Wandering Eyes

Benchmark 56 races rarely feature in fairytales, but for David Dempsey, they may as well be the Melbourne Cup. Dempsey reckons the replay of Not A Brass Razoo’s (NZ) (Darci Brahma) win in the lowly handicap at Gawler last Wednesday will be on loop in his mind when he takes his last breath. Unfortunately, that will be soon. Stricken with terminal cancer and given only weeks to live, the passionate Mt Gambier-based owner paid $4000 for the tried-race mare via Inglis Digital and hoped trainer Peter Hardacre could orchestrate a miracle win in his final days. “Three years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer and I’m pretty much on my last hurrah now,” Dempsey said. “I was sitting at home thinking I only have a little bit of time left and I thought to myself that if I bought a horse online, whether Peter would train it and we’d just go halves. “He was obliging and we came to a gentlemen’s agreement. “I picked Not A Brass Razoo out because it was in my black book, we bid $4000 and bought her.” The miracle win, although not entirely unexpected by the stable, means Dempsey will likely die a happy man. “I bought the horse and three weeks later it has won a race, you wouldn’t dream about how that’s happened,” he said. “Kudos to Peter for getting her over the line because I didn’t even think she’d be up and racing that quick. “I was rapt, it brought a tear to me eye. “I had my two brothers up here, one of my best mates and my partner and we couldn’t believe it. “I said to Peter that I was happy to just race for the prizemoney and he said that if I could get 10-1, I should have something on it, so I did.” Not A Brass Razoo will chase another win at Mt Gambier on Sunday week and Dempsey hopes to be trackside for what could be one of his final outings. Win or lose, he’s just keen to cuddle the mare who has helped put a smile on his face these past few weeks. “She’s going to come down here on the 26th to Mt Gambier and I’ll definitely be out there, no matter how I do it,” he said. “I want to go out there and give her a pat. “I don’t care if she wins or not, she’s done the job now. “More than likely, I’ve got about three or four months left. “It’s all getting pretty bad at the moment. “I see my oncologist next week and I’m going to tell them that I don’t want any more chemo because I’m pretty flat. “I’ve had a fair go at it.” View the full article

Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson continued to extend their unassailable lead in the National Trainers’ Premiership at Riccarton’s Synthetic meeting on Thursday, recording a winning double courtesy of Caravella (NZ) (Caravaggio) and Treaty Of Paris (NZ) (Tavistock). Caravella kicked off proceedings in the Coca-Cola Open Handicap (1200m) when getting the better of the Les Collins-trained Dear Oh Dear (NZ) (Atlante) by a long head. “It was a great effort to win like she did today,” Walker said. “She’s really started to mature and come into her own now and Dave (Ellis, Te Akau Racing principal) loves buying horses from Wentwood Grange. They’re great breeders and they breed tough, sound, racehorses that continue to improve with age. “She had to do it the hard way, from back in the field, which indicates she’s competitive and capable of winning more races under Open Handicap conditions. “She’s continued to improve consistently through the grades and I think she’ll be competitive at stakes level next season as a five-year-old.” Caravella is a half-sister to Our Abbadean (NZ) (Lookin At Lucky), a dual Group Two winner and twice Group One placed for Te Akau. “She was very unlucky last start at Wingatui, so it was pleasing to see things go her way, and it’s great to have had good success with both her and Our Abbadean,” Ellis said. “It’s a terrific effort to have won four times this season and she seems to have really settled in well and thrived at our stables on the course at Riccarton. “Hunter (Durrant, Riccarton stable foreman) and the staff down there are doing a great job and we have always loved stabling and racing horses in the South Island. “We had her half-sister Our Abbadean in the stable for the Hawkins family at Wentwood Grange, who performed very well. “She ran in all three legs of the Triple Crown during the Hawkes Bay Spring Carnival, and came of age as an older mare when winning the Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr. 2, 2000m) and Travis Stakes (Gr. 2, 2000m). “She was a really good stakes quality mare and the more wins Caravella can get on the board the more valuable she becomes. “It’s a good family and Wentwood Grange is one of the very astute breeders in our industry.” As they did a day earlier at Cambridge, Walker and Bergerson produced back-to-back winners at Riccarton when Treaty Of Paris took out the Fire Fighters Challenge – Phil Leabourn Rating 75 (2200m). “It was a really good win and a lovely ride of Warren’s (Kennedy),” Walker said. “He’s been a slower maturing horse, but now he’s getting some age on him he’s getting stronger and becoming a decent staying type. “He was a magnificent sort of yearling when Dave (Ellis) bought him, now coming to it as a proven racehorse and he’s certainly got a good record on the poly track. “We’ve always rated his ability, but he’s just needed the time to develop, and I think he’ll make a nice Cups horse next year with even more maturity.” View the full article

Thursday's under-tack show session for Fasig-Tipton's Midlantic May Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale will begin at 10 a.m. ET., which is a two-hour delay from its originally scheduled start time of 8 a.m., the auction company said in an early release. The two-hour delay will provide the track maintenance staff additional time to prepare the surface following rains that affected the Timonium, Maryland area since late Tuesday. The Thursday trials is the second of three under tack show sessions for the sale. The third and final will take place Friday at 8 a.m. The Midlantic May Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale will be conducted this coming Monday and Tuesday, May 20-21, at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland. Click here to view the live feed. The post Midlantic May Thursday Under-Tack Show Session Will Begin At 10am appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Gain Marble Hill S. at the Curragh will be run in the memory of the late Theresa Marnane. The Group 3 contest, which takes place on Saturday May 2, was won by the Marnane family's Givemethebeatboys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) last year. Theresa was a hugely popular member of the racing and breeding industry alongside her husband Con and daughters Amy and Olivia. The Marnane family is associated with countless top-notch graduates, including Group 1 winners Sands Of Mali, Fleeting Spirit, Amadeus Wolf and Rio De La Plata. Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive at the Curragh said, “Theresa was a much loved and dearly missed member of the Irish bloodstock community. The Curragh in association with GAIN is delighted to be able to run one of our most prestigious races for juveniles in her memory, a race which was won last year by the Marnane family owned Givemethebeatboys. We look forward to welcoming Con, Amy, Olivia, their extended family and many friends to the races.” Philip Gilligan, Irish Country Manager GAIN Equine Nutrition, added, “On behalf of the team at GAIN, we are delighted to offer our support and run the 2024 GAIN Marble Hill Stakes in honour and memory of Theresa Marnane, whose delight at the victory of Givemethebeatboys in last year's race is a lasting memory for the family. We hope that this will be a fitting tribute to honour her legacy to the bloodstock and racing Industry.” The post ‘A Fitting Tribute’ – Marble Hill To Be Run In Memory Of Theresa Marnane appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For Chad Brown, the Triple Crown has been an exasperating experience lately.View the full article

