old (1000m) at Riccarton on Saturday, however, overseas interest may curtail those plans. The son of Impending jumped well and was prominent throughout, showing his class in the concluding stages when running out a three-length victor over the Robbie Patterson-trained Read About, with a further 1-1/2 lengths back to Ten Shillings in third. Crozier was rapt to get the win, particularly for his predominantly harness racing focussed owners, including top trainer Chrissie Dalgety. “We have a special affinity with him, we broke him in and he is a lovely horse. He probably should have won his first start (when third), but he won well the other day,” Crozier said. “My partner, Rachel Deegan, works at Addington (Raceway) and she got together with Chrissie Dalgety, Angela Boyd and a few others. They are a great bunch of people and this is the first galloper they have ever had. They got a huge kick out of the win the other day.” Crozier said the exciting thing is that he believes the best is yet to come for the gelding who came on his radar as a younger horse in Australia. “The penny hasn’t even dropped with him yet,” he said. “What he is doing at the moment is on pure ability. He has got a brain and is a lovely horse. I think he has got the makings of a lovely three-year-old and hopefully he can be a Guineas horse later on.” While Crozier holds ambitions of targeting the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November with Imptee, his future may lie offshore if a deal can be brokered with interested parties from Hong Kong. “I will give him two or three weeks in the paddock, he has been in work for a little while,” he said. “There have been a few nibbles for him from Hong Kong. There is a bit of water to go under the bridge, but the Guineas will be plan b if he doesn’t go (to Hong Kong).” Saturday’s victory was Crozier’s eighth of the season and his highest tally in eight seasons. “We only work 10 horses, it is a more hands-on stable,” he said. “We do our best.” View the full article

Leaderboard has found a new avenue for success in a jumping role out of Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne stable, and his latest victory on Sunday has set him up for a shot at three of Australia’s feature jumps races. A former victor in the Listed New Zealand St Leger (2600m) and Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m), Leaderboard had been out of the winner’s circle since his win in the latter last January, but that all changed when he headed across the Tasman to further his career as a jumper. The son of Street Cry produced an exciting first for trainer Mark Walker when winning a maiden hurdle during the prestigious Warrnambool May Carnival, and lost no admirers when finishing second in the Australian Hurdle (3900m) to Port Guillaume earlier this month. Returning to Warrnambool to tackle his first steeplechase event on Sunday, Leaderboard was rated an overwhelming favourite at $1.90 and expat-Kiwi jockey Aaron Kuru controlled the race from the outset with a faultless showing in the 3450m contest, pulling away at the post for a 3-1/2 length victory. “It was a brilliant display of jumping and a lovely ride of Aaron’s,” Walker said. “He’s really taken to the jumping caper and absolutely loves it. He can jump off a short stride, a long stride, he’s very nimble, and really has huge potential. “It’s great for Fortuna Racing, John and Jessica Galvin and their owners, they have a great understanding of racing and it’s lovely to train Leaderboard in Australia, and for him to have now won his first steeplechase assignment.” The nine-year-old will have his opportunity to test that promise in the Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) on July 7, before contesting both the Australian Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Sandown and Australian Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat in August. “They are three really big assignments ahead of him, but we do think he is a top-class jumper,” Walker said. Leaderboard was purchased as a maiden winner in Europe out of the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale, and he has earned majority of his $422,000 in prizemoney for the Fortuna Leaderboard Syndicate, managed by John Galvin. “I’ve been watching jumping races for most of my life and seen some pretty good jumpers in that time, but this boy is really showing to have the goods,” Galvin said. “We’ve had Leaderboard for six years and he’s probably only been a bit in and out with his form because he hasn’t been able to run in races that are long enough for him. “He showed us when winning the Wellington Cup and St Leger, and third in the New Zealand Cup, what he could do over ground, and now he’s excelling in the jumping game. “I’ll be there for his next start in the Thackery. It’s a bit of a mission, three and a half hours on the train to Warrnambool, but it’s a great venue and I heard the commentator say that the meeting in July is always a sell-out, as well.” Te Akau Racing stablemate Prismatic also put in a strong performance for second behind runaway leader Fabalot in the open hurdle over 3200m at Warrnambool, in the hands of Kuru. View the full article

