Wandering Eyes

The prestigious S$400,000 Singapore Derby (1800m) is set to be run for the final time this Sunday, bringing the curtain down on a race whose proud history is littered with New Zealand-bred and Karaka-sourced success stories. The Singapore Derby was first run in 1880 and is the oldest feature race in Singapore. It is one of the most coveted prizes on the annual calendar of Singaporean racing, which is set to come to an end later this year with the closure of Kranji Racecourse. Throughout that long and rich history, New Zealand’s thoroughbreds have underpinned the Singapore Derby’s special legacy. Since the race was revived in 1959 after a half-century hiatus, no fewer than 32 New Zealand-bred horses have won the Singapore Derby – by far the most of any country. There have been 14 winners bred in Australia, seven in Great Britain, six in Ireland, three in the United States and one each in Japan, Argentina and France. Just since 2004, the Karaka sale ring has produced six unforgettable winners of the Singapore Derby. 2004 – DREYFUSS (NZ) Legendary trainer Laurie Laxon paid $32,000 to buy Dreyfuss (NZ) (Oregon) from the 2001 Select Colts Sale at Karaka. Dreyfuss went on to be crowned Champion 4YO in Singapore and Malaysia in 2004. His seven wins included a powerhouse come-from-behind performance in the Derby and an additional feature win in the Patron’s Bowl (1400m), and he also placed in the Singapore Gold Cup (2200m). He earned just over S$1m in stakes, which is the equivalent of more than 37 times his purchase price. Dreyfuss was bred by Tom Fraser and was offered at Karaka by Fairdale Stud, who stood the Derby hero’s sire Oregon. 2007 – LIM’S PRESTIGE (NZ) Lim’s Prestige (NZ) The 2007 Derby winner Lim’s Prestige (NZ) (Pins) was bred by Elizabeth Pollard. He was offered by Rosehill Farm at the 2004 Select Yearling Sale at Karaka, where Chief Stipe Rawnsley bought him for $16,000. Lim’s Prestige returned to Karaka later that year as a member of Phoenix Park’s draft for the Ready to Run Sale, and he was sold to Mick Dittman for $47,000. A scintillating victory in the Singapore Derby was the best of four wins for Lim’s Prestige, who banked around S$740,000 in prize-money for prominent Singapore owner Mr Lim Siah Mong, along with Kiwi couple Stephen and Bridget Gray. He was also a two-time winner over 1200 metres and finished fourth in the Merlion Trophy (1200m). “People didn’t think this horse would stay 2000 metres, but we’ve always had faith in him,” Bridget Gray said after Lim’s Prestige’s Derby triumph. “He’s out of a staying mare and we always thought he would develop into a genuine stayer. “Mr Lim has been a great owner, he has been with our stable for a long time, and we couldn’t be happier to give him this Singapore Derby.” 2012 – CHASE ME (NZ) Chase Me (NZ) Peter Jenkins and Neoline Redfern bred Chase Me (NZ) (Storm Creek), who was offered as a yearling during Karaka’s 2008 Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale and was bought by Brett McDonald for just $4000. Four years later he secured a place in Singapore racing history with a stunning Derby performance. Ridden by Joao Moreira, Chase Me powered to the lead in the straight and blew his rivals off the track in an eight-length demolition. “It was a great thrill, we were ecstatic watching it on television,” Redfern said afterwards. “It was a terrific win – he just annihilated them. It’s by far my biggest success as a breeder.” Chase Me had a total of 29 starts for seven wins, eight placings and just over S$1m in stakes – massively surpassing his lowly $4000 purchase price at Karaka. His Derby victory was backed up by another black-type win in the Chairman’s Trophy (1800m), and he also placed in the Moonbeam Vase (1800m). 2016 – WELL DONE (NZ) Well Done (NZ) pictured as a 2013 Ready to Run graduate. The Windsor Park Stud-bred Well Done (NZ) (Falkirk) was passed in during the 2013 Select Sale at Karaka, then was a $90,000 purchase at the Ready to Run Sale. He would go on to win seven of his 25 starts and more than S$1.3m – around 18 times his purchase price. He produced a brilliant performance to win his Derby after being badly blocked in the straight. Rider Michael Rodd finally found a way through and Well Done launched an explosive sprint in the final 100 metres to charge past the leader and win by three-quarters of a length. “To win the Derby is clearly my biggest day as a trainer,” trainer David Kok said. “When I saw Michael put him on the rails and switch him off, I was very confident. Even when he had nowhere to go in the straight, I knew he would run on once he found the gap. “The other horse had a big lead, but I know my horse has a very good turn of foot and he didn’t let me down.” Well Done also won the Patron’s Bowl (1600m) and placed in the Kranji Mile (1600m) and Committee’s Prize (1600m). He was Singapore’s Champion 4YO in 2016. 2017 – INFANTRY (NZ) Infantry (NZ) was Singapore’s Horse of the Year in 2017. Just a year after Well Done’s heroics, the Karaka sale ring was in the Singapore Derby spotlight again thanks to Infantry (NZ) (Tavistock). Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Infantry was offered by Cambridge Stud at the 2013 National Weanling Sale and sold for $7000. Infantry earned more than S$1.9m from a 26-start career that produced nine wins and 10 placings. His black-type wins came in the Derby, the Kranji Mile (1600m), the Merlion Trophy (1200m) and the Moonbeam Vase (1800m), while he placed in the Singapore Guineas (1600m), Colonial Chief Stakes (1700m), Stewards’ Cup (1400m), Patron’s Bowl (1600m), Fortune Bowl (1400m) and Chairman’s Trophy (1600m). He earned well over 300 times his purchase price, and he was Singapore’s Horse of the Year, Champion 4YO and Champion Miler in 2017. Infantry settled in fifth place in the 2017 Singapore Derby before pouncing in the straight and opening up a big lead. He began to tire in the closing stages, but had put too much space between himself and his rivals and held on to win by a length. “This is the biggest race I’ve ever won,” trainer Alwin Tan said. “I can’t find words to describe how I’m feeling. All I can say is that I’m very happy and also for the Thai owners who came here to support the horse. This horse has such a big heart, he always does his best. I gave him a lot of endurance work leading into this race and it obviously paid off.” 2022 – LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO Lim’s Kosciuszko took out the 2022 Singapore Derby. Perhaps the greatest member of this list has been saved for last. The Trelawney Stud-bred Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec) was twice passed in at Karaka, failing to meet his $75,000 reserve in Book 1 of Karaka 2019 and his $60,000 reserve at the Ready to Run Sale later that year. He has banked more than S$3.1m, winning 20 of his 26 starts to date. Already a two-time Singapore Horse of the Year, Lim’s Kosciuszko has scored black-type wins in the Derby, the Lion City Cup (1200m) twice, the Merlion Trophy (1200m), the Kranji Mile (1600m) twice, the Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) and the EW Barker Trophy (1400m). He has displayed extraordinary versatility, winning feature races from 1200 up to 2000 metres, and he showed all of his star quality in the Derby to take command in the straight and defy the late challengers all the way to the finish line. “It’s fantastic and a very important win,” trainer Daniel Meagher said. “There was a lot of pressure, knowing he’s more of a 1200 to 1400-metre horse and this wasn’t his best distance, so this is an amazing thrill.” THE 2024 SINGAPORE DERBY Once again, there is a strong New Zealand flavour amongst the field for this Sunday’s Singapore Derby finale. The likely favourite is the Kiwi-bred Lim’s Saltoro (NZ) (Shamexpress), whose nine-start career has produced eight wins and a second placing behind Lim’s Kosciuszko. He was a convincing last-start winner of the Stewards’ Cup (1600m). Flying Nemo (NZ) will line up in Sunday’s Derby. Three of his rivals in the Derby line-up were sourced from NZB Sales. Flying Nemo (NZ) (Vespa) was a $7000 purchase by Warrior Stables from the 2021 National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus. He has had 17 starts for six wins, four placings and S$108,494 (NZ$133,153) in stakes. Roda Robot (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) was passed in when offered with a $5000 reserve during Book 2 of Karaka 2021. His 36-start career has produced seven wins, six placings and S$215,211 (NZ$264,126). Combustion (NZ) (El Roca) was offered by Lilywhites Lodge at the 2021 Ready to Run Sale, where he failed to meet his $30,000 reserve. A five-time placegetter in New Zealand under the name I’m On Fire, he has subsequently recorded two wins and two placings from 13 appearances in Singapore and banked S$55,948 (NZ$68,664). The 2024 edition of the prestigious Singapore Derby will be run as Race 9 at Kranji on Sunday, with a scheduled start time of 4.35pm local time (8.35pm NZT). View the full article

