Wandering Eyes

The curtain has come down on the racing career of Group Three winner White Noise (NZ) (El Roca). The five-year-old grey gelding kicked off his career for Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman as a three-year-old and won four races in his debut season, including the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) and Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m). With Baker’s retirement, White Noise then transitioned to the solo care of Forsman, and was a key figure in helping launch the Cambridge conditioners individual training career in the following season. He won first-up before he dead-heated for second in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m), and then crossed the Tasman where he was third in the Listed Sale Cup (1600m). He then returned to New Zealand where he won the Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m) in autumn last year. Returning as a five-year-old, he once again was victorious first-up at Ruakaka, but has failed to fire since, and the decision has been made to call an end to his racing journey. “The curtain has come down on his career and he has been a brilliant horse, and it is nice to have him retire safe and sound. He will have a great life after racing,” Forsman said. “He really hit the ground running in the spring when I took over and he was brilliant at home and then we took him to Melbourne, and he raced creditably there too. He is a very special horse. “He is now out in the paddock, and we are just looking at options for him to be rehomed, whether he ends up a clerk of the course or just a hack for someone, we are just working through that.” View the full article

Stephen Autridge’s last visit to Wanganui was highly successful and he’s looking to go even better on his return to the River City on Saturday. The Matamata trainer ventured south last month with Caitlyns Wish and Loch Katrine and was rewarded with victory from the former and the stable was narrowly denied a winning double when the latter finished a close second. “It was near perfect so we’re just going to tighten the screws a bit more and try and get two this time,” Autridge said. Caitlyns Wish will step out in the TAB Odds Surge Every Race At Wanganui Handicap (1200m) while Loch Katrine has the Property Brokers 3YO (1600m) in her sights. A daughter of Belardo, Caitlyns Wish followed up her Wanganui success with a strong run to finish runner-up at Pukekohe last Saturday. “She never really runs badly and she’s continuing to do that,” Autridge said. “It was a good run the other day in her first start in open company. There’s not much around that really suits here, so that’s why I’m backing her up and appears to be a horse that will handle it no problem.” Caitlyns Wish has fashioned the tidy record of four wins and five placings from 14 appearances and the four-year-old has posted all of her victories on heavy going. “Wet tracks obviously suit her and while she’s drawn the outside, it’s only a small field,” Autridge said. The mare has also displayed good gate speed and further helping her cause on Saturday is the engagement of apprentice Ciel Butler to bring the mare down to a featherweight 52kg. Loch Katrine has also been out once since her first look at Wanganui where just failed to overhaul the Gr.2 Hawkes Bay Guineas (1400m) winner Lantern Way. “She had nothing go right and it was a pity that she just got beaten,” Autridge said. The daughter of Ardrossan will be ideally suited to the step up to a mile, having posted her sole victory over the trip in last season’s Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe. Most recently Loch Katrine, who will be ridden by Joe Doyle, suffered an interrupted passage at Rotorua before finishing off for fifth. “She’s always showed a lot and didn’t have a lot of luck, they were a touch too quick for her over 1400m,” Autridge said. “If it was 1400m on a heavy track again it would be all right and it will be even better for her over a mile this time.” View the full article

Moonlight Magic will be one of two runners for trainer Andrew Forsman in Saturday’s Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) This Saturday is what everything is about for trainer Andrew Forsman – having stakes contenders on either side of the Tasman. The Cambridge-based horseman, who also runs a satellite stable out of Flemington, will be shooting for Group 1 glory in the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm, and will be represented in each of the stakes races at Wanganui. His two-pronged attack in the Derby includes Group 3 performer First Innings and Group 3 winner Moonlight Magic. “It’s very exciting to have two runners in the Derby this weekend, I am very much looking forward to it,” Forsman said. Moonlight Magic hasn’t raced since winning the Group 3 Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie last month, where First Innings finished third. The daughter of Almanzor failed to gain a start in the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben last Saturday and will head into the Derby in a fresh state. “It has been a long time between runs,” Forsman said. “We really wanted to run her last weekend and didn’t get in. “It is not an ideal scenario to be going into a Derby with a gap between races like she has had, but we have got her as ready as she can be.” Moonlight Magic has also been out of favour in the barrier draw, drawing out wide in gate 19, while First Innings has drawn the 12 marble. “For her (Moonlight Magic), it would have been nice to have had a soft draw and a soft run. She will have to go back and hope for a little bit of luck,” Forsman said. While Moonlight Magic couldn’t gain a start at Doomben last weekend, First Innings sealed his place in the Derby with victory over 2180m at Ipswich last Wednesday. “It was great to get that confidence boosting win last Wednesday and I think it has topped him off nicely for the weekend,” Forsman said. First Innings is currently a $19 fourth favourite for the Derby, while Moonlight Magic is rated a $31 winning chance by bookmakers, who have the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Autumn Angel clearly at the head of the market at $2.60. “Clearly Autumn Angel is the class filly and she is going to be very hard to beat,” Forsman said. “Outside of that I think it is wide open. It is a good, even field and I think the fact that we couldn’t get in the race last weekend says that there are a lot of good, solid three-year-olds up and going at this time of the year, and it is a matter of who is up for running 2400m at this stage.” Back in New Zealand, Forsman will send a couple of stakes contenders south to Wanganui’s meeting on Saturday. Promising juvenile Belardi, a half-brother to Moonlight Magic, will be out to continue his winning ways in the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m). The son of Belardo ran sixth on debut at New Plymouth earlier this month before breaking through for his maiden victory over 1100m on a Heavy 8 track at Taupo last week. Belardi has drawn the ace barrier on Saturday where he will be ridden by Joe Doyle, on a rain-affected track, which was rated a Heavy 9 on Thursday morning. “He is really well and he has bounced through his race at Taupo,” Forsman said. “We are lucky to have drawn one earlier in the day (race three) and hopefully that is a good place to be, but I think it will suit him. “I just hope that he can go down there and handle whatever track conditions will prevail. We knew that Taupo was going to be a looser Heavier track and he would get through it alright, but you never know going down there as to how he will handle whatever track conditions come up, and that will be the deciding factor for him.” Forsman will also be seeking stakes glory with Turn The Ace, who takes a win and a placing into the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m). “He is going great and it will be nice going into a race where we are not giving four or five kilos away to our opposition. I think his downfall last start was the weight he had to give to the horses that beat him,” Forsman said. “We just have to hope that later in the day the pattern does suit a horse that will go forward, and hopefully the rail isn’t too off by that stage of the day.” Meanwhile, at Pukekohe, the stable will be represented by City Girl in the Auckland Co-op Taxis 1200, Satin Doll in the Barfoot & Thompson 1600, and Wessex and Amazing Grace in the Elsdon Park 1400. “I think City Girl is going really well,” Forsman said. “It is a little hard to tell how she will handle a deep Pukekohe track. I do really like her with the swing in the weights on the favourite. “Satin Doll is racing in good, solid form. Wessex is dropping back from stakes company, and I thought her run was really good last start, and I think she is well weighted.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Hyperion Stakes Day Where Belmont Racecourse – Saintly Entrance, Burswood WA 6100 When Saturday, June 1, 2024 First Race 11:59am AWST Visit Dabble The Group 3 Hyperion Stakes will headline the nine-race program at Belmont Park this Saturday afternoon. The track was rated as a Soft 7 at the time of acceptances; however, there is a lot of rain forecast in the lead-up and on raceday, so it is expected that the surface won’t get any firmer. The rail will be pushed out to the +6m position for the entire circuit, with the first race scheduled to jump at 11:59am AWST. Hyperion Stakes Tip: Searchin’ Roc’s After going down by a nose in the Group 3 Belmont Sprint last start, Searchin’ Roc’s will be seeking to go one better when she meets Western Empire again in the feature race. However, the Jim Taylor-trained mare will get conditions to suit, with a wet track expected and after drawing barrier one. If Steven Parnham can take up the lead or settle in the box seat, Searchin’ Roc’s will just need an ounce of luck at the top of the home straight, and she can run away with victory. Hyperion Stakes Race 8 – #14 Searchin’ Roc’s (1) 5yo Mare | T: Jim Taylor | J: Steven Parnham (57kg) +750 with Bet365 Best Bet at Belmont: Too Dardy Too Dardy was very impressive first-up at this track and trip when the Justine Erkelens-trained gelding rounded his rivals up from worse than midfield before running away with a dominant two-length victory. This son of Demerit hasn’t missed the top two when racing at the Belmont 1000m (4:3-1-0), and he is also undefeated second-up (2:2-0-0) throughout his career. From barrier five, Brandon Louis can settle midfield off the fence and attempt to replicate his ride from last start by looping the field and running home strongly. Best Bet Race 6 – #5 Too Dardy (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Justine Erkelens | J: Brandon Louis (57.5kg) +140 with Neds Next Best at Belmont: Amber Glide Following two solid performances first and second-up, Amber Glide looks to have found the right race to keep her undefeated third-up record (2:2-0-0) intact in the fourth race of the day. The Ross Price-trained mare has been finishing off strongly in her previous two starts, and now that she steps up to 1400m, she is ready to win. There is a lot of speed expected in this race, so Clint Johnston-Porter will settle Amber Glide at the rear of the field before getting her to the outside to let down with a blistering finish. Next Best Race 4 – #6 Amber Glide (11) 4yo Mare | T: Ross Price | J: Brandon Louis (57.5kg) +240 with PlayUp Best Value at Belmont: Triple Jay Triple Jay produced a very strong finish to claim victory over 1200m at Ascot in a Benchmark 72 Handicap, and now he will look to produce a similar effort in the same grade at Belmont over the same trip. The Daniel & Ben Pearce-trained gelding has been given five weeks off before this next assignment, and with William Pike retaining the ride, he looks to have a great chance again. If Pike can push forward from barrier seven and settle on speed with Triple Jay, he can kick away at the top of the straight and give his rivals something to chase. Best Value Race 5 – #2 Triple Jay (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Daniel & Ben Pearce | J: William Pike (57kg) +750 with Picklebet Saturday quaddie tips for Belmont races Belmont quadrella selections Saturday, June 1, 2024 2-5-8 1-4-5-6 1-2-10-12-14 1-3-4-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