Robbie Patterson has one final box to tick in a phenomenal season for his Taranaki stable, and the win of Catherinenz at Riccarton Park on Saturday brought him within touching distance. Patterson surpassed a prior personal best of 20 wins by some margin last term, picking up 50 wins and just shy of $950,000 in stakes earnings. His goal last August was to reach the million-dollar mark while replicating the half-century, and with $2.1million recorded and 48 winners with a month of the season left, he has more than reached expectations. “My goal was to get 50 winners for the season and break the million-dollar mark, and we’ve doubled that number and are a couple away from 50,” Patterson said. “I’ve got a few nice chances before the season’s end to reach that goal, so hopefully we can tick that box and it’ll be very pleasing.” The 48th success came in the form of exciting Shamexpress mare Catherinenz, who travelled south to Riccarton’s turf meeting last weekend to contest the Optimise Fertilizers & Equi-lise Rating 75 (1400m). Prior to the race, her recent record had been near-perfect with two wins in her last three appearances, and she started a $5.60 second-favourite as the main danger to Zacat ($5). Jockey Courtney Barnes was assertive early from barrier seven aboard Catherinenz, pushing forward to sit outside On Song, who dictated terms from the front. Moving into the straight, Catherinenz simply jogged up to take the lead and soon put an extending margin on Deep Beauty who fought valiantly for second, but Patterson’s mare was too strong and bolted in by 3-1/4 lengths. Patterson explained it hadn’t been all smooth sailing for Catherinenz since she entered his stable last year, but he was thrilled to see her performing at her peak in the testing conditions. “Getting her toe into the ground I think has helped her a little bit,” he said. “She won over a mile at Otaki in January, then she had to get an epiglottis entrapment operation done because she was having trouble breathing. That seems to have done the trick, and she has gone from winning a maiden to winning a 75 in three starts which isn’t a bad effort. “She’s only a four-year-old, so I’ll probably go to another 75 somewhere as she’ll still get in reasonably well at the weights. She’ll be an open handicapper after that, so we’ll probably try to get her to open grade then give her a break as she’s been up for a while. “She’s a very easy horse, not very big and doesn’t take much work.” Out of a Guillotine mare Grey Sapphire, Catherinenz was bred and is owned by Roger Blunt, and Patterson has a full-brother in the stable in Shameless Boy who has won two of his four starts. Juvenile stablemate Read About It also made his debut in the two-year-old 1000m event at Riccarton and was backed into $2.70 favouritism after three trial victories in the Central Districts. The Wrote gelding was one of the slower away from the gates and travelled among the backmarkers as the 12-strong field descended down the chute. Barnes had to navigate a fair amount of traffic on straightening in an inexperienced line-up, and Read About It was one of the few runners to make ground in the race closing strongly into second behind an impressive Imptee. “I was very happy with him, it was all about learning for him and there was no races up here in the North Island so I gave him this one to get him ready for the Ryder Stakes,” Patterson said. “He got back, had a few traffic problems and nothing was making ground from there all day so it was a really good effort. “He’s on the ferry now, he’ll be home later this afternoon and he will go have a week in the paddock before targeting that race.” The Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) will be run at Otaki on July 27, and Patterson will be aiming for a seventh black-type success after picking up a quartet of Group Three’s, a Group Two and a Group One this season. “It’ll be a hard season to match again, that’s for sure,” Patterson said. “Obviously winning the Wellington Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) and the Thorndon Mile (Gr.1, 1600m) a few hours apart was very special, but I got a big thrill and a bit of a surprise out of winning the Coupland’s Mile (Gr.2, 1600m) being my old stomping ground down south.” View the full article