What Andrew Ramsden Stakes Day Where Flemington Racecourse – 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031 When Saturday, May 18, 2024 First Race 11:35pm AEST Visit Dabble The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) headlines Saturday’s program at Flemington, with the winner of the $500,000 feature earning a ticket into the 2024 Melbourne Cup. The rail is out +4m for the entire circuit, and although there are some minor showers predicted in the lead-up, don’t expect the surface to be downgraded from the Soft 5 rating at the time of acceptances. The action is set to get underway at 11:35am local time. Andrew Ramsden Stakes Tip: Lionel Lionel was starting to get warm going through the wire at Mornington on April 20 and appears primed for a second-up assault. The European import is a genuine stayer, with his best form — including his only victory, at Goodwood in May 2022 — coming over the 2253m. This race lacks tempo, so although it may be against his pattern to lead, watch for Ethan Brown to ping the lids from stall eight and allow Lionel to turn the 2024 Andrew Ramsden Stakes into a true staying test. Andrew Ramsden Stakes Race 8 – #9 Lionel (8) 5yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Ethan Brown (58.5kg) +600 with Bet365 Best Bet at Flemington: Mirzann Mirzann caught the eye on his Australian debut at Caulfield on May 4 and appears to have acclimatised well to his new stable. He got within a length of Cadmus despite lugging 61kg, with the Chris Waller-trained gelding peaking on his run after 190 days off the scene. He drops 6.5kg going into this BM84, and with Damien Lane lobbing into the one-one from barrier four, Mirzann looks perfectly placed to go one better this time. Best Bet Race 2 – #11 Mirzann (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Damien Lane (54.5kg) +220 with PlayUp Next Best at Flemington: Kings Valley Kings Valley heads to Victoria for the first time after back-to-back placings at Canterbury over 1550m. The journey proved too sharp for the son of Territories, as he did his best work late in both runs. Getting to 2000m at a wide-open Flemington circuit appears ideal for the Ciaron Maher-trained import, and with any luck from barrier 12, Kings Valley can shirk the maiden tag. Next Best Race 6 – #8 Kings Valley (12) 3yo Colt | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Matthew Cartwright (54.5kg) +800 with Neds Best Value at Flemington: Joyful Fortune After a 562-day spell, Joyful Fortune is set to have his first run for the Ciaron Maher barn in the Listed Straight Six (1200m). He was a two-time winner at Flemington across three starts last preparation, with his only failure coming in the 2022 Everest (1200m) behind Giga Kick. His form jumps off the page despite the lengthy layoff, and with his one jump-out at Newcastle on April 12 catching the eye, Joyful Fortune has strong claims at the each-way price with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 7 – #1 Joyful Fortune (14) 7yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Ethan Brown (58kg) +800 with Unibet Saturday quaddie tips – 18/5/2024 Flemington quadrella selections Saturday, May 18, 2024 1-3-4-6-7-13-18 5-6-9-12 1-4-6-8-10-15 4-10-11-12-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Caravella winning at Riccarton on Thursday. Photo: Race Images South Te Akau Racing’s Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson continued to extend their unassailable lead in the National Trainers’ Premiership at Riccarton’s Synthetic meeting on Thursday, recording a winning double courtesy of Caravella and Treaty Of Paris. Caravella kicked off proceedings in the Coca-Cola Open Handicap (1200m) when getting the better of the Les Collins-trained Dear Oh Dear by a long head. “It was a great effort to win like she did today,” Walker said. “She’s really started to mature and come into her own now and Dave (Ellis, Te Akau Racing principal) loves buying horses from Wentwood Grange. They’re great breeders and they breed tough, sound, racehorses that continue to improve with age. “She had to do it the hard way, from back in the field, which indicates she’s competitive and capable of winning more races under Open Handicap conditions. “She’s continued to improve consistently through the grades and I think she’ll be competitive at stakes level next season as a five-year-old.” Caravella is a half-sister to Our Abbadean, a dual Group 2 winner and twice Group 1 placed for Te Akau. “She was very unlucky last start at Wingatui, so it was pleasing to see things go her way, and it’s great to have had good success with both her and Our Abbadean,” Ellis said. “It’s a terrific effort to have won four times this season and she seems to have really settled in well and thrived at our stables on the course at Riccarton. “Hunter (Durrant, Riccarton stable foreman) and the staff down there are doing a great job and we have always loved stabling and racing horses in the South Island. “We had her half-sister Our Abbadean in the stable for the Hawkins family at Wentwood Grange, who performed very well. “She ran in all three legs of the Triple Crown during the Hawkes Bay Spring Carnival, and came of age as an older mare when winning the Awapuni Gold Cup (Group 2, 2000m) and Travis Stakes (Group 2, 2000m). “She was a really good stakes quality mare and the more wins Caravella can get on the board the more valuable she becomes. “It’s a good family and Wentwood Grange is one of the very astute breeders in our industry.” As they did a day earlier at Cambridge, Walker and Bergerson produced back-to-back winners at Riccarton when Treaty Of Paris took out the Fire Fighters Challenge – Phil Leabourn Rating 75 (2200m). “It was a really good win and a lovely ride of Warren’s (Kennedy),” Walker said. “He’s been a slower maturing horse, but now he’s getting some age on him he’s getting stronger and becoming a decent staying type. “He was a magnificent sort of yearling when Dave (Ellis) bought him, now coming to it as a proven racehorse and he’s certainly got a good record on the poly track. “We’ve always rated his ability, but he’s just needed the time to develop, and I think he’ll make a nice Cups horse next year with even more maturity.” Horse racing news View the full article