White Noise has been retired from racing. Photo: Trish Dunell The curtain has come down on the racing career of Group 3 winner White Noise. The five-year-old grey gelding kicked off his career for Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman as a three-year-old and won four races in his debut season, including the Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) and Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m). With Baker’s retirement, White Noise then transitioned to the solo care of Forsman, and was a key figure in helping launch the Cambridge conditioners individual training career in the following season. He won first-up before he dead-heated for second in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m), and then crossed the Tasman where he was third in the Listed Sale Cup (1600m). He then returned to New Zealand where he won the Group 3 Easter Handicap (1600m) in autumn last year. Returning as a five-year-old, he once again was victorious first-up at Ruakaka, but has failed to fire since, and the decision has been made to call an end to his racing journey. “The curtain has come down on his career and he has been a brilliant horse, and it is nice to have him retire safe and sound. He will have a great life after racing,” Forsman said. “He really hit the ground running in the spring when I took over and he was brilliant at home and then we took him to Melbourne, and he raced creditably there too. He is a very special horse. “He is now out in the paddock, and we are just looking at options for him to be rehomed, whether he ends up a clerk of the course or just a hack for someone, we are just working through that.” Horse racing news View the full article

Matamata trainer Stephen Autridge. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Stephen Autridge’s last visit to Wanganui was highly successful and he’s looking to go even better on his return to the River City on Saturday. The Matamata trainer ventured south last month with Caitlyns Wish and Loch Katrine and was rewarded with victory from the former and the stable was narrowly denied a winning double when the latter finished a close second. “It was near perfect so we’re just going to tighten the screws a bit more and try and get two this time,” Autridge said. Caitlyns Wish will step out in the Odds Surge Every Race At Wanganui Handicap (1200m) while Loch Katrine has the Property Brokers 3YO (1600m) in her sights. A daughter of Belardo, Caitlyns Wish followed up her Wanganui success with a strong run to finish runner-up at Pukekohe last Saturday. “She never really runs badly and she’s continuing to do that,” Autridge said. “It was a good run the other day in her first start in open company. There’s not much around that really suits here, so that’s why I’m backing her up and appears to be a horse that will handle it no problem.” Caitlyns Wish has fashioned the tidy record of four wins and five placings from 14 appearances and the four-year-old has posted all of her victories on heavy going. “Wet tracks obviously suit her and while she’s drawn the outside, it’s only a small field,” Autridge said. The mare has also displayed good gate speed and further helping her cause on Saturday is the engagement of apprentice Ciel Butler to bring the mare down to a featherweight 52kg. Loch Katrine has also been out once since her first look at Wanganui where just failed to overhaul the Group 2 Hawkes Bay Guineas (1400m) winner Lantern Way. “She had nothing go right and it was a pity that she just got beaten,” Autridge said. The daughter of Ardrossan will be ideally suited to the step up to a mile, having posted her sole victory over the trip in last season’s Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe. Most recently Loch Katrine, who will be ridden by Joe Doyle, suffered an interrupted passage at Rotorua before finishing off for fifth. “She’s always showed a lot and didn’t have a lot of luck, they were a touch too quick for her over 1400m,” Autridge said. “If it was 1400m on a heavy track again it would be all right and it will be even better for her over a mile this time.” Horse racing news View the full article

Trainer Michael Pitman. Photo: Trish Dunell Leading South Island trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman are expected to be a formidable force to be reckoned with in the coming days. The father and son duo have turned out 47 winners so far this term and for the eighth time in the last nine seasons their Riccarton operation has comfortably broken the seven-figure mark in stake earnings. Among the stable’s top chances at their home meeting on the synthetic track on Friday will be the in-form filly Motiontime, who runs in the Riccarton Park Function Centre Three-Year-Old (1200m). She has won three of her last five starts, including a most recent victory on her local course at the expense of a competitive line-up of Rating 75 performers. “She is very well placed under the conditions of the race, she is superbly in at the weights,” Michael Pitman said. “It was almost a Cup meeting quality field she beat last time, and she was really unlucky the start before when she ran fifth.” Motiontime joined the stable following the sad passing of her former trainer Paul Harris and Pitman had previous knowledge of the Showtime filly’s talent. “We obviously inherited her and I knew a bit about her as Paul and I always got on well,” he said. “I was actually at the Gold Coast when Paul bought her, a sale that we’ve had a lot of success at as well. She was a really nice filly and is very tough. “She’s been going for a while so this will be her last run, she’ll be our best chance for sure.” Motiontime will be ridden by Michael McNab, who will also partner stablemate Here I Am in the Winter Cup Nominations Close 11 June Maiden (1400m). “He’s a work in progress, he has to strengthen up but he’s a nice horse who went up to be competitive the other day and just blew out,” Pitman said. “He’s drawn (three) to get a nice, soft run and Michael loves riding on the synthetic track and he’s got a great record on it.” Pitman also likes the chances of Fireglow in the Thank You Dave Parr – 25 Years Rating 75 (1600m). “He was terrific at his last start, he made up a huge amount of ground on a day when the track was biased to horses on the speed,” he said. “The step up to 1600m won’t worry him either. He’s always had the ability, but he’s had a few niggling issues and he seems to be over them now.” The stable will also be well-represented at Wingatui on Sunday with last-start third Benaud a strong hope in the Grand Casino Handicap (1200m) for apprentice Abdul Najib. “He went massive in an open class race and if he runs up to the same form with 3kg off he will be very competitive,” Pitman said. A much-improved showing is tipped from the talented Proserve, the mount of Kylie Williams, in The Tavern Handicap (2200m). “He didn’t get the right run at his last start, he was three and four wide from the 1200 or 1300m mark. He did a lot of work and still battled on okay,” Pitman said. “If he gets a more economical run, he’s one of our strongest chances.” Williams will also be aboard Charbano in the Dunedin City Motors Handicap (1400m) and they are another favoured combination. “Kylie is riding as good now as she ever has, she’s going super,” Pitman said. Williams has also been booked for The Immigrant in the Be My Guest Design Handicap (1400m) and conditions will be ideal for the four-year-old. “The Immigrant is an absolute mudder and he’s had no luck at all, he should be very hard to beat,” Pitman said. Horse racing news View the full article

