Wandering Eyes

A quality Class 3 dash winds up Happy Valley’s eight-race fixture on Wednesday night (9 October), where Super Joy N Fun (NZ) (What’s The Story) and Reward Smile face off again along with 10 others in the HK$1.86 million Pottinger Handicap (1200m). First and second, respectively, last month over the course and distance, Super Joy N Fun denied a fast-closing Reward Smile by a neck. Aided with gate five that evening, Super Joy N Fun instead steps away from the widest of 12 barriers under jockey Jerry Chau tomorrow night. “He showed his potential last time. He always runs well fresh and after the race he improved and he’s settled down a bit more. But this time we have the worst draw over 1200 metres at Happy Valley,” Chau said. “Hopefully, he can find a nice spot with cover and it’ll be good for him to settle and then finish off the race well.” Super Joy N Fun is one of the brightest talents in Benno Yung’s stable. The 72-rater has won three times from seven starts, racing in the same silks as 2010 G3 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) winner Joy And Fun. Hugh Bowman is yet to triumph aboard Reward Smile, although under top-weight the pair charged from last into second position behind Super Joy N Fun. “His first-up run was outstanding and he’s had a nice trial since then. With a bit of luck, if I chose to go out and not in, he might have won first-up,” Bowman said. Reward Smile is a two-time winner in Hong Kong for trainer John Size. “He’s drawn wide (10), so we’ll adopt the same tactics again. We’ll let him settle in the second half of the field and try to get a clear passage through,” Bowman said. Bowman has ridden five winners at Happy Valley this season from 17 rides, striking at 29%. Reward Smile finished midfield in a recent trial at Sha Tin on 27 September. “My gut feeling is that he’s a horse who likes being a bit on the fresh side. So, I didn’t ask a great deal of him in that trial,” Bowman said. Scotch Tycoon seeks consecutive wins in the same contest, pairing with Lyle Hewitson as he returns to Class 3. “It’s been a long time since he’s done anything in Class 3. But he’s been in good form and bouncing off a win, hopefully he can just carry that through to this lighter weight in Class 3,” Hewitson said. David Hayes saddles Star Contact, also a last-start winner, in the Class 3 Pedder Handicap (1650m). The 78-rating Star Turn gelding pairs with jockey Karis Teetan. “He’s gone right through the grades and he’s just improved with age. He’s a big, strong horse with a good constitution. I think his trackwork suggests he’s holding his form,” Hayes said. Hayes has been in fine form this season with seven wins. His earnings of HK$11.1 million are only bettered by Pierre Ng (HK$15.2 million) in the trainers’ standings. View the full article

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) is delighted to announce an exciting initiative in partnership with the Victoria Racing Club (VRC). For the first time, the winner of the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup will be exempt from any ballot for both the Lexus Roy Higgins (late March) and Lexus Andrew Ramsden (mid-May). Both of these races offer ballot exemption into the coveted Lexus Melbourne Cup, providing a wonderful opportunity for the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup winner to compete on an international level. In commenting on the initiative, Craig Baker, ATR’s Executive General Manager of Racing & Operations, highlighted that the new partnership is a testament to the Club’s ongoing commitment to elevate the profile of New Zealand racing on the global stage. “This partnership with the Victoria Racing Club is a milestone for New Zealand racing. Offering the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup winner a pathway to the Lexus Melbourne Cup through the Lexus Roy Higgins and Lexus Andrew Ramsden races opens up a world of opportunities for our participants. “It also strengthens the bond between our two racing nations and showcases the calibre of talent that New Zealand racing has to offer.” Leigh Jordon, VRC’s Executive General Manager Racing, also expressed his enthusiasm for this initiative, highlighting the historical significance of New Zealand’s contribution to the Lexus Melbourne Cup, saying, “The Lexus Melbourne Cup is the race that stops two nations and New Zealand has a proud and rich history in Australia’s most iconic race. “With 44 New Zealand-bred winners of the Lexus Melbourne Cup, we are pleased to formalise the link between the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup and feature staying races at Flemington.” Last season, the Lexus Roy Higgins was won by the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Mark Twain, showcasing the high calibre of competition these races attract. The Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup will be held on the newly created Champions Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, 8 March, marking a significant step in ATR’s efforts to raise the profile of the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup and New Zealand racing in Australia. View the full article

Dragon Leap (Pierro) has bowed out of racing with perhaps the greatest honour Matamata trainer Lance O’Sullivan could bestow on him. Just one horse has previously been retired to Wexford Stables over its luminary history, and that was New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame sprinter Mr Tiz. But O’Sullivan, whose late father Dave and brother Paul were both Hall of Fame trainer inductees from Wexford, has put Dragon Leap on a pedestal and given him a similar retirement distinction. “Over all the years, we’ve only given one horse the privilege of being retired to Wexford Stables, that was the mighty Mr Tiz, and now Dragon Leap is the second one,” O’Sullivan said. “That just lets you know how much he means to the team. I’ve been training 18 or 19 years now and I still believe he’s the best galloper I’ve trained. He didn’t win a Group win, he won three Group Twos, but there’s no doubt he’s the best horse we’ve trained that never won a Group One.” Dragon Leap won six of his 26 starts in a career plagued by unsoundness. As a three-year-old, he won three of his five starts, following success in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie with a brilliant win in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) at the same track. He finished fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in the final start of his Classic season. He went winless in a handful of starts at four but resumed at five with a brave fourth placing in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, a finishing position he also filled in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) at Te Rapa. He was beaten a head in the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben. Last season he resumed with an open sprint win at Ruakaka, followed up with Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) success at Te Rapa then pushed Skew Wiff to a half-neck when second in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings. He lost a plate when fourth in the Railway Stakes at Pukekohe and rounded out his season — and ultimately his career — when second in the Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie. O’Sullivan and his training partner Andrew Scott had planned on racing Dragon Leap in Sunday’s Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua before the decision was made to finish his career. “He’s got a rare disorder, it’s like a tie-up that he’s developed late in his career,” O’Sullivan said. “Andrew and I and the rest of the team have just decided he’s been such a wonderful horse to the stable and we don’t want to risk him.” O’Sullivan and Scott will still have representation in the race, with Railway winner Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) taking on Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) winner Mercurial and Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) winner Bonny Lass in the Arawa Park feature. Waitak has finished fourth in the Foxbridge Plate and fifth in the Tarzino Trophy in two runs back. “He’s going really well. We just feel he’s got a bit more pep in his stride going in,” O’Sullivan said. “At Te Rapa he was just a bit wooden legged, just didn’t have that acceleration toward the end and we think he’s certainly going better. “He went to the paddock for about 10 days for a little freshen up. We know he can go a lot better than he did down at Hawke’s Bay and we’re confident he’s going to make his presence felt. “We’ll target those races similar to what we did last season. This is the first of a few to run in. We’re going to get a good line on how he’s going because it’s a tidy lineup and certainly not going to be a walk in the park.” O’Sullivan and Scott will chase further sprint spoils with Geriatrix (Almanzor) and stable newcomer Kelly Coe (NZ) (Proisir) tackling Saturday’s Gr.3 Valley D’vine Spring Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa. View the full article

