Wandering Eyes

Corporate Power (c, 3, Curlin–Road to Victory, by Quality Road) survived a stewards' inquiry as well as a jockey's objection to win the Sir Barton S. The eventual winner spent the lion's portion of the race to the outside of his rivals, and had briefly joined the scramble for the front entering the far bend. Losing ground with that wide trip, but still never far from Gould's Gold (Goldencents) as the race unfolded in front of him, Corporate Power had work to do entering the stretch as rivals stacked in front of him. Grinding relentlessly, he found another kick late in the lane as Imperial Gun (Gun Runner) joined the scramble for the wire, finishing between the top two after making contact briefly with the winner. The subsequent inquiry and disallowed jockey's objection made no change to the finish. #5 CORPORATE POWER ($5.20) gets up for the victory in the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico with @jjcjockey in the irons for trainer Shug McGaughey. Courtlandt Farm owns this 3YO son of Curlin, who stands at @HillnDaleFarm. Up next, the $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint. pic.twitter.com/SDf9M6dNkc — FanDuel Racing (Formerly TVG) (@FanDuel_Racing) May 18, 2024 Sales history: $925,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. O-Courtlandt Farms (Donald Adam); B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. The post Corporate Power Finds Second Wind Late, Rerallies to Take Sir Barton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

All eyes were on six-time group 1 winner Inspiral, ridden by John and Thady Gosden's new stable jockey Kieran Shoemark for the first time, but unflappable understudy Robert Havlin called the shots from the word go on Audience.View the full article

Millionaire Fluffy Socks picked up her fourth graded victory May 18 as she pulled away from a small field in the $99,000 Gallorette Stakes (G3T) at Pimlico Race Course.View the full article

Jockey Joe Talamo's return to Santa Anita Park became official May 17 when he rode 24-1 longshot Ringtone in the first race. While the result reflected Ringtone's odds, a no-threat seventh, Talamo had no shortage of well-wishers after dismounting.View the full article

It is Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course and it is starting off as a wet one with rain expected to persist through the morning and with a chance for additional rain later in the afternoon. View the full article

All eyes were on six-time group 1 winner Inspiral, ridden by John and Thady Gosden's new stable jockey Kieran Shoemark for the first time, but unflappable understudy Robert Havlin called the shots from the word go on Audience.View the full article

It's been 40 years since trainer Brett Creighton got his trainer's license. Finally, after 1,346 starts, Creighton has a graded stakes winner after Frost Free won the Chick Lang Stakes. View the full article

The 4-year-old daughter of Connect surged in midstretch to win by 1 3/4 lengths in the first Preakness day stakes race. The husband-wife team of jockey Sheldon Russell and trainer Brittany Russell scored in the filly's first race on an off track. View the full article

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Impressive on debut at Kempton earlier this month, Michelle Morris and Jan and Peter Hopper's homebred Kind Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}–Blues Sister {GB}, by Compton Place {GB}) defied a penalty to earn TDN Rising Star status at Doncaster on Saturday evening. Keen early under Danny Muscutt's restraint behind the leader Ananda (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the card's six-furlong novice won in 2018 by future sprinting bigwig Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), the 11-4 second favourite was the only one able to live with that 2-1 market leader. Arriving at his side a furlong out, the James Fanshawe-trained G1 Commonwealth Cup entry swamped him from there for an emphatic 2 1/2-length success. Kind Of Blue's unraced dam, whose 2-year-old colt by Starspangledbanner (Aus) was a 170,000gns purchase by Tony Head at the recent Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up, is as her name suggests a full-sibling of the stable's G2 British Champions Sprint S. hero Deacon Blues (GB). She is also a half to another who captured that prize for the stable, this time after it had been promoted to group 1 status, in the former Pegasus Stables' stalwart The Tin Man (GB) (Equiano {Fr}). He also annexed the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. and G1 Haydock Sprint Cup and like all the family progressed markedly with age and experience. Two from two for Kind Of Blue – who holds a Commonwealth Cup entry- looks talented at @DoncasterRaces!@james_fanshawe | @D_Muscutttt pic.twitter.com/aS07qd2wkB — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 18, 2024 The post Blue Point Colt A New TDN Rising Star appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