Prominent breeder and owner Daniel Nakhle. Photo: Race Images Irish Colleen set the ball rolling for prominent breeder and owner Daniel Nakhle and the daughter of Shinko King keeps on giving. She was a gifted performer with two stakes wins to her credit and has subsequently proved to be a gem of a broodmare for the Byerley Park co-founder. All five of Irish Colleen’s foals to race have been successful and includes the Group 3 White Robe Lodge Stakes winner Killarney and three-time Group Three winner and Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes placegetter (1400m) Crosshaven. She is also the granddam of Nakhle’s star three-year-old and Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Crocetti. Crosshaven is part-owned by Nakhle and the Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained son of Smart Missile posted his seventh career victory, and first since the spring of 2022, when successful over 1100m at Flemington on Saturday. “He’s a favourite and he’s been trying very hard with things going against him time after time and it was so nice for the horse to be back in the winner’s circle,” Nakhle said. “We’ve always had confidence in him, as has the stable, so it was great to see.” Nakhle purchased Crosshaven’s dam out of Fayette Park’s New Zealand Bloodstock Weanling Sale draft for $8,500 and went on to win seven races, including the Group 2 Concorde Handicap (1200m) and the Listed Rotorua Stakes (1400m). “Irish Colleen was the first horse I purchased in my own right, I thought I would try and work it out on my own and whether it’s her, her foals or grand foals, she just hasn’t let me down,” he said. “Trevor and Stephen McKee trained her and she showed plenty from an early stage and won those two stakes races.” Irish Colleen has crossed the Tasman twice in her breeding career to visit Smart Missile with the first resulting in six-time winner Way Above. Crosshaven was offered at Karaka by Haunui Farm and purchased for $80,000 by Lindsay Park Racing with Nakhle remaining in the ownership group. “Irish Colleen has been home for the last few seasons and gets very, very well looked after and her passport has been cancelled,” he said. “I’ve got a Vadamos three-year-old out of her and he’s a slow maturing type and a gorgeous horse. He’s with Danny Walker and Aaron Tata and shows good ability. “Danny and Aaron have also got the Brazen Beau yearling and he’s just been broken in and will probably come into work toward July 1 or thereabouts. “She had a Proisir colt last year and he’s a belter, she puts a lot of power into her horses and he will hopefully head to the NZB Sale in January.” Irish Colleen is currently empty and will be returning to Proisir later this year. “She missed to him last year, we tried to get the trifecta with Irish Colleen and her daughter Gracehill (Crocetti’s dam) and Gracehill’s daughter Rionach all going to Proisir last season,” Nakhle said. “Irish Colleen missed but the other two did get in foal so two out of three isn’t bad.” Meanwhile, Crocetti is back in work at Byerley Park ahead of a spring campaign with the Hawke’s Bay carnival the intended starting point for the classy son of Zacinto. “He’s going really well and Danny and Aaron certainly did the right thing by giving him two and a-half months off after his last run,” Nakhle said. “He came back on May 14 and is a very happy horse and has strengthened up a bit. “He looks the part and the aim at this stage will be the Tarzino Trophy (Group 1, 1400m) first-up as long as the track’s okay, if not then we’ll have a regroup and work out what Plan B is.” Horse racing news View the full article

Imptee winning at Riccarton last Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Trainer Danny Crozier has lofty ambitions with Imptee next season following his debut win in the Bain McCall Memorial Two-Year-Old (1000m) at Riccarton on Saturday, however, overseas interest may curtail those plans. The son of Impending jumped well and was prominent throughout, showing his class in the concluding stages when running out a three-length victor over the Robbie Patterson-trained Read About, with a further 1.5 lengths back to Ten Shillings in third. Crozier was rapt to get the win, particularly for his predominantly harness racing focussed owners, including top trainer Chrissie Dalgety. “We have a special affinity with him, we broke him in and he is a lovely horse. He probably should have won his first start (when third), but he won well the other day,” Crozier said. “My partner, Rachel Deegan, works at Addington (Raceway) and she got together with Chrissie Dalgety, Angela Boyd and a few others. They are a great bunch of people and this is the first galloper they have ever had. They got a huge kick out of the win the other day.” Crozier said the exciting thing is that he believes the best is yet to come for the gelding who came on his radar as a younger horse in Australia. “The penny hasn’t even dropped with him yet,” he said. “What he is doing at the moment is on pure ability. He has got a brain and is a lovely horse. I think he has got the makings of a lovely three-year-old and hopefully he can be a Guineas horse later on.” While Crozier holds ambitions of targeting the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November with Imptee, his future may lie offshore if a deal can be brokered with interested parties from Hong Kong. “I will give him two or three weeks in the paddock, he has been in work for a little while,” he said. “There have been a few nibbles for him from Hong Kong. There is a bit of water to go under the bridge, but the Guineas will be plan b if he doesn’t go (to Hong Kong).” Saturday’s victory was Crozier’s eighth of the season and his highest tally in eight seasons. “We only work 10 horses, it is a more hands-on stable,” he said. “We do our best.