Deebee Bellfer will be vying for a hattrick of wins at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Te Aroha mare Deebee Bellfer has been in a purple patch of form of late and will be vying to extend her golden run when she heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the PGG Wrightson Grain 2100. The five-year-old daughter of Preferment had more than 12 months on the sidelines but has hardly skipped a beat since resuming in January for trainer Gavin Opie, winning two and placing in four of her eight starts this year. Deebee Bellfer has been in Opie’s care for the last six months and he said her break from racing was more about resetting her confidence levels following a fall nearly two years ago. “She had a fall in her second race at Matamata and it took a little bit to get over that,” Opie said. “Shelley Wright started to do a bit of pre-training with her, and I have always had a good association with Mrs Bell (breeder-owner), and she sent her over here after she had done some pre-training.” She has progressed all the way through her preparation, culminating with victories in her last two outings, and Opie is hopeful she can continue her winning ways when she steps up to rating 75 grade this weekend. “I couldn’t be happier with her,” Opie said. “She had her first start in January, and I think she has only finished out of the top three on two occasions. She is flying and her work has been good. “She has drawn a good barrier of six on Saturday and we have got a new jockey on in Kelly Myers. As long as she tracks into the race when she normally does, around the 800m, they will know she is there, and they will need to be on their best game.” If she performs up to expectations, some loftier goals await her during winter. “If she happened to win or run second we would have to look at the Taumarunui Cup in July and work our way back from there. We will have to give her a week or two in the paddock somewhere along the line.” Stablemate Mister Pucci is also entered for Te Rapa on Saturday but needs the assistance of a couple of scratchings to make the field for the Jarvis Trading Mile (1600m). “He is third on the ballot, but there are a couple of nice races at Pukekohe in the next couple of weeks, so there is no drama if he doesn’t make the field,” Opie said. “He is racing well, even on the firmer tracks, and once he gets a bit more toe in the ground he grows another leg. I am looking forward to him through the winter.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Belmont Sprint Day Where Belmont Racecourse – Saintly Entrance, Burswood WA 6100 When Saturday, May 18, 2024 First Race 12:04pm AWST Visit Dabble Saturday metropolitan racing returns to Belmont Park for the first time in 2024 this Saturday, with the Group 3 Belmont Sprint headlining a nine-race program. With perfect autumn weather on the forecast, it is expected that the track will remain at a Good 4 rating. The rail will be in the true position for the entire circuit, with the opening race set to jump at 12:04pm AWST. Belmont Sprint Tip: Western Empire Western Empire has been thriving since returning to WA. After recording an unlucky third first-up, this son of Iffraaj ran away from his rivals late in the Group 3 Northam Stakes to bring up a 2.5-length victory. Even though he has drawn wide in barrier 15 here, if William Pike can find cover and get out wide in the home straight, Western Empire will be winning again. Belmont Sprint Race 8 – #2 Western Empire (15) 6yo Gelding | T: Grant & Alana Williams | J: William Pike (59kg) +110 with Bet365 Best Bet at Belmont: Golden Kathleen Golden Kathleen drops back from Group 3 company to compete in a 2YO Open contest. This daughter of Leonardo Da Hinchi has been running good races from the back of the field but has run into the very smart Bustling in her last two starts. Steven Parnham rode this girl a treat to finish second in the Group 3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes, and if he can give her a similar ride in this race, Golden Kathleen can return to the winners’ circle again. Best Bet Race 3 – #3 Golden Kathleen (5) 2yo Filly | T: Russell Stewart | J: Steven Parnham (56kg) +140 with Neds Next Best at Belmont: Malkar Pindari Although she ran fifth in her last start, Malkar Pindari was too bad to be true. This daughter of Gingerbread Man settled towards the rear of the field but was left flat-footed before the home turn and didn’t finish off like she usually does. With good speed expected in this contest, Chris Parnham will allow Malkar Pindari to settle and balance up before letting down with her customary turn of foot, which has delivered two wins in as many runs at Belmont. Next Best Race 7 – #4 Malkar Pindari (11) 4yo Mare | T: Simon Miller | J: Chris Parnham (58.5kg) +500 with PlayUp Best Value at Belmont: Belgrano Belle Belgrano Belle has produced two acceptable performances since returning from a spell, and she seems to be looking for more ground after starts over 1500m and 1400m. The Takahide Ikenushi-trained mare has a strong third-up record (4:2-0-1), and the rise in trip to 1600m should suit. With the aid of Luke Campbell’s 2kg claim and good barrier (5), Belgrano Belle can settle behind the speed and give a sight at double-figure odds with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 1 – #3 Belgrano Belle (5) 5yo Mare | T: Takahide Ikenushi | J: Luke Campbell (a2) (59.5kg) +1000 with Picklebet Saturday quaddie tips for Belmont races Belmont quadrella selections Saturday, May 18, 2024 2-5-7-15 2-4-5-6 1-2-9-12 2-4-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Group 1-winning trainer Chad Ormsby. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Multi-talented horseman Chad Ormsby has had a year to remember with four black-type victories to his credit. The former Group 1-winning jockey runs a boutique Matamata stable and with wife Aliesha Moroney also operates Riverrock Farm, a breaking-in and thoroughbred education centre and successful Ready to Run Sale vendor. Ormsby has prepared 10 winners this season, with four of them at stakes level, including a memorable Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) victory with Pulchritudinous. She had also won the Group 2 Lowland Stakes (2000m) before the Trentham Classic while Master Fay claimed the Group 3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) and Outovstock the Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2100m). “It’s been a really good run for us since January and everything has worked out well,” Ormsby said. “We’ve had some good horses to deal with and we’re really a trading stable and only race the ones we get left with or that have some issues.” Pulchritudinous was one example and was bought out of breeder Milan Park’s yearling draft at Karaka for $32,500 before she was passed in when offered as a yearling under the Riverrock banner. The daughter of Wrote was sold following her Oaks victory in a deal brokered by agent Phill Cataldo with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Master Fay was a $100,000 purchase out of the Highden Park’s draft at Karaka by Ormsby as a pinhooking prospect but didn’t make it back to the sales ring and was sold to Hong Kong interests following a trio of trial wins. The son of Deep Field made a successful debut from Caspar Fownes’ stable before he was struck by soundness issues and found his way back to Ormsby’s care. Master Fay returned to racing three years later to score first-up at Tauranga and then landed the Concorde to earn a trip to Melbourne but finished well back in the Group 1 Newmarket (1200m). “He’s just come back into work and may have his first run in the Foxbridge Plate (Group 2, 1200m) and then look at Australia,” Ormsby said. “He’s day-by-day and hopefully he can tick all the boxes and get a run under his belt and head back to Melbourne.” Meanwhile, Ormsby’s Manawatu Classic winner Outovstock is spelling after a midfield finish in the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m), an effort that didn’t disappoint. “He ran very much the same sectionals as the winner, but it just wasn’t run to suit him,” he said. “He’s a pretty fair type and I think you’ll see a better horse next time around. “He’s still in Australia and we’ve got no plans at this stage. He’s been resting since he ran in Adelaide and we’re weighing up our options. “He’s in Melbourne and we’re looking at spring options for him and we’ll decide whether he stays over there or he comes home and we prepare him with races back here.” Horse racing news View the full article

