Wandering Eyes

Coolmore juvenile Easy Mover (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Rain Goddess {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}), whose Group 3-winning dam ran second in both G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Pretty Polly S., opened Friday's card at Fairyhouse with a narrow success in the six-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. The Aidan O'Brien trainee, who is a half-sister to last year's ill-fated Listed Dee S. winner San Antonio (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), prevailed by a head from Ado McGuinness representative Canto Della Terra (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). 1st-Fairyhouse, €18,000, Mdn, 6-7, 2yo, 6fT, 1:15.13, gd. EASY MOVER (IRE) (f, 2, Wootton Bassett {GB}–Rain Goddess {Ire} {GSW & MG1SP-Ire, SP-Eng, $275,631}, by Galileo {Ire}) broke well and tracked the leaders in fourth through the initial fractions of this debut. Straightening for home in third, the 16-5 chance came under pressure to launch her bid approaching the quarter-mile marker and was ridden out to deny Canto Della Terra (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) by a head in a bobbing finish. “She's a filly that's been going nicely at home and we thought we'd get her out,” revealed Ballydoyle's Chris Armstrong. “We were just a little bit worried coming here first time as the six around here is quite sharp and they can get a bit lost. Wayne [Lordan] gave her a lovely introduction, he kept her together as long as he could and got her there. She's a filly that's going to appreciate going up to seven [furlongs] or even a stiff six. She's now put herself in the mix for [Royal] Ascot, for the six [-furlong G3 Albany S.], or we could keep her for the [G3] Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh on [Irish] Derby weekend. She's a lovely filly physically, typical of the Wootton Bassetts. She's a very good mover, she has a good attitude and does everything right. She's one to look forward to.” Easy Mover is the fourth of five foals and third scorer from as many runners out of G3 Snow Fairy S. victrix and G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Pretty Polly S. runner-up Rain Goddess (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), herself a full-sister to the Group 3-placed duo Queenstown (Ire) and Realism (Ire). The April-foaled homebred bay's third dam is G1 1000 Guineas heroine Virginia Waters (Kingmambo). Easy Mover is a half-sister to Listed Dee S. victor San Antonio (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and a yearling filly by No Nay Never. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $11,761. O-Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. Nice this Easy Mover (Wootton Bassett x Rain Goddess) makes a winning start for @Ballydoyle at @Fairyhouse Canto Della Terra one for the RTV tracker pic.twitter.com/oCNMoLW3d8 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 7, 2024 The post Wootton Bassett’s Easy Mover Notches Debut Score at Fairyhouse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Julie Wood's Voyage (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), who parted ways with Pat Dobbs at the start of the G1 Betfred Derby, will return in the G2 King Edward VII S. at Royal Ascot, according to trainer Richard Hannon. A winner at Newbury in April, the bay was making just his second start in the Blue Riband. “Unfortunately, things didn't go to plan for Voyage in the Derby after he stumbled coming out of the stalls and unseated Dobbsy, who had no chance whatsoever,” Hannon said on his Unibet blog. “I had plenty of texts after the race congratulating me on training the first past the post in the Derby, but unfortunately there's no prize-money for 'winning' without the jockey! “It was a bitter disappointment for everyone, not least Julie Wood who has always wanted a Derby runner, but the horse is absolutely fine, and is definitely heading to Ascot for the King Edward VII S.” The post Voyage Hoping For Redemption With King Edward VII Target appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Recent five-length Saint-Cloud maiden winner Golden Belle (Fr) will be offered in the next Auctav Flash Sale on June 14. The three-year-old daughter of the Deep Impact (Jpn) stallion Martinborough (Jpn) was impressive when beating a field of colts on debut to land the Prix Helissio over 2,400m on debut for trainer Mathieu Brasme. Golden Belle is out of the Kendor (Fr) mare Golden Clou (Fr), a winner and black-type performer who is already the dam of six other winners. These include the nine-time Flat scorer Golden Rajsa (Fr) (Rajsaman {Ire}) and Listed-winning hurdler Golden Witch (Fr) (Elvstroem {Aus}). Brasme said of Golden Belle, “She has recently shown great improvement in training. Her win was very promising. She has all the qualities to be a good Flat race filly over long distance and to transition to National Hunt if that is what her future connections wish. “She has never jumped, but physically, mentally, and in terms of pedigree, she has everything it takes to be an excellent performer over hurdles or in steeplechases. She will continue to develop physically in the coming months.” The post Impressive Debut Winner Golden Belle in Auctav Flash Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Adam Potts has joined BBA Ireland as a bloodstock agent, the organisation announced on Friday. A graduate of the Irish National Stud Course, Potts has a Bachelor of Science in Economics with Finance from the Queen's University Belfast. He previously worked for the Racing Post, as well as European Bloodstock News, Thoroughbred Stallion Guide and International Thoroughbred. More recently, Potts worked with trainer Ken Condon, in addition to his work as a bloodstock agent. He selected G1 Irish 1000 Guineas runner and 'TDN Rising Star' Purple Lily (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) as a foal, and also was involved with the purchase of yearlings alongside Donovan Bloodstock among others. BBA Ireland's Patrick Cooper said, “We are delighted that Adam has joined the bloodstock team at BBA Ireland and look forward to future successes together.” “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to join BBA Ireland, a world-renowned agency known for its integrity, service and skill in purchasing successful racehorses,” Potts said. “I am eager to deliver on this for clients. Ireland is a global leader in the thoroughbred industry and BBA Ireland has long been associated with its success.” The post Adam Potts Joins BBA Ireland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National HBPA has filed a 'motion to supplement the record' to their longstanding case currently before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in which they challenge the lawfulness of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. This new motion charges that it again shows that HISA, and not the FTC, is actually in charge of horseracing rules, pointing to the new policy governing how Metformin cases were handled. On Tuesday, June 4, HISA announced that some trainers whose horses had tested positive for Metformin would have their suspensions deferred while HISA sought additional guidance on the drug. Those changes were, by and large, a result of the lobbying of horsemen for HISA to make changes in the way Metformin cases were handled, due to the possibility of environmental contamination. Metformin