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Tuesday, June 25, 2024 First Race 12:50pm AEST Visit Dabble Provincial racing in NSW heads to Hawkesbury on Tuesday afternoon, with a competitive seven-race program set for decision. The rail is out +5m between the 1100m to 450m markers, while the remainder is in the true position the rest of the way around. The track is rated a Heavy 8 at the time of acceptances; however, with the forecast suggesting a drying course in the lead-up, punters should anticipate an upgrade to the Soft range. The first race is scheduled to get underway at 12:50pm local time. Best Bet at Hawkesbury: Aix En Provence Aix En Provence is yet to miss the frame in six starts and deserves to be rewarded with a second-career win in this competitive BM64 contest. The son of Shalaa peaked on the run at Kembla Grange on June 4, with Bonus Tempus swooping along the inside running rail to gain the upper hand in the shadow of the post. He should handle the trip getting to 1600m for the first time, and with Kerrin McEvoy looking to take luck out of the equation from stall six, watch for Aix En Provence to bound to the front and give followers a bold sight. Best Bet Race 4 – #3 Aix En Provence (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Sara Ryan | J: Kerrin McEvoy (59.5kg) +360 with Neds Next Best at Hawkesbury: Sacred Fort Sacred Fort appears set to peak third-up into the campaign after a strong outing at Canterbury on June 10. He hit the line well on that occasion, closing to within a half-length of Steel Strike on the Heavy 8 conditions. The improving track should be a positive for the Ciaron Maher-trained colt, and although he’ll need to be making strong inroads from towards the rear of the field, Sacred Fort looks classy enough to get the job done. Next Best Race 1 – #2 Sacred Fort (5) 2yo Colt | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Jason Collett (59kg) +400 with Unibet Best Value at Hawkesbury: Koning Koning returns after a 108-day spell and represents terrific each-way value with online bookmakers. The Richard & Will Freedman-trained gelding didn’t fire a shot in his only start last preparation, finishing last of six runners at Hawkesbury on March 9. He started a short-priced favourite, and although he couldn’t justify the quote, his trials leading into this suggest a return to form is near, and at the odds, Koning warrants plenty of respect in this. Best Value Race 6 – #1 Koning (11) 3yo Gelding | T: Richard & Will Freedman | J: Keagan Latham (60.5kg) +900 with Playup Tuesday quaddie tips for Hawkesbury races Hawkesbury quadrella selections Tuesday, June 25, 2024 1-3 2-3-6-7 1-3-4-5-6 2-4-5-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Catherinenz winning at Riccarton Park on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Robbie Patterson has one final box to tick in a phenomenal season for his Taranaki stable, and the win of Catherinenz at Riccarton Park on Saturday brought him within touching distance. Patterson surpassed a prior personal best of 20 wins by some margin last term, picking up 50 wins and just shy of $950,000 in stakes earnings. His goal last August was to reach the million-dollar mark while replicating the half-century, and with $2.1million recorded and 48 winners with a month of the season left, he has more than reached expectations. “My goal was to get 50 winners for the season and break the million-dollar mark, and we’ve doubled that number and are a couple away from 50,” Patterson said. “I’ve got a few nice chances before the season’s end to reach that goal, so hopefully we can tick that box and it’ll be very pleasing.” The 48th success came in the form of exciting Shamexpress mare Catherinenz, who travelled south to Riccarton’s turf meeting last weekend to contest the Optimise Fertilizers & Equi-lise Rating 75 (1400m). Prior to the race, her recent record had been near-perfect with two wins in her last three appearances, and she started a $5.60 second-favourite as the main danger to Zacat ($5). Jockey Courtney Barnes was assertive early from barrier seven aboard Catherinenz, pushing forward to sit outside On