Wewillrock pictured with co-trainer Guy Lowry. Photo: Trish Dunell A return to Australia was on the cards for Wewillrock this winter, but trainers Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos have elected to keep him in New Zealand to tackle some home targets. He performed with distinction across the Tasman over the winter months last year for Sydney trainer John O’Shea, placing in the Listed June Stakes (1100m) at Randwick before winning at the Sydney track a month later. Lowry was eyeing a return this year, but said his rating makes it hard to place the son of El Roca, so he will remain in New Zealand for the time being. “He is at a difficult weight at the moment, so it is a bit harder when he goes over there. We are happy to stick around here at the moment,” Lowry said. Wewillrock has been in good form this preparation, finishing runner-up in the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Trentham last month before winning over 1200m at Wanganui. He will return to Trentham on Saturday to contest the Happy 80th Birthday Garry Chittick 1100, where he will be met by multiple Group 1 performer Babylon Berlin. Lowry is aware of the task ahead of his gelding this weekend, but said it is a good opportunity to give the five-year-old some practice down Trentham’s chute ahead of feature sprint targets next season. “It will be tough against her,” he said. “She has been proven at Group 1 level where we haven’t. She is rated quite a few points above us, so it is going to be difficult. “We need some practice down the straight. He may not be competitive against Babylon Berlin but the more practice we get down the straight the better. If we are going to stay in this country that is where our opportunities are.” Safely through the weekend, Lowry said Wewillrock will likely have another couple of starts before heading for a spell. “At some stage we will freshen him up, but he is going really well at the moment,” he said. “There is another nice race at Wanganui at the start of next month which he will likely head for, we will just see how he comes through Saturday.” Lowry will also head to Trentham on Saturday with River Dance, who will attempt to break through for her maiden win in the Waterforce 1600. “River Dance is a mare that has strengthened mentally, and she should be competitive on Saturday,” Lowry said. Horse racing news View the full article

Pier pictured with co-trainer Briar Weatherley. Photo: Race Images South It may have taken until the tail end of his four-year-old season, but Darryn Weatherley believes his Group 1 winner Pier has finally furnished into a mature racehorse. The son of Proisir was a standout three-year-old last term, winning the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), and placed in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and Group 3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m). He then had one start in Australia in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill where he pulled up sore, which curtailed his campaign. Returning in the spring as a four-year-old, Pier failed to flatter when taking on weight-for-age, finishing unplaced in his three assignments, and has had a lengthy spell since his last run in the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Hastings in September. “He had a couple of niggly issues, and it was more growing pains than anything, but it forced us to go to the paddock,” Weatherley said. Weatherley, who trains Pier in partnership with his daughter Briar, has been rapt with the way he has returned, which was showcased at the Te Aroha trials on Thursday where he comfortably won his 1000m heat on the Heavy 8 track. “He trialled well, I am really pleased,” said Weatherley, who also co-bred and co-owns the gelding. “He had been out for several months, so I was a little bit concerned about the heavy track and the 1000m, I would have preferred 800m on a better track. But he got through his work nicely, I am very pleased with how he is going.” Pier may return to Te Aroha in a few weeks’ time for a first-up run, which will determine whether Weatherley presses on with his charge towards a hit-and-run mission on the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm next month. “He has got a nomination for the Stradbroke, but that is all pie in the sky stuff at the moment,” Weatherley said. “He may have a run at Te Aroha if the track isn’t too bad in three weeks’ time and then reassess if we have a hit-and-run at something like the Stradbroke. “If he happened to win by panels, you would consider it, or we might put him out for a short break and then prepare him for the spring.” While Pier’s autumn and spring preparations were hampered last year, Weatherley said he has returned a fully mature horse and he is excited to see what he can do on the track. “He has certainly improved this time in,” he said. “Hindsight is a great thing, when he went out he was 484kg, which was the same weight he had won the 2000 Guineas a year earlier. I put him on the scales yesterday and he was 528kg. He has certainly grown with his break and improved, and I think he is only getting better. “It was frustrating that he has had his little niggly issues, but they haven’t been career threatening by any means and I think it is more the point of just being immature. “There’s that famous saying of Bart Cummings that we all know – the cheapest and least used thing is time. “Because he came out all guns blazing as a three-year-old you press on, and we won a Hawke’s Bay Guineas and a 2000 Guineas, but I think as four-year-old he was like a kid that has been thrown into the first XV a year too soon, and now he has caught up with himself. “He looks a different horse, he has matured and he is exciting going forward.” Weatherley is also excited about the prospects of Proisir juvenile filly Gossip, who also won her 1000m heat at Te Aroha. She was purchased out of Fairdale Stud’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Online Yearling Sale draft by her owner Gary Harding for $110,000, and has impressed Weatherley with what she has shown to date. “1000m on a heavy track wasn’t ideal, but she did her work nicely and she has pulled up well and will go out on a winning note,” Weatherley said. “She has shown us plenty at home and she has got a great temperament. She will go out now for a short break and then she will come back and prepare for the early three-year-old fillies races and hopefully go through for the Filly of the Year series.” Horse racing news View the full article