is a widely prescribed diabetes medication, and in several cases, horsemen had said that it was regularly used by the horses' handlers. The NHBPA concedes this point in the motion. The new motion reads, “The new guidance document issued June 4, 2024, is a current example in addition to the score of existing examples provided by the NHBPA Appellants…The newest document again demonstrates the NHBPA Appellants' point that HISA, not the FTC, has `the last word' and `final say over horseracing rules.' Though the new policy, announced through a press release, is in response to concerns raised by horsemen, it again represents an exercise of the Authority's self-claimed `enforcement discretion' to rewrite a rule from what the FTC approved to what the Authority now wants.” The motion goes on to charge that the original Metformin guidance was flawed. “In this instance, the document is doubly damning because in it the Authority admits it drafted the rule with a dubious scientific basis for the substance's inclusion in the banned substances list, a problem that perhaps would have been avoided if the FTC had exercised more robust initial review than mere `consistency,' i.e., rubber-stamping,” the motion reads. “The National HBPA filed this motion yesterday opposing HISA's policy change with respect to provisional suspensions and Metformin pending the RMTC's scientific review,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “It raises the question of why a horsemen's group would oppose a measure that was proposed for horsemen, by the Horsemen's Advisory Group, of which Dr. Chief Stipe Daniels, the NHBPA President, is a member. Instead of helping horsemen understand and comply with the rules, they're expending resources opposing measures that have been requested by, and supported by, the very horsemen they represent.” HISA and HIWU have always had the ability to amend provisional suspensions under Rule 3247(e), which reads, “HIWU may lift a provisional suspension (if) it considers it appropriate to do so on the specific facets on the case.” They have exercised this ability in the past, such as in the 2023 case of Ray Handal, whose provisional suspension was lifted after it appeared probable that mycotoxins in his horse's feed could have caused his positive result. The post NHBPA Files Motion Over Metformin Policy Change appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group winner Dallas Star (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}) sustained an injury during the running of the G1 Betfred Derby and will miss the rest of the season according to trainer Adrian Murray. Owned by Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing, the G3 Ballysax S. hero ran 14th over the good to soft ground. “Dallas Star picked up a bit of an injury unfortunately and I'd say he won't run again now this year,” said Murray. “I know the ground had gone a bit quick for him, but he's a better horse than that.” Murray also had updates on his Royal Ascot team, which would number as many as 10, all in the deep purple silks with white checked cap of Amo Racing. G3 Marble Hill S. hero Arizona Blaze (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev) is pointing to the G2 Coventry S., while California Dreamer (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}) is set for the G2 Queen Mary S. or G3 Albany S. The trainer enjoyed his first Royal Ascot winner with Valiant Force (Malibu Moon) at 150-1 in the G2 Norfolk S. in 2023. He returns to the fray, as does Group 1 winner Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). “We're hoping to have nine or 10 going,” he said. “Arizona Blaze will go, he'll probably go over six furlongs in the Coventry. “We've a nice 2-year-old filly in California Dreamer, she'll either go Queen Mary or the Albany and of course there's Valiant Force. “We'll split him and Bucanero Fuerte up so Valiant Force will probably run over five with Bucanero in the [G1] Commonwealth Cup, but none of these plans are set in stone just yet, we're still over a week away and a lot can change.” Breeders' Cup runner-up and multiple graded/group stakes winner Go Bears Go (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) has also returned from a stint in America and has joined Murray's string. “Go Bears Go is with us now, he's back from America,” he added. “We did have him in a race the other day but I'm not sure where he'll go, I'll have to talk to Kia.” G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup third Crypto Force (GB) (Time Test {GB}) could also be a force at Royal Ascot, and Murray is aiming the 4-year-old at the G2 Hardwicke S. He won the G2 Beresford S. in 2022. He was one position in front of stablemate Elegant Man (Arrogate) in the Gold Cup. He said, “Crypto Force ran well in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. He finished in front of Elegant Man, but when we galloped them the week before Elegant Man galloped all over him. There's every chance he'll get his ground at Ascot, possibly in the Hardwicke.” The post Dallas Star Ruled Out For Season After Derby Setback appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Former UK-based jockeys Andrea Atzeni and Harry Bentley have once again been granted licences by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) for the upcoming season. Atzeni is currently ranked fourth during the 2023/2024 season with 44 wins, and Bentley is enjoying his best season in Hong Kong with 34 winners. Atzeni said, “I've had a fantastic time in Hong Kong. To be in the top five of the jockeys' championship for most of the season, to win two group races, and to be on 44 winners, was definitely more than I expected. Hopefully we can get to 50 or more winners from the meetings left–that'd be a nice mark to hit. “I've been lucky that I've landed on a couple of horses that have allowed me to be competitive in group races, which I wasn't necessarily expecting. I got the ride on Lucky With You (Aus) (Arctie Schiller) by chance, and won a Class 2 and was placed twice at Group 1 level. And there's obviously Taj Dragon (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) too, who gave me my first group winner–he's been a really solid horse, as is Nimble Nimbus (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) who we've had a lot of fun with. And not forgetting Ka Ying Generation (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), who was third in the Derby.” Both Atzeni and Bentley were previously retained riders for Roger Varian. Atzeni will be riding his second full season in Hong Kong, while Bentley will enter his fourth year on the challenging circuit. “Your contact base here is so important,” Bentley said. “The more time you spend here [in Hong Kong] the broader that can become, and the more confidence people have in you. I have a much bigger spread of trainers that are using me now, so going into next season, I feel like I have the backing you need to keep improving. “When I first moved to Hong Kong, I came with the intention of making it a long-term fixture, so I'm delighted to have a licence for the 2024/25 season and I look forward to hopefully building on my tally of winners again. A half century or more next season would certainly be the aim. “This season, we're on 34 winners versus 25 last season and there's still 10 fixtures to go, so hopefully we can get past the 40-mark. It was also important for me to get a group winner out here, so to win the G2 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy on Whizz Kid (Aus) (Shalaa {Ire}) was definitely one of the standout moments of the season. That, as well as getting my first treble at Happy Valley, were both great. I'm open to picking up rides over the summer in the UK, at Goodwood for example, but my main intention is to recharge the batteries for the 2024/25 Hong Kong season.” The post Atzeni And Bentley Re-Licenced By HKJC appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton has released the catalogue for its Midlantic June Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, to be held on Tuesday, June 25, at 2 p.m. ET at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland, the auction house said in a Friday release. The under-tack show will be conducted the day before on Monday, June 24, beginning at 8 a.m. ET. The sale was scheduled for Wednesday, June 26, but that date was adjusted. “This is the last opportunity to purchase a 2-year-old in training in 2024,” said Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Director of Sales Paget Bennett. “We have good sire power, quality pedigrees, and a dirt surface for horses to breeze over. The late June sale date is very advantageous for buyers as they can send their purchases straight to the racetrack from the sale.” A wide-variety of sires will be represented in the catalogue. State-bred programs will be on display including juveniles from Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The catalogue may now be viewed online and will also be available in the Equineline sales catalogue app. Print catalogues will be available beginning June 14. The post Midlantic June Two-Year-Olds In Training Catalogue Now Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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

The Road, presented by Gainesway and Darby Dan Farm.View the full article

Coursetrack, an in-race timing information system, has been successfully installed at 25 Irish racecourses, the company announced on Friday. The data began being broadcasted on-screen and published online for 25 Irish racecourses since the start of the year. Coursetrack worked closely with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR) and each individual course during the installation process. The system is operated by Racecourse Media Group (RMG)'s timing partners, Coursetrack. Horses carry GPS trackers, designed to fit within the saddlecloth, during the race. In-race data for all races in Ireland–including race clock, leader's speed, leader's time per furlong and distance to finish–is provided to networks, including RTE and Racing TV, for live broadcasts. Chris Murtagh, operations director at Coursetrack, said “We are delighted that the implementation and operation of Coursetrack has been so well received by racecourses in Ireland. Listowel, which raced on Sunday, was the 25th racecourse to successfully deploy the system, and we hope Laytown–which is staged on a beach–will complete the full set of 26 Irish racecourses in September. I'd like to thank all Irish racecourses, who have been a pleasure to work with and are now, along with their audiences, benefitting from this ultra-reliable, low-latency and easy-to-interpret data.” The post Coursetrack Implemented At 25 Irish Racecourses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With two Classic winners to his name already this season, Lope De Vega (Ire) peers down at his peers from on high in the stallion table. In an era of great depth to the European sire ranks, it is hard to begrudge the son of Shamardal his time in the spotlight with an increasingly burgeoning record of excellence. The Aga Khan's Rouhiya (Fr) landed the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches for Francis-Henri Graffard, followed by Sunday's easy victory for Look De Vega (Fr) in the Prix du Jockey Club. The latter win was all about succession, with both Lope De Vega and Shamardal having won this particular Classic – one which is often put forward as an increasingly influential 'stallion-making race'. Look De Vega is also from the family of the 2007 winner Lawman (Fr), who is a half-brother to his granddam, Larceny (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}). Lawman was a former resident at Ballylinch Stud, where Lope De Vega now rules the roost. In addition to his Classic duo, the 17-year-old is responsible for another five black-type winners in Europe this season, while in America, Program Trading (GB) landed another Grade I and Silver Knott (GB) has won back-to-back Grade II contests. “We're optimistic that he's going to continue to have a great season because he has lots of nice horses to come through the system yet,” says John O'Connor, managing director of Ballylinch Stud. It is not exactly headline news to say that Lope De Vega is a good stallion. In the preceding four seasons he has been in the top eight stallions in Europe, finishing fourth overall in 2022. But there are plenty of names surrounding him – the likes of Frankel (GB), Dubawi (Ire), Sea The Stars (Ire), Dark Angel (Ire), Galileo (Ire) and Siyouni (Fr) – who also pack a mighty punch. “I think that's the measure,” O'Connor agrees. “And the thing is that those horses deservedly get outstanding books of mares, so you're not really going to be able to compete with them until you get somewhat equivalent mares. The top stallions cover the top mares and therefore they remain the top stallions. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. “The end of Galileo's career is kind of a watershed moment in the European stallion ranks because he was just such an outstanding sire that it's kind of a new ball game. The mares that went to him have been distributed elsewhere and you see the emergence of the new top guard in terms of the stallions.” He adds, “Lope De Vega has worked his way up from more modest stud fees but now, for the last number of years, he's covered very good books. This year's crop of three-year-olds is his first at six figures and we are starting to see a consolidation of top-class horses from these better books he is covering.” A solid, big-walking chestnut, with that noble Roman nose handed down by his father, Lope De Vega started out at €15,000 and dropped to €12,500 in his third and fourth seasons at Ballylinch, where he has stood throughout, bar four stints of shuttling to Patinack Farm in Queensland. Since 2016, his foal crops have been comfortably into three figures, but that wasn't always the case. Starting off with 101 foals in his first year, the three subsequent seasons in Europe there were 77, 86 and 72 of his foals born. Hardly scant representation but also not sizeable compared to some stallions these days. Look De Vega streaks home in the Prix du Jockey Club | Scoop Dyga Arriving in the stallion market in 2011 without a trace of Sadler's Wells or Danzig in his pedigree made him a pretty easy mate for many European and Australian mares. His success, particularly with Danehill-line mares, has been noteworthy, though his two most recent of 21 Group or Grade 1 winners worldwide, Rouhiya and Look De Vega, are out of daughters of Raven's Pass and High Chaparral (Ire) respectively. Lope De Vega's tally of stakes winners now stands at 130. The next test of any stallion is of course as a broodmare sire and sire of sires, and he is at the age where these elements are coming to the fore. At stud, two apiece in Ireland Britain, stand his sons Phoenix Of Spain (Ire), Lucky Vega (Ire), Lope Y