Song, who dictated terms from the front. Moving into the straight, Catherinenz simply jogged up to take the lead and soon put an extending margin on Deep Beauty who fought valiantly for second, but Patterson’s mare was too strong and bolted in by 3-1/4 lengths. Patterson explained it hadn’t been all smooth sailing for Catherinenz since she entered his stable last year, but he was thrilled to see her performing at her peak in the testing conditions. “Getting her toe into the ground I think has helped her a little bit,” he said. “She won over a mile at Otaki in January, then she had to get an epiglottis entrapment operation done because she was having trouble breathing. That seems to have done the trick, and she has gone from winning a maiden to winning a 75 in three starts which isn’t a bad effort. “She’s only a four-year-old, so I’ll probably go to another 75 somewhere as she’ll still get in reasonably well at the weights. She’ll be an open handicapper after that, so we’ll probably try to get her to open grade then give her a break as she’s been up for a while. “She’s a very easy horse, not very big and doesn’t take much work.” Out of a Guillotine mare Grey Sapphire, Catherinenz was bred and is owned by Roger Blunt, and Patterson has a full-brother in the stable in Shameless Boy who has won two of his four starts. Juvenile stablemate Read About It also made his debut in the two-year-old 1000m event at Riccarton and was backed into $2.70 favouritism after three trial victories in the Central Districts. The Wrote gelding was one of the slower away from the gates and travelled among the backmarkers as the 12-strong field descended down the chute. Barnes had to navigate a fair amount of traffic on straightening in an inexperienced line-up, and Read About It was one of the few runners to make ground in the race closing strongly into second behind an impressive Imptee. “I was very happy with him, it was all about learning for him and there was no races up here in the North Island so I gave him this one to get him ready for the Ryder Stakes,” Patterson said. “He got back, had a few traffic problems and nothing was making ground from there all day so it was a really good effort. “He’s on the ferry now, he’ll be home later this afternoon and he will go have a week in the paddock before targeting that race.” The Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) will be run at Otaki on July 27, and Patterson will be aiming for a seventh black-type success after picking up a quartet of Group 3’s, a Group 2 and a Group 1 this season. “It’ll be a hard season to match again, that’s for sure,” Patterson said. “Obviously winning the Wellington Cup (Group 3, 3200m) and the Thorndon Mile (Group 1, 1600m) a few hours apart was very special, but I got a big thrill and a bit of a surprise out of winning the Coupland’s Mile (Group 2, 1600m) being my old stomping ground down south.” Horse racing news View the full article

Rookie trainer assesses his debut campaign and looks to city circuit for more winners on Wednesday nightView the full article

Warmonger ridden by Blake Shinn takes out the Group 1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm. Photo: Darren Winningham Co-trainer Mick Price has already outlined a spring plan for Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) winner Warmonger, with the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) set as the gelding’s main target. Price mentioned that the OTI Racing-owned three-year-old would also be entered for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), although he expressed doubts about the horse’s readiness for the demanding 3200-metre race at this stage of his career. “I’m not sure he’s mature enough for the Melbourne Cup as it’s a gruelling race,” Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, told Racing.com. Warmonger currently sits on the second line of Caulfield Cup betting, marked as a +1400 chance with online bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

Mr Brightside winning the 2023 Group 1 Memsie Stakes. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Mr Brightside will not be pursuing a third consecutive win in the Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in August. Co-trainer Ben Hayes mentioned that the rising seven-year-old gelding had returned to work after gaining 41 kilograms during his spell. He will start stepping up to even time in his work next week. “We’ll miss the Lawrence Stakes this year. We just wanted to give him some more time,” Hayes, who trains with his brothers JD and Will, told Racing.com. “He’s carrying some nice condition, but that’s a good position to be in at this time. He’ll be starting evens next week. “We are really happy with him; he’s put on some good weight, can’t fault him. He’s a happy horse and he’s working in great fashion.” Hayes added that Mr Brightside would make his return in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 7, a race he won second-up last year. Horse racing news View the full article