Emerging jumper Affluential (NZ) (Zed) remains on track for next month’s Grand National Hurdle, despite skipping Sunday’s blockbuster all-jumps card at Pakenham. Trainer John Leek Jnr confirmed that Verry Elleegant’s younger brother will run in a 3100-metre flat handicap at Warrnambool on Tuesday instead of Sunday’s Brendan Drechsler Hurdle (3500m), in a bid to avoid a potential weight penalty. The five-year-old Zed gelding is unbeaten in three starts over hurdles, including a dominant win in a Benchmark 120 hurdle at Sandown last start and Leek Jnr is keen to get him into the Grand National Hurdle with the lightest-possible weight. Affluential has been mixing flat and jumps racing all season and satisfied his trainer in a recent hurdle trial at Pakenham. “He’s definitely going to Warrnambool next Tuesday and we’re definitely going to the National,” Leek Jnr said. “The reason for not running him on Sunday is that if he happened to win the Drechsler, it would give him a significant penalty going into the National and I’m very keen to win the National with him, especially for Bob Peters. “It’s like winning a race before the Melbourne Cup. “He probably went better in the trial last week than he’s gone since we’ve had him so he’s on track.” View the full article

If assistant trainer Jack Turnbull is right, Smokin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) is about to strike form at Flemington. The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper contests the VRC Member Peter Drake Plate (2000m) on Saturday, one of five runners from the stable. A Group 1 winner of the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in October 2022, Smokin’ Romans has placed only once in 12 subsequent starts. Smokin’ Romans did run seventh in both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup following the Turnbull Stakes success and fourth in an Australian Cup at Flemington. Turnbull said Smokin’ Romans had been progressing well this campaign and had finally drawn a gate where he can hold a position in the run. “He’s been up at Ballarat and is coming off a slow build-up,” Turnbull said. “He had a long spell over summer after a couple of heavy seasons and this campaign, being winter, we’re trying to get some confidence back and he’s brimming with confidence. “I know he hasn’t won, but he’s hit the board a couple of times, and every time Jaylah (Kennedy, who rides again on Saturday) gets off him, she’s just rapt with how well he’s going.” View the full article

Liquid Les (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) has become more like a family member than a racehorse for Craig Williamson, and the capable gelding will aim to collect a hometown success at New Plymouth in the Revital Fertilisers Open (1800m). A rising eight-year-old by Echoes Of Heaven, Liquid Les has been sparingly raced throughout his career and has made just five appearances this season for two wins, most recently a brave front-running victory at Te Rapa. “It was a big thrill, we’d gone there for a run because there weren’t many options,” Williamson said. “It was his fourth win and he’s won pretty much all of his races the same way, being out in front and leading. “He’s gone from strength to strength this year, he’s an older horse but it’s taken us a long time to get him to this stage, hence only having 20 starts. “He’s been pretty much perfect since, you wouldn’t really know that he’s had a race. He travels quite well, eats up and came home again for a few days off afterwards before getting ready to go again.” On that occasion, Liquid Les was ridden by Matt Cameron, and Williamson opted to remain with a senior rider in Kelly Myers for Saturday’s contest, where he is currently rated an early favourite with TAB bookmakers at $4.50. “I would say we’ll do the same on Saturday in letting him go forward, which is why we’ve got a senior rider on again as they are just able to read the race a bit better. He’s a horse that, if ridden correctly, will go well for you,” Williamson said. “If someone wants to take him on, I would probably prefer to let that horse go as it wouldn’t do him any good getting into a speed battle, often I’ve seen that those two horses just end up nowhere which isn’t what we want. “I think the track will be pretty heavy as we have more rain coming tomorrow. “It’s a bit daunting for smaller trainers when their horses go out and almost be favourite in a bigger sort of race, not that we have any pressure from owners, but it’s just the way it is.” Originally purchased for just $900 via gavelhouse.com as a weanling, Liquid Les has earned more than $88,000 in stakes for Williamson and his wife Sue, who also run a popular café in Inglewood. “I liked the look of him, he had a kind eye and was a nice-looking type,” Williamson said. “He’s out of an O’Reilly mare and I wasn’t looking as much into the breeding side at that time, but as I’ve gone through, he’s from quite a good family. “He’s an awesome horse, great to have around and is a real character. “It’s hard work balancing both, we start at around 4:30 at the café to do baking before coming to do the horses but that’s what I choose to do. “We don’t do it (racing) for the money, we do it because we love the animals and put a lot of time into them. They give us some back as well which is really cool. “It’s very rewarding and being smaller trainers, any win you can get is a big bonus.” Williamson was influenced into racing by former local trainer Marilyn Paewai, who prepared successful winter mare Rosewood (NZ) (Redwood) to several Group Three placings and 11 wins during Williamson’s time at the stable. “The person who got me into training was Marilyn Paewai, who had Rosewood and Batchelor Babe,” he said. “I worked with her for six or seven years before she unfortunately had a stroke and had to give up the horses, Rosewood was at the end of her career, so she retired then. “I inherited Batchelor Babe who was a lovely mare and had five wins, and I’m now breeding from her. We have her second foal on the ground by Derryn. “When I bought Ben (Liquid Les), I bought another filly called Tess, both named after two of my children. Tess raced as Cya Maria, but she sadly broke down, so we got her in foal to Derryn as well. “We bred from her because she was exceptionally tough, she’s by Ghibellines and was a neat little horse.” He has also appreciated assistance from another Taranaki-based conditioner in Tawhiti Hina, who provided him with sound advice to take to each race-day. “My trackwork rider Tawhiti is a very good person and probably the best rider we have here, he’s also a trainer himself,” Williamson said. “He’s been like a mentor to me and not being a rider myself, I’m very lucky to have his help and I wouldn’t be able to do it without him. “He always told me that as long as your horse tries and comes home in one piece, that’s the main thing.” View the full article

It is only fitting that Nikki White has secured a place in next month’s Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 127th Winter Cup (1600m) with her gelding Balzano (NZ) (Shooting To Win), with few trainers experiencing wintery conditions like the Omakau trainer. White is met by chilly temperatures and frosts most days at this time of year and has to work her team within a set time window in the afternoon where the ground has finally defrosted for the day. “It is pretty hard training where I am because it is frozen, so we try and get them done around 3pm in the small window where it isn’t freezing,” White said. “It has been -8 (degrees) for the last week and by 3pm it gets up to about two or three degrees, and it takes a little bit of edge off the track. It has been pretty trying. “We have got between 2.30pm and 4pm that we can work them. I am not working them today (Thursday) because we have had a hoar frost all day and it isn’t lifting, so the ground is still frozen. “I haven’t given them a day off (previously this week) because I knew one of these days would come up, so it is like their Sunday today, I worked them Sunday because I could.” White said her team has adjusted to the chilly temperatures and enjoy being outside. “I have their neck and bellies clipped because it is easier for them to dry, so it is a nice, warm wash when they come in,” she said. “They haven’t really grown a really thick winter coat because I have good blankets on them. “They are double rugged, and it is only when it is snowing or raining that they are stabled. They actually don’t like being stabled, they like being in paddocks. It is a dry cold here, it isn’t a wet cold like they get down south. They handle it well.” Rising four-year-old gelding Balzano has thrived in the cold environment and secured his place in the Winter Cup when winning over 1400m at Ashburton earlier this month. It was a big step up from rating 65 to Open grade, with White admitting she only entered the race with her charge because of the lack of options available. “My husband was up in Christchurch, and I thought if I was coming up I might as well chuck one in (at Ashburton), and that was the only race open to him,” she said. “He is in the Winter Cup after winning that last race at Ashburton, so he got straight into that.” Balzano was bought by White off gavelhouse.com for $25,000 and he has proven to be an astute purchase, running in the top four in all but one of his southern starts, and White believes he can feature once more in the Thank You Oamaru Jockey Club Supporters (1400m) at Oamaru on Sunday. “He will be right there, he is full of it,” she said. White will also line-up Claire’s Pal in the Robbie Lory Memorial (1400m) and Billy Lid in the Plunket Electrical (2200m). “Claire’s Pal needs to go over ground but there wasn’t anything for him until the next meeting at Oamaru after the Winter Cup,” White said. “Billy Lid is back to a distance that he likes. He is a funny horse, he either loves it or he doesn’t, it is what he feels like on the day.” View the full article