Fernandez (Ire), and Belardo (Ire). The latter, bred by Ballylinch Stud from Danaskaya (Danehill), was Lope De Vega's first-crop breakthrough horse, winning the Dewhurst S. and later the Lockinge. Now at Bearstone Stud, he should not be overlooked, insists O'Connor. Phoenix Of Spain now has his own breakthrough horse in Haatem (Ire), who is knocking on the door of a Group 1 win and has this week been purchased by Wathnan Racing. In the G1 Prix de Diane in less than a fortnight, there is a chance that Lope De Vega may feature prominently as damsire. Two of his daughters are responsible for Birthe (Fr) (Study Of Man {Ire}) and Gala Real (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), the winners recently of the G2 Prix Saint-Alary and Listed Prix de la Seine. Lucien Urano of Ecurie des Charmes is the co-owner-breeder of Look De Vega and he also part-owns Gala Real with Ballylinch Stud and Carlo Ancelotti of Scuderia dei Duepi. O'Connor will not be drawn on longer-term interest in the stallion career of Look De Vega but says, “We have had a fairly longstanding partnership with Lucien Urano, just as we have had with [Lope De Vega's owner-breeder] Ammerland and other important breeders and stallion owners. There can be no doubt that there will be plenty of people looking at that horse. He's a very interesting potential stallion, for sure. He looks very good.” Wherever Look De Vega eventually stands, the team at Ballylinch Stud has plenty to keep tabs on with some of its younger stallions on the way through. “The stallions are firing quite evenly. It's good to have a flagship horse like Lope De Vega but I actually think that both New Bay and Make Believe will make a big impact this year,” says O'Connor. Indeed, New Bay (GB), another winner of the Prix du Jockey Club, has the G2 German 2,000 Guineas winner Devil's Point (Ire) to his credit this season, along with the Poule d'Essai des Poulains third Alcantor (Fr). The perhaps under-rated Make Believe (GB) has already sired a Jockey Club winner in the statuesque Mishriff (Ire) and has been represented by the Group 3 winners Sajir (Ire) and Making Dreams (Ire) this season. “He hasn't had big numbers up until now but his two-year-old crop are the ones that followed Mishriff,” O'Connor notes, immediately after watching a Ballylinch-owned runner just get beaten at Saint-Cloud by a daughter of Waldgeist (GB). A win-win, if you like. “Waldgeist had a good day at Saint-Cloud, with a first, a close second and a third,” he says. “I think we are going to start seeing a bit more action from him.” Right now, however, it is Lope De Vega in the vanguard, and his international prowess is underlined by Group/Grade 1 winners in Australia and America on Saturday. Wherever his son Look De Vega goes next, perhaps to the G1 Grand Prix de Paris, he will start to be a crowd-puller. Rouhiya, meanwhile, is set for a potential clash of the English, Irish and French Guineas winners in the G1 Coronation S. for what should be one of the highlights of Royal Ascot. The post He’s Got The Look: Lope De Vega On High With Classic Brace appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Veteran’s application ‘under further consideration’ as he continues to battle illness, while officials again change performance benchmarkView the full article

Veteran Timaru trainer Leonard Stewart is set to feature prominently at his local meeting on Sunday, with 11 runners entered across the nine-race programme at Phar Lap Raceway. Stewart, who will celebrate his 92nd birthday later this month, has just over 20 horses in work and almost half of them will race on Waimate Cup Day. That bumper contingent includes a two-pronged attack on the $30,000 Dunstan Horse Feeds Waimate Cup (1600m) with Vague and Zadane. Eight-year-old mare Vague has won seven races and more than $118,000 in stakes in her 58-race career, and her two wins on her home track include the 2022 edition of this race. Vague has continued to perform strongly this season with two wins, four placings, a fourth and two fifths from 15 appearances. But her form has tapered off in her last two starts, which Stewart puts down to jarring up on a Good4 surface on April 24. “It was just a bit too hard for her that day and she jarred up a bit,” he said. “I’ve been happy with what she’s shown me leading into this race. She seems to be working alright and looks nice and free. “They haven’t had any rain leading into this meeting, but they’re irrigating the track, which will help her.” Vague will be ridden by Samantha Wynne, with Gosen Jogoo taking the mount on stablemate Zadane. The six-year-old is backing up from a gallant second in Rating 65 company at Wingatui last Sunday. “He’s improved quite a bit and it was a much better performance the other day,” Stewart said. “It was a bit of a late decision to put him in this race. He’s not a big horse, so it’s not easy for him as he gets up in the weights in his own grade. He gets in quite well here, with a field of only 10 and the topweight (Leitrim Lad) rated 85. He’s not without a chance.” Sunday’s sprint feature is the $22,000 Bob Goodeve Memorial, which features the Stewart-trained Miss Harley Quinn and Aorangi Assassin. Miss Harley Quinn has won six races in her 56-start career, and she has a solid record on her home track with two wins and four placings from 14 attempts. “She goes well at the track,” Stewart said. “She really just wants to jump and run and get on with it, which can cause her problems from time to time. But she has shown on occasions, when there are other speed horses in the race, that you can ease her back and then she finishes strongly. I’m hoping that will work out for her this week. She’s another one that’s been going well in her work.” Stewart also has a number of chances on Sunday’s undercard, including former North Island filly Lise Paree in the GM Accounting & Consulting Maiden (1200m). The three-year-old daughter of Iffraaj is making her first start for Stewart. She had four starts in the north for Rudy Liefting, headed by a third at Taupo in October and a fourth behind Tonia’s Dragon and subsequent Group Three winner I’munstoppable at Te Aroha in November. “We’ve got Lise Paree having her first start for us in the second race on Sunday,” Stewart said. “Looking back through her previous races, she can be a little bit wayward, but I think she’s improved. “She’s been working well and I’m hoping she can run a big race on Sunday. Bill Jelley has a share in her, and he and his wife haven’t been well lately, so I’d love her to perform well for their sake. “I think she has the ability, although she will have to work a bit from gate 15.” View the full article

Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott believe their Group One-winning filly Molly Bloom is in peak condition for one final flourish for their Matamata stable in Saturday’s Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm. The daughter of Ace High has been an outstanding flagbearer this season for Wexford Stables, who bought her for $150,000 as a yearling at Karaka in 2022. Molly Bloom has turned that into more than $500,000 with four wins from 10 appearances, including superb triumphs in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m). She clinched the title of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year for the 2023-24 season. Prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir bought a significant share in Molly Bloom in February, with the original owners remaining on board alongside him. After staying with O’Sullivan and Scott through to the end of her three-year-old preparation, Molly Bloom will join the all-conquering stable of champion expat Kiwi trainer Chris Waller. But O’Sullivan is downplaying the poignancy of putting a saddle on Molly Bloom for the final time in Saturday’s A$700,000 fillies’ classic in Brisbane. “I haven’t given much thought to the fact that this is her last race for our stable,” he said. “I think the main thing is that it’s been great to have had her. We’ll continue to share in her journey going forward as well, with the original syndicate remaining in the ownership, so that will still be a very exciting part of it for us once she starts that next chapter.” Molly Bloom has not had all favours in her two appearances in Queensland so far, but O’Sullivan has been far from disappointed with her performances. She kicked off with a second placing in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) on May 11. That race was run on an unsuitable Heavy10 track and was her first appearance since February, but she produced a strong late finish. Molly Bloom was greeted with another tricky soft track for the Gr.2 Doomben Roses (2000m) on May 25, and endured a tough wide run, but she stuck on bravely for a close fifth. “Both of her runs here have been very good, and without having much go her way in terms of track conditions and luck in the running,” O’Sullivan said. “She’s gone the right way since the Roses. She looks very good this week and I can see no reason why she won’t run well on Saturday. “Stepping up to 2200m is something new for her, and you never know until you try. Whether she really wants to run that far, we’re not sure yet. But often they’ll do it while they’re three, even if it’s not a distance that turns out to be suitable for them later on in their careers. We’re hoping she’ll run it out okay on Saturday.” Molly Bloom will again be ridden by Blake Shinn and is rated a $5.50 second favourite by the TAB. The $3.50 favourite is another former Matamata filly – the last-start Roses winner Scarlet Oak, who began her career in the stable of Ken and Bev Kelso. View the full article

Entries are now open for NZB’s Karaka 2025 National Yearling Sales Series, with the action-packed week of selling set to take place at the Karaka Sales Centre from Sunday 26 January. Book 1 is set to commence from Sunday 26 until Tuesday 28 January, while Book 2 will begin directly after on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 January in a condensed two-day session with a later starting time. NZB’s renowned Karaka Sale has produced a prolific number of modern day and all-time champion racehorses, highlighted by another incredible season on the track. This, joined with leading technology, world-famous Kiwi hospitality and the popular DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka hotel will again combine for an unforgettable Karaka experience. Karaka 2024 served as a remarkable result among the downward sales trends across Australasia, with the aggregate increasing 12% to $92.3 million and the combined Book 1 and Book 2 average climbing from $110,424 to $121,797. Records were broken across the sessions, with the highest priced filly to sell reaching $1.6 million. The Book 1 Sale was the best on record since 2008, with one of the highlights being seventeen yearlings selling for $500,000 or more in comparison to six one year earlier. NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook is looking forward to the upcoming sales season during what is a very buoyant time for the industry. “It was an incredible sales season last year, with the 2024 sale bucking the downward trend other sales companies experienced.” “Since then, we have seen a major shift in the domestic scene with huge increases in prizemoney, the new Karaka Millions Mega Maiden Bonuses, the NZB Kiwi slot race and more. “There is a lot of positivity around and there are certainly more rewards on offer, which will likely see the middle market better supported. “Kiwi breeders have had another outstanding season on the racetracks and in the paddocks growing out lovely horses, so we are certainly excited to be putting together another outstanding catalogue that international and domestic buyers will be bursting to get here to inspect. “The inspection and selection process is always a great time of year and our team looks forward to getting around all of the farms and seeing the next generation before they head to Karaka,” added Seabrook. To nominate your yearlings for Karaka 2025, visit NZB’s online portal at portal.nzb.co.nz or contact the Bloodstock Administrator Mary Jane Harvey (+64 9 298 0055, or email maryjane.harvey@nzb.co.nz). Entries close 5pm Friday 12 July 2025. View the full article

What Mornington Races Where Mornington Racecourse – 320 Racecourse Rd, Mornington VIC 3931 When Monday, June 10, 2024 First Race 12:25pm AEST Visit Dabble Racing in Victoria will head to Mornington this Monday afternoon for a very competitive eight-race program. The track was rated as a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, and with rain forecast on Sunday, it is expected to stay in the Soft range throughout the day. The rail will be in its true position for the entire circuit, with the opening race set to kick off at 12:35pm AEST. Best Bet at Mornington: Sioux Spirit Craig Williams will reconnect with Sioux Spirit after missing the ride last start on the Jerome Hunter-trained filly, who was beaten by the smart Losesomewinmore down the Flemington straight. Williams was aboard for her debut victory at Geelong over 1112m, and with the daughter of Sioux Nation rising in trip to 1200m at her home track, she looks to get things in her favour. From barrier six, Williams will push forward to take up the lead, and if Sioux Nation gives a strong kick around the home bend, she will be too speedy for her rivals. Best Bet Race 7 – #8 Sioux Spirit (6) 3yo Filly | T: Jerome Hunter | J: Craig Williams (59kg) Bet with Picklebet Next Best at Mornington: Famoso Famoso will return from a 16-week spell for her second racing preparation, with the benefit of two good jumpouts over 800m at Cranbourne. The Mick Kent-trained gelding was very good on debut, when he settled near the rear of the field and had to make a searching run around the outside to finish second over 1200m at Moonee Valley. Damien Lane jumps aboard for his first ride on the son of Invader, and from barrier 12, he will attempt to replicate Famoso’s debut run by looping the field in the final 500m. Next Best Race 2 – #4 Famoso (12) 3yo Gelding | T: Mick Kent | J: Damian Lane (59.5kg) Bet with Neds Best Value at Mornington: Think ‘N’ Fly Although Think ‘N’ Fly has finished down the field in his last two starts, the David Noonan-trained gelding will drop back in grade and return to a track that she should have won at three starts back. At this track and trip last time out, the seven-year-old gelding was held up at the top of the home straight but flew home and just missed out. With Thomas Prebble’s 3kg claim, this guy gets in very well at the weights, and from barrier five, Think ‘N’ Fly will give a great sight on speed. Best Value Race 4 – #3 Think ‘N’ Fly (5) 7yo Gelding | T: David Noonan | J: Thomas Prebble (a3) (60.5kg) Bet with Dabble Quaddie Tips for Mornington races Mornington quadrella selections Monday, June 10, 2024 1-2-9-10-13 1-3-5-6-10-11 3-8 