Wandering Eyes

Stellenbosch heads a field of 18 for the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks-G1) May 19 at Tokyo Racecourse.View the full article

Godolphin homebred Devoted Queen (GB) (Kingman {GB}–Fintry {Ire}, by Shamardal) registered victories over seven furlongs at Newmarket in October and over one mile at Kempton in April and maintained her umblemished record, racing in a first-time hood, with a two-length tally in Friday's Listed Sky Bet Michael Seely Memorial at York. Employing patient tactics towards the rear through halfway, she made smooth headway into contention approaching the final quarter-mile and kept on powerfully under late urging to win, going away, by two lengths from Spiritual (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) for a career high. “She's really grown up, she was very professional and that was really nice,” said assistant trainer Alex Merriam. “The hood definitely helped and Will [Buick] said she's really improved from her last run, so she's going the right way. I mentioned the [G1] Coronation to Charlie [Appleby] and he said 'see what Will thinks'. Will said it's definitely something to consider and we'll see how she comes out of it. He also mentioned that she could do with a bit of juice in the ground, so that might come into consideration as well. She's doing everything the right way round and, watching her there, you'd stick to the mile for now.” Pedigree Notes Devoted Queen is the fourth foal and scorer, and becomes the second stakes winner, out of the multiple Group-winning G1 Sun Chariot S. third Fintry (Ire) (Shamardal), herself a half-sister to G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein runner-up Lochinver (Kingmambo) and the dual stakes-placed Cross Fell (Cherokee Run). Fintry is the leading performer out of G3 Prix Vanteaux victrix and GI Garden City Breeders' Cup H. third Campsie Fells (UAE) (Indian Ridge {Ire}). The February-foaled bay is a half-sister to G3 Autumn S. victor and G1 Futurity Trophy runner-up One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and an unnamed 2-year-old filly by Masar (Ire). Thursday, York, Britain SKY BET FILLIES' S. (MICHAEL SEELY MEMORIAL S.)-Listed, £70,000, York, 5-17, 3yo, f, 7f 192yT, 1:38.04, gd. 1–DEVOTED QUEEN (GB), 128, f, 3, by Kingman (GB) 1st Dam: Fintry (Ire) (MGSW-Fr, GSW & G1SP-Eng, $327,127), by Shamardal 2nd Dam: Campsie Fells (UAE), by Indian Ridge (Ire) 3rd Dam: Queen's View (Fr), by Lomond 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £39,697. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $76,412. *1/2 to One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), GSW & G1SP-Eng, GSP-UAE, $170,214. 2–Spiritual (Ire), 128, f, 3, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Wild Irish Rose (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€280,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-George Strawbridge; B-Ballylinch Stud (IRE); T-John & Thady Gosden. £15,050. 3–Bolsena (Ire), 128, f, 3, Kingman (GB)–Reem Three (GB), by Mark of Esteem (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (IRE); T-Kevin Ryan. £7,532. Margins: 2, HD, NK. Odds: 3.00, 7.50, 6.00. Also Ran: Bright Thunder (Ire), Glimpsed (GB), Bellarchi (Ire), Carolina Reaper (GB), True Cyan (Ire), Zenjabeela (GB). The post Kingman’s Devoted Queen Remains Undefeated After York Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Royal Ascot-bound Cowardofthecounty (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) has been snapped up by Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Stables and other American-based partners. Cowardofthecounty made a scintillating start to his career when scoring on debut for Joseph O'Brien over 6f at the Curragh. The form has since been franked with the runner-up, the Aidan O'Brien-rained Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never), landing the First Flier S. over 5f at the Curragh in similarly impressive fashion. Cowardofthecounty is prominent in the betting for the Coventry S. at odds of 5-1 and, according to O'Brien, the colt will head straight to Ascot. He said, “We were really happy with Cowardofthecounty's debut. He was working like a really smart colt and it was nice to see him go and do it on the track. The form of the race has worked out really well and he will go straight to the Coventry.” O'Brien added, “Really excited to have Mrs Banke, Mr [Tracy] Farmer and Mr [John] Oxley in the ownership group. He is our first horse for Stonestreet and Mr Farmer and obviously we've had success with Mr Oxley in the past. Hopefully it is a long-lasting partnership and Cowardofthecounty can be a special colt for us this season.” Cowardofthecounty carried the colours of ES Racing on his first and only start to date at the Curragh. Bred by Lismacue Stud, he was bought by Glenvale Stud for €98,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale before being knocked down to KR Bloodstock for 100,000gns at Book 2 at Tattersalls. While Stonestreet Stables and Tracy Farmer are new additions to the O'Brien stable, Oxley has had plenty of success with the young trainer, headed by Group 1-winning filly Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}). The post Joseph O’Brien’s Big Royal Ascot Player Snapped Up By Stonestreet Stables appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fierceness (City of Light), the beaten favorite in the GI Kentucky Derby, is scheduled to make his next start in the GI Belmont S. on June 8 in Saratoga. “He has settled in well and we are pointing to the Belmont,” trainer Todd Pletcher said in a text. Sent off at 3-1, Fierceness finished 15th, beaten 24 1/2 lengths in the Derby. When asked if his colt had any excuses in the Derby, Pletcher replied: “Perhaps too close to a fast pace? Stuck a little wide on both turns?” Following the Derby, jockey John Velazquez told reporters: “His first jump was not very good. His second and third jump he was OK. He got pretty aggressive since I had to give him a nudge out of there. The horses on the outside put the pressure on and then he got into the bridle. I tried to keep him as settled as much without letting doing too much but he was already engaged. When I let him go, he just didn't have it.” Even though he ran poorly in the Derby, Fierceness figures to make his presence felt in the Belmont. Classy but inconsistent and enigmatic, he seems to run well every other race. After a spectacular maiden win, he was beaten 20 1/4 lengths in the GI Champagne S. But Pletcher had enough confidence in the Mike Repole-owned homebred to ship him to Santa Anita for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, which he won by 6 1/4 lengths. But old habits seem to die hard with this horse. He kicked off his 3-year-old campaign with a lackluster third-place finish in the GIII Holy Bull S. at Gulfstream before demolishing his opponents in the GI Florida Derby, which he won by 13 /2 lengths. Pletcher has proven that he can take a horse that ran poorly in the Derby, freshen them up and then have them ready for a big effort in the Belmont. In 2013, Palace Malice (Curlin) won the Belmont for Pletcher after running 12th, beaten 13 1/2 lengths in the Derby. In 2017, Pletcher's Tapwrit (Tapit) won the Belmont after finishing sixth, beaten 10 1/4 lengths in the Derby. He has won the