Liam Riordan will add to the growing list of Australian jockeys crossing the Tasman to ride in New Zealand when he heads to Ashburton on Saturday. The 27-year-old Victorian has formed an association with Te Akau Racing through their Cranbourne barn, and he has accepted the invitation of trainer Mark Walker to ride for the stable in New Zealand this weekend. “I have ridden for Te Akau a few times in Melbourne and I am good friends with Ben Gleeson (Cranbourne assistant trainer),” Riordan said. “I pondered with the idea that if the opportunity arose I would go over there (New Zealand) and ride a meeting. “I just happened to run into Mark at the beach and I was talking with him and he asked me to ride five for him this week (at Ashburton). “I have never ridden overseas and I am looking forward to it. I am flying in on Friday and I fly out on Sunday.” Riordan became good friends with Gleeson while he was assistant trainer to Danny O’Brien, who Riordan has enjoyed riding for over the last few seasons. “I am the stable rider for Danny O’Brien here in Melbourne and I have been doing that for the last couple of years, I rode 20 or so winners for him last season so it has been going well,” Riordan said. Riordan is set to partner Group Two performer Dream Of The Moon (All Too Hard) in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, and the filly heads into the weekend in good form, having finished runner-up first-up in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton last month. While Saturday’s meeting is currently a one-off for Riordan, he is hopeful of returning for New Zealand Cup Week next month. “I am hopeful of coming over a bit more often for Te Akau, maybe during the carnival,” he said. “I am able to ride light so that is probably a big asset as well. I will just see how Saturday goes, but hopefully it creates a few opportunities.” Former jockey Michael Coleman will be acting as Riordan’s riding agent while in New Zealand. “Reece (Trumper, Te Akau racing manager) put me onto Michael Coleman and he has been looking after my rides,” Riordan said. View the full article

This week on the Guerin Report, we witness history with the death of Singapore Racing as Michael looks into what comes from such a bizarre event, how it happened and how they tried to save themselves from this occurring. Guerin Report – Singapore Racing, Ep. 6 (youtube.com) View the full article

Proven stayer Mahrajaan (Kitten’s Joy) remains firmly on target for a crack at the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) despite the weather ruling out an intended lead-up outing. The Shaun Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained chestnut was to have stepped out in last Saturday’s Gr.3 Bart Cummings (2520m), but the camp decided to wait a week in the hope of a better surface. “He’s guaranteed a run in the Cup now, he’s 23rd in order and as we know they run 24 so he’s in the race, but we didn’t want to run him if he’s not going to perform to his best,” Ritchie said. “The rain arrived on the day at Flemington and the track opened up, he’s been woeful in the wet in the past and it was an unnecessary risk to run him.” Ritchie is comfortable giving Mahrajaan just one more hit-out ahead of the Cup. “He’s going to run in the Herbert Power (Gr.2, 2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday and he’s probably not well weighted with 58kg, he’s got a bit more pudding than we would have liked,” he said. “If he can perform well, then having a first Melbourne Cup runner would be fantastic and a great experience for myself and the owners. “He’s an athletic sort of horse, clean-winded and he’s certainly in great spirits. I think his first two runs back in this time have been far superior to his earlier runs over shorter distances.” Placed in both of his domestic outings over 1400m and 2200m at Ruakaka, Damian Lane has been booked to partner Mahrajaan at the weekend. “He needs all of two miles to show his best as he’s proved in the past, so technically the Herbert Power will be short of his best distance,” Ritchie said. “We’ll keep that in mind, but he can’t afford to just follow them around if he’s to justify his place in the Cup, so we need to see him run somewhere near his best.” Mahrajaan’s victories in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) and Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) emphasises both his stamina and the success of the stable’s first venture to Europe to source a quality distance performer. The son of Kitten’s Joy was purchased for 75,000gns at the 2022 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale. “The Australian trainers say a lot how long it takes these imports to settle in and this horse exactly the same,” Ritchie said. “I think it’s taken Mahrajaan 18 months to get used to the Australasian style of training and adapt to the environment. “I’m still learning about these things, he’s the first one we got and we got another one from the July Sale who arrived last month. “For him, going from an English summer into a New Zealand spring has been very, very easy but when they leave from England in their winter and arrive out here in the summer it hits them.” Davideo was secured for 130,000gns with De Burgh Equine and is a half-brother to Group One-winning siblings Time Warp and Glorious Forever. Previously trained by Ralph Beckett, the son of Galileo was a three-time winner up to 2400m from nine appearances. View the full article

Te Aroha trainer Peter Lock is hoping to make another successful Central Districts raid with two strong chances at Waverley on Wednesday. He will be represented by the in-form Footloose in the Equivets NZ – SRVS Handicap (1400m) while Badgeringdawitness will relish the rise in distance in the Roper Agriculture Handicap (1600m). Lock produced one of the star performers on the Hawera undercard last Saturday when Debit (NZ) (Darci Brahma) returned from a lengthy spell to thump her Rating 65 rivals over 1200m. The daughter of Darci Brahma was making her first appearance for 16 months and now has a brace of victories and a placing from three appearances. “She’s a mare we’ve held in high regard for a long time, but she’s had a few niggly issues that have all been solved now,” Lock said. “She’s gone shin sore and one thing and another, so she’s just needed time. “She’s still a little bit green and ran around when she got to the front the other day and Courtney (Barnes) said she’s got a bit to learn so it’s all pretty promising.” Debit has a liking for rain-affected going and Lock may give her another run with conditions to suit before a break. “She won’t do a lot more this time, she likes the wet tracks and we’ll still get a bit of wet ground between now and Christmas so we’ll keep an eye on that and it will tell us where we go,” he said. In the short term, Lock’s focus is on his trip to Waverley and rates both his runners as top prospects. “I think both of them should go pretty well, they are lovely horses,” he said. Badgeringdawitness (NZ) (Reliable Man), bred and raced by Gee Gee Equine and Ron Duke, was a second-up winner at Hawera two runs back and the Reliable Man gelding then finished off the pace after jumping awkwardly over 1340m at Wanganui. “It was too short for him the other day and up to a mile will suit him so he’s a really nice chance,” Lock said. Apprentice Elle Sole will again be aboard Badgeringdawitness while Toni Davies will continue her association with Turn Me Loose’s son Footloose. “He’s going super and he got home like a rocket last time out, so he’s only got to go as well again to be a big chance,” Lock said. Raced by breeders Llanhennock Trust, Footloose (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) followed up his Hawera victory two runs back with a late charge to finish fourth at Wanganui. “I like both horses and their owners have been very loyal, so I hope they go really well for them,” Lock said. View the full article