It may have taken until the tail end of his four-year-old season, but Darryn Weatherley believes his Group One winner Pier has finally furnished into a mature racehorse. The son of Proisir was a standout three-year-old last term, winning the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), and placed in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) and Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m). He then had one start in Australia in the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill where he pulled up sore, which curtailed his campaign. Returning in the spring as a four-year-old, Pier failed to flatter when taking on weight-for-age, finishing unplaced in his three assignments, and has had a lengthy spell since his last run in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Hastings in September. “He had a couple of niggly issues, and it was more growing pains than anything, but it forced us to go to the paddock,” Weatherley said. Weatherley, who trains Pier in partnership with his daughter Briar, has been rapt with the way he has returned, which was showcased at the Te Aroha trials on Thursday where he comfortably won his 1000m heat on the Heavy8 track. “He trialled well, I am really pleased,” said Weatherley, who also co-bred and co-owns the gelding. “He had been out for several months, so I was a little bit concerned about the heavy track and the 1000m, I would have preferred 800m on a better track. But he got through his work nicely, I am very pleased with how he is going.” Pier may return to Te Aroha in a few weeks’ time for a first-up run, which will determine whether Weatherley presses on with his charge towards a hit-and-run mission on the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm next month. “He has got a nomination for the Stradbroke, but that is all pie in the sky stuff at the moment,” Weatherley said. “He may have a run at Te Aroha if the track isn’t too bad in three weeks’ time and then reassess if we have a hit-and-run at something like the Stradbroke. “If he happened to win by panels, you would consider it, or we might put him out for a short break and then prepare him for the spring.” While Pier’s autumn and spring preparations were hampered last year, Weatherley said he has returned a fully mature horse and he is excited to see what he can do on the track. “He has certainly improved this time in,” he said. “Hindsight is a great thing, when he went out he was 484kg, which was the same weight he had won the 2000 Guineas a year earlier. I put him on the scales yesterday and he was 528kg. He has certainly grown with his break and improved, and I think he is only getting better. “It was frustrating that he has had his little niggly issues, but they haven’t been career threatening by any means and I think it is more the point of just being immature. “There’s that famous saying of Bart Cummings that we all know – the cheapest and least used thing is time. “Because he came out all guns blazing as a three-year-old you press on, and we won a Hawke’s Bay Guineas and a 2000 Guineas, but I think as four-year-old he was like a kid that has been thrown into the first XV a year too soon, and now he has caught up with himself. “He looks a different horse, he has matured and he is exciting going forward.” Weatherley is also excited about the prospects of Proisir juvenile filly Gossip, who also won her 1000m heat at Te Aroha. She was purchased out of Fairdale Stud’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Online Yearling Sale draft by her owner Gary Harding for $110,000, and has impressed Weatherley with what she has shown to date. “1000m on a heavy track wasn’t ideal, but she did her work nicely and she has pulled up well and will go out on a winning note,” Weatherley said. “She has shown us plenty at home and she has got a great temperament. She will go out now for a short break and then she will come back and prepare for the early three-year-old fillies races and hopefully go through for the Filly of the Year series.” View the full article

A return to Australia was on the cards for Wewillrock (NZ) (El Roca) this winter, but trainers Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos have elected to keep him in New Zealand to tackle some home targets. He performed with distinction across the Tasman over the winter months last year for Sydney trainer John O’Shea, placing in the Listed June Stakes (1100m) at Randwick before winning at the Sydney track a month later. Lowry was eyeing a return this year, but said his rating makes it hard to place the son of El Roca, so he will remain in New Zealand for the time being. “He is at a difficult weight at the moment, so it is a bit harder when he goes over there. We are happy to stick around here at the moment,” Lowry said. Wewillrock has been in good form this preparation, finishing runner-up in the Listed City Of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Trentham last month before winning over 1200m at Wanganui. He will return to Trentham on Saturday to contest the Happy 80th Birthday Garry Chittick 1100, where he will be met by multiple Group One performer Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard). Lowry is aware of the task ahead of his gelding this weekend, but said it is a good opportunity to give the five-year-old some practice down Trentham’s chute ahead of feature sprint targets next season. “It will be tough against her,” he said. “She has been proven at Group One level where we haven’t. She is rated quite a few points above us, so it is going to be difficult. “We need some practice down the straight. He may not be competitive against Babylon Berlin but the more practice we get down the straight the better. If we are going to stay in this country that is where our opportunities are.” Safely through the weekend, Lowry said Wewillrock will likely have another couple of starts before heading for a spell. “At some stage we will freshen him up, but he is going really well at the moment,” he said. “There is another nice race at Wanganui at the start of next month which he will likely head for, we will just see how he comes through Saturday.” Lowry will also head to Trentham on Saturday with River Dance (NZ) (Vadamos), who will attempt to break through for her maiden win in the Waterforce 1600. “River Dance is a mare that has strengthened mentally, and she should be competitive on Saturday,” Lowry said. View the full article

Multi-talented horseman Chad Ormsby has had a year to remember with four black-type victories to his credit. The former Group One-winning jockey runs a boutique Matamata stable and with wife Aliesha Moroney also operates Riverrock Farm, a breaking-in and thoroughbred education centre and successful Ready to Run Sale vendor. Ormsby has prepared 10 winners this season, with four of them at stakes level, including a memorable Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) victory with Pulchritudinous. She had also won the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2000m) before the Trentham Classic while Master Fay claimed the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) and Outovstock the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m). “It’s been a really good run for us since January and everything has worked out well,” Ormsby said. “We’ve had some good horses to deal with and we’re really a trading stable and only race the ones we get left with or that have some issues.” Pulchritudinous was one example and was bought out of breeder Milan Park’s yearling draft at Karaka for $32,500 before she was passed in when offered as a yearling under the Riverrock banner. The daughter of Wrote was sold following her Oaks victory in a deal brokered by agent Phill Cataldo with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Master Fay was a $100,000 purchase out of the Highden Park’s draft at Karaka by Ormsby as a pinhooking prospect but didn’t make it back to the sales ring and was sold to Hong Kong interests following a trio of trial wins. The son of Deep Field made a successful debut from Caspar Fownes’ stable before he was struck by soundness issues and found his way back to Ormsby’s care. Master Fay returned to racing three years later to score first-up at Tauranga and then landed the Concorde to earn a trip to Melbourne but finished well back in the Gr.1 Newmarket (1200m). “He’s just come back into work and may have his first run in the Foxbridge Plate (Gr.2, 1200m) and then look at Australia,” Ormsby said. “He’s day-by-day and hopefully he can tick all the boxes and get a run under his belt and head back to Melbourne.” Meanwhile, Ormsby’s Manawatu Classic winner Outovstock is spelling after a midfield finish in the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m), an effort that didn’t disappoint. “He ran very much the same sectionals as the winner, but it just wasn’t run to suit him,” he said. “He’s a pretty fair type and I think you’ll see a better horse next time around. “He’s still in Australia and we’ve got no plans at this stage. He’s been resting since he ran in Adelaide and we’re weighing up our options. “He’s in Melbourne and we’re looking at spring options for him and we’ll decide whether he stays over there or he comes home and we prepare him with races back here.” By Tavistock, Outovstock was purchased by Riverrock out of breeder Cambridge Stud’s yearling consignment at Karaka for $50,000 and retained to race after he failed to meet his reserve at the Ready to Run Sale. View the full article