A total of 14 fillies will line up for Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks, with the likely favourite Ballydoyle's G2 Ribblesdale Stakes winner Port Fairy (Ire) (Australia {GB}). She is due to renew rivalry with Elwick Stud's supplemented Lava Stream (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who was runner-up in that Royal Ascot contest, as she heads a trio from the Aidan O'Brien stable including the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes third Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Rubies Are Red (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Wathnan Racing's acquisition Lope De Lilas (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) represents the Willie Mullins stable stepping up from a Leopardstown maiden win, while other notables include Tars Farm Equestrian Stud's Oaks third War Chimes (Fr) (Summer Front) and The Aga Khan's Listed Naas Oaks Trial winner Hanalia (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The post Ballydoyle’s Port Fairy Faces 13 in Irish Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Richard Didham with his promising filly Diablo Blanco. Photo: Race Images South Aylesbury trainer Richard Didham has his eyes on a Group One prize with his promising filly Diablo Blanco this spring. The two-year-old daughter of Super Seth had four starts earlier this season, culminating in a fourth placing in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham in December. She subsequently went for a lengthy spell before being brought back to prepare for what could be a lucrative spring campaign, with Didham eyeing the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November. “She was awesome earlier this season, she even trekked all the way to Wellington and courageously ran fourth in a Group Two up there,” Didham said. “She had a long campaign, so she has had a decent spell and hopefully she is in for another long campaign because there are a lot of good three-year-old races coming up. “It (target) has to be the 1000 Guineas, especially on her form so far. I would like to tick off the Canterbury Belle (Listed, 1200m) in September, I think it will be an ideal three-year-old fillies race with a bit of black-type.” Didham has been pleased with how Diablo Blanco has returned, and he is looking forward to her kicking off her campaign at Oamaru on Sunday. “She has been in work a long time. She is not completely screwed down yet, but she is not far away either,” Didham said. “She had a jumpout last week on the course proper at Riccarton and she seems ready to go. Her ability and race experience will take her a long way.” Diablo Blanco races in the colours of co-breeder and part-owner Tony Rider, and Didham said his association with the Milan Park principal began through their link with Hawke’s Bay trainer Guy Lowry. “I am a really good friend of Guy Lowry’s, who Tony Rider has horses with,” Didham said. “Guy Lowry’s horses stayed at our barn during the Cup meeting, and that is how I met Tony.” Rider has entrusted a couple of horses to Didham’s care, including Diablo Blanco and her yearling full-sister. “I have just broken in the yearling full-sister, and I have got a three-year-old filly by Wrote, Divine Story, in work for Tony as well.” While Didham holds high hopes for Diablo Blanco this spring, he is also excited about the prospects of Chairman, who brought up a special milestone for the Canterbury horseman last week. “I am very impressed with Chairman,” Didham said. “He has only had four starts for me, for two wins and two thirds. He looks like a promising horse. “He won last Friday, which ticked off my 100th winner as a horse trainer, it was good to bring up that achievement. I will definitely get that photo on the wall.” Of his 100 wins, Didham singled out a victory in partnership with his father, Les, as the biggest highlight of his training career to date. “One of the nicest ones was winning the Riverton Cup (Listed, 2147m) with Waitui Music (in 2011) when I was in partnership with Dad,” he said. Didham is hoping to quickly add to his win tally this weekend and enhance his stakes haul within the coming months. Horse racing news View the full article

Dashwood will contest the Revital Fertilisers Open (1800m) at New Plymouth on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Jon Miller will be represented by two decent prospects at New Plymouth on Saturday and he will also be keeping a close eye on Flemington. The Cambridge trainer has an improving Dashwood and the genuine Super Dialo to look forward to on the domestic front while their former stablemate Cindy Falls will chase further success in Victoria. Miller prepared the daughter of Sacred Falls to win three races and placed on another three occasions for owner Mark Brady before she relocated to Lee and Shannon Hope’s Seymour stable. Cindy Falls ran third at Sandown in her Australian debut and then won the Leilani Final (1400m) at Flemington, where on Saturday she will step out in the Rising Stars Final (1600m). “We sent her across about a month before she won, it was good to see her go over and at the end of the day she would be racing for $35,000 in her grade here and over there for $150,000 and she picked one up,” Miller said. “She’s won about $100,000 already and there’s not much of her, but she is certainly determined and eventually I think she’ll get 2000m.” Meanwhile, Dashwood will contest the Revital Fertilisers Open (1800m) and while it is a step up in grade, the son of Redwood is fitter for recent racing. He stepped up to a middle-distance last time out to finish a respectable sixth at Te Rapa and Miller said he had benefitted with that outing under his belt. “I’m just hoping it will be loose ground, some of the tracks have been quite sticky and when Sam (Spratt) rode him at Waikato she said he never handled it and was dipping and diving. “Last time, I asked Warren (Kennedy, jockey) to tuck him in behind, but he ended up in front and he was a sitting duck. “He’s more of a chaser than a leader, but he has improved with the run and he’s got a light weight.” Dashwood will carry 53kg with the benefit of apprentice Niranjan Parmar’s claim while Kelly Myers has been booked for Super Dailo. The Swiss Ace gelding is overdue a major reward after posting four consecutive placings. “He’s been knocking on the door but just manages to get run down,” Miller said. “At Te Rapa, a horse came out under his neck just as he was making his run and the next time he was taken on in front and they got him right on the line. “Sam (Spratt) rode him last time, I possibly should have claimed, and she rode a mighty race and it was just the pull in the weights in the finish. “She hopped off and said he might be better going left-handed so I think he’s got a pretty good chance this time.” Horse racing news View the full article

Matamata trainer Pam Gerard. Photo: Supplied Savile Row was a special horse in Pam Gerard’s training career and she is looking forward to debuting one of the young sire’s progeny in Suit Yourself at Arawa Park on Saturday. A son of Makfi, Savile Row was a stakes winner and multiple Group One-placegetter in his short racing career, before retiring to stud at Valachi Downs and later Mapperley Stud. During Valachi Downs’ dispersal sale in 2022, Gerard secured Suit Yourself as a weanling and has since watched his half-sister Sedaka become a multiple-Group Two placegetter during her three-year-old campaign, before being sold as a lucrative breeding proposition due to injury. “I trained Savile Row, so I had been looking at getting hold of one and I’d missed out on a few auctions,” Gerard said. “I happened to see this horse on the sale and knew a little bit about the family. I really liked the type and he was very clean, he just needed to grow, which he has done. “The half-sister going out and performing in Group Twos was very helpful and he is an exceptionally good-looking colt. “He’ll let us know if he doesn’t want to be a colt, but he’s no hassle whatsoever. Being a colt sometimes gives them that little bit of edge going into the early spring, but if they don’t need to be gelded they are just treated like any other horse.” A winner of his last two trials, Suit Yourself is among a six-horse juvenile field, with the benefit of leading hoop Michael McNab to guide his fortunes. “He’s done everything he’s had to and pretty easily, but obviously race-day is a completely different scenario,” Gerard said. “We’ll have to see how the track comes up, I don’t think he would suit a really heavy surface but he’s a really nice horse and I probably would expect a bold showing from him.” Gerard trains in partnership with Michael Moroney and the pair will also be represented by Tarzana, a half-sister to former stable Group One winner On The Rocks. The Tarzino filly was also nominated for the Hastings meeting on Thursday, with the decision to be made on race morning. “We’ll probably take her on Saturday, but we will make the final decision in the morning,” Gerard said. “She’s had a long time between runs as we’ve been waiting for a slightly better track, I’m not sure if she’ll get that on Saturday but we’re at the point where she really needs to have a run. “She’s a nice little filly, doesn’t give much away but on race-day she’s very professional.” The Matamata trainers also hold four-year-old gelding Presuming in high regard and expect further improvement. “He’s a pretty smart horse, we’ve given him plenty of time and possibly just came to the end of it at his last prep. He’s only going to get better the further he goes,” Gerard said. Completing the stable’s runners are Step In Time and Key Largo, both to appreciate light weights courtesy of apprentice Joe Nishizuka claiming four kilograms. “Step In Time was a bit unlucky at Hastings, they just went no clip whatsoever and he’s a horse that needs a genuine pace in there,” Gerard said. “He was good when he won and the same at Pukekohe, just put a line through that last start as he’s not a sit and sprint horse. He’s a big chance on Saturday. “We scratched Key Largo from Pukekohe today which proved to be a blessing, but it was because he got in so nicely at the weights at Rotorua. “He got through the track really well there last time, he was a bit unlucky not to go closer. I think the smaller tracks suit him where he can get a bit of cover, he tends to be a bit fierce on a big track.” Horse racing news View the full article