What Rosehill Races Where Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142 When Saturday, June 1, 2024 First Race 11am AEST Visit Dabble The Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) headlines a 10-race program at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday. The rail is out +3m for the entire circuit, and with some rainfall expected on the day, expect the track to be rated in the Soft range. Check out our free Rosehill betting tips and quaddie numbers for the June 1 meeting below. Lord Mayor’s Cup Pick: Sir Lucan Sir Lucan was brave when travelling three wide without cover in his most recent start at Newcastle on May 11. The son of Camelot still managed to find the front at the top of the straight despite the torrid run, with only Hezashocka swallowing him up in the shadows of the post. He should find the front comfortably this time from stall one, and if Winona Costin can pinch a cheap sectional in the middle stages, Sir Lucan will take plenty of chasing in the 2024 Lord Mayor’s Cup. Lord Mayor’s Cup Race 7 – #6 Sir Lucan (1) 6yo Gelding | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Winona Costin (56.5kg) +500 with Picklebet Best Bet at Rosehill: Left Field Left Field continues to be a model of consistency for the Brad Widdup barn, boasting two wins and three minor placings from eight starts. Her latest effort at Scone on May 18 caught the eye, as the three-year-old powered home from near-last and cut into the margin of Commemorative in the final furlong. Kerrin McEvoy will have no choice but to drag back from barrier 10, but if the breaks fall her way, the $7.50 available with online bookmakers will seem a big price for Left Field. Best Bet Race 5 – #3 Left Field (10) 3yo Filly | T: Brad Widdup | J: Kerrin McEvoy (57.5kg) +650 with PlayUp Next Best at Rosehill: Torn Torn was far from disgraced in the Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben on May 18. The two-year-old got too far back from a wide draw (10) but produced some strong closing sectionals to suggest he’s worth following third-up. Watch for Bailey Wheeler to take closer order from barrier two, and with Torn bringing in superior form-lines compared to some key opposition, this guy can outrun his current quote with the top betting sites. Next Best Race 2 – #8 Torn (2) 2yo Colt | T: Brett Cavanough | J: Bailey Wheeler (a2) (57kg) +1500 with Bet365 Best Value at Rosehill: Fearless Writer Fearless Writer has been crying out for a step up in trip after two impressive displays down the Flemington straight. The daughter of Written Tycoon was doing her best work late on May 18, and although she was no match for Niance, she stuck to the task gamely despite the unsuitable trip. The Adrian McGregor-trained mare heads to Sydney for the first time, and with 1500m third-up providing the ideal setup, Fearless Writer should run well at the each-way price. Best Value Race 4 – #5 Fearless Writer 4yo Mare | T: Adrian McGregor | J: Jake Noonan (58.5kg) +1400 with Neds Rosehill Saturday quaddie tips Rosehill Gardens quadrella selections Saturday, June 1, 2024 2-3-6-7-11 2-3-7-17 1-5-8-12 3-8-16-19 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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Ka Ying Rising is a four-time winner from six starts in Hong Kong. Four weeks after demolishing quality opposition in Class 2, Ka Ying Rising is back at Sha Tin for his stiffest test to date in Sunday’s (2 June) HK$4.2 million Group 3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m). The second of a Group 3 double-header at Sha Tin, which also features the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m), the quality dash is topped by a pair of Group 1 winners in Victor The Winner and Invincible Sage, while Ka Ying Rising has the least experience in the nine-runner field with six starts under his belt. Trained by David Hayes and to be ridden by Karis Teetan, the budding three-year-old – who has won four times at Sha Tin – is aiming to outshine a host of better credentialed rivals, including Sight Success, Stoltz, Flying Ace, Howdeepisyourlove, Mugen and Son Pak Fu. “I think Ka Ying Rising has very good form references going forward. He’s taking on international Group 1 winners, so we’ll see how good he is,” Hayes said. The rapidly improving Ka Ying Rising has surged through the grades. Two starts ago he safely held subsequent winner Call Me Glorious by more than a length in March. “He’s eaten up and held his form and it was good to see that good young horse he beat (Call Me Glorious) win, beating Little Brose at Sha Tin on Sunday (26 May). I thought he was one of the most progressive horses on the weekend,” Hayes said. Ka Ying Rising’s 96 rating is dwarfed in the race book as only he and Son Pak Fu rate below triple figures. “He’s on the minimum but he is still racing probably seven or eight pounds out of the handicap. We’re pretty confident he can run in the upper-class next season so we don’t mind sacrificing a ratings race at this stage of his career,” Hayes said. Hugh Bowman reunites with the David Hall-trained Invincible Sage in the Sha Tin Vase. The pair claimed the HK$22 million Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on Champions Day (28 April). “He looks to be ticking over nicely leading into the race after his Group 1 win. He’s obviously progressed to that next level and we would like to see him consolidate that on the weekend,” Bowman said. Hayes also saddles Storm Rider, Awesome Treasure, Young Horizon, Chiron and Sunny Baby on Sunday at Sha Tin. After winning two out of his first three starts, Storm Rider has since been unplaced twice. He’ll feature in the Class 3 Kau To Shan Handicap (1400m) with Teetan up. Sunday’s 11-race fixture commences at 4pm HKT with the Class 5 Sha Tin Hoi Handicap (2000m). The running of the G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) takes place at 2.40pm (HKT), live from Tokyo, featuring Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble. Horse racing news View the full article