Te Aroha mare Deebee Bellfer (NZ) (Preferment) has been in a purple patch of form of late and will be vying to extend her golden run when she heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the PGG Wrightson Grain 2100. The five-year-old daughter of Preferment had more than 12 months on the sidelines but has hardly skipped a beat since resuming in January for trainer Gavin Opie, winning two and placing in four of her eight starts this year. Deebee Bellfer has been in Opie’s care for the last six months and he said her break from racing was more about resetting her confidence levels following a fall nearly two years ago. “She had a fall in her second race at Matamata and it took a little bit to get over that,” Opie said. “Shelley Wright started to do a bit of pre-training with her, and I have always had a good association with Mrs Bell (breeder-owner), and she sent her over here after she had done some pre-training.” She has progressed all the way through her preparation, culminating with victories in her last two outings, and Opie is hopeful she can continue her winning ways when she steps up to rating 75 grade this weekend. “I couldn’t be happier with her,” Opie said. “She had her first start in January, and I think she has only finished out of the top three on two occasions. She is flying and her work has been good. “She has drawn a good barrier of six on Saturday and we have got a new jockey on in Kelly Myers. As long as she tracks into the race when she normally does, around the 800m, they will know she is there, and they will need to be on their best game.” If she performs up to expectations, some loftier goals await her during winter. “If she happened to win or run second we would have to look at the Taumarunui Cup in July and work our way back from there. We will have to give her a week or two in the paddock somewhere along the line.” Stablemate Mister Pucci (NZ) (Puccini) is also entered for Te Rapa on Saturday but needs the assistance of a couple of scratchings to make the field for the Jarvis Trading Mile (1600m). “He is third on the ballot, but there are a couple of nice races at Pukekohe in the next couple of weeks, so there is no drama if he doesn’t make the field,” Opie said. “He is racing well, even on the firmer tracks, and once he gets a bit more toe in the ground he grows another leg. I am looking forward to him through the winter.” View the full article

Channel Surfer will contest the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) After starting the season as a maiden, in-form Matamata visitor Channel Surfer will chase a deserved stakes title to complete his four-year-old year at Trentham on Saturday in the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m). The son of Derryn raced in top company as a three-year-old, including placings in the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and the Listed Trevor Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m), and has continued to perform into this term, highlighted by an eye-catching run for third in the Group 3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m), only being outshone by his stablemate Snazzytavi. Graham Richardson, who trains the gelding in partnership with Rogan Norvall, believes he has continued to thrive after the Te Rapa feature, and deserves his place in Saturday’s field. “His run in the Easter was very good, he’s come from a long way back and he’s really whacked away well in a strong race. He deserves a go at the Rangitikei Gold Cup because of that,” he said. “He just keeps getting better and better, he’s as tough as nails and thrives on racing.” Wiremu Pinn has been engaged for the ride, with Channel Surfer sitting among 12 horses on the 53kg minimum, and drew the ace barrier. “The draw is an advantage, but it just depends on how wet the track is on Saturday,” Richardson said. “It’s his last run, and I know I’ll be tipping him out for a little while and getting ready for the early spring races.” Richardson purchased the four-year-old at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales in 2021 and has enjoyed maintaining a share in the $201,000 earner. “It’s nice to have shares in nice horses like him, and horses like Therapeutic and Sorghaghtani,” he said. The latter, a mare by Mongolian Khan, has accepted for the Jarvis Trading Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, alongside stablemate and impressive last-start winner Darci’s Angel. “She’s (Sorghaghtani) a very genuine mare, she may run at Taupo (next Wednesday) instead of Saturday though. Either way, she is very well in herself,” Richardson said. “Darci’s Angel’s work on Tuesday was very good, she’s not a big filly so she’s carrying a bit of weight with the 58kg but has a gun rider on board (Opie Bosson). I’m very happy with that. “She’s also a very genuine horse, she wants cut in the ground, but not overboard.” Horse racing news View the full article

Veteran handler is three wins in Class Four or above from extending his career and he is eager to take the pressure off as soon as possibleView the full article

Veteran handler pinpoints consistent galloper and promising sprinter as the best of his nine runners on SundayView the full article