Group One-winning filly Orchestral. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Star performer Orchestral won’t be over-taxed during her spring preparation, with trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood more focussed on longer-term targets with their stable star. The daughter of Savabeel has returned to work with the Cambridge trainers following her outstanding three-year-old season. Orchestral put together five wins on the bounce, including the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), and was spelled after finishing third in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m). “She’s very well and enjoying being back in the stable, so it’s exciting heading forward,” Wellwood said. “We’ve got three different plans, one is Sydney, one is Melbourne and the other is New Zealand. “It can be a very hard time for a four-year-old spring mare, she had a big three-year-old season so we will be reasonably conservative with her. “Plans will be firmed up more once we have got her through to a trial and see what the weather is doing in each jurisdiction. “There are good options for her, but we will really be focussing on some exciting races in the autumn and have to be a bit patient with her in the spring.” Meanwhile, the stable will have a quiet weekend, with the Irish-bred mare Samoot their only representative. The well-travelled daughter of Dubawi faces an important assignment in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth on Saturday. The mare is owned by Australian Bloodstock and relocated to New Zealand with one aim. “The master plan was for her to come across and get some black type and this is a great opportunity for her,” Wellwood said. “It would be lovely to get some black type for her, she’s got a good page and it would make her a pretty desirable asset to have in anyone’s broodmare band. “We haven’t had a huge involvement with Australian Bloodstock, but we appreciate their support and just hope we can get the job done for them and continue the relationship.” Samoot is a daughter of the multiple stakes-winning Red Ransom mare Muthabara and she is out of a three-quarter sister to Bahhare, who sired Group One winners Hurrah and Dowry during his time in New Zealand. Samoot was twice successful from Sir Michael Stoute’s Newmarket stable before she was purchased by Australian Bloodstock and doubled her winning tally for trainer Kris Lees. The six-year-old has placed in two of her four runs in New Zealand, including a last-start resuming second at Hastings last month. Masa Hashizume takes the ride at the weekend. “She’s had decent form in Australia, it’s probably been a while since we’ve seen that but her form here hasn’t been that bad and she’s going to get her chance on Saturday,” Wellwood said. “She needed the last run and got held up at the top of the straight and she’s derived good benefit from that. “The worst thing is that she’s drawn wide (12) and it will dictate a bit on how we ride her.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Wednesday, July 17, 2024 First Race 2:23pm ACST Visit Dabble It is Day 4 of the Darwin Cup Carnival with 75 horses accepting for the seven-event program on Saturday at Fannie Bay where the three-year-olds take centre stage in the $135,000 NT Derby (2050m). Sunny conditions and light winds are on the menu for Saturday with a top temperature of 30C. The rail will be in its true position, and it will once again be a good dirt surface. NT Derby Tip: He’s Maverick The three-year-old gelding impressed en route to victory in the Darwin Guineas and the fact he finished so powerfully suggests the 2050m won’t trouble the son of Ambidexter. He’s Maverick overcome several obstacles in the Guineas, which only adds merit to the win, and it won’t be smooth sailing on Saturday after drawing a wide gate in the 12-horse field. The winless SA galloper was third in the NT Guineas (1600m) in Alice Springs in March. Success over 1600m (BM68) in the Red Centre in April was followed by a Darwin win against his own age group over 1600m (BM66) in June. NT Derby Race 7 – #7 He’s Maverick (14) 3yo Gelding | T: Kym Healy | J: Sonja Logan (58kg) Bet with Picklebet BEST BET: Spaceship Spaceship is a perfect three wins from three starts in the Top End since arriving from the stable of Eagle Farm trainer Robert Heathcote. He left his rivals in his wake on his debut at Fannie Bay in April, when he overcame Class 2 opposition by five lengths over 1200m as a $1.60 favourite. The son of Invader then caught everyone’s attention when he saluted by 3.3 lengths over 1200m (BM76) in May as a $1.40 favourite. Spaceship got home by 1.5 lengths after clocking 1.07.75 in an open 1200m handicap as a $1.45 favourite with horse racing bookmakers in June. Best Bet Race 3 – #5 Spaceship (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (58.5kg) Bet with Bet365 NEXT BEST: Captain George Captain George made an immediate impact a year ago when he arrived in Darwin from Anthony Cummings’ Randwick stable before losing his edge, but he seems to be back on track after a seven-month spell. Two wins over 1200m (BM54 and 0-58) in June 2023 was followed by a third over 1300m (0-66) in July before the five-year-old gelding was unplaced in three starts over a nine-month period. Two seconds over 1200m at 0-70 ($4.40) and BM54 ($1.50 fav) level in April was followed by a last start second over 1100m (0-58) on June 22 as the $2.15 favourite. He is clearly the best horse in the field. Next Best Race 5 – #1 Captain George (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (60kg) Bet with PlayUp BEST VALUE: Whitten Whitten was five lengths behind Spaceship in second place over 1200m (Class 2) before finishing six lengths adrift of Desarmer in third place over 1300m (Class 2) in April. The four-year-old gelding then spent time in the paddock before finishing full of zest when second behind Motivated Miss over 1200m (0-58) on June 29. Sitting in eighth place, the son of Written Tycoon made ground quickly along the rails at the 600m before motoring home down the middle of the home straight to finish 0.8 lengths adrift of the winner. Best Value Race 2 – #3 Whitten (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Phil Cole | J: Emma Lines (a1.5) (58kg) Bet with Neds Saturday Darwin quaddie tips – 20/7/2024 Darwin quadrella selections Saturday, July 20, 2024 1-2-3 1 2-3-6-7 6-7-9-10-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Morphettville Parks Races Where Morphettville Racecourse – 79 Morphett Rd, Morphettville SA 5043 When Saturday, July 20, 2024 First Race 11:47am ACST Visit Dabble The Group 3 South Australian Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) headlines a nine-race meeting on the Morphettville Parks tracks this Saturday. Persistent rain is forecast for Friday and Saturday, so a further downgrade from a Soft 7 is likely. The rail sticks to its true position, with the action at Morphettville commencing at 11:47am ACST. South Australian Sires’ Produce Stakes Tip: Heinous Prior to a midfield finish in Listed company at Eagle Farm on June 15, the Jason Warren-trained Heinous was a smart winner at Sandown. From barrier three, the juvenile filly will gain an economic run in transit under Teagan Voorham, and if she can replicate her finishing burst from two starts ago, Heinous should prove too slick in the 2024 SA Sires’ Produce Stakes. South Australian Sires’ Produce Stakes Race 5 – #7 Heinous (3) 2yo Filly | T: Jason Warren | J: Teagan Voorham (55.5kg) +380 with PlayUp Best Bet at Morphettville: Episodic Episodic might be untried on Heavy going, but her recent win on a Soft 6 on the course proper at Morphettville suggests it should be no worry for the in-form galloper. The four-year-old mare is a natural backmarker, but in a race that has plenty of runners who want to lead, Todd Pannell can camp just off the speed from the low draw before unleashing Episodic to make it five wins in six outings. Best Bet Race 8 – #10 Episodic (3) 4yo Mare | T: Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea | J: Todd Pannell (58kg) +400 with Picklebet Next Best at Morphettville: Only Old Once Richard Cully’s Only Old Once produced a strong finish over 1600m at Seymour on June 2 to prevail in the final 50m. The progeny of Rebel Raider hit the line strongly, which suggests the 1950m on the Parks track will be ideal. From barrier two, Thomas Stockdale will need a touch of luck approaching the home turn, but if the gaps appear, Only Old Once can win again. Next Best Race 1 – #4 Only Old Once (2) 4yo Mare | T: Richard Cully | J: Thomas Stockdale (58kg) +340 with Dabble Best Value at Morphettville: Alainge The Stuart Padman-trained Alaigne strung together consecutive victories at the end of 2023 before struggling to do much on firmer tracks in tougher company earlier this year. The three-year-old filly is a natural backmarker, and with an abundance of early pace in this event, it sets up perfectly for Maggie Collett to circle the field and have Alainge reeling in some vulnerable leaders. Best Value Race 4 – #10 Alainge (9) 3yo Filly | T: Stuart Padman | J: Margaret Collett (a2) (54kg) +900 with Neds Saturday quaddie tips for Morphettville Morphettville quadrella selections Saturday, July 20, 2023 3-7-8-9-10 1-4-6 3-10 1-2-3-4-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Belmont Classic Day Where Belmont Racecourse – Saintly Entrance, Burswood WA 6100 When Saturday, July 20, 2024 First Race 11:39am AWST Visit Dabble The Listed Belmont Classic will headline the nine-race card at Belmont this Saturday afternoon, with the meeting scheduled to kick off at 11:39am AWST. Considering the track was already rated a Heavy 9 at the time of acceptances, and with more rain forecast to fall on Friday and Saturday, it is expected that the surface will be very heavy on raceday. The rail will be in the +1m position for the entire circuit. Belmont Classic Tip: Weeraechoux Weeraechoux finished off with the best closing sectionals of the Listed Aquanita Stakes last start, and he appears to be ready to win as he steps up to 2200m for the first time. The Brian Kersley-trained gelding settled at the rear of the field and he let down with a blistering turn of foot in the final 300m to finish second behind Cool Memory. From barrier four, Chris Parnham can settle closer to the speed here and if Weeraechoux shows a similar finish, he can win the feature. Belmont Classic Race 8 – #1 Weeraechoux (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Brian Kersley | J: Chris Parnham (56.5kg) +340 with Dabble Best Bet at Belmont: Sensessional Following impressive back-to-back wins at Pinjarra and this track in his last two starts, Sensessional gets a very good chance to record a hat-trick of wins. The Grant & Alana Williams-trained galloper received a saloon passage up the inside rail and ran away from his rivals over 1600m on July 6. Jumping from barrier 14 on Saturday, William Pike will have to settle near the rear of the field and track a path down the outside of the field. If Sensessional handles the heavy going, he will bring up the hat-trick. Best Bet Race 6 – #4 Sensessional (14) 3yo Gelding | T: Grant & Alana Williams | J: William Pike (57.5kg) +160 with Neds Next Best at Belmont: Ginnivan Ginnivan has finished in the top two in each of his last three starts, including a dominant 3.3-length victory at this track and trip two starts back. This son of Universal Ruler nearly held on to record a second straight win, but he was outbobbed in a photo finish by Final Siren. Brayden Gaerth will claim 2kg, which will allow him to get into the race with just 55.5kg on his back. If Ginnivan can replicate his last start performance, he will prove very hard to beat. Next Best Race 8 – #6 Ginnivan (8) 3yo Gelding | T: Jim Taylor | J: Brayden Gaerth (a2) (57.5kg) +180 with PlayUp Best Value at Belmont: Bird’s The Word Bird’s The Word has been a model of consistency in recent starts, recording three placings and a win over his last four starts for Daniel & Ben Pearce. The son of Galah settled midfield on the fence and ran home strongly along the rail to finish second behind Boots Like Bruce over 1200m at this track. Now that he rises to 1300m (9:2-1-2) and finds a Heavy track (3:2-0-0), it is expected that Bird’s The Word will relish the conditions and play a prominent role in the finish. Best Value Race 5 – #1 Bird’s The Word (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Daniel & Ben Pearce | J: Chris Parnham (61kg) +800 with Bet365 Saturday quaddie tips for Belmont races Belmont quadrella selections Saturday, July 20, 2024 1-4 1-2-6 1-6-12 4-7-9-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Entain have today announced the qualifying races in the two Bonus Series that will culminate on the new Champions Day at Ellerslie on Saturday 8 March. As part of the new Summer Carnival, a revamped Champion Middle Distance Series and a new Champion Sprint Series will be run for a total of $1 million in bonuses, with the final race in each Series to be run on Champions Day, also home to the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi. Points will be allocated to the first four placegetters of each race in the respective Series, with a bonus pool of $500,000 being shared amongst the owners of the three highest point scoring horses at the conclusion of each Series. The top three points earners of each Series will receive $300,000 for first, $150,000 for second and $50,000 for third (with the trainer of the first-place getter receiving 10% of the bonus won). “Off the back of the success of this Summer’s Middle Distance Series, the two Champion Series include a greater number of races, which are spread over a longer period. This is designed to create more opportunities for participants to compete for the prize pool, whilst also creating interest and excitement in the two Series,” NZTR COO Darin Balcombe said. “We will be presenting cheques to the winners and placegetters of each Series on an already sensational Champions Day. Total prize money on offer will now exceed $10 million, making this a truly world class racing event.” The Champion Sprint Series will include four Australian races, with the aim of attracting Australian horses to compete in New Zealand’s major sprint races over the Summer. There will also be an additional incentive for top-line sprinters to tackle the Series, with the winner having first rights at representing Trackside Media in The Quokka, the A$5 million slot race in Perth next April. “The trans-Tasman dimension that has been added through the four Australian qualifying races in the Sprint Series as well as the offer of the Trackside slot in The Quokka in Perth provides a genuine road map all through the spring and summer for star Kiwi and Australian sprinters,” Entain Australia and New Zealand Deputy CEO Lachlan Fitt said. “These two new elements will increase engagement and wagering activity in both countries on all these Sprint Series races. The addition of The Quokka entry also provides a rare opportunity for slot race glory, with six weeks between Champions Day and The Quokka giving connections time to set their sights squarely towards a sprinting grand final at Ascot Racecourse in Perth, on April 19 next year. The qualifying races and allocation of points for each Series are set out below: Champion Middle Distance Series – Qualifying Races G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate – 28 September 2024 G1 Livamol Classic – 12 October 2024 G3 Balmerino Stakes – 5 November 2024 G3 TAB Mile – 13 November 2024 G1 TAB Classic – 7 December 2024 G1 Zabeel Classic – 26 December 2024 G2 Rich Hill Mile – 1 January 2025 G1 Thorndon Mile – 11 January 2025 Aotearoa Classic – 25 January 2025 G1 Herbie Dyke Stakes – 8 February 2025 G1 Otaki WFA Classic – 22 February 2025 G1 Bonecrusher NZ Stakes – 8 March 2025 Champion Sprint Series – Qualifying Races G3 Counties Bowl – 30 November 2024 G1 Winterbottom Stakes (Perth) – 30 November 2024 G3 George Moore Stakes (Brisbane) – 30 November 2024 Listed Hazlett Stakes – 26 December 2024 Listed Christmas Stakes (Melbourne) – 26 December 2024 Listed Canterbury Sprint (Sydney) – 1 January 2025 G3 Concorde Handicap – 1 January 2025 G1 Telegraph – 11 January 2025 G1 Railway Stakes – 25 January 2025 G1 BCD Sprint – 8 February 2025 G3 Kings Plate – 8 March 2025 Champion Middle Distance Series – Points Allocation Champion Sprint Series – Points Allocation To be eligible to win or place in a Series, a horse must compete in at least one Group 1 race in the relevant Series. If two or more horses finish with the same number of points in a Series, the relevant bonus amount will be shared amongst the owners of those horses. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Catlyn Calder +64 027 252 2803 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz View the full article