race four times. The post Fierceness Pointing To Belmont Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of 47 lots have been catalogued for the upcoming Tattersalls Online Breeze-Up Session during the Tattersalls Online June Sale from June 5-6. The first 'breeze' will occur over the all-weather at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Tuesday, May 21 at 10 a.m., featuring an octet of breezers. The second breeze, featuring the remaining breeze-up horses, is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Dundalk Stadium on Tuesday, May 28. Both breeze footage and times will be recorded and published on the Tattersalls Online website on May 30. Spectators are welcome to attend both breeze-up sessions. Among the 34 sires represented, Ardad (Ire) has a filly who is a half-sister to listed winner and Group 3-placed juvenile Graceful Thunder (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) (lot 19); while Cotai Glory (GB)'s half-sister to Group 3 winner Freedom (Ire) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) is lot 16. There is also a Profitable (Ire) half-brother to five black-type performers, among them Group 1-placed Sunny King (Ire) (Desert Sun {GB}) (lot 38); and finally a Mehmas (Ire) filly (lot 6) out of the listed-placed Sarshampla (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}). For the full catalogue, please visit the Tattersalls Online website. The post Over 45 Entries For The Tattersalls Online Breeze-Up Session In June appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Friday's G2 Boodles Yorkshire Cup was all about Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) as last year's winner returned in rude health to dominate for the repeat on York's Knavesmire. Readily reversing the form of his latest fifth to Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, the Marco Botti-trained 5-year-old who started at 7-2 cruised to Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) two out and bounded into the clear for a 4 3/4-length success under Oisin Murphy. Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) was a further 3/4 of a length behind Vauban in third as the 7-4 favourite Tower Of London disappointed in fifth. He's done it again! Giavellotto (7-2) brilliantly wins back-to-back renewals of the @Boodles Yorkshire Cup @yorkracecourse @MarcoBotti | @oismurphy pic.twitter.com/GO3msaGjmh — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 17, 2024 The post Back To Back Yorkshire Cups For Giavellotto appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Newsells Park Stud resident Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}) became Europe's latest first-crop sire to get off the mark when his Ralph Beckett-trained son Mr Chaplin (GB), a 58,000gns Tattersalls December foal turned 120,000gns Book 1 yearling, followed up a debut fourth at Newmarket earlier this month with a breakthrough score in Friday's £12,000 ARC & Sky Sports Racing Support Starlight Maiden S. at Newbury. 3rd-Newbury, £12,000, Mdn, 5-17, 2yo, 6fT, 1:13.52, gd. MR CHAPLIN (GB) (c, 2, Without Parole {GB}–Midnight Hush {Fr}, by Anabaa), a May 5 debut fourth going five furlongs at Newmarket in his only prior start, broke smartly and travelled smoothly in a prominent third from the outset of this return. Looming large on the bridle approaching the quarter-mile marker, the 11-2 chance was shaken up to seize control with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and was ridden clear in the closing stages to easily account for Defence Missile (Ire) (Sottsass {Fr}) by an impressive three lengths. Mr Chaplin is the seventh of eight foals and third scorer out of an unraced full-sister to G3 Ballyogan S. and Listed Naas Sprint S. victrix Miss Anabaa (GB) (Anabaa), herself the second dam of G3 Clasico Republica Argentina runner-up and dual stakes-winning Peruvian champion Sissy Chanel (Tapizar) and stakes-winning G3 Pavilion S. third Enjazaat (GB) (Acclamation {GB}). The March-foaled bay's second dam Midnight Shift (Ire) (Night Shift) is a half-sister to G1 July Cup-winning sire Owington (GB) (Green Desert). Mr Chaplin is a half-brother to Listed Maggie Dickson S. victrix Mubtasimah (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and a yearling colt by Mohaather (GB). Sales history: 58,000gns Wlg '22 TADEWE; 120,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $11,241. O-Michael Rembaum & Tanya Rembaum; B-Silfield Bloodstock (GB); T-Ralph Beckett. Mr Chaplin – a 120,000gns purchase as a yearling – scores in style in an intriguing maiden contest at @NewburyRacing for @Rossaryan15 and @RalphBeckett, with a few eyecatchers in behind… pic.twitter.com/XyaQ5fujXv — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 17, 2024 The post Freshman Sire Without Parole Off The Mark At Newbury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-Capannelle, €7,700, Vnd., 5-17, 2yo, 1200m (AWT), 1:15.90. LA PORTOGHESE (IRE) (f, Shaman {Ire}–Madame Cherie, by First Samurai) jumped well in this unveiling and briefly led before perching in a stalking second on the bend. Given her cue at the 600-metre mark, the race was over in a matter of strides, as she drew farther and farther clear down the lane to win by a geared down 10 lengths. Tindi Of Malindi (Ire) (National Defense {Ire}) was a distant second. Consigned by Baroda Stud to the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale, the second debut winner for her sire, (by Shamardal), caught the eye of Marco Bozzi who paid €4,000. She is the second winner for her placed dam, who is from the same family as GIII Mineshaft H., GIII River City H. and GIII Ack Ack H. hero Demarcation (Gulch). Sales history: €4,000 Ylg '23 GOFNOV. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €4,529. Click for the video. O-Vitale Vittorio Giovanni. B-Rosetown Bloodstock, Ltd. (Ire). T-Sebastiano Guerrieri. The post Ten-Length Winner For Shaman In Rome appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) have formed an agreement that the GII Belmont Gold Cup, slated for Thursday, June 6 at Saratoga Race Course, will be a 'Golden Ticket' event offering the winner an automatic berth into the G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup, NYRA said in a Friday release. The new partnership will provide the winner of the Belmont Gold Cup, a two-mile test for older horses, a place in the starting gate for the Lexus Melbourne Cup on Nov. 5, 2024, at Flemington Racecourse in Victoria, Australia. The Belmont Gold Cup headlines opening day of the four-day 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which will be held at Saratoga Race Course from Thursday, June 6 through Sunday, June 9. Flemington Racecourse announcer Matt Hill will travel to Saratoga to call the race and will bring the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy along with him. The 18-carat (gold) trophy has its own travel documentation to ensure it is exempt from export laws and taxes, and will be available for photo opportunities with fans throughout the live racing program on Thursday, June 6. The Cup is created from 34 gold pieces with over 200 hours craftsmanship and is valued at AUD$600,000. Godolphin's British homebred Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), trained by Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Charlie Appleby, won last year's Belmont Gold Cup and is slated to return to New York for the race. “The Belmont Gold Cup has proven to be a strong race, attracting top marathon horses from North America and across Europe,” said NYRA Senior Vice-President of Racing and Operations, Andrew Offerman. “The addition of a 'Golden Ticket' to compete in one of the world's preeminent turf races only serves to heighten the profile of what is sure to be an exciting Festival in Saratoga.” VRC Executive General Manager Racing, Leigh Jordon, said, “The introduction of the Belmont Gold Cup as a golden ticket opens up another pathway for international staying horses to compete in the Lexus Melbourne Cup. The race is an already established international contest and we look forward to potentially welcoming this year's winner to Melbourne in the spring.” The post Belmont Gold Cup To Serve As International Qualifier For Melbourne Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Road, presented by Gainesway and Darby Dan FarmView the full article