What Doomben 10,000 Day 2024 Where Doomben Racecourse – 75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, May 18, 2024 First Race 11:48am AEST Visit Dabble The Doomben 10,000 will be the first Group 1 of the 2024 Queensland Racing Carnival, headlining a massive day of racing at Doomben this Saturday afternoon. The Brisbane area received more rain than was first forecast on Wednesday, and with more on the way on Thursday, there is little chance of the track improving from the Soft 7 rating. The rail will return to its true position for the entire circuit, with the opening race scheduled to jump at 11:48am AEST. Race 1: Class 6 Handicap (1600m) Tenzing and Rising Pacific were only separated by a nose last time out, so it is hard to ignore the former when he is twice the price of the latter. After drawing barrier two, Tyler Schiller will be able to push forward and settle behind the slow tempo. If Tenzing can find a back to follow and peel out wide on the home turn, he will prove hard to beat in the opening event. Selections: 9 TENZING 6 RISING PACIFIC 1 EAGLEMONT 8 EVOCATOR Race 2: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1350m) We were with Warby last start when he was narrowly beaten by his stablemate Immoral over 1200m at Eagle Farm first-up off a 17-week spell. The Tony Gollan-trained gelding has a strong second-up (4:2-0-0) and Soft track (6:2-2-0) record, so he should relish conditions. Stepping up to 1350m will suit this son of Hellbent, and if Ryan Maloney can find cover from barrier 18, Warby will be flying home late. Selections: 7 WARBY 9 WEIGALL TIGER 6 SPACE TRACKER 18 MINTAKA LAD Next Best Race 2 – #7 Warby (18) 4yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: Ryan Maloney (58.5kg) +500 with Neds Race 3: 3YO Plate (1350m) Golden Decade produced one of his best performances first-up when he defeated Inhibitions at Eagle Farm over 1300m by just under a length. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding settled outside the leader before taking over at the 300m and coasted to the line under little to no riding to record a very soft win. If Blake Shinn can find a similar position from barrier four, the rest of the field will have to be very good to beat Golden Decade. Selections: 6 GOLDEN DECADE 5 RAZORS 13 ABOUNDING 10 MCHALE Best Value Race 3 – #6 Golden Decade (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Blake Shinn (57kg) +900 with PlayUp Race 4: Group 3 JRA Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) After two solid efforts in Group 3 company over 1500m and 1600m to kick off this preparation, the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained New Endeavour appears ready to peak third-up over 2000m. From barrier two, Tim Clark can settle behind the speed in the first four or five and allow his mount to build momentum around the home turn before letting down with a strong finish. Selections: 5 NEW ENDEAVOUR 2 SPIRIT RIDGE 9 DUNE FORTY FIVE 6 DENY KNOWLEDGE JRA Chairman’s Handicap Race 4 – #5 New Endeavour (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Tim Clark (56.5kg) +500 with Dabble Race 5: Listed Members’ Handicap (1600m) Gringotts and Territory Express appear to be the only two runners with any support in the Members’ Handicap. The former is undefeated this preparation and is coming off a nice win in the Tamworth Cup, where he improved his record to two wins and a placing on Soft ground. With Jamie Kah jumping aboard, the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding looks the one to beat with a 3.5kg weight advantage over his closest rival. Selections: 11 GRINGOTTS 4 TERRITORY EXPRESS 12 SNEAK PREVIEW 6 KNIGHT’S CHOICE Race 6: Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic (1200m) It was hard not to be impressed by the debut of Angel Capital when he let down with a devastating turn of foot to run away with an arrogant 2.3-length victory. The son of Harry Angel raced rather ungenerously early, but once he straightened and was given his cue by Jamie Kah, he glided straight past his rivals. The extra 200m should suit him, and if he shows a similar turn of foot, Angel Capital will maintain his unbeaten record. Selections: 5 ANGEL CAPITAL 11 EL MORZILLO 2 ZOUNA 1 HEAVENLY IMPACT Spirit Of Boom Classic Race 6 – #5 Angel Capital (11) 2yo Colt | T: Clinton McDonald | J: Jamie Kah (57kg) +250 with Picklebet Race 7: Listed Bright Shadow (1110m) Although she must give all her rivals weight, Parisal looks to be one of the better bets on the card following her tough win at Hawkesbury first-up. James McDonald retains the ride, and from barrier four, this daughter of Astern will receive a similar run in transit to last time. If Parisal can finish off like she did fresh, she can win again. Selections: 1 PARISAL 5 CHINNY BOOM 18 BLUE SPINEL 9 AUREUS ANGEL Best Bet Race 7 – #1 Parisal (4) 4yo Mare | T: James Cummings | J: James McDonald (60kg) +210 with Bet365 Race 8: Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) The 93rd edition of the Doomben 10,000 will feature nine runners, with the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained I Wish I Win marked as the favourite to take out the $1.5 million contest. Will anyone be able to defeat the 2023 TJ Smith Stakes winner and Everest runner-up, or will he add another Group 1 to his impressive resume? Check out HorseBetting’s free preview of the 2024 Doomben 10,000 here Race 9: Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) Tanhauser was heavily backed in the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate on a Heavy track; however, he couldn’t pick up the leading trio on the inside as he made his run down the outside from midfield. He heads to Queensland after a four-week break, and if James McDonald can find a midfield position with cover, this son of Dundeel can turn the tables on the top few that had his measure at Randwick. Selections: 3 TANHAUSER 8 PORT LOCKROY 15 AUTUMN ANGEL 1 KINTYRE Rough Habit Plate Race 9 – #3 Tanhauser (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (57kg) +500 with PlayUp Doomben free Saturday quaddie tips Doomben quadrella selections Saturday, May 18, 2024 2-5-11 1-5-18 1-2-5-6 1-3-4-8-15 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

After starting the season as a maiden, in-form Matamata visitor Channel Surfer will chase a deserved stakes title to complete his four-year-old year at Trentham on Saturday in the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m). The son of Derryn raced in top company as a three-year-old, including placings in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and the Listed Trevor Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m), and has continued to perform into this term, highlighted by an eye-catching run for third in the Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m), only being outshone by his stablemate Snazzytavi. Graham Richardson, who trains the gelding in partnership with Rogan Norvall, believes he has continued to thrive after the Te Rapa feature, and deserves his place in Saturday’s field. “His run in the Easter was very good, he’s come from a long way back and he’s really whacked away well in a strong race. He deserves a go at the Rangitikei Gold Cup because of that,” he said. “He just keeps getting better and better, he’s as tough as nails and thrives on racing.” Wiremu Pinn has been engaged for the ride, with Channel Surfer sitting among 12 horses on the 53kg minimum, and drew the ace barrier. “The draw is an advantage, but it just depends on how wet the track is on Saturday,” Richardson said. “It’s his last run, and I know I’ll be tipping him out for a little while and getting ready for the early spring races.” Richardson purchased the four-year-old at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales in 2021 and has enjoyed maintaining a share in the $201,000 earner. “It’s nice to have shares in nice horses like him, and horses like Therapeutic and Sorghaghtani,” he said. The latter, a mare by Mongolian Khan, has accepted for the Jarvis Trading Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, alongside stablemate and impressive last-start winner Darci’s Angel. “She’s (Sorghaghtani) a very genuine mare, she may run at Taupo (next Wednesday) instead of Saturday though. Either way, she is very well in herself,” Richardson said. “Darci’s Angel’s work on Tuesday was very good, she’s not a big filly so she’s carrying a bit of weight with the 58kg but has a gun rider on board (Opie Bosson). I’m very happy with that. “She’s also a very genuine horse, she wants cut in the ground, but not overboard.” View the full article