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Entain have today announced the qualifying races in the two Bonus Series that will culminate on the new Champions Day at Ellerslie on Saturday 8 March. As part of the new Summer Carnival, a revamped Champion Middle Distance Series and a new Champion Sprint Series will be run for a total of $1 million in bonuses, with the final race in each Series to be run on Champions Day, also home to the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi. Points will be allocated to the first four placegetters of each race in the respective Series, with a bonus pool of $500,000 being shared amongst the owners of the three highest point scoring horses at the conclusion of each Series. The top three points earners of each Series will receive $300,000 for first, $150,000 for second and $50,000 for third (with the trainer of the first-place getter receiving 10% of the bonus won). “Off the back of the success of this Summer’s Middle Distance Series, the two Champion Series include a greater number of races, which are spread over a longer period. This is designed to create more opportunities for participants to compete for the prize pool, whilst also creating interest and excitement in the two Series,” NZTR COO Darin Balcombe said. “We will be presenting cheques to the winners and placegetters of each Series on an already sensational Champions Day. Total prize money on offer will now exceed $10 million, making this a truly world class racing event.” The Champion Sprint Series will include four Australian races, with the aim of attracting Australian horses to compete in New Zealand’s major sprint races over the Summer. There will also be an additional incentive for top-line sprinters to tackle the Series, with the winner having first rights at representing Trackside Media in The Quokka, the A$5 million slot race in Perth next April. “The trans-Tasman dimension that has been added through the four Australian qualifying races in the Sprint Series as well as the offer of the Trackside slot in The Quokka in Perth provides a genuine road map all through the spring and summer for star Kiwi and Australian sprinters,” Entain Australia and New Zealand Deputy CEO Lachlan Fitt said. “These two new elements will increase engagement and wagering activity in both countries on all these Sprint Series races. The addition of The Quokka entry also provides a rare opportunity for slot race glory, with six weeks between Champions Day and The Quokka giving connections time to set their sights squarely towards a sprinting grand final at Ascot Racecourse in Perth, on April 19 next year. The qualifying races and allocation of points for each Series are set out below: Champion Middle Distance Series – Qualifying Races G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate – 28 September 2024 G1 Livamol Classic – 12 October 2024 G3 Balmerino Stakes – 5 November 2024 G3 TAB Mile – 13 November 2024 G1 TAB Classic – 7 December 2024 G1 Zabeel Classic – 26 December 2024 G2 Rich Hill Mile – 1 January 2025 G1 Thorndon Mile – 11 January 2025 Aotearoa Classic – 25 January 2025 G1 Herbie Dyke Stakes – 8 February 2025 G1 Otaki WFA Classic – 22 February 2025 G1 Bonecrusher NZ Stakes – 8 March 2025 Champion Sprint Series – Qualifying Races G3 Counties Bowl – 30 November 2024 G1 Winterbottom Stakes (Perth) – 30 November 2024 G3 George Moore Stakes (Brisbane) – 30 November 2024 Listed Hazlett Stakes – 26 December 2024 Listed Christmas Stakes (Melbourne) – 26 December 2024 Listed Canterbury Sprint (Sydney) – 1 January 2025 G3 Concorde Handicap – 1 January 2025 G1 Telegraph – 11 January 2025 G1 Railway Stakes – 25 January 2025 G1 BCD Sprint – 8 February 2025 G3 Kings Plate – 8 March 2025 Champion Middle Distance Series – Points Allocation Champion Sprint Series – Points Allocation To be eligible to win or place in a Series, a horse must compete in at least one Group 1 race in the relevant Series. If two or more horses finish with the same number of points in a Series, the relevant bonus amount will be shared amongst the owners of those horses. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Catlyn Calder +64 027 252 2803 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz View the full article