Jockey William Buick confident the globetrotting superstar can thrive in Hong Kong: ‘I saw him at home and he looked great’View the full article

Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), who had been as short as 7-2 for Derby glory, will miss his intended engagement at Epsom after suffering a setback. The news was announced on Friday morning by the official Godolphin account on X. A statement read, “Unfortunately Arabian Crown will miss the @EpsomRacecourse Derby due to a setback. He will now be aimed at a late summer campaign.” Trained by Charlie Appleby, Arabian Crown has won four of his five starts, including a taking reappearance in the Bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown. He had been vying for Derby favouritism in the ante-post market with City Of Troy but his defection from the June 1 showpiece means that Aidan O'Brien's charge has been shortened into a clear 2-1 favourite with most firms. The post Arabian Crown To Miss The Derby – City Of Troy Now Clear Market Leader appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Parkes Cup Day Where Parkes Jockey Club – 7126 Eugowra Rd, Parkes NSW 2870 When Sunday, May 19, 2024 First Race 12:05pm AEST Visit Dabble Country racing heads to the Central West region of NSW on Sunday afternoon for Parkes Cup Day (1600m). The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit, and with nothing but sunny skies predicted in the lead-up, participants should be racing on a pristine Good 4 surface. The first of eight races at Parkes is set to get underway at 12:05pm local time. Parkes Cup Tip: Toretto Toretto has steadily improved with every outing this preparation and appears ready to find his best fourth-up. The son of Press Statement was rattling home in his most recent start at Canberra on April 19, peaking on the run due to the unsuitable Soft surface. Getting back on top of the ground should be ideal for the six-year-old, and with gate one allowing Nick Heywood to hold a stalking position throughout, watch for Toretto launching late to claim the Parkes Cup. Best Bet Race 7 – #5 Toretto (1) 6yo Gelding | T: Matthew Dale | J: Nick Heywood (58kg) +270 with Bet365 Best Bet at Parkes: Cruizingdafield Cruizingdafield got a pass mark when returning at Wagga on May 3, fading out of the contest due to a lack of fitness after a 653-day spell. She was attempting to make every post a winner, and despite the lengthy layoff, the daughter of Deep Field never shirked the task. She’ll strip fitter second-up, and the Class 2 placement looks ideal, so expect Cruizingdafield to give a bold sight in the Parkes finale. Next Best Race 8 – #13 Cruizingdafield (12) 4yo Mare | T: Scott Collings | J: Matthew Cahill (55kg) +200 with Neds Best Value at Parkes: I’m Independent I’m Independent was no match for I’m Brazilian at Wellington on May 7, but the filly by Outreach powered home into a clear runner-up. The 900m proved too sharp after missing the start, with the three-year-old doing her best work once it was all over. The step up in trip should be a positive, and with a genuine tempo expected in this maiden contest, watch for I’m Independent to storm over the top in the opener. Best Value Race 1 – #6 I’m Independent (3) 3yo Filly | T: Brett Thompson | J: Matthew Cahill (57kg) +750 with PlayUp Parkes Cup Day quaddie picks – 19/5/2024 Parkes quadrella selections Sunday, May 19, 2024 2-3-4-12-16 1-4-5-6-8 5-8 13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, May 19, 2024 First Race 12:45pm HKT (2:45pm AEST) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin on Sunday, with a bumper 10-race program set for decision. The rail is in the C+3 position, and although sunny skies are predicted in the lead-up, some scattered showers throughout the afternoon could leave participants racing on a yielding surface at some stage. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 12:45pm local time. Best Bet: Sky Trust Sky Trust is on the one-week backup after a luckless effort at this course and distance on May 11. He was crowded for room when shifting clear under Hugh Bowman, with the son of So You Think hitting his stride in the final furlong. He’s hit the frame in three of his six starts to date, and with a bit more urgency to hold a position from the inside draw (2), Sky Trust appears set to add one to the win column. Best Bet Race 6 – #10 Sky Trust (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Hugh Bowman (56.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best: Super Infinity Super Infinity has looked outstanding at the barrier trials heading into his debut for the Mark Newnham barn. His Happy Valley jump-out on April 19 particularly caught the eye, with the gelding by Star Witness attacking the wire under minimal riding by leading hoop Zac Purton. He elects to stick for race-day, and although barrier 11 could prove tricky to overcome, leave it to Hong Kong’s best to slot in for cover before exposing Super Infinity down the centre of the course. Next Best Race 2 – #5 Super Infinity (11) 3yo Gelding | T: Mark Newnham | J: Zac Purton (59.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best Again: Lucy In The Sky It was hard not to be impressed with Lucy In The Sky as he demolished his rivals at Sha Tin on April 28. He sat outside the leader before exploding clear in the concluding stages, putting significant margins back to second and third. He still has plenty of upside for the Me Tsui barn, and provided Karis Teetan can produce another front-running masterclass with the rail in a favourable position, Lucy In The Sky will take a power of beating. Next Best Again Race 4 – #1 Lucy In The Sky (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Me Tsui | Karis Teetan (61kg) Bet with Bet365 Hong Kong Sunday quaddie tips – 19/5/2024 Sha Tin quadrella selections Sunday, May 19, 2024 1-3-4-5-8-14 1-7-8 2-4-5-6 1-3-4-7-8 Horse racing tips