Foxy Frida has been retired. (Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Group 3 winner Foxy Frida has been retired. The daughter of Woodside Park stallion Foxwedge had a commendable career with 36 starts, securing ten wins, including her notable victory in last year’s Group 3 RS Lee Stakes (1600m). Her impressive record also features eight seconds and a third, amassing $1,448,095 in prize-money earnings. The six-year-old mare’s last race saw her finish second in the Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 8. Trainer Andrew Noblet considered entering her in this weekend’s Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) but decided against it. “The way the Tiara is shaping up, she would run fifth or sixth, plus I don’t think I could freshen her up and get her ready for it,” Noblet told Racing.com. “She’s been a great horse to have in the stable. Honesty-wise, she’s right up there. “She won a fair bit of prize-money, and we picked the right races. She’s been great for the stable, especially as she came along when we moved to Ballarat. “She was so consistent. I can’t remember her running a bad race. The whole team should be proud of her.” Foxy Frida was purchased by Bangalore Stud in NSW for $575,000 at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale on May 9. She is likely to be sent to Yarraman’s I Am Invincible. Horse racing news View the full article

Irish Colleen set the ball rolling for prominent breeder and owner Daniel Nakhle and the daughter of Shinko King keeps on giving. She was a gifted performer with two stakes wins to her credit and has subsequently proved to be a gem of a broodmare for the Byerley Park co-founder. All five of Irish Colleen’s foals to race have been successful and includes the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Stakes winner Killarney and three-time Group Three winner and Gr.1 Orr Stakes placegetter (1400m) Crosshaven. She is also the granddam of Nakhle’s star three-year-old and Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Crocetti. Crosshaven is part-owned by Nakhle and the Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained son of Smart Missile posted his seventh career victory, and first since the spring of 2022, when successful over 1100m at Flemington on Saturday. “He’s a favourite and he’s been trying very hard with things going against him time after time and it was so nice for the horse to be back in the winner’s circle,” Nakhle said. “We’ve always had confidence in him, as has the stable, so it was great to see.” Nakhle purchased Crosshaven’s dam out of Fayette Park’s New Zealand Bloodstock Weanling Sale draft for $8,500 and went on to win seven races, including the Gr.2 Concorde Handicap (1200m) and the Listed Rotorua Stakes (1400m). “Irish Colleen was the first horse I purchased in my own right, I thought I would try and work it out on my own and whether it’s her, her foals or grand foals, she just hasn’t let me down,” he said. “Trevor and Stephen McKee trained her and she showed plenty from an early stage and won those two stakes races.” Irish Colleen has crossed the Tasman twice in her breeding career to visit Smart Missile with the first resulting in six-time winner Way Above. Crosshaven was offered at Karaka by Haunui Farm and purchased for $80,000 by Lindsay Park Racing with Nakhle remaining in the ownership group. “Irish Colleen has been home for the last few seasons and gets very, very well looked after and her passport has been cancelled,” he said. “I’ve got a Vadamos three-year-old out of her and he’s a slow maturing type and a gorgeous horse. He’s with Danny Walker and Aaron Tata and shows good ability. “Danny and Aaron have also got the Brazen Beau yearling and he’s just been broken in and will probably come into work toward July 1 or thereabouts. “She had a Proisir colt last year and he’s a belter, she puts a lot of power into her horses and he will hopefully head to the NZB Sale in January.” Irish Colleen is currently empty and will be returning to Proisir later this year. “She missed to him last year, we tried to get the trifecta with Irish Colleen and her daughter Gracehill (Crocetti’s dam) and Gracehill’s daughter Rionach all going to Proisir last season,” Nakhle said. “Irish Colleen missed but the other two did get in foal so two out of three isn’t bad.” Meanwhile, Crocetti is back in work at Byerley Park ahead of a spring campaign with the Hawke’s Bay carnival the intended starting point for the classy son of Zacinto. “He’s going really well and Danny and Aaron certainly did the right thing by giving him two and a-half months off after his last run,” Nakhle said. “He came back on May 14 and is a very happy horse and has strengthened up a bit. “He looks the part and the aim at this stage will be the Tarzino Trophy (Gr.1, 1400m) first-up as long as the track’s okay, if not then we’ll have a regroup and work out what Plan B is.” View the full article