Australian hopes to repeat his heroics from a decade ago before a shot at November’s Group One Melbourne Cup (3,200m).View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, October 9, 2024 First Race 7:10pm HKT (10:10pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to the bright lights of Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday evening, with a terrific eight-race program set for decision. The rail is in the A course for the meeting, and with warm spring conditions forecast in the lead-up, punters can expect a genuine Good 4 surface throughout the night. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 7:10pm local time. Best Bet at Happy Valley: Super Unicorn Super Unicorn only found one better in the form of Rocket Spade at this course and distance on September 25. The son of Savabeel cleared out alongside the eventual winner in the concluding stages, with the five-year-old putting 1.5 lengths back to third spot. Barrier one should allow Zac Purton to hold a similar stalking position in behind the speed, and with no Rocket Spade in here to spoil the party, Super Unicorn should prove hard to hold out as he searches for his first Hong Kong success. Best Bet Race 3 – #7 Super Unicorn (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Frankie Lor| J: Zac Purton (57.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Happy Valley: I Can The Pierre Ng-trained I Can finally draws a barrier after copping gates 10 and 11 at this track and trip to kick-off the campaign. He still managed to find the minor money on both occasions, with the five-year-old showing plenty of toughness in his most recent outing on September 25, racing three wide throughout the journey. Andrea Atzeni should be able to lob into the one-one from stall two, and with this guy rock-hard fit third-up into the campaign, I Can should pick up a much-deserved second-career victory. Next Best Race 7 – #12 I Can (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Pierre Ng | J: Andrea Atzeni (54kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Happy Valley: Swift Ascend Swift Ascend steps out for the first time since January and should appreciate dropping back into Class 4 company. The son of Lord Kanaloa was far from disgraced in Class 3 but failed to break his Hong Kong maiden before being tipped out for a spell. He returns on the back of an eye-catching piece of work at Sha Tin on the all-weather circuit, suggesting the five-year-old gelding is nearing his peak. Zac Purton hopping aboard is a strong indicator he’s ready to strike first-up, and with gate three to aid him on his journey, Swift Ascend should be right in this at a nice price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 6 – #1 Swift Ascend (3) 5yo Gelding | T: David Eustace | J: Zac Purton (61kg) Bet with Dabble Wednesday quaddie tips for Happy Valley Happy Valley quadrella selections October 9, 2024 1-3-9-10-11 1-5-7-8-9 3-6-7-8-12 1-2-5-10-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

Last Saturday, Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington and Epsom Day at Randwick took centre stage as the headline horse racing meetings. From Flemington and Randwick, we have found three runners that performed very well and are worth following throughout the spring. You can add these runners to your blackbook and receive updates when they are scheduled to run again. Randwick Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: +3m entire circuit Race 10: Benchmark 94 Handicap (1200m) | Time: 1:09.97 Horse to follow: Port Lockroy (3rd) Following a luckless campaign during the autumn and winter, Port Lockroy returned for his third racing preparation in the final race of the day. The Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained entire couldn’t draw a barrier throughout his last preparation; however, the son of Better Than Ready drew barrier one last weekend, and he was able to show his ability, albeit over 1200m. After settling midfield on the fence, Tom Sherry took inside runs on his mount before bursting through a split behind the winner to charge home for third place. When to bet: Port Lockroy finished second in the Gunsynd Classic over 1600m during winter, so 1200m was expected to be too short for him first-up. With a nomination in the Golden Eagle, expect to see this guy in the Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick on October 19, where he will play a massive role. Flemington Track rating: Good 4 (down to Soft 6 after R4) Rail position: +9m entire circuit Race 2: Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) | Time: 0:58.40 Horse to follow: Tremonti (1st) Tremonti was very impressive on debut, when the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained colt picked himself up off the canvas to claim victory in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes. The son of Hellbent was also having his first look down the Flemington straight, and after leading the field throughout the 1000m journey, he was clearly headed and fell behind by half a length in the final 200m. However, when Jye McNeil asked for more of an effort, his colt found more, kicked back on the fence to regain the lead, and claimed the win. When to bet: Gai Waterhouse mentioned post-race that Tremonti would most likely go out for a spell after his win, but she also said that they could target the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate on Melbourne Cup Day. Race 6: Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) | Time: 1:23.14 Horse to follow: Plenty Of Ammo (2nd) Plenty Of Ammo had her winning streak end at four after receiving very little luck in the Paris Lane Stakes at Flemington, where she kicked off her third racing preparation. The lightly raced six-year-old mare has built an impressive record (6:4-1-0) throughout her career, and her runner-up finish in her first Listed race showed that she has plenty of untapped ability. The daughter of Rebel Raider settled in the box seat behind the speed but struggled to find a gap in the home straight. Once a small gap appeared, Harry Coffey pushed her through, and Plenty Of Ammo savaged the line in the final 100m. When to bet: Plento Of Ammo is nominated for the Seymour Cup on Sunday and The Weekend Hussler at Caulfield on Saturday. Wherever Symon Wilde places his mare, she will prove very hard to beat if she holds her form second-up. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Recommended! The Better Bettors! Australian-owned and operated bookmaker! Join MarantelliBet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Horse racing tips View the full article

What Doomben Races Where Doomben Racecourse – 75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007 When Wednesday, October 9, 2024 First Race 1:53pm AEST Visit Dabble Brisbane Racing Club will host a seven-race card at Doomben this Wednesday afternoon, with the first event set to jump at 1:53pm AEST. Although the track was rated as a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, there is a high chance of rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday, so expect a downgrade or two before the meeting begins. The rail will be pushed out to the +8.5m position for the entire circuit. Best Bet at Doomben: Ellibaby Ellibaby has finished inside the top four in both of her starts this preparation and finished as the runner-up by a narrow margin in her most recent run. The David Vandkye-trained mare improved between her first and second start, so it is expected that she will take further improvement as she heads to her third start this time in. Ryan Maloney has retained the ride, and from barrier one, Ellibaby can settle in the box seat, stalk the speed and prove too strong late. Best Bet Race 7 – #6 Ellibaby (1) 4yo Mare | T: David Vandyke | J: Ryan Maloney (59.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Next Best at Doomben: You Kay Squeeze After settling for second place in her last two starts, You Kay Squeeze appears to have found the perfect race for her to break her maiden in. The daughter of Jungle Cat settled on speed at this track and trip in her most recent run; however, after being pestered throughout, she couldn’t go with Out Of Aces, who ran over the top of her late. Robbie Dolan will be legged aboard the Desleigh Forster-trained mare, and if You Kay Squeeze can replicate her last performance, she will go very close again. Next Best Race 1 – #10 You Kay Squeeze (5) 4yo Mare | T: Desleigh Forster | J: Robbie Dolan (56.5kg) Bet with Neds Best Value at Doomben: More For Ready More For Ready was made to do it tough over 1300m at Eagle Farm as the Michael Morrison-trained mare travelled three-wide without cover on speed. Although the daughter of Better Than Ready covered extra ground, she was only beaten by a head on the line in a close finish with Jungle Law and Tuff Tu Muss. She will meet the latter again in this contest; however, the softer ground and race shape will suit More For Ready better this time around. Best Value Race 2 – #7 More For Ready (10) 4yo Mare | T: Michael Morrison | J: Rikki Jamieson (56.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Doomben quaddie tips – 9/10/24 Doomben quadrella selections Wednesday, October 9, 2024 3-4-7-10-11 1-3-5 3-5-8-11 4-6-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Chris Waller has maintained the services of Joao Moreira for the Caulfield Cup on Saturday. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Joao Moreira has been confirmed for the plumb ride aboard Caulfield Cup favourite Buckaroo next Saturday. Buckaroo is fresh off a second to stablemate Via Sistina in the Turnbull Stakes, and has been backed from $11 into $5.50 with racing bookmakers to win the Caulfield Cup. Moreira, known as the “Magic Man”, is one of the top jockeys in the world, and with just 54.5kg looms as a key chance for the $5million feature. The only query on Buckaroo in the Caulfield Cup is whether he can travel the 2400m journey. Moreira has partnered Buckaroo twice since Chris Waller lured him to Australia for the spring, with these netting the Group 1 Underwood Stakes win and the Turnbull Stakes runner-up. While Moreira’s career is arguably the best of all time, he is yet to win a Caulfield or Melbourne Cup, which are regarded as two of the top staying races globally. The win in the Underwood Stakes was Moreira’s first Group 1 victory in Australia since the 2017 Oakleigh Plate. Buckaroo is the imported son of Fastnet Rock and Roheryn. Horse racing news View the full article