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Saturday’s Happy 80th Birthday Garry Chittick (1100m) at Trentham is set to cap an exciting week for Cambridge trainers Ben and Ryan Foote. The $40,000 open sprint marks a welcome return to raceday action for the Footes’ stable star, multiple Group One-performed mare Babylon Berlin. It comes just three days after the father-son pair unveiled an exciting new talent with a brilliant four-length debut victory by Keegan at Cambridge on Wednesday. “He was impressive,” Ben Foote said. “We’d kept our opinion of him under wraps a little bit, but we certainly did expect him to produce a performance like that. “He’s always been very talented. He was up in Hong Kong with David Hall, who said he thought he’d win first-up at Sha Tin, but he had a bit of an injury and had to come back to New Zealand. He told us, ‘Don’t trial him – he knows what he’s doing. Just get him fit, take him to the races and have a bet. So that’s what we did.” Foote is now eyeing the new series of $100,000 races that have been introduced this year on the Cambridge, Awapuni and Riccarton synthetic tracks in early August. These races are open to all horses that have had at least three starts on a synthetic track in New Zealand since May of last year, with fields selected based on horses’ performances on those all-weather surfaces during that time. “He’s obviously got a lot of talent, so we can look at raising the bar a little bit,” Foote said. “There are those $35,000 MAAT races at Cambridge in late July, and then we might have a look at those new $100,000 races – possibly the one down at Awapuni (over 1400m on August 9).” Meanwhile, Foote is looking forward to welcoming Babylon Berlin back to raceday action on Saturday. It will be the All Too Hard mare’s first start since the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) on New Year’s Day, in which she was a beaten favourite. She has since undergone a wind operation, then also underwent further treatment for an eye injury. Babylon Berlin warmed up for Saturday’s race with an 850m trial at Waipa on April 30, which she won by four and a half lengths. With eight wins, 13 placings and more than $600,000 in stakes – including runner-up finishes in the Railway, the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) and the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1200m) – Babylon Berlin’s accomplishments tower over her four rivals at Trentham on Saturday. She has been allotted a 62kg topweight, although apprentice jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll will reduce that impost to 60kg with his 2kg claim. “It was a relief to see her trial like that at Waipa, I think she’s back to her old self,” Foote said. “She’s continued to go the right way since that trial too. “I took her to Te Aroha last Friday for a gallop on the course proper, partly to get that track tested out for the stipes. I think her work that day was as good as I’ve seen from her, so I’m very happy with how she’s going. “She’s in the truck behind me right now, so as long as she’s behaving herself, I think we’re on target for tomorrow. “We’ve got no firm plans after this and we’ll see how she goes before we make a decision. We could send her over to Aussie, or we could freshen her up to have a crack at the spring. We’ll get this race out of the way first and then come up with a plan.” View the full article

Mont Ventoux and Renegade Fighter’s first-up performances at Te Rapa on May 4 have given Rudy Liefting grounds for optimism for their winter jumping campaigns, beginning with their next assignments at Hawera on Sunday. A last-start placing in restricted open grade makes Mont Ventoux a key player for the Holdem Contracting Legend Hawera Riders Maiden Hurdle (2800m), while Renegade Fighter will tackle the PCL Wineera Brothers Ltd Maurice Campbell Steeplechase (3400m). A seven-time winner on the flat, Mont Ventoux has shown promise over hurdles with four placings from his six attempts so far. The most recent of those was his resuming run at Te Rapa earlier this month, where he finished second and was beaten by less than two lengths by the top-flight hurdler English Gambler. “You had to be happy with that,” Liefting said. “The horse that beat him is obviously a top hurdler, so I was happy that he ended up as close to him as he did. “I told the rider (Nick Downs) not to go chasing after English Gambler, because that would just play into his hands. I just wanted him to sit back and ride his own race at a nice, even tempo. We obviously didn’t want a gut-buster in his first run of the campaign. “I didn’t think we could catch English Gambler, so our only chance would be if he made a mistake, which he didn’t. But running second to him was a good effort.” Liefting has been pleased with the eight-year-old son of Nom Du Jeu throughout the fortnight since that Te Rapa run. “He’s been good,” he said. “He’s a pretty straightforward horse – a big eater and fairly sound, which always makes it easy. We never miss any work with him. He’s heading into this weekend in good order.” If Mont Ventoux continues on his upward trajectory through the next couple of months, Liefting is open to the possibility of venturing to Christchurch for the $100,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Riccarton on August 10. “We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, so we’ll just take it step by step for now,” the Pukekohe trainer said. “But hopefully we might end up in a nice open hurdle race a bit further down the track. “Everyone who has a hurdler that’s shown any kind of ability would love to make it to a National or a Great Northern (4200m). I think the National down in Christchurch might actually be a race that would suit this horse really well. He’s been down there twice already to run in the Winter Cup (Gr.3, 1600m), so we know that he travels well. “We need to concentrate on getting a maiden win on the board first, but if he keeps running good races, we might have a crack. You only live once.” Renegade Fighter made his steeplechase debut at Te Rapa on May 4. He made mistakes at multiple jumps but stayed on his feet and finished fourth, beaten by 24 lengths – a margin significantly inflated by the 19-length winner Hey Happy. “He’s still new to it and his jumping obviously needs a bit of improvement,” Liefting said. “But it could have been worse – he got around. Watching the replay the next day, it wasn’t actually as bad as I first thought when I watched the race live. “I think he’s got the makings of a nice steeplechaser. He’s another good, sound horse that doesn’t miss work. We’re hoping for a better showing this time around. “The jockey has got to know him a bit better now, and if there’s a bit of a slower tempo, it might help him to round off his fences a bit better.” View the full article