D J Stable and Robert Cotran's Hades (Awesome Slew) is recovering from a small setback, but is being programmed for a pair of starts at Monmouth Park over the coming months, including the GI NYRA Bets Haskell S. July 20. Upset winner of the GIII Holy Bull S., defeating Domestic Product (Practical Joke) and champion Fierceness (City of Light), Hades was a well-beaten fifth in the GI Curlin Florida Derby and was last seen finishing seventh in the GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. at Keeneland Apr. 13. “We found he had a little minor problem that we had to correct and give him a little time. I'd like to be in the Preakness but we're doing the right thing,” said trainer Joe Orseno, who won the second leg of the Triple Crown back in 2000 with Red Bullet (Unbridled). If all goes according to plan, Hades would contest the Listed Pegasus S. June 15 and a positive outcome there could lead to a star in the Haskell five weeks later, with the GI Travers S. a longer-term possibility. “I'm getting him ready for the prep to the Haskell and if he handles that there's a chance he'll show up at Saratoga,” Orseno said. The post Hades Headed Towards Haskell appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's Diamond Rain (GB) (Shamardal–Dancing Rain {Ire}, by Danehill Dancer {Ire}), unraced as a juvenile, opened up with a narrow victory going just under a mile at Ascot in her May 1 debut last time and stepped forward to lay down a Classic marker in Saturday's Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial S. at Newbury. The G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks entry accepted a tow in second for most of this 10-furlong contest. Looming large in the straight, the 3-1 joint-second favourite eased to the front passing the quarter-mile marker and quickened clear under urging inside the final furlong to defeat 'TDN Rising Star' Ejaabiyah (GB) (Frankel {GB}) by an impressive 2 1/4 lengths for a career high. “It was a slightly messy race, but it was a lovely performance,” said William Buick. “I was prepared to let her bowl along in front, but she did get a lead which was nice and she stepped up on her debut. This is more her trip I think and she's coming forward all the time. She doesn't feel like she's anywhere near the finished article yet. She's very straightforward and Charlie [Appleby] has been very pleased since Ascot. She's got a few options open for her now.” Reflecting on the performance of runner-up Ejaabiyah, Roger Varian commented, “She ran a lovely race. She's a lovely filly who's still a bit green and she took her time to come to hand this spring. The winner looked nice and I think it was a strong little field of fillies. Our filly has shown up well, we're really pleased with her and she will improve from today.” Diamond Rain, who becomes the 171st black-type winner for her sire, is a daughter of G1 Oaks and G1 German Oaks heroine Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and thus a half-sister to dual Group 2-winning G1 Jebel Hatta runner-up and G1 Fillies' Mile third Magic Lily (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and stakes-winning G1 Grand Prix de Paris placegetter Jalmoud (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). Dancing Rain is a three-parts sister to Sumora (Ire) (Danehill), who is the dam of G1 Moyglare Stud S. victrix Maybe (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Maybe, in turn, produced G1 2000 Guineas and G1 Futurity Trophy hero Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and hails from the immediate family of G1 Derby-winning sire Dr Devious (Ire) (Ahonoora {GB}), G1 Irish Oaks heroine Even So (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and G3 Greenlands S.-winning sire Archway (Ire) (Thatching {Ire}). The post Shamardal’s Diamond Rain Too Good In Newbury’s Oaks Trial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Sierra Leone had his first work back since his effort in the Run for the Roses when covering a half-mile May 18 over Saratoga Race Course's Oklahoma training track in company with Domestic Product. View the full article