Antipodean (NZ) (Derryn) stretched his unbeaten run to six with a powerful display in the 3YO Pacific Cup (1200m) at Selangor on Sunday. The New Zealand-bred gelding, purchased by trainer Simon Dunderdale for NZ$23,000 from Regal Farm at the NZB Ready To Run Sale, has taken local racing by storm since making his debut four months ago. After easy wins in Open Maiden company, then in Class 4 and Class 3, Antipodean tackled top company for the first time and came out with flying colours in a Metro A set-weight race two weeks ago. Racing against three-year-old company on Sunday, Antipodean started at prohibitive odds proved far too good under jockey Bernardo Pinheiro. “He is an amazing horse, a young horse with a very bright future,” Pinheiro said. “I am so glad to be on board him. This is my third win on him and our first Cup. He showed improvement with each race. He managed to sit well and travelled so good. “At the top of the straight when I asked (him for an effort), he ran home so well. Simon (Dunderdale) did an amazing job with him.” Ex-pat Kiwi Simon Dunderdale, who heads the trainers’ premiership at Selangor didn’t hold back in his assessment of the son of Derryn. “Antipodean is a superstar,” he said. “He has another gear when it looked like he was under pressure. Thanks to Pinheiro for another good ride.” The Selangor Turf Club have been significant supporters of the New Zealand Ready To Run Sale in recent years, with trainer Simon Dunderdale purchasing three juveniles from the sale last November. View the full article

With jockey Bernado Pinheiro back in the saddle, Pasir Pinji bounced back to his best form to win the RM50,000 TNI Charity Cup (1300m) at Selangor on Sunday for trainer Simon Dunderdale. The pair triumphed in the Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) last September when Pasir Pinji went on a run of five consecutive wins, culminating with his victory in the Cup. Since then, the New Zealand bred son of Nadeem has notched one more win and some minor placings, and Pinheiro rode him one more time to finish third in a Metro A race two months ago. Racing at a distance short of his best, it mattered little as Pasir Pinji went on to score by half a length for his 12th win in 38 starts. “He is a small horse with a big heart and he never gives up,” said Pinheiro who won in four consecutive races. “We were worried about the (short) distance but Simon (Dunderdale) managed to keep him fresh. “From the wide barrier (8) I managed to get into a good position. He travelled so well. I gave him all the chances and he ran on so well.” Pinheiro has now won four times on Pasir Pinji who came over from Singapore with just one win at Kranji and began his Malaysian campaign in Class 5. “Pasir Pinji is a little beauty, all heart and fighting spirit,” Dunderdale said. “Plus it was a great ride from Pinheiro.” Originally bought for just $6000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018 from the draft of the Westend Partnership, Pasir Pinji returned for the Ready to Run Sale later that year and was bought by Singapore-based Kiwi trainer Donna Logan for $34,000 from the draft of Woburn Farm. View the full article

Jasmine Fawcett riding Casino Princess to victory in Saturday’s Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m). Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) While there may only be five weeks left in the current 2023/24 racing year, jockey Jasmine Fawcett wants to take every opportunity she can as she closes in on her goal of riding seventy winners for the season. Fawcett currently sits ninth on the National Jockey’s Premiership with 63 wins, seven more than she achieved last season which was her best since kicking off her career back in 2016. Her current tally was boosted by just the one win on Saturday but it was an important one as she guided local heroine Casino Princess home in the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m) for 92-year-old trainer and part owner Cliff Goss. “I was very grateful to Mr Goss for giving me the ride as I had been left without one when the horse I was scheduled to partner didn’t make it to the race,” Fawcett said. “With Michael McNab being injured, my agent contacted Mr Goss and I got the ride. “I actually rode her when she had her first trial, so it was nice to get back on board as she was always going to be a huge chance in the race. “Before the race Mr Goss was very calm and collected and didn’t really give me too many instructions. She travelled beautifully all the way and just relished the conditions as she won very comfortably. “I didn’t get to celebrate at all as I had