Romantic Warrior trains on the dirt for the Yasuda Kinen on May 30, 2024 at Tokyo Racecourse in Tokyo, Japan. Photo By: Alex Evers/HKJC Danny Shum has identified Voyage Bubble and Japanese pair Soul Rush and Namur as the biggest obstacles to Romantic Warrior’s quest for an eighth Group 1 triumph as the Hong Kong champion prepares for the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday (2 June). Outlining hopes for an inside gate five or six at Friday’s (31 May) barrier draw, Shum believes the 18-horse field contains three obvious threats to Romantic Warrior – among a spread of even talent. “I think Soul Rush is one of the main dangers and Namur as well. Some horses are good but not really outstanding. I’ve watched their races and I think we have a chance,” Shum said. “I think Voyage Bubble and Soul Rush are the two main dangers.” Voyage Bubble came within a neck of defeating Romantic Warrior in the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on 25 February after showcasing his talent with victory in the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on 21 January. Namur and Soul Rush finished third and fourth, respectively, behind Golden Sixty and Voyage Bubble in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on 10 December at Sha Tin. Shum, who has guided Romantic Warrior to four successive Group 1 successes this campaign – the Cox Plate (2040m), Hong Kong Cup (2000m), Hong Kong Gold Cup and FWD QEII Cup (2000m) – said the six-year-old is “good and healthy” after he cantered on the dirt at Tokyo Racecourse today with stablemate Romantic Charm. Shum said he would leave race tactics to jockey James McDonald. “We don’t have any race plans because we don’t know the draw yet. James McDonald is the world-class No. 1. He has a lot of experience, so I’m confident he can handle it.” Having watched Romantic Warrior successfully cope with the undulating contours of Moonee Valley, where he won the W.S. Cox Plate in October, and Happy Valley, where he launched his stunning career with two consecutive wins under Joao Moreira in 2021, Shum has few concerns at Tokyo Racecourse’s famed dips and rises. “Romantic Warrior had his first start at Happy Valley, which is also uphill. He’s very fit and he doesn’t need fast work anymore. Just keep him happy, keep him healthy,” Shum said before explaining how his experience in travelling horses to Japan for his mentor Ivan Allan was proving invaluable. “It’s a big advantage (having previous experience of Tokyo racecourse). Not only Fairy King Prawn but also Oriental Express, Indigenous for the Japan Cup. My previous boss Ivan Allan gave me a big opportunity to come here, so of course it’s a bit of an edge for me.” Shum is not worried by either the drop in distance from 2000m to 1600m for the Yasuda Kinen, nor questions over race tempo. “I think if the pace is fast – I do hope the pace is fast – Romantic Warrior has natural speed. He can sit wherever he’s comfortable – and he’s got an engine, so he can hit the line strong,” Shum said. “Every time they go a fast pace in Japan, (but) if they go a slow pace he can stay in the right position. I’ll leave it to James, he knows the horse and studies the field. “Saturday and Sunday there is a little bit of rain (forecast), but hopefully not too bad. James has seven rides on Sunday, so he’ll have more idea on the track.” Voyage Bubble cruised through his final piece of fast work at Tokyo Racecourse this morning (Thursday, 30 May) ahead of trainer Ricky Yiu’s arrival. Ridden by Yan Kin Lau, the 2023 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner strode freely from the 1600m in a familiarisation gallop. “I was very happy with him, he handled the uphill and downhill very well,” Lau said. “He’s a smart horse, he changed legs when he needed to and he felt good. It was not a fast gallop, just normal for what he does. Everything is good with him,” Voyage Bubble and Romantic Warrior are attempting to deliver Hong Kong’s third Yasuda Kinen success after the victories of Bullish Luck for Tony Cruz and Brett Prebble in 2006 and Fairy King Prawn in 2000 for Ivan Allan and Robbie Fradd. The Group 1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) will be run at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday (2 June) at 2.40pm (HKT). Horse racing news View the full article