Naas stage some potentially key Royal Ascot pointers on Sunday, with the feature G3 Goffs Lacken S. seeing the reintroduction of AMO Racing and Giselle De Aguiar's G1 Phoenix S. and G2 Railway S. winner Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Failing to see out the seventh furlong of the G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. when last seen at The Curragh in September, he faces last year's G3 Marble Hill S. winner Givemethebeatboys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) who has a race under his belt having won Navan's Listed Committed S. last month. In the card's G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint S., a fascinating pre-Ascot clash awaits as Moyglare's Sparkling Sea (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) bids to confirm of her course-and-distance defeat of Ballydoyle's Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire), with Alpha Racing's four-length Curragh Median Sires Series Maiden winner Barnavara (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) also in the mix. The latter hails from the Jessica Harrington stable successful in this in 2017 with Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), while the last two winners were Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) so it pays to take note of this early juvenile staging post. The post Bucanero Fuerte Returns On Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) returned to the worktab for the first time since his bang-up second to Mystik Dan (Goldencents) in the GI Kentucky Derby, breezing a half-mile in the company of his GIII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby-winning stablemate Domestic Product (Practical Joke) in :48.20 (3/31) over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga. With light rain falling, the pair galloped out six furlongs in 1:14 4/5, according to trainer Chad Brown. “I thought the horse worked super,” Brown said of Sierra Leone, who was once again equipped with the blinkers for the move. “I'm very, very pleased with him. He's settled into Saratoga nicely.” Off as the 9-2 second favorite in the Derby, the $2.3-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga topper sustained a long run from the rear and locked up with Japan's Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) for the stretch drive. The two exchanged bumps repeatedly and Sierra Leone, who drifted in several paths, was just up for second in a tight three-way photo. Brown holds no concerns about Sierra Leone's antics going forward. “I think he was just getting a bit tired in the stretch and those two horses were leaning on each other,” said Brown. “I'm turning the page on that. It's just part of him.” The conditioner is giving Domestic Product a pass for his 13th at Churchill Downs, as he threw a shoe and grabbed a quarter. While Sierra Leone is on target for the June 8 GI Belmont S. at the Spa, Domestic Product is not under consideration for the 10-furlong test, though he has healed up well, Brown said. Also on the tab for Brown were Program Trading (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and I'm Very Busy (Maclean's Music), first and seventh home, respectively, in the GI Old Forester Turf Classic on the Derby undercard. The two went a half-mile in company in :49 flat (9/31) Saturday morning and each has the GI Resorts World Casino Manhattan S. on the Belmont undercard as their next target, and Brown is also willing to excuse I'm Very Busy's effort. “I'm Very Busy didn't handle the paddock well on Derby Day and he was not acting right,” the trainer said. “He stuck his foot in the hind portion of the gate and that race is a total throw-out for him.” Also headed for Belmont Day engagements are 'TDN Rising Star' Blazing Sevens (Good Magic), who went four furlongs in :49 flat (47/186) at Belmont ahead of the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H; and the GI Acorn S.-bound Regulatory Risk (Omaha Beach), who galloped a half-mile in :49.52 (81/186) over the Belmont training track Saturday morning. In other Met-related news, White Abarrio (Race Day) breezed a half-mile in :47.58 (1/90) at Belmont Friday morning. Third in last year's renewal, the 5-year-old would be making his first start since finishing a disappointing 10th in the G1 Saudi Cup in February. Brown added that Resolute Racing's 'TDN Rising Star' Sweet Rebecca (American Pharoah) would work Sunday and a decision on a possible appearance in the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot would likely be made the following day. SIERRA LEONE breezes a half-mile to the inside of DOMESTIC PRODUCT a little while ago here at the Oklahoma. Trainer Chad Brown had them in 48 3/5 seconds, galloping out 6 furlongs in 1:14 4/5. pic.twitter.com/qegyIWXwUk — Mary Eddy (@singmysongbird) May 18, 2024 The post Sierra Leone Back On the Worktab At Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Capitalizing on his characteristic quick turn of foot and a rocket ship out of the gate, Frost Free (c, 3, Frosted–D J's Favorite, by Union Rags) took to the lead and never looked back to claim his first black-type win in the GIII Chick Lang S. With the poor start of Mr Skylight (Practical Joke), Frost Free was able to step out and have the pace his own way, putting up :23.24 and :46.66 fractions before rolling into the lane still in command. The grey started his career at Lone Star with Danny Pish before moving over to Oaklawn Park and Brett Creighton. He'd most recently hit the board in the Bachelor S. Apr. 27. Cats by Five (Audible) gave chase but could only manage second despite the winner drifting around late. Mr Skylight got up for third. “Irad Ortiz just chillin' on Frost Free.” – @DaveRodman #6 FROST FREE ($5.60) and @iradortiz run away with the G3 Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico for trainer Brett Creighton. Congratulations to Keene Thoroughbreds, owner of this colt by Frosted who stands at @DarleyAmerica. pic.twitter.com/aPNQjWKuiM — FanDuel Racing (Formerly TVG) (@FanDuel_Racing) May 18, 2024 Sales history: $27,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $100,000 2yo '23 TTAAPR. O-Keene Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Jackpot Farm (KY); T-Brett Creighton. The post Frost Free Coast to Coast in Chick Lang appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Guy Heald homebred Fast Tracker (GB) (Churchill {Ire}), who is two-for-two after taking the Listed Prix de Suresnes at Chantilly at the beginning of the month, has been sold to Wathnan Racing, Jour de Galop reported. Formerly trained by Henri-Alex Pantall, the chestnut holds entries in the G3 Prix Hocquart, the G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, and the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The deal was facilitated by Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock. “He was very impressive during his last race and is on an upward trajectory,” Brown told the French publication. “Guy Heald is a commercial breeder and has been a true gentleman during this process. Finding this type of Classic prospect is difficult.” Out of the unraced Emma Knows (Ire) (Anabaa), the colt is a half-brother to the Prix de Suresnes second My Scholar (Fr) (Pour Moi {Ire}), while his dam is a half-sister to two black-type horses led by the dual Group 3-placed King Of Camelot (Fr) (Camelot {GB}). G1 Australian Cup winner Fifty Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is under the third dam. The post Listed Winner Fast Tracker Bought By Wathnan Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As expected, Cheveley Park Stud's colours were in the winner's enclosure following Newbury's G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. on Saturday but it was aboard the Gosdens' 22-1 shot Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}–Ladyship {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) who uber-excelled in his task of pacemaking for Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Labelled a TDN Rising Star at two, the homebred grandson of the Thompsons' 2006 Lockinge heroine Peeress (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) had shown what he could do when left alone on the lead with ample space to express himself in last year's G3 Criterion S. at Newmarket, but on the whole on the formbook was a shade below the best here. Relishing being untethered by Robert Havlin, the 5-year-old had cracked every rival bar Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) heading to the furlong pole and not long after he had drawn any sting remaining from that rival en route to an emphatic 1 3/4-length success, with Witch Hunter (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) 6 1/2 lengths away in third. Inspiral, the 2-1 favourite, was a well-beaten fourth while Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) was only sixth having stumbled leaving the stalls and having tried to lay up too close to the killer pace. Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (G1) 1.600 m – 464.556 EUR – for 4yo+ Newbury Audience (GB) (5G Iffraaj- Ladyship, by Oasis Dream) J : Robert Havlin T :John & Thady Gosden O : @CPStudOfficial pic.twitter.com/5YMkjwStUV — (@WorldRacing1) May 18, 2024 The post Shock Lockinge Win For TDN Rising Star Audience appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It is Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course and it is starting off as a wet one with rain expected to persist through the morning and with a chance for additional rain later in the afternoon. View the full article