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Entain have today announced the qualifying races in the two Bonus Series that will culminate on the new Champions Day at Ellerslie on Saturday 8 March. As part of the new Summer Carnival, a revamped Champion Middle Distance Series and a new Champion Sprint Series will be run for a total of $1 million in bonuses, with the final race in each Series to be run on Champions Day, also home to the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi. Points will be allocated to the first four placegetters of each race in the respective Series, with a bonus pool of $500,000 being shared amongst the owners of the three highest point scoring horses at the conclusion of each Series. The top three points earners of each Series will receive $300,000 for first, $150,000 for second and $50,000 for third (with the trainer of the first-place getter receiving 10% of the bonus won). “Off the back of the success of this Summer’s Middle Distance Series, the two Champion Series include a greater number of races, which are spread over a longer period. This is designed to create more opportunities for participants to compete for the prize pool, whilst also creating interest and excitement in the two Series,” NZTR COO Darin Balcombe said. “We will be presenting cheques to the winners and placegetters of each Series on an already sensational Champions Day. Total prize money on offer will now exceed $10 million, making this a truly world class racing event.” The Champion Sprint Series will include four Australian races, with the aim of attracting Australian horses to compete in New Zealand’s major sprint races over the Summer. There will also be an additional incentive for top-line sprinters to tackle the Series, with the winner having first rights at representing Trackside Media in The Quokka, the A$5 million slot race in Perth next April. “The trans-Tasman dimension that has been added through the four Australian qualifying races in the Sprint Series as well as the offer of the Trackside slot in The Quokka in Perth provides a genuine road map all through the spring and summer for star Kiwi and Australian sprinters,” Entain Australia and New Zealand Deputy CEO Lachlan Fitt said. “These two new elements will increase engagement and wagering activity in both countries on all these Sprint Series races. The addition of The Quokka entry also provides a rare opportunity for slot race glory, with six weeks between Champions Day and The Quokka giving connections time to set their sights squarely towards a sprinting grand final at Ascot Racecourse in Perth, on April 19 next year. The qualifying races and allocation of points for each Series are set out below: Champion Middle Distance Series – Qualifying Races G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate – 28 September 2024 G1 Livamol Classic – 12 October 2024 G3 Balmerino Stakes – 5 November 2024 G3 TAB Mile – 13 November 2024 G1 TAB Classic – 7 December 2024 G1 Zabeel Classic – 26 December 2024 G2 Rich Hill Mile – 1 January 2025 G1 Thorndon Mile – 11 January 2025 Aotearoa Classic – 25 January 2025 G1 Herbie Dyke Stakes – 8 February 2025 G1 Otaki WFA Classic – 22 February 2025 G1 Bonecrusher NZ Stakes – 8 March 2025 Champion Sprint Series – Qualifying Races G3 Counties Bowl – 30 November 2024 G1 Winterbottom Stakes (Perth) – 30 November 2024 G3 George Moore Stakes (Brisbane) – 30 November 2024 Listed Hazlett Stakes – 26 December 2024 Listed Christmas Stakes (Melbourne) – 26 December 2024 Listed Canterbury Sprint (Sydney) – 1 January 2025 G3 Concorde Handicap – 1 January 2025 G1 Telegraph – 11 January 2025 G1 Railway Stakes – 25 January 2025 G1 BCD Sprint – 8 February 2025 G3 Kings Plate – 8 March 2025 Champion Middle Distance Series – Points Allocation Champion Sprint Series – Points Allocation To be eligible to win or place in a Series, a horse must compete in at least one Group 1 race in the relevant Series. If two or more horses finish with the same number of points in a Series, the relevant bonus amount will be shared amongst the owners of those horses. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Contact: Catlyn Calder +64 027 252 2803 nztrcommunications@nztr.co.nz View the full article

Aylesbury trainer Richard Didham has is eyes on a Group One prize with his promising filly Diablo Blanco this spring. The two-year-old daughter of Super Seth had four starts earlier this season, culminating in a fourth placing in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham in December. She subsequently went for a lengthy spell before being brought back to prepare for what could be a lucrative spring campaign, with Didham eyeing the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November. “She was awesome earlier this season, she even trekked all the way to Wellington and courageously ran fourth in a Group Two up there,” Didham said. “She had a long campaign, so she has had a decent spell and hopefully she is in for another long campaign because there are a lot of good three-year-old races coming up. “It (target) has to be the 1000 Guineas, especially on her form so far. I would like to tick off the Canterbury Belle (Listed, 1200m) in September, I think it will be an ideal three-year-old fillies race with a bit of black-type.” Didham has been pleased with how Diablo Blanco has returned, and he is looking forward to her kicking off her campaign in the Bevan Crombie Memorial (1200m) at Oamaru on Sunday. “She has been in work a long time. She is not completely screwed down yet, but she is not far away either,” Didham said. “She had a jumpout last week on the course proper at Riccarton and she seems ready to go. Her ability and race experience will take her a long way.” Diablo Blanco races in the colours of co-breeder and part-owner Tony Rider, and Didham said his association with the Milan Park principal began through their link with Hawke’s Bay trainer Guy Lowry. “I am a really good friend of Guy Lowry’s, who Tony Rider has horses with,” Didham said. “Guy Lowry’s horses stayed at our barn during the Cup meeting, and that is how I met Tony.” Rider has entrusted a couple of horses to Didham’s care, including Diablo Blanco and her yearling full-sister. “I have just broken in the yearling full-sister, and I have got a three-year-old filly by Wrote, Divine Story, in work for Tony as well.” While Didham holds high hopes for Diablo Blanco this spring, he is also excited about the prospects of Chairman, who brought up a special milestone for the Canterbury horseman last week. “I am very impressed with Chairman,” Didham said. “He has only had four starts for me, for two wins and two thirds. He looks like a promising horse. “He won last Friday, which ticked off my 100th winner as a horse trainer, it was good to bring up that achievement. I will definitely get that photo on the wall.” Of his 100 wins, Didham singled out a victory in partnership with his father, Les, as the biggest highlight of his training career to date. “One of the nicest ones was winning the Riverton Cup (Listed, 2147m) with Waitui Music (in 2011) when I was in partnership with Dad,” he said. Didham is hoping to quickly add to his win tally this weekend and enhance his stakes haul within the coming months. View the full article

Jon Miller will be represented by two decent prospects at New Plymouth on Saturday and he will also be keeping a close eye on Flemington. The Cambridge trainer has an improving Dashwood and the genuine Super Dialo to look forward to on the domestic front while their former stablemate Cindy Falls will chase further success in Victoria. Miller prepared the daughter of Sacred Falls to win three races and placed on another three occasions for owner Mark Brady before she relocated to Lee and Shannon Hope’s Seymour stable. Cindy Falls ran third at Sandown in her Australian debut and then won the Leilani Final (1400m) at Flemington, where on Saturday she will step out in the Rising Stars Final (1600m). “We sent her across about a month before she won, it was good to see her go over and at the end of the day she would be racing for $35,000 in her grade here and over there for A$150,000 and she picked one up,” Miller said. “She’s won about A$100,000 already and there’s not much of her, but she is certainly determined and eventually I think she’ll get 2000m.” Meanwhile, Dashwood will contest the Revital Fertilisers Open (1800m) and while it is a step up in grade, the son of Redwood is fitter for recent racing. He stepped up to a middle-distance last time out to finish a respectable sixth at Te Rapa and Miller said he had benefitted with that outing under his belt. “I’m just hoping it will be loose ground, some of the tracks have been quite sticky and when Sam (Spratt) rode him at Waikato she said he never handled it and was dipping and diving. “Last time, I asked Warren (Kennedy, jockey) to tuck him in behind, but he ended up in front and he was a sitting duck. “He’s more of a chaser than a leader, but he has improved with the run and he’s got a light weight.” Dashwood will carry 53kg with the benefit of apprentice Niranjan Parmar’s claim while Kelly Myers has been booked for Super Dailo in the UBP Ltd Maiden (1100m). The Swiss Ace gelding is overdue a major reward after posting four consecutive placings. “He’s been knocking on the door but just manages to get run down,” Miller said. “At Te Rapa, a horse came out under his neck just as he was making his run and the next time he was taken on in front and they got him right on the line. “Sam (Spratt) rode him last time, I possibly should have claimed, and she rode a mighty race and it was just the pull in the weights in the finish. “She hopped off and said he might be better going left-handed so I think he’s got a pretty good chance this time.” View the full article