What Kensington Races Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Wednesday, October 9, 2024 First Race 1.25pm AEDT Visit Dabble Metropolitan racing returns to the Kensington circuit at Randwick on Wednesday afternoon, with a competitive eight-part program lined up for punters. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with no significant rainfall predicted in the lead-up, the current Good 4 rating should hold true for race-day. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 1:25pm local time. Best Bet at Kensington: Extremely Hardys It’s been 97 days off the scene for Extremely Hardys since producing a dominant debut victory at Canterbury on July 3. The daughter of Extreme Choice led all the way to score by six lengths before heading to the paddock, with the Chris Waller barn being very patient picking out this first-up assignment. This BM72 contest should prove the testing material for the progressive three-year-old, and if she can put in a similar performance at start two, Extremely Hardys may be putting her hand up for black-type later in the spring. Best Bet Race 6 – #7 Extremely Hardys (3) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (56kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Kensington: Captain Furai Captain Furai returns after a 115-day spell and brings a formidable resume into this BM78 contest. The four-year-old gelding won three of his four starts last preparation, including an eye-catching victory at Rosehill on June 15, sitting wide without cover to salute stylishly. He draws barrier five with James McDonald getting legged aboard this time around, and provided he can gain an economical run first-up over the 1400m, expect Captain Furai to prove too classy for this lot. Next Best Race 4 – #4 Captain Furai (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (59kg) Bet with Picklebet Next Best Again at Kensington: Darling Downs Darling Downs appears well placed second-up after a strong first-up maiden victory at Hawkesbury on September 12. The daughter of Deep Field checked off heels before careering away to score, with the Ciaron Maher-trained filly showing an impressive turn-of-foot in the concluding stages. Jason Collett gets every chance to lob into the one-one from barrier two, and although she may be looking for a step up in trip, Darling Downs should have the ability to take care of her rivals in this competitive BM64 contest. Next Best Again Race 2 – #4 Darling Downs (2) 4yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Jason Collett (57.5kg) Bet with Dabble Wednesday quaddie tips for Kensington Kensington quadrella selections October 9, 2024 1-2-3 4-7 4-5-6-8 1-3-8-10-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Caulfield Guineas favourite Broadsiding when winning the Group 1 JJ Atkins earlier this year. Photo: Darren Winningham The three-year-olds take centre stage at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon, with the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) attracting a quality field of 11 set to line up in the $3 million feature. It come as no shock the James Cummings-trained Broadsiding has been installed as the short-priced $1.50 favourite with horse racing bookmakers after a historic first-up victory in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 28. James McDonald is set to be legged aboard the son of Too Darn Hot, with McDonald looking to ride his fourth winner in the time-honoured Group 1 feature and his second for Godolphin after claiming victory aboard Golden Mile in the 2022 edition. The Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) winner Angel Capital is on the second line of betting at $8.50 and is the only other runner to hold single figures with horse racing bookmakers after drawing barrier seven. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained pair of Mayfair ($11.00) and Wanaruah ($17.00) will provide the early speed in this year’s edition of the Caulfield Guineas, with the former getting to within a length of Broadsiding in the Golden Rose. The Will, Ben & JD Hayes barn will be represented by Evaporate ($13.00) who is searching for his fifth straight win of the campaign, while Chris Waller has one engaged in the form of Private Life ($13.00), with Damien Lane takes the reins from barrier five. There are massive odds available for every other runner as the one-way traffic continues for Broadsiding in the 2024 Caulfield Guineas. 2024 Caulfield Guineas Final Field 1. Broadsiding (9) T: James Cummings J: James McDonald W: 57kg F: 1×111 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Too Darn Hot (GB) Dam: Speedway -200 -1000 2. Rue De Royale (6) T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy J: John Allen W: 57kg F: 315×5 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Per Incanto (USA) Dam: Urban Royal +5000 +600 3. Evaporate (8) T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes J: Michael Dee W: 57kg F: 1111x Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Per Incanto (USA) Dam: Savanna (NZ) +1200 +160 4. Angel Capital (7) T: Clinton McDonald J: Ben Melham W: 57kg F: 11×95 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Harry Angel (IRE) Dam: Bahamas +750 +105 5. Mayfair (10) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Blake Shinn W: 57kg F: 32212 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Fastnet Rock Dam: Cicatrix (USA) +1000 +140 6. Wanaruah (3) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Joe McNeil W: 57kg F: 3211 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Snitzel Dam: Mella Maria +1600 +210 7. Public Attention (4) T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) J: Ethan Brown W: 57kg F: 251 Age: 3YO Colour: Grey Sex: Colt Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Legramor (NZ) +2000 +260 8. Feroce (2) T: Dominic Sutton J: Billy Egan W: 57kg F: 47×41 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Super Seth Dam: Corinthia (NZ) +3300 +400 9. Tropicus (1) T: Anthony & Sam Freedman J: Mark Zahra W: 57kg F: 763×1 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Too Darn Hot (GB) Dam: Extensible +2500 +320 10. Vianarra (11) T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young J: Jamie Mott W: 57kg F: 324×9 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Shalaa (IRE) Dam: Vinavion +10000 +1200 11. Private Life (5) T: Chris Waller J: Damian Lane W: 57kg F: 41×14 Age: 3YO Colour: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Aliyana Tilde +1300 +180 Horse racing news View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Aussie champs Leap To Fame and Just Believe are drawn to continue their preparations for New Zealand raids with feature wins at Melton on Saturday night. Leap To Fame will start the hottest favourite in the 50-year history of the $A300,000 Group 1 Victoria after drawing ideally in barrier three. He firmed from $1.60 pre-draw to $1.20 straight after it while Just Believe landed a decisive advantage over arch-rival and boom European import Callmethebreeze in the $A75,000 Group 1 Bill Collins Trotters’ Mile. Just Believe drew four, but will move into gate three if emergency One Over All comes out of gate one, while Callmethebreeze will start from outside the back row. Just Believe is a commanding $1.30 favourite with Callmethebreeze at $6. Leap To Fame’s gun draw was an even bigger plus compared to bad draws for key rivals like Swayzee (12), Major Moth (eight), District Attorney (seven) and Better Eclipse (six). “It’s a pleasant change, we’ll certainly take it,” Leap To Fame’s owner Kevin Seymour said. “He’s had to overcome so many bad or tricky draws in so many of the biggest races over the past 18 months, so it’s great to have luck go his way this time. “It’s a race that means a lot to us, especially after getting beaten last year.” Leap To Fame finished a close third after doing the work outside the leader in last year’s Victoria Cup. “Look at the past winners … the best horses win the Victoria Cup and we want this on his CV,” Seymour said. “We felt he wasn’t quite as wound-up as he needed to be last year and he’s also improved with all the racing at the top level over the past year. “Hopefully he can work forward and get the lead (Saturday), but at worst he’ll be up on the speed without doing any work.” Trainer Jason Grimson, who has four of the 12 runners, was hoping for a draw to dictate terms with Leap To Fame’s older half-brother, Swayzee. It landed the other way with Swayzee, who has beaten Leap To Fame at Group 1 level, off the back row in gate 12. Grimson’s other runners didn’t fare much better with District Attorney out in seven, Major Moth inside the back row (eight) and Nerano (11). Leap To Fame, Better Eclipse and three of Grimson’s runners – Major Moth, District Attorney and Nerano – are expected to chase the IRT NZ Trotting Cup on November 12. Eight-time Group 1 winner Catch A Wave, who beat home Leap To Fame when second in last year’s Victoria Cup, drew nicely in gate two, but will need to improve on his lacklustre fifth in the Smoken Up last Saturday. In a twist, trainer Andy Gath revealed Catch A Wave could also head to Addington. “Not for the NZ Cup, but the junior free-for-all on Cup Day and the free-for-all on the Friday,” he said. “If we can’t get suitable flights to Perth for him (for the WA Cup on November 8), I’ll already be going to NZ with Callmethebreeze, so I could take Catch A Wave across, too.” Callmethebreeze is expected to be on a November 3 flight. View the full article