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

The resurgence of a former superstar of Perth racing continued when Western Empire (NZ) (Iffrraj) lived up to his $1.85 favouritism in Saturday’s Gr.3 Furphy Belmont Sprint (1400m). The son of Iffraaj won seven of his first 12 starts in 2020 and 2021, including a stunning four-length romp in the Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and victory in the Gr.2 WA Derby (2400m). Western Empire was trained through those glory days by Grant and Alana Williams for powerhouse Perth owner Bob Peters. The gelding subsequently had two campaigns in Victoria, finishing fifth in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) and Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) for Danny O’Brien and finishing outside the placings in five appearances for John Leek Jr. The Williams team jumped at the opportunity when Western Empire was placed on an Inglis Digital Sale last October, purchasing him for A$150,000 and bringing him back to their Karnup stable. Western Empire immediately showed some of that old spark with a placing in the A$200,000 The Joey (1200m) in his resuming run at Ascot on April 20. His second-up appearance came in the Gr.3 Northam Stakes (1300m) on May 5, where he snapped his two-year win drought with a dominant victory by two and a half lengths. Saturday’s Belmont Sprint brought more of the same. The six-year-old dropped a long way off the speed and was caught wide for a large part of the race, but rider William Pike brought him to the outside at the top of the Belmont straight and let him rip. Western Empire showed a top-class turn of foot and rattled home from the back, drawing up alongside Searchin’ Roc’s (Awesome Rock). That rival refused to surrender, however, and the pair fought out a desperate battle to the finish with Western Empire winning by a nose. The third placegetter finished almost three lengths behind the first two. “That run was full of merit,” Pike said. “I wasn’t sure he’d earned that price today, going up in weight and from a wide barrier. We were back and wide and had quite a lot to overcome, but he’s done it really well.” From 23 starts, Western Empire has now recorded nine wins and six placings, earning more than A$1.76 million. “He’s done well today,” Grant Williams said. “He obviously had a bit to do, he had a wide run, so it was super. He had to really stretch his neck out to get the win. “Looking at him in the yard today, it looked like he needed the mile already. Hopefully he might draw a bit better next time and have an easier time of it. “The plan is to go to the Hyperion (Gr.3, 1600m) next in two weeks’ time, and then the Strickland (Gr.3, 2000m) another two weeks after that. We want to get to the Strickland if we’re going to think about taking him back east. “But we’ve always got to put the horse first. I think we’ve been pretty lucky to snag him, so we’re going to have to make it work for us.” Western Empire, who was born at Haunui Farm and cared for on behalf of breeder Bob Peters, is one of 38 southern hemisphere-bred stakes winners for former Haunui shuttle stallion Iffraaj. That list also includes fellow Group One winners Turn Me Loose (NZ), Gingernuts (NZ), Jon Snow (NZ) and Wyndspelle (NZ). The dam of Western Empire is the Group Two-winning Jeune mare Western Jewel, who also has the Listed winner Western Temple (Dream Ahead) among her five winners from seven foals to race. View the full article