Allan Sharrock will have both quantity and quality on his side at Trentham on Saturday as he shoots for a third Listed James Bull Rangitikei Cup (1600m) in the last seven years. The New Plymouth trainer won the race with Ladies First in 2017 and Justaskme last year, and he will saddle three runners in Saturday’s 2024 edition of the $80,000 race – Justaskme, Sumi and Islington Lass. Lightly raced mare Islington Lass will be ridden by Michael McNab and heads the trio as the $2.90 favourite on the TAB’s Final Field market. The five-year-old daughter of Proisir has had nine starts for five wins and three placings. She won all of her first three starts this season in impressive style, then finished a last-start second in the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m) at Otaki – beaten by a long neck by Mr Mojo Risin’. “It was a very good run last time and I think she’s tip-top for tomorrow,” Sharrock said. “This is the race we’ve been targeting with her. “I’m very happy with the build-up she’s had. I think the track is a genuine Soft7, so by that stage of the day, it shouldn’t be a disadvantage to be drawn out where she is in gate 14. I’m expecting her to run well.” Sumi is rated a $7 second favourite in the Rangitikei Cup market, sharing second favouritism with northern raider Channel Surfer. “I was happy enough with her run for second at New Plymouth last Saturday,” Sharrock said. “They dawdled around and Lisa Allpress pulled their pants down with her front-running ride on the winner, which happens sometimes in racing. “She’s come through the race well and she’s as fit as we can make her. I probably couldn’t see her beating Islington Lass in this race, but then again, I didn’t think La Crique could get beaten at Rotorua last week either, so you never know.” The defending champion Justaskme is rated a $21 chance of defending his crown under his 59kg topweight. “He’s building up his fitness nicely,” Sharrock said. “I’ve put the hood on this week. I was probably envisaging a heavier track. “I’d expect a better run from him tomorrow, and then it’s another two weeks until his main target, the AGC Training Stakes (Listed, 1600m) at weight-for-age at Wanganui.” Sharrock’s other runner at Trentham on Saturday is the maiden Tavistock mare Dresse’ Par Joli, whose three previous starts have produced two seconds and a fourth. “She had no luck last start and has the makings of quite a nice mare,” Sharrock said. “She’s another one that’s drawn wide, but hopefully that won’t be a problem with the way the track is. I can see her going close to a win.” View the full article

What Tennant Creek Cup Day Where Hagan Park – Perry Dr, Tennant Creek NT 0860 When Saturday, May 18, 2024 First Race 1:24pm ACST Visit Dabble All roads lead to Tennant Creek on Saturday with the annual Cup Day meeting at Hagan Park. There is $131,000 up for grabs across the six-event program, with the $30,000 Tennant Creek Cup (1600m) and the $21,500 Denis Staunton Memorial Cup (1200m) taking centre stage on the sand surface. Fine weather is the forecast for the rest of the week, with windy and sunny conditions on Saturday and a top temperature of 27C. BEST BET: THE GIRL’S BOY After struggling in his first two starts in Alice Springs, The Girl’s Boy saluted over 1000m (BM64) on January 14 before capitulating to finish ninth over 1100m (0-64) a fortnight later. Since then, the four-year-old gelding has recorded a win over 1200m in Class 2 company before running second (1200m), fourth (1100m) and then third (1200m) at 0-58 level. Best Bet Race 2 – #2 The Girl’s Boy (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Kerry Petrick | J: Paul Denton (59kg) Bet with Bet365 NEXT BEST: MERSEYSIDE Merseyside failed to make an impression in her first three starts in Darwin, but she has since improved with two seconds over 1300m in 0-64 grade on March 22 and April 19. The fact that Phil Cole has elected to send the five-year-old mare some 990km down the road to Tennant Creek is significant. During her stint with Eagle Farm trainers Steven O’Dea and Matt Hoysted, Merseyside had four wins, six seconds and a third. Next Best Race 4 – #2 Merseyside (2) 5yo Mare | T: Phil Cole | J: Ianish Luximon (58.5kg) Bet with Neds BEST VALUE: PROTOSTAR Up until he blew the start at Alice Springs on May 5, Protostar had produced good results in his five runs at Pioneer Park following his arrival from NSW. Since February, the five-year-old gelding has managed a win over 1200m in 0-58 company on St Patrick’s Day, as well as two seconds, a third and a fourth. Dakota Gillett’s 2kg claim is also a bonus. Best Value Race 1 – #2 Protostar (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Terry Gillett | J: Dakota Gillett (a2) (58.5kg) Bet with Unibet Tennant Creek Cup Day quaddie tips – 18/5/2024 Tennant Creek quadrella selections Saturday, May 18, 2024 1-2-5 1-2-3 1-2-4 1-2-3 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Babylon Berlin will contest the Happy 80th Birthday Garry Chittick (1100m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Saturday’s Happy 80th Birthday Garry Chittick (1100m) at Trentham is set to cap an exciting week for Cambridge trainers Ben and Ryan Foote. The $40,000 open sprint marks a welcome return to raceday action for the Footes’ stable star, multiple Group 1-performed mare Babylon Berlin. It comes just three days after the father-son pair unveiled an exciting new talent with a brilliant four-length debut victory by Keegan at Cambridge on Wednesday. “He was impressive,” Ben Foote said. “We’d kept our opinion of him under wraps a little bit, but we certainly did expect him to produce a performance like that. “He’s always been very talented. He was up in Hong Kong with David Hall, who said he thought he’d win first-up at Sha Tin, but he had a bit of an injury and had to come back to New Zealand. He told us, ‘Don’t trial him – he knows what he’s doing. Just get him fit, take him to the races and have a bet. So that’s what we did.” Foote is now eyeing the new series of $100,000 races that have been introduced this year on the Cambridge, Awapuni and Riccarton synthetic tracks in early August. These races are open to all horses that have had at least three starts on a synthetic track in New Zealand since May of last year, with fields selected based on horses’ performances on those all-weather surfaces during that time. “He’s obviously got a lot of talent, so we can look at raising the bar a little bit,” Foote said. “There are those $35,000 MAAT races at Cambridge in late July, and then we might have a look at those new $100,000 races – possibly the one down at Awapuni (over 1400m on August 9).” Meanwhile, Foote is looking forward to welcoming Babylon Berlin back to raceday action on Saturday. It will be the All Too Hard mare’s first start since the Group 1 Sistema Railway (1200m) on New Year’s Day, in which she was a beaten favourite. She has since undergone a wind operation, then also underwent further treatment for an eye injury. Babylon Berlin warmed up for Saturday’s race with an 850m trial at Waipa on April 30, which she won by four and a half lengths. With eight wins, 13 placings and more than $600,000 in stakes – including runner-up finishes in the Railway, the Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) and the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1200m) – Babylon Berlin’s accomplishments tower over her four rivals at Trentham on Saturday. She has been allotted a 62kg topweight, although apprentice jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll will reduce that impost to 60kg with his 2kg claim. “It was a relief to see her trial like that at Waipa, I think she’s back to her old self,” Foote said. “She’s continued to go the right way since that trial too. “I took her to Te Aroha last Friday for a gallop on the course proper, partly to get that track tested out for the stipes. I think her work that day was as good as I’ve seen from her, so I’m very happy with how she’s going. “She’s in the truck behind me right now, so as long as she’s behaving herself, I think we’re on target for tomorrow. “We’ve got no firm plans after this and we’ll see how she goes before we make a decision. We could send her over to Aussie, or we could freshen her up to have a crack at the spring. We’ll get this race out of the way first and then come up with a plan.” Horse racing news View the full article