Star performer Orchestral won’t be over-taxed during her spring preparation, with trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood more focussed on longer-term targets with their stable star. The daughter of Savabeel has returned to work with the Cambridge trainers following her outstanding three-year-old season. Orchestral put together five wins on the bounce, including the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), and was spelled after finishing third in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m). “She’s very well and enjoying being back in the stable, so it’s exciting heading forward,” Wellwood said. “We’ve got three different plans, one is Sydney, one is Melbourne and the other is New Zealand. “It can be a very hard time for a four-year-old spring mare, she had a big three-year-old season so we will be reasonably conservative with her. “Plans will be firmed up more once we have got her through to a trial and see what the weather is doing in each jurisdiction. “There are good options for her, but we will really be focussing on some exciting races in the autumn and have to be a bit patient with her in the spring.” Meanwhile, the stable will have a quiet weekend, with the Irish-bred mare Samoot their only representative. The well-travelled daughter of Dubawi faces an important assignment in the Listed Sinclair Electrical & Refrigeration Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth on Saturday. The mare is owned by Australian Bloodstock and relocated to New Zealand with one aim. “The master plan was for her to come across and get some black type and this is a great opportunity for her,” Wellwood said. “It would be lovely to get some black type for her, she’s got a good page and it would make her a pretty desirable asset to have in anyone’s broodmare band. “We haven’t had a huge involvement with Australian Bloodstock, but we appreciate their support and just hope we can get the job done for them and continue the relationship.” Samoot is a daughter of the multiple stakes-winning Red Ransom mare Muthabara and she is out of a three-quarter sister to Bahhare, who sired Group One winners Hurrah and Dowry during his time in New Zealand. Samoot was twice successful from Sir Michael Stoute’s Newmarket stable before she was purchased by Australian Bloodstock and doubled her winning tally for trainer Kris Lees. The six-year-old has placed in two of her four runs in New Zealand, including a last-start resuming second at Hastings last month. Masa Hashizume takes the ride at the weekend. “She’s had decent form in Australia, it’s probably been a while since we’ve seen that but her form here hasn’t been that bad and she’s going to get her chance on Saturday,” Wellwood said. “She needed the last run and got held up at the top of the straight and she’s derived good benefit from that. “The worst thing is that she’s drawn wide (12) and it will dictate a bit on how we ride her.” View the full article

Savile Row was a special horse in Pam Gerard’s training career and she is looking forward to debuting one of the young sire’s progeny in Suit Yourself at Arawa Park on Saturday. A son of Makfi, Savile Row was a stakes winner and multiple Group One-placegetter in his short racing career, before retiring to stud at Valachi Downs and later Mapperley Stud. During Valachi Downs’ dispersal sale in 2022, Gerard secured Suit Yourself as a weanling and has since watched his half-sister Sedaka become a multiple-Group Two placegetter during her three-year-old campaign, before being sold as a lucrative breeding proposition due to injury. “I trained Savile Row, so I had been looking at getting hold of one and I’d missed out on a few auctions,” Gerard said. “I happened to see this horse on the sale and knew a little bit about the family. I really liked the type and he was very clean, he just needed to grow, which he has done. “The half-sister going out and performing in Group Twos was very helpful and he is an exceptionally good-looking colt. “He’ll let us know if he doesn’t want to be a colt, but he’s no hassle whatsoever. Being a colt sometimes gives them that little bit of edge going into the early spring, but if they don’t need to be gelded they are just treated like any other horse.” A winner of his last two trials, Suit Yourself is among a six-horse juvenile field in the Entain-NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race 2YO (1230m), with the benefit of leading hoop Michael McNab to guide his fortunes. “He’s done everything he’s had to and pretty easily, but obviously race-day is a completely different scenario,” Gerard said. “We’ll have to see how the track comes up, I don’t think he would suit a really heavy surface but he’s a really nice horse and I probably would expect a bold showing from him.” Gerard trains in partnership with Michael Moroney and the pair will also be represented by Tarzana in the Macmillan Accountants 3YO (1230m), a half-sister to former stable Group One winner On The Rocks. The Tarzino filly was also nominated for the Hastings meeting on Thursday, with the decision to be made on race morning. “We’ll probably take her on Saturday, but we will make the final decision in the morning,” Gerard said. “She’s had a long time between runs as we’ve been waiting for a slightly better track, I’m not sure if she’ll get that on Saturday but we’re at the point where she really needs to have a run. “She’s a nice little filly, doesn’t give much away but on race-day she’s very professional.” The Matamata trainers also hold four-year-old gelding Presuming in high regard and expect further improvement beyond his assignment in the Greenlight Insurance Brokers 1400. “He’s a pretty smart horse, we’ve given him plenty of time and possibly just came to the end of it at his last prep. He’s only going to get better the further he goes,” Gerard said. Completing the stable’s runners are Step In Time in the Campbell Infrastructure 2200 and Key Largo in the Rotorua Club 1400, both to appreciate light weights courtesy of apprentice Joe Nishizuka claiming four kilograms. “Step In Time was a bit unlucky at Hastings, they just went no clip whatsoever and he’s a horse that needs a genuine pace in there,” Gerard said. “He was good when he won and the same at Pukekohe, just put a line through that last start as he’s not a sit and sprint horse. He’s a big chance on Saturday. “We scratched Key Largo from Pukekohe today which proved to be a blessing, but it was because he got in so nicely at the weights at Rotorua. “He got through the track really well there last time, he was a bit unlucky not to go closer. I think the smaller tracks suit him where he can get a bit of cover, he tends to be a bit fierce on a big track.” View the full article

Hettinger, with Gold Coast jockey Noel Callow in the saddle, goes to the line an easy winner of the $50,000 Toyota Finance Cup (1600m) on Wednesday for Kyneton trainer Neil Dyer on Day 3 of the Darwin Cup Carnival at Fannie Bay. After Neil Dyer’s Bear Story decimated his rivals in the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) on Saturday, stablemate Hettinger destroyed his rivals in the Toyota Finance Cup (1600m) at Fannie Bay on Wednesday. Clearly, Bear Story and Hettinger are cherry-ripe to deliver the Victorian trainer a fourth Darwin Cup (2050m) on August 5, following the success of Hawks Bay (2011 and 2012) and Royal Request (2017). Hettinger starred in the NT last year, with the son of I Am Invincible always returning for the Darwin Cup. The five-year-old gelding certainly produced something out of the box against 0-76 opposition on Wednesday, when he was easily 15 lengths off the pace passing the 1200m before flicking the switch. The front-running American Jazz still held a big lead at the 600m, but Hettinger ($4) was motoring and had caught the five other runners despite sitting in seventh place. Leaving the fence and swinging three deep at the home turn, fifth-placed Hettinger gobbled up American Jazz at the 250m before sprinting clear to cream Chris Pollard’s Hamlet Von Snitzel ($21), who was second throughout, and Gary Clarke’s Pink Panther ($2 fav) by 7.4 lengths. For Noel Callow, Gold Coast’s Group 1 winning jockey, it was back-to-back Darwin features after partnering Bear Story. Hettinger was fifth behind Clarke’s Wolfburn on his Darwin return in the ROANT Gold Cup (1300m) on June 29, but was only 3.4 lengths adrift after travelling three deep the whole trip. Going into Wednesday’s $50,000 race, Hettinger had only won races for Dyer beyond 1300m. 2024 Toyota Finance Cup Replay – Hettinger Murray Bridge trainer Heather Lehmann won The Rose Bowl (1300m) – the Carnivals’ $35,000 feature for the fillies and mares – for the second time when Lucky Fortuna (Emma Lines) finished powerfully in the home straight to make it three wins from as many starts since returning to the Top End. The four-year-old mare, who had two wins from six starts in Darwin a year ago, finished sixth in The Rose Bowl (0-70) during the 2023 Carnival and was the $2.35 favourite with horse racing bookmakers on Wednesday before saluting by 0.9 lengths. Lehmann won The Rose Bowl in 2016 with Alphabetic, and in the 2024 edition, Lucky Fortuna, the daughter of Smart Missile, settled in fifth place along the back before making ground on the leaders at the 600m. Lucky Fortuna had weaved her way to the front by the 200m after overtaking the leader, Fly Nice, before beating Angela Forster’s Zoumist ($9.50) and Kym Healy’s Starlite Rebel ($21) home. Horse racing news View the full article