What Caulfield Races Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 2, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Saturday, June 1, 2024 First Race 11:50am AEST Visit Dabble Victorian racing will return to Caulfield on Saturday afternoon for a competitive nine-part program. The track is rated a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, and with only minor rainfall expected in the lead-up, punters should expect the surface to be no worse than a Soft 5. The rail is out +9m for the entire circuit, with the opening event set to jump at 11:50am AEST. Best Bet at Caulfield: Jewellery Jewellery was unsuited by a steady tempo at Scone on May 18 and should get the perfect setup in this BM78 for the fillies and mares. She was second-up after a 427-day spell on that occasion and should make dramatic improvement with more racing under her belt. Daniel Stackhouse will have to take his medicine and drag back from barrier 13, but with the daughter of Lonhro showing above-average ability in the past, expect Jewellery to power over the top to secure her first win of the campaign. Best Bet Race 4 – #9 Jewellery (13) 4yo Mare | T: James Cummings | J: Daniel Stackhouse (57kg) +320 with Bet365 Next Best at Caulfield: Mirzann After back-to-back runner-up performances, Mirzann appears ready to peak as he gets to the 2000m for the first time since arriving at the Chris Waller barn. The European import has found the middle distances too sharp, with the gelding by Camelot doing his best work once it’s all over. Watch for Damien Lane to take closer order from barrier five, and provided he gains an economical run in transit, Mirzann should prove too classy over the longer trip. Next Best Race 9 – #15 Mirzann (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Damien Lane (55.5kg) +300 with Neds Best Value at Caulfield: Why Worry Formerly known as Dragon’s Luck in Hong Kong, Why Worry is set to make his debut for the Liam Howley stable in this wide-open BM78. He brings some quality form-lines from overseas, including a narrow defeat to Moduleconstruction at Sha Tin on October 1. He’ll have work to do crossing from barrier 13, but provided Ethan Brown can land in front in the first 400m, Why Worry should give followers a bold sight at each-way odds with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 5 – #6 Why Worry (13) 5yo Gelding | T: Liam Howley | J: Ethan Brown (60kg) +1900 with Unibet Caulfield Saturday quaddie picks Caulfield quadrella selections Saturday, June 1, 2024 1-4-6-8 1-7-8-9 1-2-7-11-14 1-5-10-15 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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What Queensland Derby Day 2024 Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, June 1, 2024 First Race 11:43am AEST Visit Dabble The Group 1 Queensland Derby will headline a massive day of racing at Eagle Farm this Saturday afternoon, with nine races set down for decision. Although the track is rated as a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, there is a good amount of rain forecast for Saturday, so the surface may worsen during the meeting. The rail will be in its true position for the entire circuit, with the opening race on Queensland Derby Day scheduled to jump at 11:43am AEST. Race 1: Benchmark 85 Handicap (1600m) Poison Chalice has travelled from Victoria to Queensland following his strong performance in the Listed Straight Six at Flemington, where the Paul Preusker-trained gelding flew home from the back of the field to finish fourth. This son of Savabeel will get conditions to suit in his first start at Eagle Farm as he steps up in trip to 1600m second-up, with good speed expected in this event. Michael Dee will settle near the rear of the field from barrier 12 and allow Poison Chalice to build on the outside and let down with his blistering turn of foot late. Selections: 5 POISON CHALICE 7 TENZING 16 SUNSET SOIREE 8 TOJAKI Next Best Race 1 – #5 Poison Chalice (12) 4yo Gelding | T: Paul Preusker | J: Michael Dee (57.5kg) +220 with Neds Race 2: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) Geriatrix brings strong form from New Zealand as he makes his Australian debut for Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott. Last start, this son of Almanzor was way too good for his rivals in a 3YO Open Handicap when he swooped down the outside and ran away with a 1.8-length win over 1400m. Although the colt has drawn barrier 14, his get-back-and-run-on racing style will offset the gate, and Michael Dee will be looking to get to the outside of runners on the home turn. If Geratrix shows a similar turn of foot, he will play a prominent role in the finish. Selections: 12 GERIATRIX 10 WARBY 17 SHA OF GOMER 15 MADAME ODETTE Best Value Race 2 – #12 Geriatrix (14) 3yo Colt | T: Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott | J: Michael Dee (58kg) +1000 with Neds Race 3: Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2400m) Although it says that Hezashocka recorded a seventh in the Group 1 Doomben Cup last start, the run of the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper has to be upgraded because he was in the inferior ground along the inside rail. His last 600m was as strong as any of his rivals, and now that he rises in distance to 2400m on a bigger track, this son of Shocking gets another chance to win again. From barrier three, Jamie Kah can settle midfield off the fence and get a dream run in transit before letting down with a strong finish. Selections: 6 HEZASHOCKA 1 SPIRIT RIDGE 4 CAPTAIN ENVIOUS 12 REGAL LION Premier’s Cup Race 3 – #6 Hezashocka (3) 6yo Gelding | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | J: Jamie Kah (57kg) +270 with PlayUp Race 4: Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) Knight’s Choice ran home strong first-up and was only beaten by the very smart Gringotts in the Listed Members’ Handicap over 1600m and it is expected that he will take a lot of fitness benefit from that fresh run. Going up against older and seasoned stayers could be a struggle for this up-and-coming stayer; however, after such a strong performance first-up, Knight’s Choice is worth a bet each way at the massive odds on offer with online bookmakers. Selections: 7 KNIGHT’S CHOICE 15 SHOCK ‘EM OVA 2 JUST FOLK 14 TERRITORY EXPRESS Lord Mayor’s Cup Race 4 – #7 Knight’s Choice (8) 4yo Gelding | T: John Symons & Sheila Laxon | J: Vlad Duric (58kg) +1600 with Dabble Race 5: Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) Now that El Morzillo gets her first crack at 1400m and finally draws a good gate (4), the Kelly Schweida-trained filly looks to have all the conditions in her favour here. This daughter of Star Witness has been running on strongly from the back of the field over 1200m in her last two starts, and she appears to be crying out for further distance. Craig Williams has chosen to stick with the filly after riding her in those last two starts, and if he can settle closer to the speed and still show that same dash in the final 300m, El Morzillo will break through for a deserving victory. Selections: 16 EL MORZILLO 12 ANGEL CAPITAL 1 BROADSIDING 2 BITTERCREEK Sires’ Produce Stakes Race 5 – #16 El Morzillo (4) 2yo Filly | T: Kelly Schweida | J: Craig Williams (55kg) +500 with PlayUp Race 6: Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) After finishing fifth, beaten 1.5 lengths by Bella Nipotina in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000, Stefi Magnetica looks to be one of the better bets on the card. The Bjorn Baker-trained filly has proven herself at Group 1 level multiple times, and now that she drops back to Group 3 three-year-old grade, she should get every chance to win second-up. Tommy Berry won’t have to settle too far away from the speed from barrier two, and if Stefi Magnetica gets a clear run from the 300m mark, she will prove very hard to hold out. Selections: 17 STEFI MAGNETICA 7 SCHWARZ 1 CIFRADO 15 ABOUNDING Best Bet Race 6 – #17 Stefi Magnetica (2) 3yo Filly | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Tommy Berry (55kg) +230 with PlayUp Race 7: Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) James Cummings and Jamie Kah will combine with In Secret who is the fresh horse on the scene and will return from a six-month spell with the benefit of three solid barrier trials under her belt. This daughter of I Am Invincible has a very good fresh (4:2-2-0) and wet track record (6:3-2-0) throughout her career, and with most of her rivals nearing the end of their preparations, she looks to be a great bet. Jamie Kah can settle this girl in behind a strong speed, and if she gets even luck in the home straight, In Secret can win again first-up. Selections: 10 IN SECRET 1 I WISH I WIN 9 BELLA NIPOTINA 11 MAGIC TIME Kingsford Smith Cup Race 7 – #11 In Secret (4) 4yo Mare | T: James Cummings | J: Jamie Kah (57kg) +650 with Bet365 Race 8: Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) The Queensland Derby will be the feature race on the program for the three-year-old’s, and the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained Autumn Angel heads the market for the 2400m contest. Can she become the first filly to win the Derby since 2010, or will Chris Waller claim victory in the race for the third time in four years with one of his four runners? Check out HorseBetting’s free preview of the 2024 Queensland Derby here. Race 9: Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) Coeur Volante will return for her first run since finishing fourth in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas during the spring, and if her last jumpout is anything to go by, she looks to have returned in very good form. The Mike Moroney-trained filly settled in behind the leader and eventual winner in the 800m jumpout, and she cruised around and wasn’t asked for an effort but still finished second. This daughter of Proisir has shown that she can handle any ground, and with Blake Shinn in the saddle, it is expected that Coeur Volante is ready to win first-up. Selections: 4 COEUR VOLANTE 6 AUREUS ANGEL 2 COMRADE ROSA 9 GREY RIVER Eagle Farm free Saturday quaddie tips Eagle Farm quadrella selections Saturday, June 1, 2024 1-7-17 1-9-10-11 1-12-18 2-4-6-9-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Zac Purton hopes to make it third time lucky in the Group One mile contest at Tokyo on Sunday: ‘Bring it on, let’s see what we get’View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk He calls himself “the King of Content” and Jonny Turner is hopeful his King’s Birthday weekend is going to get off to an early and successful start at Addington tonight. As an Invercargill-based racing journalist his stock and trade is writing about all things related to harness racing and producing content for his social media channels, especially from his home patch south of the Waitaki. But the proud Southlander also literally puts his money where his mouth is. His latest “project” is Southside Of Heaven, who starts in race 4, the Woodlands Stud Fillies and Mares Mobile Pace at Addington tonight (6.22pm), after impressively winning both her starts so far down south, at Winton and Invercargill “She certainly looks like a good stayer,” says Turner, “and we’ve been a bit surprised, she was solid at the trials but not like she’s been at the races.” Turner bred the mare along with his good mate Paul Hailes, and they share in the ownership with Caine McIntyre. Caine’s father (and fellow Macca Lodge proprietor) Brent McIntyre trains the mare. Turner himself worked at Jaccka Lodge, the forerunner to Macca Lodge, before deciding to get into journalism. “Brent and Caine have done a wonderful job with this mare and they deserve all the credit,” says Turner. Tonight she’s a rated a $9 chance on the fixed odds. “We expect her to be competitive at Addington – but we don’t expect her to just win but she’ll be running on.” Southside of Heaven is by Rock N Roll Heaven out of Debnita Rose. Bred by Hailes, she won four races. “She was actually named after our mothers, Deborah (Turner) and Anita (Hailes),” says Turner. Southside Of Heaven is her first foal. She’s since had a second, a Betting Line colt called Ace of Spades, but subsequent attempts to get her in foal haven’t been successful. Debnita Rose’s dam Glenburn Rose has been a great producer. She was bred by Hailes’ father Eddie and among her other race winning progeny have been Chesterton (16 wins), Glenburn Jewel (5 wins) and Norham Fella (4 wins) While self-deprecating about his own involvement – “Paul and Caine are the real breeding buffs” – Turner is no novice when it comes to breeding standardbreds. Among his first, and most successful was Hi Gun in the early 2000s. He won 10 from 71. “He didn’t win anything spectacular but we had a lot of fun with him.” In more recent times he’s been part of the ownership group of Group winning-mare Manhattan (both pictured above). Now based in Australia, she’s won 12 races including one this year at Menangle. Turner’s own involvement in harness racing goes way back. His father bred horses too “and I got keen on them from there”. It’s estimated he’s owned or co-owned around 30 horses over the years, with over 50 wins in total. Including Southside Of Heaven Turner has shares in no fewer than six horses over the long weekend. The Peter and Vaughan Blanchard-trained pairing of Watch Your Back and Majestic Ruby will line up at Cambridge on Friday night, followed by Joyride (Cran and Chrissie Dalgety) at Ashburton on Sunday and the Matty Williamson pairing of Lime In A Bottle and Terra Sancta at Invercargill on Monday. “Between the whole lot of them I’m hoping I can get something.” View the full article

Second-season handler wants solid speed for stable star in Sunday’s Group Three featureView the full article