Justaskme will be one of three contenders for trainer Allan Sharrock in Saturday’s Listed James Bull Rangitikei Cup (1600m) at Trentham. Photo: Race Images Allan Sharrock will have both quantity and quality on his side at Trentham on Saturday as he shoots for a third Listed Rangitikei Cup (1600m) in the last seven years. The New Plymouth trainer won the race with Ladies First in 2017 and Justaskme last year, and he will saddle three runners in Saturday’s 2024 edition of the $80,000 race – Justaskme, Sumi and Islington Lass. Lightly raced mare Islington Lass will be ridden by Michael McNab and heads the trio as the $2.90 favourite in bookmakers’ final field market. The five-year-old daughter of Proisir has had nine starts for five wins and three placings. She won all of her first three starts this season in impressive style, then finished a last-start second in the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m) at Otaki – beaten by a long neck by Mr Mojo Risin’. “It was a very good run last time and I think she’s tip-top for tomorrow,” Sharrock said. “This is the race we’ve been targeting with her. “I’m very happy with the build-up she’s had. I think the track is a genuine Soft 7, so by that stage of the day, it shouldn’t be a disadvantage to be drawn out where she is in gate 14. I’m expecting her to run well.” Sumi is rated a $7 second favourite in the Rangitikei Cup market, sharing second favouritism with northern raider Channel Surfer. “I was happy enough with her run for second at New Plymouth last Saturday,” Sharrock said. “They dawdled around and Lisa Allpress pulled their pants down with her front-running ride on the winner, which happens sometimes in racing. “She’s come through the race well and she’s as fit as we can make her. I probably couldn’t see her beating Islington Lass in this race, but then again, I didn’t think La Crique could get beaten at Rotorua last week either, so you never know.” The defending champion Justaskme is rated a $21 chance of defending his crown under his 59kg topweight. “He’s building up his fitness nicely,” Sharrock said. “I’ve put the hood on this week. I was probably envisaging a heavier track. “I’d expect a better run from him tomorrow, and then it’s another two weeks until his main target, the AGC Training Stakes (Listed, 1600m) at weight-for-age at Wanganui.” Sharrock’s other runner at Trentham on Saturday is the maiden Tavistock mare Dresse’ Par Joli, whose three previous starts have produced two seconds and a fourth. “She had no luck last start and has the makings of quite a nice mare,” Sharrock said. “She’s another one that’s drawn wide, but hopefully that won’t be a problem with the way the track is. I can see her going close to a win.” Horse racing news View the full article

Mont Ventoux will contest the Holdem Contracting Legend Hawera Riders Maiden Hurdle (2800m) at Hawera on Sunday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Mont Ventoux and Renegade Fighter’s first-up performances at Te Rapa on May 4 have given Rudy Liefting grounds for optimism for their winter jumping campaigns, beginning with their next assignments at Hawera on Sunday. A last-start placing in restricted open grade makes Mont Ventoux a key player for the Maiden Hurdle (2800m), while Renegade Fighter will tackle the Maurice Campbell Steeplechase (3400m). A seven-time winner on the flat, Mont Ventoux has shown promise over hurdles with four placings from his six attempts so far. The most recent of those was his resuming run at Te Rapa earlier this month, where he finished second and was beaten by less than two lengths by the top-flight hurdler English Gambler. “You had to be happy with that,” Liefting said. “The horse that beat him is obviously a top hurdler, so I was happy that he ended up as close to him as he did. “I told the rider (Nick Downs) not to go chasing after English Gambler, because that would just play into his hands. I just wanted him to sit back and ride his own race at a nice, even tempo. We obviously didn’t want a gut-buster in his first run of the campaign. “I didn’t think we could catch English Gambler, so our only chance would be if he made a mistake, which he didn’t. But running second to him was a good effort.” Liefting has been pleased with the eight-year-old son of Nom Du Jeu throughout the fortnight since that Te Rapa run. “He’s been good,” he said. “He’s a pretty straightforward horse – a big eater and fairly sound, which always makes it easy. We never miss any work with him. He’s heading into this weekend in good order.” If Mont Ventoux continues on his upward trajectory through the next couple of months, Liefting is open to the possibility of venturing to Christchurch for the $100,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) at Riccarton on August 10. “We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, so we’ll just take it step by step for now,” the Pukekohe trainer said. “But hopefully we might end up in a nice open hurdle race a bit further down the track. “Everyone who has a hurdler that’s shown any kind of ability would love to make it to a National or a Great Northern (4200m). I think the National down in Christchurch might actually be a race that would suit this horse really well. He’s been down there twice already to run in the Winter Cup (Group 3, 1600m), so we know that he travels well. “We need to concentrate on getting a maiden win on the board first, but if he keeps running good races, we might have a crack. You only live once.” Renegade Fighter made his steeplechase debut at Te Rapa on May 4. He made mistakes at multiple jumps but stayed on his feet and finished fourth, beaten by 24 lengths – a margin significantly inflated by the 19-length winner Hey Happy. “He’s still new to it and his jumping obviously needs a bit of improvement,” Liefting said. “But it could have been worse – he got around. Watching the replay the next day, it wasn’t actually as bad as I first thought when I watched the race live. “I think he’s got the makings of a nice steeplechaser. He’s another good, sound horse that doesn’t miss work. We’re hoping for a better showing this time around. “The jockey has got to know him a bit better now, and if there’s a bit of a slower tempo, it might help him to round off his fences a bit better.” Horse racing news View the full article