6-10-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What Taree Races Where Manning Valley Race Club – Racecourse Dr, Taree NSW 2430 When Sunday, June 9, 2024 First Race 12:05pm AEST Visit Dabble Taree is the destination for country racing in New South Wales on Sunday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race program set for decision. The rail is out +3m for the entire circuit, and although the track is rated a Heavy 10 at the time of acceptances, a mostly sunny forecast in the lead-up should mean an upgrade into the Soft range. The action is scheduled to get underway at 12:05pm AEST. Best Bet at Taree: Éclair Encore Éclair Encore looks prepared for a first-up assault on the back of two impressive barrier trials. The daughter of Maurice hit the line well under strong riding at Gosford on May 27, suggesting she’s wound up and ready to go for the Kris Lees barn. Andrew Gibbons will look to be positive from barrier six in this small field, and provided Éclair Encore can cross without doing too much work, the two-year-old should give a strong account of herself on debut. Best Bet Race 1 – #7 Éclair Encore (6) 2yo Filly | T: Kris Lees | J: Andrew Gibbons (56kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best at Taree: Markwell Dreamer Markwell Dreamer takes a dramatic step back in grade after contesting BM78 level at Newcastle on May 11. He was far from disgraced on that occasion, as he travelled on the worst part of the track throughout the 900m journey and couldn’t make inroads on the Heavy 10 surface. The improving conditions by the final race should be ideal, and although he’ll need to lug 62.5kg after the claim of Shae Wilkes, Markwell Dreamer has the class to get the job done. Next Best Race 8 – #1 Markwell Dreamer (6) 6yo Gelding | T: Joseph Burgess | J: Shae Wilkes (a3kg) (65.5kg) Bet with Neds Best Value at Taree: Kordia After being transferred from the Lindsay Smith barn, Kordia makes his debut for the Kris Lees stable in this wide-open BM82. He’s only produced one piece of work since heading north from Victoria, with the lightly raced son of Epaulette winning a jump-out at Muswellbrook on May 15. He did it comfortably while racing under his own steam, and provided he can replicate that trial form, Kordia should give a bold sight at each-way odds with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 4 – #1 Kordia (8) 7yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Benjamin Osmond (a1.5kg) (63kg) Bet with PlayUp Taree Sunday quaddie picks – 9/6/2024 Taree quadrella selections Sunday, June 9, 2024 1-2-3-12 1-2-5-6 1-2-7-11 1-4 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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Triston Moodley bagged a five timer at New Plymouth on Thursday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Local trainer Allan Sharrock and apprentice jockey Triston Moodley proved to be an unstoppable force at New Plymouth on Thursday, with the pair combining to win the first five races at the Taranaki meeting. They opened the card in impressive style, with Moodley guiding race favourite Dresse’ Par Joli to a 3.5-length victory in The Underbelly Tito Transport LTD Maiden. He quickly followed that up with victories aboard Indian Gold, Lazio, Librarsi and Smartroad in their respective races, and he was duly rapt with his winning haul. “I didn’t expect to get five winners in one day, so I am very happy with that,” Moodley said. “There was a lot of pressure going into the meeting. It is not every day that you sit on five horses that are fancied in the betting. I went into it positive and was hoping for a good day. “It is a day I will never forget.” Moodley was particularly appreciative towards Sharrock for entrusting him on his quintet. “To get rides from Allan Sharrock it makes life so much easier, and it makes days like that possible,” Moodley said. “I am very grateful to him for all the opportunities, he has helped me through my racing career.” Moodley is one of a growing number of expat South African jockeys that now call New Zealand home, and he said the racing bug has been alive and well in his life for many years. “My family has always been involved in racing,” he said. “My parents and uncles always had shares in horses. My brother is a jockey in South Africa and is in the top 10 over there. It has always been in the blood and I decided to carry it on.” Moodley began to follow in his brother’s footsteps when an opportunity arose to move to New Zealand and join the New Zealand Equine Academy two years ago, and he jumped at the opportunity. “Daniel Nakhle opened up his academy and he got in contact with me. I took the opportunity with both hands and decided to come out,” he said. “They helped me to hit the ground running and it was good exposure, and Daniel helped put me on the map. “I am now with Danny Walker and Arron Tata, and I have been with them for eight months. I had a lot of weight issues at the beginning and when I got to Danny and Arron’s, they put me on the right path.” Moodley now sits on 29 wins for the season, placing him third on the national apprentice jockeys’ premiership. “It has been a splendid season for me, and I thank everyone for all the opportunities they have given me and I am looking forward to continue growing,” he said. “I would like to finish in the top five in the apprentice premiership this season and next season I would like to win it.” Moodley is hoping to quickly add to his tally when he heads to Ruakaka on Saturday where he will have five rides, including aboard Sayan in the Marsden Cove Digital (1600m) for his employers. “The boss’s horse has been unlucky lately so hopefully he has a bit of luck in running. He has got a wide draw, but he is working well at home and hopefully he goes well,” he said. Moodley is enjoying his time in New Zealand and is hoping to make the move permanent. “At the moment, I am looking at a permanent shift,” he said. “I have adapted really well to New Zealand, the people are great, I am making a lot of friends, and it is a place I would like to be forever.” Horse racing news View the full article

Moonlight Magic will contest the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Moonlight Magic beat all but one of the boys in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm last weekend, and trainer Andrew Forsman is hoping she can go one better against her own sex when she returns to the Brisbane venue on Saturday. The daughter of Almanzor will back-up in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) for which she currently sits as a $14 winning chance with bookmakers. Forsman was rapt with her performance in the Derby and is looking forward to seeing her line-up this weekend, where she will jump from barrier six with expat Kiwi jockey Michael Dee aboard. “It is always great to have a runner in a Group 1, particularly one that is in good form,” Forsman said. “It was a great run (in the Derby). The winner (Warmonger) was obviously in a race of his own, but she was brilliant and had the rest of them well covered. “She has come through it great. She was a tired horse the day after, but she has picked up pretty well. “I think that (barrier six) helps. She hasn’t had all favours with barrier draws this preparation, so that will just help her get that little bit closer, ideally midfield or just beyond, and if that is the case she should get every chance.” Moonlight Magic has been a standout for owner-breeder The Sunlight Trust this season, winning the