The field for the $2 million Belmont Stakes (G1) lost a possible starter as Juddmonte Farms manager Garrett O'Rourke said Batten Down would be pointed toward the Ohio Derby (G3) instead of the final leg of the Triple Crown at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk He calls himself “the King of Content” and Jonny Turner is hopeful his King’s Birthday weekend is going to get off to an early and successful start at Addington tonight. As an Invercargill-based racing journalist his stock and trade is writing about all things related to harness racing and producing content for his social media channels, especially from his home patch south of the Waitaki. But the proud Southlander also literally puts his money where his mouth is. His latest “project” is Southside Of Heaven, who starts in race 4, the Woodlands Stud Fillies and Mares Mobile Pace at Addington tonight (6.22pm), after impressively winning both her starts so far down south, at Winton and Invercargill “She certainly looks like a good stayer,” says Turner, “and we’ve been a bit surprised, she was solid at the trials but not like she’s been at the races.” Turner bred the mare along with his good mate Paul Hailes, and they share in the ownership with Caine McIntyre. Caine’s father (and fellow Macca Lodge proprietor) Brent McIntyre trains the mare. Turner himself worked at Jaccka Lodge, the forerunner to Macca Lodge, before deciding to get into journalism. “Brent and Caine have done a wonderful job with this mare and they deserve all the credit,” says Turner. Tonight she’s a rated a $9 chance on the fixed odds. “We expect her to be competitive at Addington – but we don’t expect her to just win but she’ll be running on.” Southside of Heaven is by Rock N Roll Heaven out of Debnita Rose. Bred by Hailes, she won four races. “She was actually named after our mothers, Deborah (Turner) and Anita (Hailes),” says Turner. Southside Of Heaven is her first foal. She’s since had a second, a Betting Line colt called Ace of Spades, but subsequent attempts to get her in foal haven’t been successful. Debnita Rose’s dam Glenburn Rose has been a great producer. She was bred by Hailes’ father Eddie and among her other race winning progeny have been Chesterton (16 wins), Glenburn Jewel (5 wins) and Norham Fella (4 wins) While self-deprecating about his own involvement – “Paul and Caine are the real breeding buffs” – Turner is no novice when it comes to breeding standardbreds. Among his first, and most successful was Hi Gun in the early 2000s. He won 10 from 71. “He didn’t win anything spectacular but we had a lot of fun with him.” In more recent times he’s been part of the ownership group of Group winning-mare Manhattan (both pictured above). Now based in Australia, she’s won 12 races including one this year at Menangle. Turner’s own involvement in harness racing goes way back. His father bred horses too “and I got keen on them from there”. It’s estimated he’s owned or co-owned around 30 horses over the years, with over 50 wins in total. Including Southside Of Heaven Turner has shares in no fewer than six horses over the long weekend. The Peter and Vaughan Blanchard-trained pairing of Watch Your Back and Majestic Ruby will line up at Cambridge on Friday night, followed by Joyride (Cran and Chrissie Dalgety) at Ashburton on Sunday and the Matty Williamson pairing of Lime In A Bottle and Terra Sancta at Invercargill on Monday. “Between the whole lot of them I’m hoping I can get something.” View the full article

This Saturday is what everything is about for trainer Andrew Forsman – having stakes contenders on either side of the Tasman. The Cambridge-based horseman, who also runs a satellite stable out of Flemington, will be shooting for Group One glory in the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm, and will be represented in each of the stakes races at Wanganui. His two-pronged attack in the Derby includes Group Three performer First Innings and Group Three winner Moonlight Magic. “It’s very exciting to have two runners in the Derby this weekend, I am very much looking forward to it,” Forsman said. Moonlight Magic hasn’t raced since winning the Gr.3 Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie last month, where First Innings finished third. The daughter of Almanzor failed to gain a start in the Gr.2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben last Saturday and will head into the Derby in a fresh state. “It has been a long time between runs,” Forsman said. “We really wanted to run her last weekend and didn’t get in. “It is not an ideal scenario to be going into a Derby with a gap between races like she has had, but we have got her as ready as she can be.” Moonlight Magic has also been out of favour in the barrier draw, drawing out wide in gate 19, while First Innings has drawn the 12 marble. “For her (Moonlight Magic), it would have been nice to have had a soft draw and a soft run. She will have to go back and hope for a little bit of luck,” Forsman said. While Moonlight Magic couldn’t gain a start at Doomben last weekend, First Innings sealed his place in the Derby with victory over 2180m at Ipswich last Wednesday. “It was great to get that confidence boosting win last Wednesday and I think it has topped him off nicely for the weekend,” Forsman said. First Innings is currently a $19 fourth favourite for the Derby, while Moonlight Magic is rated a $31 winning chance by TAB bookmakers, who have the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Autumn Angel clearly at the head of the market at $2.60. “Clearly Autumn Angel is the class filly and she is going to be very hard to beat,” Forsman said. “Outside of that I think it is wide open. It is a good, even field and I think the fact that we couldn’t get in the race last weekend says that there are a lot of good, solid three-year-olds up and going at this time of the year, and it is a matter of who is up for running 2400m at this stage.” Back in New Zealand, Forsman will send a couple of stakes contenders south to Wanganui’s meeting on Saturday. Promising juvenile Belardi, a half-brother to Moonlight Magic, will be out to continue his winning ways in the Listed John Turkington Forestry Ltd Castletown Stakes (1200m). The son of Belardo ran sixth on debut at New Plymouth earlier this month before breaking through for his maiden victory over 1100m on a Heavy8 track at Taupo last week. Belardi has drawn the ace barrier on Saturday where he will be ridden by Joe Doyle, on a rain-affected track, which was rated a Heavy9 on Thursday morning. “He is really well and he has bounced through his race at Taupo,” Forsman said. “We are lucky to have drawn one earlier in the day (race three) and hopefully that is a good place to be, but I think it will suit him. “I just hope that he can go down there and handle whatever track conditions will prevail. We knew that Taupo was going to be a looser Heavier track and he would get through it alright, but you never know going down there as to how he will handle whatever track conditions come up, and that will be the deciding factor for him.” Forsman will also be seeking stakes glory with Turn The Ace, who takes a win and a placing into the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m). “He is going great and it will be nice going into a race where we are not giving four or five kilos away to our opposition. I think his downfall last start was the weight he had to give to the horses that beat him,” Forsman said. “We just have to hope that later in the day the pattern does suit a horse that will go forward, and hopefully the rail isn’t too off by that stage of the day.” Meanwhile, at Pukekohe, the stable will be represented by City Girl in the Auckland Co-op Taxis 1200, Satin Doll in the Barfoot & Thompson 1600, and Wessex and Amazing Grace in the Elsdon Park 1400. “I think City Girl is going really well,” Forsman said. “It is a little hard to tell how she will handle a deep Pukekohe track. I do really like her with the swing in the weights on the favourite. “Satin Doll is racing in good, solid form. Wessex is dropping back from stakes company, and I thought her run was really good last start, and I think she is well weighted.” View the full article

Progressive galloper Little Bit Of Love will aim to complete his preparation on a high this Saturday at Pukekohe, chasing a fourth-straight victory in the Elsdon Park 1400. The late-developing four-year-old only made his debut in December but has rapidly risen through the grades with four wins from seven appearances, most recently completing a hattrick for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott at Te Rapa. Little Bit Of Love was piloted in that race by apprentice Ngakau Hailey, and his three-kilogram claim will provide weight relief from his 60.5kg impost on Saturday. “He’s an athletic, fit-looking horse who is racing very well with a load of confidence,” Scott said. “While he’s sneaking up the handicap now, the big claim will bring him into it more. “The only question mark is the testing going on Saturday, it will be the most testing that he has met, but we’re confident he’ll run well again.” Scott indicated the son of Time Test will likely be headed for the spelling paddock after this assignment, with plenty more improvement still to come. “Hopefully he can tick another box on the weekend then he probably deserves a good break, and he’ll come back an older, stronger horse next season,” he said. “He didn’t start racing until he was four, and he’s a good advertisement for giving horses time so they can really hit their straps.” Wexford Stables will be strongly represented elsewhere on the Pukekohe card, with a trio of runners in each of the Rich Hill Stud 1200, Barfoot & Thompson 1600 and SkyCity Horizon 1600. The Heavy10 conditions of Pukekohe will be well suited to Canny Man, Silver Javelin and Winexpress, who will be guided by Hailey and fellow apprentices Triston Moodley and Niranjan Parmar in the Rating 65 1200m contest. “I think Canny Man is coming back into his best form and his last run was really encouraging, he’s also quite adept in the footing,” Scott said. “Silver Javelin has the hood on for the first time, and we’ve seen quite a bit of improvement in her training with that applied. She races well at this time of year and her fitness has certainly benefitted with both runs back, she’s certainly close to her peak. “It’s a bit of the same for Winexpress, he’s taken good improvement with his first two runs and the claim brings him into it. All three horses are good genuine chances.” The three-year-old contenders will be chasing an elusive maiden success over the mile, with Wolf Rayet, Baggio and Cash Treasure engaged. “Wolf Rayet is a bit of a question mark on the testing footing, but he finished well at Te Rapa on good ground and has been going well,” Scott said. “Baggio has been a bit unlucky, but he’s got the senior rider on (Sam Spratt) there to keep him going and he should race on well at the weekend. He’s another one that has taken a bit of racing to get fit. “Cash Treasure raced a bit hesitantly last start so she’ll get the blinkers on, and we’ve seen quite an improvement with them on at home. She’s fit and comes in with high levels of education, so she should run well.” Another last-start winner out of their Matamata barn was Te Atatu Dream, and she will line-up in the Rating 65 mile alongside stablemates Jaffira and Watergate. “A good positive ride from Billy (Jacobson, jockey) got her home last-start, and she’s one that we’ve put aside for this time over year into the early spring and has been patiently handled,” Scott said. “She’s come of age now, we think she can back up her last-start win and she’s a fit mare that revels in the ground. “Jaffira went close last start, and we think he’s going really well. With a claimer (Hailey) and at Pukekohe where he races well, there’s no reason why he can’t put his best foot forward. “Watergate went close at her first-up run and certainly taken benefit from it. Up to the mile, she’s pretty close to being right there other than this being the wettest ground she’s ever hit. “Hopefully she handles the ground and races well on the weekend.” View the full article