Turn The Ace will contest the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1300 at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Turn The Ace has six victories at Te Rapa already under his belt, and Andrew Forsman sees no reason why he can’t add to that tally in the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1300 on Saturday. The five-year-old Turn Me Loose gelding has a well-known love affair with the track and ran a competitive field off their feet fresh-up earlier this month, with a second-up record even more convincing with three wins from four attempts. “It was a great effort, he always tends to run well there and his record is probably better with a run under his belt, so going into it we thought he had the potential to run well,” Forsman said. “When he found the front and railed up like he did, he was always going to be hard to beat.” The Cambridge trainer has secured Opie Bosson for Saturday’s ride, where Turn The Ace is likely to adopt his regular front-running role in the open sprint. “He’ll go forward, he loves to just bowl along on pace and it’s where he prefers to be,” Forsman said. “Whether that is out on the middle of the track at the end of the day, or on the rail I don’t think it matters too much. We’ve got Opie on, and he’ll be instructed to be positive and put him in the race. Hopefully he can do it again. “It doesn’t make much sense to stray too far from Te Rapa, so while he’s in good form and racing well there, we’ll keep racing there.” Among Forsman’s other runners is a pair of last-start victors in City Girl and Lady Pappygate, with the former a half-sister to impressive juvenile and Group 2 VRC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) runner-up Rue De Royale. “She (City Girl) put in a good effort and it was good to see her get her dues,” Forsman said. “She had run well last preparation from a couple of awkward draws and had to do a bit too much, so we gave her a break and she looks like she’ll handle rain-affected footing too which is nice. “She’s quick and likes to jump and run, there will be a few others in the field with the same idea though so we’ll try to be positive as that can be an advantage early on at Te Rapa. “It’s not easy taking the step-up and there’s a few other race winners in the field that’ll be hard to beat, but I’m sure she’ll be competitive.” The daughter of Shooting To Win will line-up in the KPMG 3YO (1100m) with Joe Doyle on board, and he will also partner Lady Pappygate in the Champion Freight 1300. “She’s come along great since her win at Otaki, we wanted to run at Rotorua last week but she drew too wide. She’s got a much better draw here, so the plan is to hold a positive spot in running so if she can trial or lead would be the intention,” Forsman said. City Girl and Lady Pappygate have been nominated for the ITM/GIB 3YO Final (1600m) later in the season at Ruakaka alongside stablemate Satin Doll, who will chase a breakthrough win in the Greene Racing Mile (1600m). “She has a tendency to get back and leave herself with a bit too much to do, so hopefully by the time her race is run, the rail is a bit off for her sake, because she doesn’t have that early tactical speed,” Forsman said. “Hopefully they are swooping down the straight by then. “The Ruakaka race is an option for them, but nominations are asked for a long way out, so it really depends on whether they are up and going and in good form at the time. They are nice options to have, but not necessarily their target race.” Forsman’s attention will also be across the Tasman at Flemington on Saturday, with Riproar, Mr Maestro and Full Of Sincerity accepting into their respective races. A three-race winner, Riproar burst back into form last-start at Caulfield and remains at three-year-old open grade, while Group 2-performer Mr Maestro will contest a Benchmark 100 event over 1600m. “It was a great return to form for Riproar, I think the drop back to 1400m helped him so he’ll go again at the distance,” Forsman said. “My only concern is the barrier draw (10), he is going really well heading into the race and it’s a competitive even line-up so he’s just going to need a bit of luck from that draw. A soft track does help him, there’s been a bit of rain around up there, but Flemington needs a fair bit on the day to become genuinely rain-affected. “I don’t think that will be the case, but there may be the fire out of the ground which is nice for him as he gets through rain-affected ground better than most. “Mr Maestro was disappointing at Morphettville after being very good first-up, he was just messing around in the gates and missed the start when we had planned to be on pace. “They sprinted off a slow tempo and he almost just got left, which is a forgive for him, but it was disappointing to go down there for a race we felt he could win and see it unfold like that. “We’ve applied the blinkers for Saturday, he had a jump-out with them on last week and Damien Lane (jockey) thought they did switch him on a bit. It’ll be the first time in them since he was a young horse, so hopefully that just sparks him up. “Full Of Sincerity has been a frustration. To be fair to him he was outpaced first-up, he was good second-up over a mile then last-start at Caulfield we just had to ride him upside down in a field with no tempo, which wasn’t where he likes to run his races. “1800m at Flemington gives him every chance to perform like he did at Mornington that day, so if he does he’ll run well.” Horse racing news View the full article

Cindy Falls will contest the Jones Trucking 1400 at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Cindy Falls evened the ledger with Sir Sterling at Te Rapa last start, and she will be out to go one better when the pair meet at the Hamilton track once more in Saturday’s Jones Trucking 1400. The Lauren Brennan-trained Sir Sterling got the upper hand in in their first meeting in September last year, and trainer Jon Miller was pleased to see his mare turn the tables last month over 1300m. “They have met a couple of times, when she was first-up a while ago he was first and she was second at Te Rapa, and she turned the tables on him last time,” Miller said. “She has come through it well, I am fairly happy with her. I am just trying to keep her on the fresh side.” Cindy Falls has drawn the ace barrier, while Sir Sterling has drawn out wide in 14, a place Miller would rather be when it comes to race seven on what was rated a Heavy 8 track on Friday morning. “The only thing I am concerned about is if the track gets a bit too cut up on the inside as she has drawn barrier one,” he said. “It is a fairly similar field, so we will just try and ride her the same way as we did last time, just quietly.” Bookmakers are leaning towards Sir Sterling on Saturday, with the four-year-old gelding rated a $5.50 favourite, with Cindy Falls a joint fourth favourite at $7. The winner of three of her 11 races to date, Miller is excited for the future with his mare, but said he will take her along quietly. “I am just trying to get her through the first couple of runs before she starts to step up,” he said. “It is just a matter of placing her at the moment, guide her through and then see where we are at. “It is only early days for us at the moment. We are just trying to pick through the grades and hopefully we will get her up over a bit of ground, around 2000m, I think that is where she is going to find her real groove.” Miller will also line-up last start placegetter Super Dailo in the Direct Fats & Oils 1200. While he has also drawn an inside alley (2), Miller said being in an earlier race, he is less concerned about the heavy track conditions. “He is in the earlier part of the day, so I am not too worried about the track at that point. I think it is quite a nice draw for him,” he said. Horse racing news View the full article