Accomplished Savabeel gelding Milford (NZ) took his career earnings past A$700,000 with a powerful come-from-behind win in Saturday’s L.V. Lachal Handicap (1600m) at Flemington. It was the fifth win from 32 career starts for Milford, and his first since the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield in November of 2022. He has earned A$746,021 for Elsdon Park’s Lib and Katrina Petagna along with co-owners Greg Clarke and David and Nicki Wilson. The six-year-old settled second-last among a strung-out field on Saturday, with Bank Maur (Maurice) setting a solid speed out in front. The field bunched up coming up to the home turn, and Milford’s rider Declan Bates was able to pick a path between horses to lodge his claim in the final 300m. Milford lengthened stride and charged home in between Green Fly (Frankel) and El Soleado (Toronado), getting up to win by a neck in a $31 upset. Trainer Mike Moroney is still recuperating after being hospitalised with illness last month. He was represented at Flemington by assistant trainer Glen Thompson. “I thought he could sneak into a place, but I didn’t think he was a winning chance,” Thompson said. “He’s been going well. His first-up run was okay. He got back, but didn’t really have any luck. “It was a nice patient ride by Declan (Bates). He needed that in that class. He’s won better races than this before, so hopefully it’s a good sign for the remainder of the prep. “It’s good to get a winner for Mike. He was watching and I spoke to him after the race, and that will give him a good uplift today.” Milford began his career with Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh and won the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) during his three-year-old career, while he was also runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) won by Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock) before joining Moroney’s operation. Bred by Waikato Stud, Milford was a $360,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale purchase by agent Bruce Perry on behalf of Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock. He is out of the unraced O’Reilly mare Etiquette (NZ), who is a sister to the four-time Group One winner and ill-fated sire Sacred Falls. Milford’s Flemington victory came one week after his brother Savoir Faire (NZ) captured a 2000m Benchmark 78 handicap at Caulfield on May 11. View the full article

In the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1) Mystik Dan will try to become the first horse to win at least two United States classics since 2018 in what has been perhaps the oddest stretch in Triple Crown history.View the full article