rides booked for Te Aroha today (Sunday) so I was home in bed by 8:30pm. “With the Te Aroha meeting being called off I’m not really complaining but if I want to get to seventy wins for the season I need to get as many opportunities as possible.” Fawcett had three rides at the Te Aroha meeting which was abandoned due to surface flooding after heavy rain struck the area overnight, but is hopeful she will get the opportunity to ride there now the day has been shifted to next Thursday. “When I heard the rain this morning it was just thundering down so I pretty much expected the meeting to be in doubt,” she said. “I had three good rides and there is talk about the day being transferred to Thursday next week, which is good however, it will clash with Riccarton so I will have to make a decision as to where I go. “I am leaning towards staying up here, but we will just have to see how it pans out.” Fawcett has made many close relationships in the South Island and has been a regular visitor there to ride in the past few years, racking up the frequent flyer miles as she continues to hone her craft. “I’ve ridden a fair bit down south and again I am very grateful for the opportunities I get,” she said. “I knew if I wanted to achieve my goals this year, I had to stay fit and keep out of trouble, so I didn’t have to miss meetings through suspensions and so far, so good. “My base fitness is very good although I would like to be a little stronger. I am thinking about going to a personal trainer but that will be a decision for the new year as this is a job where you have to take every chance to improve yourself and that’s what I am going to do. “Also, with many of the jockeys taking holidays around now it also creates chances to pick up rides so staying fit is a real priority. “I’m sure my partner would like me to take a holiday or a break but I’m pretty driven and love what I do so that might have to wait a wee while yet.” Horse racing news View the full article

Sam Spratt after winning the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) with Velocious. Photo: Race Images A winning four-race haul at Tauranga on Saturday added further lustre to an outstanding 2023/2024 racing season for jockey Sam Spratt. The success took her to 64 wins for the year including eight at stakes level although the bubbly 39-year-old is quick to point out statistics and goals have never been the priority in her career. “Some people are driven by achieving goals and the like but that really has never been my thing,” Spratt said. “I ride for the sheer love of horses which is pretty evident in my whole life as when I’m not riding on race day one of my biggest passions is going riding at hunt meetings on the weekends and when I have time off. “I actually took the day off to go hunting today (Sunday) but the weather put the kibosh on that as it was just torrential rain in Auckland early this morning. “I guess that has given me some time to get out in the garden and do a few things around the house which is also a nice way to unwind after the pressure of race day.” While Spratt is philosophical about her success this year, she is thankful for the opportunities to ride some very nice horses over the last twelve months. “It’s been a really good season, and I definitely can’t complain as it is probably one of the best of my career,” she said. “It helps when you have the right horsepower underneath you and I’ve picked up some lovely rides along the way. “Remarkably I’m pretty much injury free after breaking my ankle a few years ago as you don’t tend to bounce as much when you are older if you do take a tumble and thankfully that hasn’t happened this year. “I do have some long-term niggles that I have learnt to manage but touch wood, they are under control, and I can stay healthy for the foreseeable future.” While she may not pay much attention to career goals Spratt does have a number in the back of her mind she would like to achieve. “When I got to 1000 wins for my career (currently 1059) someone said to me I didn’t have far to go to get to 100 stakes wins,” she said. “It kind of registered and although I don’t actively chase it, that is something that would be nice to have on my record when I do finally hang up the boots. “I think I’m around the 97-mark in that respect and with some of the promising horses I have ridden this year I think I might be able to get there in the new season with some luck. “It’s normally at this time of the year that people start looking towards the spring and what will be happening, and I know many of the potential spring stars are just in the early stages of their preparation. “I will keep tabs on them and see how things play out but for the time being I’m looking forward to a bit of a break in July to go hunting (riding more horses) and just taking each day as it comes.” Horse racing news View the full article