Adefill charges to impressive victory at Sha Tin. Some horses simply prefer racing on Sha Tin’s alternate surface and Adefill has once again confirmed that he undoubtedly falls into that category. The 83-rater enhanced his standing as one of Hong Kong’s top dirt course performers tonight (Wednesday, 29 May) with a smart conquest under Karis Teetan in the Class 2 Chun Shek Handicap (1650m) – the first of an eight-race all-dirt programme. Delivering trainer Ricky Yiu’s 50th win this season, Adefill banished four rivals to scoop his biggest success to date in the HK$3.12 million contest, overcoming a distinctive mid-race lull to salute as 1.7 favourite by one and a quarter lengths over Yellowfin. “Before the race, I said he was half a class better on the dirt, but he’s gone to another level – now he’s one class better on the dirt. It’s going to be hard to find a race for him – this is the last possible race on the dirt for this horse for the season,” Yiu said. The Deep field gelding has raced 15 times on the dirt for six wins. His first six starts were on the turf and yielded only two top-five finishes – both times when fifth. “He always hits a flat spot at around the 600-metre mark, so you have to get him going and this is the point where he can win or lose his races. I know him, I switched him off throughout the first part of the race and tracked the right horse,” Teetan said. “Yellowfin slipped away a few lengths when he went, but I wasn’t worried because he takes time to get going and once I asked him in the straight he won pretty nicely towards the end.” Yiu is aiming to build on his half-century: “I’m just trying to stay in the first three in the premiership, that’s what I’m aiming for. It would be very difficult to win. Francis (Lui) is doing really well. His horses can win and then still win again, especially his youngsters.” Adefill’s earnings top HK$8.48 million. His pre-race rating was 83, while the 99-rating Telecom Brothers faded to third after attempting to make all. The Frankie Lor-trained Victory Moments grabbed a rewarding success in the Class 3 Chung On Handicap (1200m) to cap a Zac Purton double at Sha Tin. The four-year-old stepped away from gate three with 127lb on his back. “It looks like the blinkers helped him. Sing Dragon had a big weight (135lb) and the outside draw (12) and he’s beaten us a few times, but this time we beat him,” Lor said. “He looks better on the dirt. Last season I ran him on the turf and he was only close, so I put him on the dirt and he won – in Australia he won on the synthetic.” Purton also triumphed aboard Self Improvement, who dominated the first section of the Class 4 Hin Yiu Handicap (1200m) for trainer Manfred Man. Purton and Man last tasted success in tandem when Lucky Sweynesse landed the HK$26 million Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) last December. A calculated Andrea Atzeni steer saw Asian One provide trainer Jamie Richards with his 27th win this term, capturing the Class 5 Shui Chuen O Handicap (1650m). Atzeni saved ground before pouncing late aboard the chestnut. Richards made it a double when G Liner toughed out a third win in the Class 4 Lee On Handicap (1800m) under Hugh Bowman, who also won twice after earlier scoring aboard Daily Trophy in the Class 5 Mei Lam Handicap (1200m) for trainer Caspar Fownes. The John Size-trained Must Go roared to a second dirt track win from his last four starts under Brenton Avdulla in the second section of the Class 4 Hin Yiu Handicap (1200m). Avdulla became the third jockey after Purton and Bowman to ride two winners this evening as Berlin Tango – who entered the contest after consecutive top-three finishes – nailed Apache Pass in the Class 3 Fung Wo Handicap (1650m) for trainer Tony Cruz. “He was obviously racing ok through the season, but he’s got to his last couple and he ran really well for me at the Valley and then he was probably a bit stiff not to win the other night,” Avdulla said. Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin this Sunday (2 June). The first race is scheduled to jump at 4.00pm HKT. Horse racing news View the full article

BH Interview: Trey GordonView the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)-related rulings from around the country. Among this week's rulings, trainer Monte Gelrod has been suspended for 18 months and fined $12,500 after his trainee, Ratified, tested positive for cobalt salts after winning at Parx Racing on Feb. 19. Gelrod's suspension started Apr. 17. HISA classifies cobalt salts as a banned substance. Cobalt has been proven to stimulate the production of red blood cells (erythropoiesis) which explains why some have turned to it as a potential performance-enhancer in both humans and animals. Greater blood cell production can help endurance and decrease muscle fatigue. Present in all horses at very low baseline levels, cobalt is also found in all sorts of traditional feeds and feed supplements. There is currently no detailed explanation of the ruling on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU)'s website. Trainer David Jacobson has also been banned for 30 days and fined $2,500 after his trainee, Got Thunder, tested positive for an alkalinizing agent (TCO2) when finishing second at Penn National on Mar. 21. High total carbon dioxide (TCO2) levels could be an indication of bicarbonate loading–otherwise known as “milkshaking”–which can neutralize the build-up of lactic acid in muscles, thereby helping the horse's performance. Jacobson's suspension begins May 30. NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the HIWU “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 05/22/2024 Licensee: Gerald Bennett, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from She's So Sexy who finished second at Tampa Bay on 4/5/24. Date: 05/22/2024 Licensee: Christophe Clement, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 23, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Mizoula, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on 3/3/24. Date: 05/22/2024 Licensee: Sergio Ledezma, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a written Reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance). Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Omeprazole-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Cousin Richie, who finished fourth at Aqueduct on 4/13/24. Date: 05/24/2024 Licensee: Curt Ferguson, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by internal arbitration panel. Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Cidstayinurlane, who won at Turf Paradise on 01/30/24. Date: 05/24/2024 Licensee: Michael Hewitt, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Miss Double who finished second at Will Rogers on 4/2/24. Date: 05/24/2024 Licensee: Jesus Nunez, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Run Auntie T Run who won at Los Alamitos on 4/6/24. Date: 05/24/2024 Licensee: Karen Yanez, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Dantrolene-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Jess's Vision on 4/6/24. Date: 05/24/2024 Licensee: N/A Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable). Admission. Explainer: For the presence of metformin-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Devil Pays in Gold, who finished second at Laurel Park on 3/8/24. Read more on the story here. Date: 05/29/2024 Licensee: Monte Gelrod, trainer Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 17, 2024; 6-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse, beginning on February 19, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results obtained on 02/19/24 and 03/04/24, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $12,500. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Cobalt Salts-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Ratified who won at Parx Racing on 2/19/23. More on the story here. Date: 05/29/2024 Licensee: David Jacobson, trainer Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 30, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of an Alkalinizing agent (TCO2) in a sample taken from Got Thunder, who finished second at Penn National on 3/21/24. Date: 05/29/2024 Licensee: Monty Meier, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 30, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Blaze of Dreams, who finished fourth at Golden Gate on 4/20/24. Date: 05/29/2024 Licensee: Eric Foster, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 30, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Xylazine-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from P H Factor, who finished second at Keeneland on 4/21/24. Pending ADMC Violations 05/23/2024, Juan Landeros, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Aminocaproic Acid-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Point Maker on 4/25/24. 05/23/2024, Ramon Aguayo, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Metformin-A banned substance-in a sample taken from Novellie, who finished fifth at Tampa Bay Downs on 4/26/24. 05/25/2024, Monica McGoey, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Camdyn Race on 4/13/24. 05/29/2024, Faith Taylor, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Chilean Express on 3/24/24. Violations of Crop Rule One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race. Churchill Downs Luis Saez – violation date May 25; $523 fine and one-day suspension Oscar Villarreal – violation date May 26; $250 fine and one-day suspension Delaware Park Ederik Robles – violation date May 23; $250 fine and one-day suspension Horseshoe Indianapolis Abel Lezcano – violation date May 22; $500 fine, no other details posted Santo Sanjur – violation date May 23; $250 fine and one-day suspension Gregory Romero – violation date May 28; $250 fine and one-day suspension Prairie Meadows Hugo Torres – violation date May 24; $250 fine and one-day suspension The TDN also publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. New York Track: Aqueduct Date: 05/24/2024 Licensee: Ron Anderson, jockey agent Penalty: $500 fine Explainer: Mr. Ronald Anderson (Jockey Agent) is hereby fined the sum of $500 for failing to honor riding commitments. The post 1 1/2-Year Suspension for Trainer Gelrod; Stewards and Commissions Rulings, May 22 – May 29 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Ken McPeek said May 29 that that Kentucky Derby (G1) victor Mystik Dan and Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Thorpedo Anna continue to train forwardly as he mulls a final decision on spots for their next races.View the full article