Group 3 Championship Stakes (2100m) and placing in the Queensland Derby and Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m), and Forsman would love to add an elite-level victory to her haul. “Any more black-type we can gain this prep is a big advantage, she is already a stakes winner and Group 1 placed, so a Group 1 win would be amazing,” he said. “This will be her last run this preparation and we will have to decide after this what we do with her in the spring.” Forsman’s Queensland contingent has been bolstered by Devastate, who will line-up on the Eagle Farm undercard in the Listed Spear Chief Handicap (1400m). “He has travelled over well,” Forsman said. “We are testing the waters a little bit with him to see whether he is up to that level in Australia and whether he is going to be a progressive horse over there, or better placed back here.” It will be a rare quiet weekend for Forsman, with no runners lining up back home in New Zealand, while he will just have one runner out of his Flemington base on Saturday when Full Of Sincerity tackles the Sally Francis Plate (2520m). “It is a nice quiet weekend at home,” he said. “The racing team is starting to quieten down a little bit. It will be nice to just focus on a few runners in Australia.” Horse racing news View the full article

Molly Bloom will contest the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott believe their Group 1-winning filly Molly Bloom is in peak condition for one final flourish for their Matamata stable in Saturday’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm. The daughter of Ace High has been an outstanding flagbearer this season for Wexford Stables, who bought her for $150,000 as a yearling at Karaka in 2022. Molly Bloom has turned that into more than $500,000 with four wins from 10 appearances, including superb triumphs in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m). She clinched the title of New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year for the 2023-24 season. Prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir bought a significant share in Molly Bloom in February, with the original owners remaining on board alongside him. After staying with O’Sullivan and Scott through to the end of her three-year-old preparation, Molly Bloom will join the all-conquering stable of champion expat Kiwi trainer Chris Waller. But O’Sullivan is downplaying the poignancy of putting a saddle on Molly Bloom for the final time in Saturday’s A$700,000 fillies’ classic in Brisbane. “I haven’t given much thought to the fact that this is her last race for our stable,” he said. “I think the main thing is that it’s been great to have had her. We’ll continue to share in her journey going forward as well, with the original syndicate remaining in the ownership, so that will still be a very exciting part of it for us once she starts that next chapter.” Molly Bloom has not had all favours in her two appearances in Queensland so far, but O’Sullivan has been far from disappointed with her performances. She kicked off with a second placing in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) on May 11. That race was run on an unsuitable Heavy 10 track and was her first appearance since February, but she produced a strong late finish. Molly Bloom was greeted with another tricky soft track for the Group 2 Doomben Roses (2000m) on May 25, and endured a tough wide run, but she stuck on bravely for a close fifth. “Both of her runs here have been very good, and without having much go her way in terms of track conditions and luck in the running,” O’Sullivan said. “She’s gone the right way since the Roses. She looks very good this week and I can see no reason why she won’t run well on Saturday. “Stepping up to 2200m is something new for her, and you never know until you try. Whether she really wants to run that far, we’re not sure yet. But often they’ll do it while they’re three, even if it’s not a distance that turns out to be suitable for them later on in their careers. We’re hoping she’ll run it out okay on Saturday.” Molly Bloom will again be ridden by Blake Shinn and is rated a $5.50 second favourite by bookmakers. The $3.50 favourite is another former Matamata filly – the last-start Roses winner Scarlet Oak, who began her career in the stable of Ken and Bev Kelso. Horse racing news View the full article

Vague will be one of two runners for Leonard Stewart in Sunday’s Waimate Cup (1600m). Photo: Race Images South Veteran Timaru trainer Leonard Stewart is set to feature prominently at his local meeting on Sunday, with 11 runners entered across the nine-race programme at Phar Lap Raceway. Stewart, who will celebrate his 92nd birthday later this month, has just over 20 horses in work and almost half of them will race on Waimate Cup Day. That bumper contingent includes a two-pronged attack on the $30,000 Dunstan Horse Feeds Waimate Cup (1600m) with Vague and Zadane. Eight-year-old mare Vague has won seven races and more than $118,000 in stakes in her 58-race career, and her two wins on her home track include the 2022 edition of this race. Vague has continued to perform strongly this season with two wins, four placings, a fourth and two fifths from 15 appearances. But her form has tapered off in her last two starts, which Stewart puts down to jarring up on a Good 4 surface on April 24. “It was just a bit too hard for her that day and she jarred up a bit,” he said. “I’ve been happy with what she’s shown me leading into this race. She seems to be working alright and looks nice and free. “They haven’t had any rain leading into this meeting, but they’re irrigating the track, which will help her.” Vague will be ridden by Samantha Wynne, with Gosen Jogoo taking the mount on stablemate Zadane. The six-year-old is backing up from a gallant second in Rating 65 company at Wingatui last Sunday. “He’s improved quite a bit and it was a much better performance the other day,” Stewart said. “It was a bit of a late decision to put him in this race. He’s not a big horse, so it’s not easy for him as he gets up in the weights in his own grade. He gets in quite well here, with a field of only 10 and the topweight (Leitrim Lad) rated 85. He’s not without a chance.” Sunday’s sprint feature is the $22,000 Bob Goodeve Memorial, which features the Stewart-trained Miss Harley Quinn and Aorangi Assassin. Miss Harley Quinn has won six races in her 56-start career, and she has a solid record on her home track with two wins and four placings from 14 attempts. “She goes well at the track,” Stewart said. “She really just wants to jump and run and get on with it, which can cause her problems from time to time. But she has shown on occasions, when there are other speed horses in the race, that you can ease her back and then she finishes strongly. I’m hoping that will work out for her this week. She’s another one that’s been going well in her work.” Stewart also has a number of chances on Sunday’s undercard, including former North Island filly Lise Paree in the GM Accounting & Consulting Maiden (1200m). The three-year-old daughter of Iffraaj is making her first start for Stewart. She had four starts in the north for Rudy Liefting, headed by a third at Taupo in October and a fourth behind Tonia’s Dragon and subsequent Group 3 winner I’munstoppable at Te Aroha in November. “We’ve got Lise Paree having her first start for us in the second race on Sunday,” Stewart said. “Looking back through her previous races, she can be a little bit wayward, but I think she’s improved. “She’s been working well and I’m hoping she can run a big race on Sunday. Bill Jelley has a share in her, and he and his wife haven’t been well lately, so I’d love her to perform well for their sake. “I think she has the ability, although she will have to work a bit from gate 15.” Horse racing news View the full article