Yaupon continued a strong run for his first crop of yearlings in the sales ring Monday when hip 78 topped the schedule-adjusted Day 1 of the Ocala Breeders' Sale October Yearling Sale. Consigned by Colin Brennan Bloodstock, Agent IX and purchased for $75,000 by Pick View LLC, the Florida-bred colt is a half to a two-time winner in Candy Caramel (Candy Ride {Arg}) and out of a half-sister to MGSW Conveyance (Indian Charlie). Dam Bride Street is also a half to Cashing Tickets (Indian Charlie) who produced GSW Leggs Galore (Bayern) and SP $800,000 yearling Victorious (Into Mischief). The top-priced filly came late in the session when hip 180, a filly by Vekoma consigned by Abbie Road Farm (Lisa McGreevy), Agent XXVI, sold for $72,000 to Tom McCrocklin, agent. From her sire's second crop, the filly is out of a half to MGSW No Dozing (Union Rags). Ocala Stud's Win Win Win, already the sire of 'TDN Rising Star' and $1.8m OBS March topper Nooni, had two progeny sell in the top five prices: a filly (hip 85) for $70,000 and a colt named Keep Praying (hip 11) for $50,000. 96 yearlings sold for $1,658,700 Monday with an average of $17,278 and a median price of $10,000. The session's top consigner was Kaizen Sales (Richard Kent) with 14 sold for $274,200 while the top buyer was K.O.I.D. Co., Ltd. who purchased 6 yearlings for a total of $124,000. 64 yearlings went unsold. The second and final session of the October Yearling Sale will begin at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. The post Yaupon Colt Leads Day 1 Of OBS October Yearling Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

THE ASCENT and THE VELOCITY are the brand new $500,000 slot races that will be a big part of the Show Day Twilight race meeting at Addington Raceway on Friday, November 15. The $30,000 slots for the two races for the three-year-old trotters and pacers were snapped up in quick time – so who are the people behind the names? Over the next few weeks we will profile many of the slot holders. Today it is Ken Breckon and Richard Cole (and Rick/Nick) Industry heavyweights Ken Breckon (pictured above) and Richard Cole say they can’t take “any credit” for snaring gun Aussie Keayang Zahara for the $500,000 THE ASCENT at Addington Raceway on Show Day, November 15. The unbeaten three-year-old Victorian star has been a buzz horse across the Tasman. Initially Breckon thought he would race one of his own horses from his state of the art farm at Ohaupo in the Waikato. But with them failing to measure up the name Keayang Zahara came up. “I can’t take any credit for it, it was Nigel Fahy, the farm manager here who saw Keayang race in Aussie and said she was a freak.” “I was overseas so Richard rang up pronto and the rest is history.” The filly is owned by the Lavarg Racing Group, trained by Margaret Lee at Terang and driven by son Jason. They have proven an unbeatable combo so far – eight starts for eight wins and $176K in the kitty. “She certainly looks freakish,” says Breckon, “to win the way she has been.” “We went after the best horse and we were fortunate enough to get her,” says Cole. “She looks next level and there’s a chance she’ll stay on and race in any other three-year-old features she’s eligible for – maybe the Derby and the Oaks,” says Breckon. Breckon (pictured above) and Cole go way back, to when Cole was around eight years old. “I met him when I was about 19, I worked for his father Peter Cole. He was my boss at a plumbing distribution business called H. Leighton Hill.” “That was when I fell in love with the plumbing business and I thought I would venture out with my own agencies.” Breckon would go on to be a major player in the sector, through his business Hydroflow while Cole is the managing director of equine freight company IRT NZ and one of four directors of IRT Global. Cole’s been a big owner (and winner) over the years with horses such as Miracle Mile runner-up Sooner The Bettor and currently races some very nice horses with Breckon and others, including Rubira, Party Central and Five Crowns. As well as having an interest in THE ASCENT, he is also one half of the Rick/Nick Syndicate (along with Addington Raceway director Nick James) that has a slot in the 3YO Pacers slot race, THE VELOCITY. “Because I own a share in Jeremiah he is probably where we are heading,” says Cole. The Lazarus three-year-old has now won five from 11 for top northern trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan, his latest win coming last Friday night at Alexandra Park. So come Friday November 15, Cole is set up to be in the unique position of having two chances to win the first ever Show Day slot races. “It’s going to be a massive Cup week.” To see the story on Diane Reilly click here To see the story on The Pukekohe Punter click here To see the story on Peter and Janet Argus click here View the full article

Mahrajaan will contest the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Proven stayer Mahrajaan remains firmly on target for a crack at the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) despite the weather ruling out an intended lead-up outing. The Shaun Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained chestnut was to have stepped out in last Saturday’s Group 3 Bart Cummings (2520m), but the camp decided to wait a week in the hope of a better surface. “He’s guaranteed a run in the Cup now, he’s 23rd in order and as we know they run 24 so he’s in the race, but we didn’t want to run him if he’s not going to perform to his best,” Ritchie said. “The rain arrived on the day at Flemington and the track opened up, he’s been woeful in the wet in the past and it was an unnecessary risk to run him.” Ritchie is comfortable giving Mahrajaan just one more hit-out ahead of the Cup. “He’s going to run in the Group 2 Herbert Power (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday and he’s probably not well weighted with 58kg, he’s got a bit more pudding than we would have liked,” he said. “If he can perform well, then having a first Melbourne Cup runner would be fantastic and a great experience for myself and the owners. “He’s an athletic sort of horse, clean-winded and he’s certainly in great spirits. I think his first two runs back in this time have been far superior to his earlier runs over shorter distances.” Placed in both of his domestic outings over 1400m and 2200m at Ruakaka, Damian Lane has been booked to partner Mahrajaan at the weekend. “He needs all of two miles to show his best as he’s proved in the past, so technically the Herbert Power will be short of his best distance,” Ritchie said. “We’ll keep that in mind, but he can’t afford to just follow them around if he’s to justify his place in the Cup, so we need to see him run somewhere near his best.” Mahrajaan’s victories in the Group 2 Auckland Cup (3200m) and Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) emphasises both his stamina and the success of the stable’s first venture to Europe to source a quality distance performer. The son of Kitten’s Joy was purchased for 75,000gns at the 2022 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale. “The Australian trainers say a lot how long it takes these imports to settle in and this horse exactly the same,” Ritchie said. “I think it’s taken Mahrajaan 18 months to get used to the Australasian style of training and adapt to the environment. “I’m still learning about these things, he’s the first one we got and we got another one from the July Sale who arrived last month. “For him, going from an English summer into a New Zealand spring has been very, very easy but when they leave from England in their winter and arrive out here in the summer it hits them.” Horse racing news View the full article