Fall For Cindy added valuable black-type to her record when winning the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic at Scone on Saturday. Photo: bradleyphotographers.com.au In-form mare Fall For Cindy carried the Waikato Stud colours to a valuable first black-type victory in Saturday’s A$250,000 Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone. Bred and raced by Garry Chittick, whose milestone 80th birthday was celebrated with a race named in his honour at Trentham on Saturday, Fall For Cindy went into Saturday’s fillies and mares’ feature with an admirably consistent form line this season. Her seven starts as a four-year-old had produced two wins, two seconds, two thirds and a fourth. She was a dead-heat winner of a Benchmark 88 handicap over 1400m at Hawkesbury in her previous start on May 4. That series of strong performances earned her a shot at stakes company on Saturday, and she rose to the occasion in style. A slow start saw Fall For Cindy settle further back in the running than planned, but she launched an irresistible finish in the straight for apprentice jockey Zac Lloyd and scored by more than a length. “The first half of the race did not go to plan whatsoever,” Lloyd said. “I was hoping to be a bit closer in the run and stay off the fence. In the end, all I could focus on was getting her to relax where she was. I just had to trust her. “She obviously put in a good performance last start, and she quickened really well today.” From 15 starts, the John O’Shea-trained Fall For Cindy has recorded five wins and five placings, banking A$370,600 in stakes. Her value has now risen far higher than that. “It’s one of Garry Chittick’s mares, and I’d say her value has doubled just then,” O’Shea stable representative Tom Charlton said. “She has progressed so well over the past season. She’s a mare that is happy, racing well and very content. “She handles those soft conditions well and I think she is only just finding her straps now.” Fall For Cindy is by Waikato Stud’s homebred former stallion Sacred Falls, who has sired 169 winners from 278 runners including 10 individual stakes winners. The dam of Fall For Cindy is the unraced Savabeel mare Cindy Cee, who is a three-quarter-sister to the stakes performer Save The Date and a half-sister to the Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Sports Illustrated. Further down the pedigree page, the stakes-placed second dam Pin Up is a half-sister to champion racehorse and successful sire Starcraft. Cindy Cee is the dam of three named foals and all three have been winners. Her first foal Willinga Freefall is a five-year-old and has won four races across New South Wales and Queensland. Fall For Cindy was Cindy Cee’s second foal in 2019, followed a year later by the winning Tivaci filly Cintivee. Cindy Cee’s subsequent foals are a two-year-old colt by Ocean Park, a yearling filly by Tivaci and a weanling colt by Ardrossan. Fall For Cindy completed a New Zealand-bred treble on Saturday’s Scone card. The A$160,000 Muswellbrook Ford Benchmark 78 Handicap (1700m) was won by Unusual Legacy, who has now recorded four wins and a second from just a six-start career. The four-year-old gelding is trained by Chris Waller. Unusual Legacy was bred by Letham Stud and is a son of their successful sire Unusual Suspect. The dam is the winning O’Reilly mare Celtic Legacy, who has been credited with four winners from six foals to race. Just over half an hour after Unusual Legacy’s win, Elson Boy followed suit in the A$160,000 Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m). It was the eighth win of a 21-start career for the Dar Lunn-trained four-year-old, and it continued a rich vein of form with his fifth victory in a row. He has now earned A$260,875 in prize-money. With seven wins in his four-year-old season, Elson Boy has scored the equal highest number of victories in Australia in 2023-24. “I was disappointed when the horse got hurt before the Country Championships,” Lunn said. “It took me a while to get him back but he’s going well now. He’s tough – like his trainer!” Horse racing news View the full article

Navy King heads Saban on his way to winning the Sir Henry Bolte Hcp at Flemington. Photo Bruno Cannatelli A two-time winner over sprint distances earlier in the year, New Zealand-bred Navy King suggested he might be better suited to a different role when he scored a big win in Saturday’s A$150,000 Sir Henry Bolte Handicap (2000m) at Flemington. The three-year-old won over 1000m in January and 1200m in February, then had mixed results over 1200m, 1400m and 1600m in his following four starts. He stepped up to 2000m at Caulfield on May 4 and finished a close fourth, and his second attempt at the distance on Saturday saw him go up to a whole new level. Navy King jumped from the inside gate, and jockey Daniel Stackhouse sent him forward in the first 100m to hold his position as others moved across from wider barriers. He eventually settled in third, then angled away from the rail just before the turn and pounced on the leader. There was only ever going to be one winner from there as Navy King changed gears and bounded away, opening up a big lead down the Flemington straight. Saban produced a strong finish out of the pack to eat into that advantage, but Navy King was never in any danger of defeat and scored by a length and a half. The third placegetter finished another seven lengths behind Saban. “It worked out okay from that inside gate today,” Stackhouse said. “He’s been a bit of a work in progress. I thought he ran a super race at Caulfield the other day – I was probably just a bit too patient and then he got held up at the wrong time. “He’s a nice, sharp horse with good stamina. I wanted to let him go a bit further out today and he was happy to do that. “I think he’s got a lot of ability. He’s just doing a few things wrong, but he switched off and relaxed a bit better with a change of bit today. If the improvement that he showed in this race today continues, I think he can develop into a really nice stayer.” Horse racing news View the full article