Kind Thoughts (outside) is on the cusp of making Saturday’s Listed Rangitikei Cup (1600m) field. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Cody Cole is hopeful that his promising mare Kind Thoughts will have her chance at stakes glory in Saturday’s Listed Rangitikei Cup (1600m) at Trentham. The talented daughter of Tarzino has scarcely put a foot wrong in her short career, posting two victories and two seconds from five attempts, most recently surprising the Matamata trainer with a success fresh-up at Ruakaka on May 1. “I was really happy with her, she wasn’t anywhere near ready for that race, but we thought we’d just go around for a run, and she just had too much class for them winning it quite easily,” Cole said. “She’s a real staying mare that doesn’t take a lot of work once she’s up and got her fitness. We haven’t done a whole lot with her since then, but her work on Tuesday was really good and I couldn’t fault her.” Rated at 68, the four-year-old fell just short of making the field for the feature but needs only one scratching to take her place under regular rider Matt Cameron. “She loves Trentham, she loves the big straight so fingers crossed we can get a start,” Cole said. “Matt will just let the speed unfold and get back a couple of positions, he’s got the big wide open space so I wouldn’t be worried in she was in the last half of the field in running. “When she quickens up, she looks like she’s never going to get there but once she gets going she’s got a pretty good turn of foot. “The topweight (Justaskme on 59kg) obviously compresses the handicap, but at the 53kg, if the best of her turns up I think she’ll be running a very bold race.” A Gerry Harvey-owned and bred Kind Thoughts will travel south alongside stablemates Latrelle and debutant Haughty, who will contest the Southern Rangitikei Vet & TransAg Centre (1600) and Odds Surge Every Race At Trentham (1400) respectively. “She was very unlucky at Ruakaka last start, everywhere she wanted to go she didn’t get a run and would’ve been right there, but she was still pretty close-up anyway,” Cole said. “She’s got a sticky gate (15) on Saturday, but she doesn’t cop heavy tracks and we’re probably going to end up on a soft track, so we’ll have to roll the dice and hope she gets the break she needs. “Haughty has been working really well, she probably lacks a bit of experience and another trial would’ve done her good, but we’re getting to the time of the year where the tracks are a bit heavy and I’m not sure she’ll be a wet tracker. “I think the big space at Trentham will allow her to wind up and be hitting the line well, but whether she’s a winning chance, she may not know enough just yet.” Closer to home on Saturday, Cole will have eyes on the Te Rapa meeting with two impressive last start winners in Part Time Lover and The Prophet both engaged. Lightly-tried Swiss Ace mare Part Time Lover steps into Rating 65 company in the Champion Freight 1300, while Jarvis Trading Mile (1600) contender The Prophet gave a sight at the Woodville meeting putting 4-1/4 lengths on his challengers on debut. “She (Part Time Lover) worked particularly well on Tuesday and has come through her trip to Woodville really well,” Cole said. “She’s got a nice cosy gate down on the rail (2) that shouldn’t be too worn by early in the day, Gryllsy (Craig Grylls, jockey) knows her and the track should be in the range she wants. She should be able to give it a good shake and will be one of our better chances this weekend. “The Prophet’s win was a bit of a surprise, he’s always shown us a bit but not that much, he really made them look second-rate which I didn’t really expect. “He’s come through it really well, he’s a pretty straightforward, clean-winded horse and he worked with Kind Thoughts on Tuesday. “He’s drawn a horror gate (20), but I’m not too worried about that because he drew a good gate at Woodville and ended up five-back the fence, so he’ll end up back in running. If he can get out and produce a sustained sort of run, you’d think he’d be running a pretty good race.” The pair also sport the colours of Westbury Stud owner Harvey, who has been a key supporter for Cole in his training career. “They’ve been great supporters of mine all the way through, back when I was breaking in and doing Ready-To-Run preparations they had horses with me and as I moved over to racing they’ve been great,” he said. “I can’t thank Russell Warwick, Gerry Harvey and the Westbury team enough.” Cole’s weekend contingent is completed by maiden contenders Rareza and Hanginonbyathread, who line-up alongside each other in barrier 12 and 13 in the Direct Fat & Oils 1200. “Both of them have shown us plenty of ability at home, Rareza obviously did it all wrong at Taupo and tried to buck back in November, but her trial at Te Awamutu recently was really good,” he said. “We were pretty disappointed by Hanginbyathread’s maiden performance, he just got a bit worked up at his home track. I think if he ran up to his work, he’d be running a race.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Casterton Cup Day Where Casterton Racecourse – 119 Racecourse Rd, Casterton VIC 3311 When Sunday, May 19, 2024 First Race 11:35pm AEST Visit Dabble The Casterton Racing Club will host its marquee race day this Sunday afternoon as the $50,000 Casterton Cup headlines a nine-race program. With the track rated as a Soft 5 and the club announcing it will water the surface more over the weekend, it is expected to remain in that range. The rail will be in its true position for the entire circuit, with the opening race of Casterton Cup Day scheduled to jump at 11:55am AEST. Casterton Cup Tip: Thunder Point Thunder Point was last seen at the Warrnambool Racing Carnival, where the Symon Wilde-trained gelding raced twice within three days and was unlucky not to win in his most recent start over 1700m. The son of Host had to carry 62.5kg on speed and was just beaten by The Creator after his rivals received a much more economical run. Although Thunder Point steps up to 2000m for the first time, he drops 7kg and should go close in the 2024 Casterton Cup. Casterton Cup Race 8 – #9 Thunder Point (8) 6yo Gelding | T: Symon Wilde | J: Dean Yendall (55.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Best Bet at Casterton: Tom Foolery Tom Foolery heads to Casterton after an impressive display at the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival. The John Leek Jnr-trained jumper careered away from his rivals over 3450m to record a four-length win before running an impressive third in the Grand Annual Steeplechase over 5500m the next day. With Will Gordon back into the saddle, Tom Foolery just needs to get around safely and he will prove extremely hard to beat. Best Bet Race 5 – #4 Tom Foolery (7) 5yo Gelding | T: John Leek Jnr | J: Will Gordon (67kg) Bet with PlayUp Next Best at Casterton: Sasqualah Although Sasqualah needs a scratching to get into the field, the lightly raced four-year-old mare from the Symon Wilde yard was very good when she finished a narrow second behind Romantic Choice at Warrnambool over 1100m. If she gains a start, this daughter of Magnus will rise in trip to 1200m second-up while dropping 3kg. If Linda Meech can settle midfield and find a back to follow, Sasqualah will be finishing off strongly down the outside. Next Best Race 6 – #13 Sasqualah (10) 4yo Mare | T: Symon Wilde | J: Linda Meech (54.5kg) Bet with Neds Sunday quaddie tips – 19/5/2024 Casterton quadrella selections Sunday, May 19, 2024 1-2-3-13 2-5-10 2-4-5-9-16 1-2-5-10-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article