What Ipswich Races Where Ipswich Turf Club – 219 Brisbane Rd, Bundamba QLD 4304 When Friday, July 19, 2024 First Race 12:17pm AEST Visit Dabble Ipswich Turf Club will host a competitive eight-race card this Friday afternoon, with the opener set to jump at 12:17pm AEST. The track was rated as a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, but with no rain forecast on Thursday and Friday, it is expected to improve into the Good range. The rail will be in the +8m position, so the track could favour on-speed runners. Best Bet at Ipswich: Shows A Sign Following his impressive victory at the Sunshine Coast on July 6, Shows A Sign heads to Ipswich in search of a hat-trick. The Pat Webster-trained gelding exhibited good barrier speed to push forward and find the front before giving a strong kick on the home turn to run away with the win. If Shows A Sign can replicate that performance, the rise in weight should prove no issue. Best Bet Race 1 – #1 Shows A Sign (8) 2yo Gelding | T: Pat Webster | J: Les Tilley (61kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Ipswich: Malarina For the fourth start in a row, Annabel Neasham and Jag Guthmann-Chester will combine with Malarina as she seeks her first victory of this preparation. This daughter of Your Song was made to work from her wide barrier at Doomben last start, and she struggled in the final 100m. Guthmann-Chester will have to push forward from another wide barrier, but if Malarina doesn’t have to work too much to find the one-one position, she can break through for a win. Next Best Race 8 – #10 Malarina (17) 3yo Filly | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Jag Guthmann-Chester (56kg) Bet with Dabble Best Value at Ipswich: Island Tide Island Tide heads to Ipswich following a dominant victory over 800m at Kilcoy on July 9. The Corey & Kylie Geran-trained mare has very good barrier speed, which allows her to find the front and run the race to suit herself. Landan Sykes has won on this daughter of All Too Hard three times from four rides, and if the apprentice can find the front from barrier two, there is no reason Island Tide can’t make it three win in a row. Best Value Race 3 – #3 Island Tide (2) 4yo Mare | T: Corey & Kylie Geran | J: Landan Sykes (a3) (60.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Friday quaddie tips for Ipswich races Ipswich quadrella selections Friday, July 19, 2024 1-2-4-7 1-2-3 1-3-5-9 1-8-10-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Flemington Races Where Flemington Racecourse – 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031 When Saturday, July 20, 2024 First Race 12:05pm AEST Visit Dabble The $175,000 Flemington Cup (2800m) headlines the metro racing action at Melbourne’s premier track this Saturday. The track has come up a Heavy 8, and an upgrade looks unlikely with further rain forecast for Friday and Saturday. The rail comes out 3m for the entire circuit, with the action commencing at 12:05pm AEST. Flemington Cup Tip: Ferago With two wins and four runner-up performances on Heavy ground, Ferago is sure to appreciate the step up to 2800m on a deteriorating track. Two runs back, he was beaten 1.8 lengths by Amade in the Listed Sandown Cup, and this looks no harder. He found the Good 4 track too firm over 2540m at this course on June 22, and despite needing to make up more than four lengths on some of his rivals, Ferago looks a smart play in the Deane Lester Flemington Cup. Next Best Race 7 – #7 Ferago (11) 7yo Gelding | T: Patrick Ryan | J: Harry Grace (54.5kg) +700 with Neds Best Bet at Flemington: Baraqiel Having his first start down the Flemington straight, the Leon & Troy Corstens-trained Baraqiel looks well placed to keep his undefeated streak intact. After putting 3.5 lengths on his rivals at Swan Hill on June 6, the son of Snitzel was a handy winner at Caulfield on June 29 despite doing plenty wrong. From barrier 12, Ben Allen will likely have the five-year-old contesting the lead, and when asked to quicken, Baraqiel will leave his rivals standing as he continues his progression through the grades. Best Bet Race 6 – #6 Baraqiel (12) 5yo Gelding | T: Leon & Troy Corstens | J: Ben Allen (58kg) +260 with Picklebet Next Best at Flemington: Politely Dun Politely Dun is the VRC Derby (2500m) favourite, and he gets his chance to break his maiden in the Byerley Handicap. Based on his first two starts, the 1800m should be right up his alley. He was outsprinted in Listed company over 1600m at Flemington but hit the line strongly to suggest the extra 200m will suit. Next Best Race 1 – #2 Politely Dun (6) 2yo Gelding | T: Danny O’Brien | J: Damian Lane (58kg) +190 with PlayUp Best Value at Flemington: Castle On High Castle On High has not done much wrong in his three runs this campaign. He was a determined winner at Seymour two runs back, then charged home when racing in restricted room at Bendigo to finish third. He tends to get back in his races, which will offset barrier 13, and with a genuinely run 1700m expected, the race sets up perfectly for Castle On High to overpower his rivals late. Best Value Race 2 – #15 Castle On High (13) 3yo Gelding | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Beau Mertens (54kg) +1400 with Bet365 Flemington Saturday quaddie – 20/7/2024 Flemington quadrella selections Saturday, July 20, 2024 4-6-9 1-3-5-6-7 1-2-4-6-7 1-4-15-16-17 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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What Rosehill Races Where Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142 When Saturday, July 20, 2024 First Race 11:15am AEST Visit Dabble The $200,000 Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) headlines the action at Rosehill on Saturday, with a bumper 10-race program scheduled to get underway at 11:15am local time. The rail is out +3m the entire circuit, and although the track is rated a Soft 7 at the time of acceptances, the mostly sunny skies predicted in the lead-up should have punters anticipating an upgrade to the Good range for race-day. Check out our best bets and quaddie numbers for the Rosehill meeting on July 20. Winter Challenge Top Tip: King Of The Castle Tamerlane shut the door on King Of The Castle last start in the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on July 6, leaving the seven-year-old gelding fighting out the minor money. He couldn’t get off the inside when the whips were cracking but hit the line with vigour despite the torrid run in transit, getting the revs up in the final 200m. He appears primed to turn the tables this time thanks to a 1.5kg swing in weight, and with gate four allowing Tyler Schiller to stalk his rivals from the one-one, watch for King Of The Castle to finish off best in the Winter Challenge. W J Mckell Cup Race 8 – #6 King Of The Castle (4) 7yo Gelding | T: Joseph Pride | J: Tyler Schiller (53.5kg) +400 with PlayUp Best Bet at Rosehill: Age Of Sail As highlighted in the Follow Files, Age Of Sail was sensational second-up at Randwick on July 6 and appears set to peak as he steps up to the 2400m for the first time in Australia. The son of Frankel mounted a challenge down the grandstand side of the course on that occasion, powering through the line to get within a length of Strathtay. He should gain an economical run from barrier two this time, and with his European credentials suggesting this is his best trip, Age Of Sail will prove hard to hold out. Best Bet Race 7 – #2 Age Of Sail (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Nash Rawiller (60kg) +250 with Picklebet Next Best at Rosehill: Jewellery After a win and minor placing at Caulfield, Jewellery returns to Sydney and should prove hard to beat dropping back into fillies and mares company. She chased gallantly behind Baraqiel in her most recent effort on June 29 but couldn’t reel in the margin after getting too far back from barrier 11. There should be no problems slotting in for a prominent position from stall two this time, and with Zac Lloyd back in the saddle, watch for Jewellery to be careering down the centre of the track to record her second win of the campaign. Next Best Race 5 – #4 Jewellery (2) 4yo Mare | T: James Cummings | J: Zac Lloyd (59.5kg) +220 with Bet365 Best Value at Rosehill: Sivka Burka The barrier trials of Sivka Burka have caught the eye as she makes her Australian debut for the Ciaron Maher barn. She’s only been asked to make minor inroads in both pieces of work, with the daughter of Siyouni impressing as she cruised through the wire in her latest jump-out at Newcastle on June 28. She’s placed over 1100m in the past, and although she may want to step out further in trip as the preparation goes on, Sivka Burka warrants an each-way ticket at the price with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 6 – #1 Sivka Burka (7) 4yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: James McDonald (59.5kg) +800 with Neds Rosehill Saturday quaddie tips Rosehill Gardens quadrella selections Saturday, July 20, 2024 2-5-6 2-3-5-6-11 1-3-8 2-3-7-15-17 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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What Mildura Cup Day Where Mildura Racecourse – Racecourse Rd, Nichols Point VIC 3501 When Friday, July 19, 2024 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Dabble The $100,000 Mildura Cup (1400m) takes top billing on a competitive eight-race meeting at Mildura on Friday afternoon. With persistent rain throughout the week, the deck has come up a Soft 7, with the rail sticking to its true position. Mildura Cup Day is set to commence at 1pm AEST. Mildura Cup Tip: He’s Our Bonneval He’s Our Bonneval has been racing in much tougher company than this. Having chased home the likes of Chorlton Lane and Rheinberg in recent times in town, the seven-year-old is sure to appreciate the drop back to Country Cup level. Blaike McChief Stipeall will have the son of Siyouni settled towards the rear, but with a strong finish, He’s Our Bonneval should prove too tough to hold out in the 2024 Mildura Cup. Mildura Cup Race 7 – #6 He’s Our Bonneval (8) 7yo Gelding | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Blaike McChief Stipeall (54kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Bet at Mildura: Muktamil Muktamil has been impressive without winning in his two Australian starts, beaten less than a half-length combined. The son of Sea The Stars looks to be a dour stayer and gets his chance to break his maiden as he steps up to 2000m for his seventh start. John Allen hops on board, and from barrier six, he should not be too far from the speed throughout the journey. Muktamil is clearly the best horse in the race and should simply win it. Best Bet Race 1 – #4 Muktamil (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: John Allen (59.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Mildura: Overextend Overextend put in a stinker first-up for new trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor at Morphettville on June 29, but his form prior in NSW provincial company reads well. He was forced to travel wide over 1000m last time out and faded late, but from barrier two on Friday, he draws to gain every conceivable chance in running. He is more than capable on wet ground, and with even luck in the home straight, Overextend should prove too slick for his rivals over 1000m. Next Best Race 4 – #2 Overextend (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Aaron Bain & Ned Taylor | J: Jacob Opperman (59.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Mildura Friday quaddie tips – 19/7/2024 Mildura quadrella selections Friday, July 19, 2024 3-7-10-11 2-3-6-8 1-3-6 1-2-6-7-9 Horse racing tips View the full article