Both the jockey and the owner/breeder of the second-place finisher in the Feb. 18 GIII Sunland Derby have filed a notice of appeal with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in an attempt to reverse a more-than-six-strikes whipping disqualification under Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) rules that cost them the placing in that stakes and $85,360 in purse winnings. At issue is the contention by jockey Oscar Ceballos and Eleanor Martin, the owner/breeder of Alotaluck (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), that some of the 11 strikes of the whip that Ceballos administered to the 3-year-old gelding shouldn't have counted against his HISA-mandated six-strike limit because he was allegedly using his whip to control a dangerous situation. Ceballos is banking on a precedent that he established last year: On Sept. 11, 2023, Ceballos earned the distinction of being the first jockey to get the FTC to reverse a HISA-imposed whipping penalty that also involved a total of 11 strikes administered in a stakes at a New Mexico track. That previous case dated to a Sept. 24, 2022 incident in which Ceballos struck Sheriff Brown (Curlin) five times more than permitted when winning the Downs at Albuquerque H. This new May 22, 2024 notice of appeal filed by Ceballos and Martin regarding the Sunland Derby makes contentions similar to those that Ceballos raised in his successful 2023 appeal to the FTC. “HISA was presented with testimony from a licensed Thoroughbred trainer, attending veterinarian, and attending farrier advising Alotaluck suffered an abscessed foot injury, a primary cause for the horse to lose its path and drift out during the stretch,” the FTC appeal stated. “For the safety of the horse and riders, Ceballos engaged the crop and tapped Alotaluck's shoulder to safely steer the horse,” the FTC appeal stated. Ceballos was additionally fined $853.60 and penalized with a three-day suspension. On Apr. 16, when the HISA Authority's board of directors heard the initial administrative appeal, it didn't buy the argument that Ceballos had whipped in the interest of safety. “There is no dispute that Mr. Ceballos struck Alotaluck 11 times during the race,” stated the Apr. 26 decision of the appeal signed by HISA's board chairman, Charles Scheeler. “The evidence established that seven of the eleven strikes were to the shoulder of the horse… “The videotape of the race clearly shows that the horse was lugging out and also moving toward the rail at different points,” the HISA decision continued. “The videotape also shows that Mr. Ceballos was trying to properly position the horse in order to win the race. “The Board does not believe that Mr. Ceballos administered shoulder strikes to Alotaluck for safety purposes,” the HISA decision stated. “The videotape shows that the horse was not running amid close traffic, and Mr. Ceballos was not looking behind him or otherwise manifesting signs that he was concerned about safety. “In addition, Mr. Ceballos testified that the horse was 'off' during the race, and the Board is concerned that Mr. Ceballos continued to strike the horse with the crop if he thought the horse was in trouble. The post Jockey Ceballos Seeks Yet Another HISA Six-Strike Penalty Reversal by FTC appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Adam Hamilton The champ is back. Leap To Fame takes the first step towards what could and should be an assault on the New Zealand Cup when he returns from a spell at Albion Park on Saturday night. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon opted to sharpen-up the champion five-year-old with a 1660m mobile race before trying standing-start racing for the first time a week later in the Flashing Red at Albion Park. The Flashing Red and the $100,000 Group 2 Redcliffe Cup on June 29 are the pivotal races where Leap To Fame needs to handle stand-start racing well to push ahead with NZ Cup plans. While Leap To Fame has loads of class over his rivals on Saturday night, Dixon fears the worst possible draw – gate eight (inside the back row) – could be his undoing. “It’s so hard from that draw over the sprint trip. You can’t pull right back and give them that big a start when there are horses capable of running a 1min50sec mile,” Dixon said. “So, I’ll need luck to try and get away from the inside early or likely be three or four back on the inside and need a lot of luck.” Notably, Leap To Fame has won 11 starts on end and his last defeat came from inside the back row over 1660m in the Be Good Johnny on November 4. X X X Remember Aldebaran Zeus? About this time last year he was finishing up a New Zealand campaign before embarking on an extended US raid where he ran fifth against some of the world’s best trotters in the $US1mil Yonkers International on September 9. He stayed on in the US for another six runs and landed a second placing, but his form tapered-off and managing owner-breeder Duncan McPherson decided to bring him back home. “Looking back, we gave him a few extra runs we probably shouldn’t have because he couldn’t get on the flight we wanted him on back to Australia in November,” McPherson said. “His form went off and he got crook for a while, so we gave him about a month out over there before he eventually got on the plane back home.” Exactly 14 months since he last raced in Australia, Aldebaran Zeus makes his return in Saturday night’s Lenin Free-For-All (2240m) at Melton. And McPherson is tipping a big run. “He’s had a good, long build-up and a couple of trials. Tracey (Cullen) and Brent (Lilley) are very happy with him,” he said. “The best pointer was a strong trial at Melton on Monday night when he ran home well under his own steam and just got beaten by Hesallmuscle in a 1min55sec mile rate … he went terrific. “He’s raring to go and he’s got a draw to use his speed and hopefully find the lead.” Aldebaran Zeus, a five-time Group 1 winner, has drawn gate three with his two main rivals – Ollivici (eight) and One Over All (nine) – off the back row. Champion driver Chris Alford, who made the trip to Yonkers last year to drive him, will be reunited with Aldebaran Zeus on Saturday night. And remember, Aldebaran Zeus did lead throughout to beat Just Believe in the Group 1 Hammerhead Mile at Menangle last year. X X X New Zealand Cup-winning trainer Jason Grimson should continue to build towards his huge Queensland winter raid at Menangle on Saturday night. Fresh from Swayzee’s superb winning return last week, another of Grimson’s open-class stars Hi Manameisjeff returns from a break in the JD Watts Memorial (1609m) at Menangle. It’s the Kiwi-bred pacer’s first run since galloping and losing all chance in the early stages of the Miracle Mile on March 9. Hi Manameisjeff showed he was primed for a return just over a week ago when he beat Swayzee and posted a scorching 1min49sec mile in a Menangle trial. “I’ll take him to Brisbane, too, but aim for the shorter races, especially the Sunshine Sprint, with him,” Grimson said. Grimson’s open-class stocks for Brisbane will also include Nerano and Hot And Treacherous, while his Chariots Of Fire winner Frankie Ferocious will be aimed at the $350,000 Group 1 Rising Sun on July 13. View the full article