Right To Party ridden by Jye McNeil returns to the mounting yard after winning the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jye McNeil is hoping a timely stakes double at Flemington will boost his opportunities this spring. McNeil claimed the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) aboard Right To Party just hours after guiding debutant Tremonti to victory in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m), bringing his stakes tally for 2024 to nine. “It was great to get a stakes double on Saturday, especially for stables I’ve been doing a bit of work for,” McNeil told Racing.com. “It’s cut-throat, and you’ve got to be in form to get the right amount of rides. “The past only takes you so far; you have to be in form, and clearly I was on Saturday, so hopefully I can maintain that.” McNeil is set to ride Young Werther for trainer Danny O’Brien in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) later this month, with the gelding carrying 52.5 kilograms and rated a $17 chance with horse racing bookmakers after his fifth-place finish behind Via Sistina in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m). “I’ll keep working hard and focus on my weight over the next month, with the weights being so light for the Cups,” McNeil added. “Hopefully he (Young Werther) can strike a firmer track at Caulfield, and I’m sure with 52.5 kilograms and a good draw, he can be thereabouts.” Horse racing news View the full article

Toorak Handicap contender, Antino. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Trainer Tony Gollan is determined to improve on Antino’s narrow defeat in last year’s Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) as he prepares the gelding for another shot at the Group 1 race at Caulfield this Saturday. “Historically, fourth-up is Antino’s best run,” Gollan told Racing.com. “Last year, he went into the Toorak third-up, hit the front, but the other horse (Attrition) just kicked back and beat us. “He’ll go into this at peak fitness, which I’ve planned on making the difference.” Antino has a strong record fourth-up, with two wins and an unlucky second to Prowess in last year’s Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley. His recent form includes two thirds behind Mr Brightside in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and Pride Of Jenni in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m). Gollan was pleased with Antino’s recent efforts. “He brought everything I wanted to see in his lead-in run to the Toorak. “His sectionals were brilliant in the Feehan behind the two stars, and he produced the fastest last 200 metres. I couldn’t have asked for any more.” Blake Shinn will retain the ride on Antino, currently rated a $6 chance with horse racing bookmakers for the Toorak Handicap. Horse racing news View the full article

BH Interview: Joseph LeeView the full article

Tuesday racing continues at Cambridge today with much interest in commanding favourite Captain Sampson in Race 9 at 7.35pm. Successful owners/breeders Alan and Lyn Messenger will also line up three horses at the meeting as they try to extend their winning run. Captain Sampson the one to beat at Cambridge By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Captain Sampson will have something of a NZ Cup Day audition when racing resumes at Cambridge today. The Captaintreacherous two-year-old, who has created a big impression with two wins in just three career starts, was a bit of a surprise inclusion in Tuesday’s fields. But driver Tony Cameron says Captain Sampson’s trainers Brian and Gareth Hughes are doing it with a longer term goal in mind. “They thought he would benefit from another race and thought they’d give him another go this way round before he heads south (to Addington).” It’s not Captain Sampson’s first start left-handed, he was third on debut at Cambridge before winning both his Woodlands Stud Sires heats at Alexandra Park in September. In today’s Melbourne Cup Day at the Raceway Tickets on Sale Mobile Pace Captain Sampson looks a stand out and has backed into $1.45 on the fixed field markets. “There are some older race hardened horses in the field and you have to remember he’s only a two-year-old but looking at it he fits into the race well,” says Cameron. In November Captain Sampson will take on the country’s best two-year-olds in the Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stakes Final on IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup day. While Captain Sampson will be duking it out at Cambridge today many of his Cup day rivals will be racing each other in Friday’s $200,000 NZB Standardbred Harness Million Pace at Addington. That field is likely to include the likes of Marketplace, Rubira and Tact Teva. Cameron, for one, will be looking on from afar. “That one of Regan Todd’s (Marketplace) looks pretty smart that’s for sure.” Cameron is looking ahead to being part of Cup week in Christchurch. “I have never been to Cup week and two years ago I thought I would go to watch but then thought it would be more memorable to drive on the day,” says Cameron, “and that has now come to fruition.” Cameron is enjoying a successful year with 16 wins including his first ever Group 1 victory with Inasinglemoment in May’s Breckon Farms Northern Trotting Derby. Today he has four chances to add his winning tally. In addition to Captain Sampson he’ll also drive Chapel Gate in Race 3, Taco Thursday at the Clubhouse Mobile Pace, and then good each way chances in Regal Girl in Race 6, the Dunstan HorseFeeds Mobile Trot and Inlkouof (for the Hughes) in Race 7, the Betavet Buildagut Mobile Pace. Messengers seek to extend winning run By Barry Lichter Trainer Nicky Chilcott is hoping to extend a remarkable recent roll for Taranaki couple Alan and Lyn Messenger when Vincent’s Girl races at Cambridge on Tuesday night. All three of the horses Chilcott will line up were bred and are owned by the Messengers, with Katie’s Princess and Sheza Mermaid backing up from their wins on the course last week. The first-time double took the Messenger’s tally from White Star to 49, a testament, Chilcott says, to their 25 years of loyalty to the stable. And it continued a hot winning streak in the last six weeks for the couple with wins also by Says Who and Messenger Buoy, all horses they’ve bred themselves. “Alan and Lyn have been amazing,” Chilcott said. “In the early years when they had family and were trying to get ahead they were restricted to having a couple in work. “But since they retired and have a bit more spare money after selling off part of the farm, they’ve given me free rein to bring them into work when I want to. “They just want to enjoy their horses in their retirement and race them where they’re best suited – the stakes don’t matter.” After a hiatus in breeding, the Messengers are back with a vengeance: * Princess Kate, the dam of Vincent’s Girl, Katie’s Princess and Says Who, is in foal to Sweet Lou * Lyn’s Delight, the dam of Sheza Mermaid and Village Rebel, is in foal to Raging Bull and * Their half sister Nice Vintage is in foal to Sweet Lou. Vincent’s Girl ($3.50) may claim only one win from 14 starts but Chilcott is pleased with the way the four-year-old has come up in a new preparation and says she’s her best chance on Tuesday, despite drawing five of six in the fourth race. “She has really good gate speed and I think she can lead and win. That’s why I’ve put Leah (Hibell) on as she’ll get only a three point rating penalty if she wins. “She hasn’t raced for a while, and her form line doesn’t look good, but she’s working really well. She hasn’t trialled but she ran up nicely on Saturday.” Sheza Mermaid ($3.10) is also a good winning chance again in the second race, for amateur drivers. The four-year-old showed true grit to score last week after being unable to cross to the front and having to sit parked. “She does lack high speed but she sure is tough. You think she’s beaten and she keeps finding. I wish every horse tried as hard, man she tries her guts out. “She won’t go a long way but her toughness will win her three or four races. “You can’t knock a horse like that. You can never be disparaging about a horse that’s not that good but tries hard, as opposed to one that has heaps of ability but doesn’t try.” Chilcott says driver Kevin Hall, who helps out at White Star, knows the mare well, which is a big advantage. “Kev won’t let them dawdle round in a middle half of 67 as he knows he can’t drive her for one run.” Chilcott says Katie’s Princess ($5.50) is only a rough place chance in the final race where Sires’ Stakes heat winner Captain Sampson ($1.45) looks a lock. “She won well after leading last week. She hadn’t been getting out as fast as she can so I put full blinds on and told Leah to turn the stick and show she meant business. “The win was penalty free but she lands at the bottom end of the ratings this time, in a R43 to R49 race. “Her gate speed will keep her handy from the inside but she’s a place chance at best.” Chilcott is excited about getting underway again with the Messenger’s best pacer Village Rebel who will line up at Auckland on Friday night. “I was delighted with his first-up run. It’s a little tricky finding good races for him but we’ll head to the country cups again (after his wins last season in the Otaki Cup, Wairarapa Cup and Palmerstonian). “It’s a tough drive up from Taranaki to Cambridge for the Messengers to come too often so I’m trying to get most of their horses down to them, targetting the Hawera meeting (on January 31 and February 2).” View the full article