Malt Time will contest the Bream Bay Sprint (1400m) at Ruakaka on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Multiple Group 1 placegetter Malt Time heads to New Zealand’s northernmost racecourse as the best-performed runner at Saturday’s Ruakaka meeting, and co-trainer Shaun Clotworthy sees no reason not to expect a performance matching her credentials in the Bream Bay Sprint (1400m). Malt Time has won four of her 27 career starts, headed by the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa in November of 2022. The daughter of Adelaide has gone winless in 12 appearances since then, but has only enhanced her reputation during that time with placings in this season’s Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m), Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m) and Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). The seven-year-old was freshened after finishing outside the placings in the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) in early February, and she returned to action with a close fifth under 58.5kg in an open sprint at a wet Te Rapa on May 18. “We were happy enough with that first-up run,” Clotworthy said. “The track might have been a bit heavier than she’d like, and her fitness just gave out a little bit towards the end of the race. Being an older mare now, she might take a run or two to get ready. She was carrying a fair bit of weight that day too. But we still thought she hit the line quite nicely. “She’s been going the right way since that race and seems to have improved. It looks like a nice race for her this weekend, with our apprentice Ace Lawson-Carroll taking the ride and reducing her weight a little bit. Ace is riding in good form at the moment and knows the mare pretty well.” This will be Lawson-Carroll’s first raceday mount on Malt Time, but he has ridden her in trackwork and trials. Clotworthy suggested that Malt Time’s owner-breeders Bill and Carrie Borrie may look to get the mare in foal in the upcoming spring before giving her one final racing preparation. The stable has three other runners entered for Ruakaka on Saturday. Maiden gelding Mitonic will contest the Trigg Construction (1600m) after close-up finishes in third and fifth in his two most recent appearances, while previous Ruakaka winner Aqua Man will be ridden by 4kg claimer Sienna Brown in the Marsden Cove Dental (1600m). Talented three-year-old filly La Parisienne finished last on unsuitable wet ground in her last start but will attempt to bounce back in the Marsden Metals Group (1400m). “Mitonic’s been going the right way lately and should run well again on Saturday,” Clotworthy said. “La Parisienne is a filly with plenty of ability, she just got tripped up by a heavy track last time. She was a very good second in her two starts before that, and we’d expect her to bounce back well on drier ground.” Horse racing news View the full article

Copartner Prance makes it four in a row. Marching relentlessly towards a seventh Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, Zac Purton hopes Copartner Prance can enhance an impressive season with a fifth consecutive victory when Francis Lui’s sprinter tackles the Class 2 Lung Mun Road Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Saturday (8 June). With only 10 meetings remaining in the 2023/24 season, Purton has speared to a 34-win lead – 111 to 77 – over nearest pursuer Karis Teetan, but the trainers’ championship is delicately poised with Pierre Ng (61) holding a one-win lead over Copartner Prance’s trainer Francis Lui (60). Purton, who rides for both Ng and Lui, expects the pair’s tussle to go down to the wire. “It’s going to be really interesting to see how these two trainers go for the remaining meetings,” said Purton, who takes seven rides tomorrow including Copartner Prince in the twilight meeting’s HK$2.84 million feature. “He (Copartner Prince) has continually got better there, he kept raising the bar, he’s had to carry a big weight a couple of times and he seems to keep getting the job done, but he comes back to Sha Tin, where he hasn’t won a race yet. He goes up in grade, so it will be interesting to see how he handles the bigger circuit,” Purton said. “He just seems to be getting a little bit better all of the time, he’s not progressing at a rate of knots but he just seems to keep doing enough. He’s not doing anything flash, but he just keeps getting the job done. “Physically, he seems a little bit stronger. Mentally, he’s still a little bit of a work in progress but he’s done a good job and I can’t complain with the effort he’s been putting in, so hopefully he can transfer that back here (Sha Tin).” With four 1200m wins in a row at Happy Valley, Copartner Prince faces eight rivals tomorrow – Nervous Witness, Whizz Kid, Duke Wai, Tomodachi Kokoroe Gummy Gummy, Carroll Street, Reward Smile and Gorgeous Win. “There’s nowhere to hide in Class 2. All these horses can gallop, they get here for a reason so it’s still not going to be an easy task for him (Copartner Prince) but if he can get into a nice rhythm in the race and give himself a chance, he’s shown at Happy Valley that he’s been strong to the line and if those horses are a little bit suspect, that could play into his hands a little bit,” Purton said. Purton will also partner Stunning Peach in the Class 3 POLA Cup Handicap (1800m) for Tony Cruz. Formerly trained by Joseph O’Brien in Ireland, where he raced as Islandsinthestream and was placed twice at Group 1 level, Stunning Peach was an eye-catching second to Voyage Samurai over 1600m at Sha Tin on 19 May. “(It’s) a really big ask for him to do what he’s doing at the moment. He’s very lightly-framed and he’s had to carry top weight (135lb) at both his starts,” Purton said. “He struck a wet track at his first start, which I don’t think suited him. “He got onto a bit of a dry track last time and (with) the benefit of a run, he was able to carry the weight (135lb) a little more comfortably and I expect him to keep improving. He’s a long way from being the finished product, he’s going to be a better horse in six or 12 months’ time and he’s a stayer. “He’s certainly a promising horse and I like what he’s been doing so far. He’s genuine and I expect him to be competitive again.” Lui will field eight runners tomorrow – one more than Ng – and Andrea Atzeni hopes Harold Win can figure strongly for Lui in the Class 4 Hong Kong Riding For The Disabled Association Cup Handicap (1200m) after finishing fourth to Glory Elite over 1200m on 19 May. “He ran a very promising race, his first-start. I’ve sat on him a couple of times since and it seems the horse has improved a little bit. He’s a horse, who it wouldn’t surprise me if it took another run before he knew exactly what to do,” Atzeni said. “He’s got a good draw (barrier four) again and he should be competitive.” Saturday’s 10-race card at Sha Tin starts with the Class 5 Butterfly Bay Handicap (1400m) at 4pm HKT. Horse racing news View the full article

Champion jockey confident three-year-old colt can build on promising start to Hong Kong career on SaturdayView the full article