A half sister to Breeders' Cup star Big Evs is on course to make her belated debut at Wolverhampton Oct. 7, with Queen Of The Roses starting out over seven furlongs in the fillies' novice.View the full article

Horseracing and Safety Integrity Authority chief executive Lisa Lazarus on Monday sent a letter to Alan Foreman, the chairman of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (THA), warning THA members of “potentially significant disruptions” to the industry based on the HISA Authority's interpretation of legal strategies being pursued by the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA). With an application by the Authority pending in the United States Supreme Court that would stay a Horseracing and Safety Integrity Act unconstitutionality mandate that has yet to be released by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Lazarus led her Oct. 7 letter by acknowledging the THA's efforts to work with the Authority to improve HISA, “instead of draining industry resources and dollars that would have gone directly in horsemen's pockets to fight it.” Lazarus wrote that the Authority “has been defending itself against claims of unconstitutionality in multiple courts, as the HBPA and others have filed suit after suit in an effort to find a court sympathetic to their arguments. That litigation has forced [the Authority] to spend millions of industry dollars to defend the programs Congress mandated. “Every court has uniformly upheld the constitutionality of HISA's Federal Trade Commission (FTC)-approved rules, but the HBPA's strategy has led to a split among Circuit courts across the country on the enforcement of those rules,” Lazarus continued. “The Sixth and Eighth Circuit courts have ruled in HISA's favor while the Fifth Circuit (covering only the racing states of Texas and Louisiana) has ruled in favor of the HBPA.” A possible decision by the Supreme Court has long been speculated as the final destiny for the 3 1/2-year legal odyssey in which the national office of the HBPA and 12 of its affiliates are trying to nullify HISA as an allegedly unconstitutional law. But before the case gets on the Supreme Court docket, Lazarus wrote that, based on her interpretation of a recent brief filed by the HBPA with the Supreme Court, the HBPA “is planning to ask the federal district court in the Fifth Circuit to unleash total disorder by releasing every individual HBPA member nationwide-not just in Louisiana and Texas-from HISA's enforcement authority.” Lazarus's letter referenced Eric Hamelback, the chief executive officer of the national HBPA, no fewer than seven times while articulating what Lazarus believed to be the HBPA's legal strategy. TDN attempted to reach Hamelback to get his side of the story and to clarify whether or not Lazarus was accurate in her opinions about the HBPA's legal strategy, but those efforts did not yield an on-the-record response prior to deadline for this story. Lazarus explained her opinion this way: “To put it simply, Mr. Hamelback wants to create a system in which his members (HBPA only) can do whatever they want while THA members and all other horsemen not party to his lawsuit will continue to operate under HISA's safety and ADMC rules. That means [THA-member] horses will continue to be tested for prohibited substances while other horses competing against them will have no enforceable restrictions on performance-enhancing drugs and/or medications.” After reviewing Lazarus's letter, TDN spoke to John Roach, the Authority's legal counsel, to ask why the Authority chose now to emphasize the points that it did, and to ask why Hamelback, an individual, was more the focus of the letter than his organization. “Someone's accountable for this legal strategy,” Roach said in a phone interview. “And it seems to me that the letter makes clear that the HBPA and its leadership [are] accountable for the choices that they've made and what they say that they're going to do. I mean, this is what they've said [in legal filings] they're going to do at the Supreme Court.” In her letter, Lazarus wrote only in general terms about how the Authority would respond in court against the HBPA's perceived legal strategy, noting that “HISA will vigorously defend the industry” while remaining “unwavering in our commitment to protect horses, riders, and the future of racing.” TDN asked Roach if he could provide specifics on how the Authority would approach the potential showdown in the Supreme Court. “Obviously we have the stay motion pending at the Supreme Court,” Roach said. “So if that stay motion is granted, that will protect the status quo until the Supreme Court decides [if it will take the overall case]. So that's the first step. “And then the second step, if we [don't] get the stay at the Supreme Court, presumably, [the HBPA] will go and execute on their plan that they [outlined] in their Supreme Court briefing, and go to the federal district court in [Texas, where the lawsuit originated]. At that point, we'll obviously have something to say about the relief that they're seeking,” Roach said. “It's kind of hard to imagine that they believe that their members should not follow HISA in the very states that the Sixth Circuit and the Eighth Circuit ruled that HISA was completely constitutional.” Roach said. “But they say in their brief that that's what they're going to do,” Roach told TDN he wanted to make it clear that the Authority took steps to work with the HBPA on streamlining the path to the Supreme Court, but that the HBPA allegedly did not want to work collectively on that concept. “It's really important for everyone to know that we went to the HBPA and said, 'Look, it's in everyone's interest to get this case to the Supreme Court as fast as possible; everybody believes that the Supreme Court is going to take the case. Let's not get into all this procedural jousting [over the Fifth Circuit stay]. Let's just get the case to the Supreme Court [and] get a decision as soon as possible so that the industry has certainty,'” Roach said. “They rejected us,” Roach said. “Then we said, 'Hey, how about we just let the Fifth Circuit decision apply to the Fifth Circuit, which means Louisiana would [operate under a HISA rules stay from a separate court case] the way it's doing now until the Supreme Court rules, and Texas could start exporting their [simulcast] signal. Everything else would remain the status quo; we'll let the Supreme Court decide.'” Roach said. “That was rejected as well,” Roach added. “And so, the legitimate question is, 'What is the end game here?'” Roach said. “We're set to have total chaos and a three-ring circus. As the letter points out, how are we, as an industry, going to run horse races when some horses are subject to one set of rules and some horses are not subject to any rules in the same race?” Roach said. The post Lazarus Warns HBPA’s Anti-HISA Legal Strategy Would ‘Unleash Total Disorder’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Four years ago, Baoma Corp's Susan and Charles Chu sent their three-time Grade I-winning star filly Bast (Uncle Mo) through the ring at the Fasig-Tipton 'Night of the Stars' Sale. Carrying her first foal by Justify, she brought down the house when she sold to Spendthrift Farm for $4.2 million. This year, the Chus will send two more mares from their distinguished program to Fasig-Tipton's November Sale. Private Mission (Into Mischief) and Eda (Munnings) were both selected by agent Donato Lanni for Baoma Corp's racing stable and they developed into multiple graded stakes winners under the tutelage of Bob Baffert. Private Mission, a three-time graded stakes winner, will be offered at Fasig-Tipton in foal to Curlin while GI Starlet Stakes heroine Eda is carrying her first foal by Justify. Both mares will be consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa on Nov. 4. “We're delighted to have the opportunity this year to offer two mares that were raced by the Chu family,” said Fasig-Tipton's Boyd Browning. “Both of them are just fantastic opportunities–young mares in foal to the right stallions. When you have the opportunity to buy a horse that the Chus raced, you know it was hand-picked. The physicals are going to be just absolutely outstanding when the combination of Donato Lanni and Bob Baffert were involved in the selection process.” “Private Mission was a beautiful filly and Eda was such a good racehorse,” recalled Bob Baffert. “When people are looking to get into the business and want to start out with some top-line mares, with Eda and Private Mission, you're not going to get any better quality than that.” Natives of Taiwan with a company that manufactures GPS navigational systems, the Chus got their start in the racing business just over a decade ago. Susan was the first to get interested in the sport and Charles followed soon after. One of the first horses that Baffert recalls training for Susan was 2013 GIII Southwest Stakes winner Super Ninety Nine (Pulpit). Charles joined his wife in campaigning 2016 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner and Eclipse champion Drefong (Gio Ponti). Bast came along a few years later and their success has continued to grow from there. “They've had so much luck, but they also have so much passion for the sport,” said Baffert. “They love their horses. Any time they sell a horse they're always asking, 'Where is he going? Is he going to a good home?' It's very important to them. I love that aspect of it that the horse comes first for them.” Not only have the Chus made aftercare a priority for their program, but they also focus on competing at the top level of the sport. With Baffert and Lanni overseeing the selection of their stock, the Chus are a consistent presence at the high end of the buying market every year as they key in on top physicals and quality pedigrees. Eda and Private Mission are no exception to that rule. Six-figure purchases with powerful pedigrees, both mares have enhanced their resumes on the racetrack and will offer buyers plenty of opportunity come the Night of the Stars. Private Mission will be offered at Fasig-Tipton November in foal to Curlin | Sara Gordon Out of a stakes-winning daughter of Unbridled, Private Mission was a $750,000 yearling at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in 2019. “I can still remember the first time I saw her on the sales ground,” recalled Browning. “She was one of the stars of our Saratoga sale that year. Just a breathtaking physical. Absolutely gorgeous, fantastic balance. She also has a fantastic female family. It's the family of Grade I winner Dunbar Road (Quality Road) and great broodmare influences in Unbridled and Alydar. It's a collector's family. Even if she wasn't a great racehorse herself and a great physical individual, she'd be a highly desirable broodmare offering because of her pedigree. The fillies and mares out of that family continue to produce outstanding runners.” A winning juvenile on debut, Private Mission claimed back-to-back scores at three in the GIII Torrey Pines Stakes and GII Zenyatta Stakes, where she defeated future Grade I winner As Time Goes By (American Pharoah). The daughter of Into Mischief added to her accomplishments at four in the GII Santa Maria Stakes. Eda is the only Grade I-winning juvenile filly by Munnings | Sara Gordon “She won half of her starts,” noted her consignor John Sikura of Hill 'n' Dale. “She was a very successful racemare, but as good of a racemare as she was, I think her future is that to be a foundation broodmare for somebody. Those kinds of mares replete with important blacktype, by leading sires, with great physical presence and ample ability, those are the criterion of cornerstone mares. She has every making of a mare that could be a really important producer for somebody over the next decade.” After retiring from racing, Private Mission was bred to Gun Runner. That colt arrived this year before the mare was bred back to leading sire Curlin. Another standout in the sales ring, Eda was a $550,000 2-year-old at the 2021 OBS March Sale. The daughter of Munnings flew to the center stage of her division in California as a juvenile, winning on debut and later getting her first stakes win in the Anoakia Stakes. That two-length score was the first in a seven-race win streak over the next two years that included victories both sprinting and routing in the GI Starlet Stakes, GIII Santa Ysabel Stakes, GII Great Lady M Stakes and GIII Rancho Bernardo Handicap. “Her win streak is almost unprecedented in the world we live in for a filly to be that consistent, that durable and to perform at that level,” noted Browning. “She was a graded stakes winner at two, three and four and she was a joy to watch.” In her victory in the Starlet over fillies like Grade I victress Grace Adler (Curlin) and multiple graded stakes winner Cairo Memories (Cairo Prince), Eda became Munnings's only Grade I-winning filly at two. After retiring at the end of her 4-year-old season, Eda was bred to Justify, who has exploded onto the list of leading sires since last year's Breeders' Cup where he was represented by champions Just FYI and Hard to Justify. This year the Triple Crown winner's top international runners include Breeders' Cup Classic hopeful City of Troy, two-time Group 1 victress Opera Singer and the talented Australian horse Storm Boy (Aus). “What he's doing out there is just amazing,” said Baffert, Justify's former trainer. “Not only was he a magnificent racehorse, but what a sire he has turned out to be. Now he's getting all these great mares, so it's going to be tougher and tougher to find these Justifys.” Browning added, “The success that Justify is having around the world is really unprecedented so this is a unique opportunity to buy a Grade I-winning 2-year-old filly in foal to a stallion of the level of Justify with the physical attributes that Eda has. She'll be one of the stars of the show.” Both Eda and Private Mission have spent their days since retiring from the racetrack at Hill 'n' Dale. For Sikura and his team, parting with these two mares will be bittersweet, but Sikura said that it will also be an honor to represent a program like the one Baoma Corp has built when Hill 'n' Dale offers this pair of stars at Fasig-Tipton. “We've cared for the mares, got them in foal and the guys on the farm are very proud,” he said. “The Chus have bought so many wonderful mares at auction. Their focus is mainly racing and that's the enjoyment for them, so I think the whole world is now getting an opportunity to buy two really spectacular offerings from a highly tuned-in program that annually succeeds and wins Grade I races. We are proud of the offerings and I think they'll really stand out at Fasig Tipton this November.” The post Private Mission and Eda: A Pair of Stars Bound for Fasig-Tipton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article