While all eyes turn to Maryland this weekend for Saturday's 149th running of the GI Preakness S. at Pimlico Race Course, Virginia-based owner/breeder Larry Johnson has his sights set strictly on the GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan S., Friday's featured race, where his filly Call Another Play (Audible) is the lone Maryland-bred entered in the eight-horse field. The 3-year-old filly is a fourth-generation homebred for Johnson, who owns Legacy Farm in Bluemont, Va., but is a decades-long supporter of the Maryland breeding program. “I've gone to Preakness weekend for years and frankly, I never really imagined I'd be running in one of the feature races. So, in that respect, it's the culmination of some remarkable success I've had with this family,” said Johnson. That family began when Johnson purchased Ran's Chick (The Big Boss) for $2,400 at Timonium in 1978. Though at the time it might have been considered a poor investment, Johnson now looks back in awe at the supremely successful family his matriarch mare has established since. “I started with a mare that no one should have bred. I bought her unraced and she bowed, I didn't know what I was doing. But I bred her, and I think there are over 40 stakes horses that have come out of that family,” he said. Call Another Play is the latest stakes winner to join the ranks following her performance in the Apr. 20 Weber City Miss S. at Laurel Park, going 1 1/16 miles, where the chestnut filly made a sweeping move around the final turn before taking over down the stretch to win by 3 1/2 lengths. The fifth foal out of Past as Prelude (Bernardini), she extended her win streak to three while earning an automatic berth to the $300,000 Black-Eyed Susan. Her latest winning performance stands as a testament to the progress the filly has made since her debut season as a 2-year-old last year, where she went 1-for-5, and clearly shows her affinity for two turns. “She started off good at the beginning of her career and we were real happy with her, and then things kind of slowed down a bit. She just wasn't putting it together when the competition got a little better,” said Mike Trombetta, the filly's trainer. “She's done much better since we started making her go two turns. I think in the sprint races, as the horses got a little faster, she was just kind of being chased off her feet and she couldn't keep pace. But the two turn races have been helpful.” Among her four starts this year, the filly has yet to finish worse than third, with a natural progression in talent and success evident as she's risen from the claiming ranks to the allowance optional claiming level and, most recently, a listed stakes victory. Though Call Another Play will be taking quite the leap forward in her career when she enters the starting gate for the Black-Eyed Susan Friday, her connections remain optimistic. “Truthfully, it's a big step and we know that, but we're willing to give it a try. There aren't a ton of other options right at the moment, so if we're ever going to do it, I guess this is as good of a time as any,” said Trombetta. Larry Johnson | Courtesy Virginia Thoroughbred Association Call Another Play's affinity for going the longer distance also marks a new chapter in the family Johnson has developed, which traditionally has been a rich source of sprinters. “If you look at the track record of my breeding, they tend to be sprinters. For a long time, I probably bred that way because I'm a big believer in speed. But then I started taking a longer approach and going to horses like Constitution and Audible with a goal of perhaps putting a little more distance in the family,” said Johnson. “Most of what I breed still, they're speed-oriented kinds of horses. But [Call Another Play] seems to relish the distance.” Johnson purchased a share in Audible, the sire of Call Another Play, when the Grade I winner first went to stud. He also continues to support many of the stallions that stand at WinStar Farm, whose team he's had a longstanding relationship with. “Every day in the TDN, I'm looking at the second-crop sires and stakes winners so far this year and Audible is high up on all of those lists. I think he's showing what he's capable of getting and I hope Call Another Play is just one more example of that,” he said. The filly is the latest success story for Johnson and Trombetta, who have built quite a steadfast partnership as owner/breeder and trainer over the years. Trombetta has trained much of the Ran's Chick family, including GIII winner and sire Street Magician (Street Cry {Ire}). “I've been with Mike since he was training in the morning and working construction in the afternoon with his brother. There are several horses I own in partnership with Mike's family. I speak to him, he would probably say too much, but I think we're generally on the same page. You know, there's occasions where I probably say, 'Yeah, we'll be 10-1, but let's give it a try.' But he's always appreciative of what I'm trying to do, which is to breed higher quality and kick some black-type along the way,” said Johnson. Trombetta echoes the sentiment. “Nobody deserves it any more than Larry does. He puts in a lot of time and patience into this and it's nice to see him come up with a couple of good ones now and again.” And to top it all off, Call Another Play's stakes-placed siblings Continentalcongres (Constitution) and Future Is Now (Great Notion), both homebreds trained by Trombetta, will take to the turf on Friday in the seventh race, an allowance optional claimer, and the The Very One S., the 11th race on the card, respectively. “I'm on my fourth or fifth generation. [Ran's Chick] has been the gift that keeps on giving,” said Johnson. The post Johnson Homebred Vies for Hometown Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Francis Lui and Zac Purton following the win of Copartner Prance. Francis Lui’s relentless push for the 2023/24 Hong Kong trainers’ championship continued at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (15 May) when Copartner Prance extended his winning streak to four with victory in the Class 3 Seine Handicap (1200m). Ridden patiently by Zac Purton after an early speed battle, Copartner Partner nabbed pacemaker California Touch in the last few strides to boost Lui’s tally of wins for the campaign to 55 – only three shy of Pierre Ng’s 58 with 16 meetings left in the season. “He’s a nice and honest horse. He chases and keeps going,” Lui said of Copartner Prance. “I thought he’d got beaten because he was carrying a big weight this time, but he’s a good horse. Maybe he can go to Sha Tin, but it all depends on the best programme for him.” Purton, who also scored on Jamie Richards-trained To Infinity, was impressed by Copartner Prance’s effort to carry 132lb in edging out California Touch (120lb). “Very brave to carry the weight, the pace was on all of the way which actually helped him a little bit,” Purton said. “He couldn’t sprint quickly under the weight tonight, he needed to build up and the fast speed with the leader taking off allowed him to get through his gears and get out after him and chase him. “It took him all of the way but he got there on the line – the horse has done a good job.” To Infinity returned to winning form with a vengeance for Jamie Richards, landing the Class 5 Rhone Handicap (1650m) under a cool ride from Purton by five and a half lengths. “It’s nice to get a winner,” Richards said after notching his 26th win for the term. “He just got things to suit him strongly. He’s a good, honest sort of horse. He’s not the best horse in the world, but he’s consistent and he tries hard and he’s a pleasure to have in the stable.” Camino returned to racing in perfect fashion for Caspar Fownes to claim the Class 4 Rhine Handicap (1000m) under Vincent Ho. Sidelined with leg issues since June, 2023, the Charm Spirit gelding justified Fownes’ patience. “It’s extremely satisfying whenever you have a horse that’s out for nearly a year with a tendon injury. We took our time with him to bring him back and then had a splint as well so it’s very rewarding to get that result,” Fownes said. “You need owners that are patient because we know the horse has got some level of ability and he’ll be even better suited when he gets to 1200 (metres). We’re just very happy to get a win with him because he’s been off a long time.” Luke Ferraris snapped a 72-ride run of outs with Mark Newnham-trained Setanta’s last-to-first triumph in the first section of the Class 4 Ciron Handicap (1650m) to take his season haul to 22 wins. “Mark had him in superb condition and he needed to be from where he came from,” Ferraris said. “We had a bit of a sticky draw (barrier eight) and I didn’t anticipate other horses from the outside digging up as hard as they did, so they put us in an awkward spot, but they ran a tempo to suit and he picked up accordingly.” Ferraris, 22, amassed a career-high 35 wins in 2022/23 but has found this season challenging. “The support dropped off terribly midway through the season,” the South African said. “A few trainers I thought I would get a lot more rides for, I just haven’t had a ride for. Big thanks to Mark, he’s supported me for the whole season, it’s good to reward him.” Ricky Yiu consolidated third placing in the Hong Kong trainers’ championship when Sweet Diamond finished powerfully under Alexis Badel to triumph in the Class 4 Sauternes Cup Handicap (1200m) before Tony Cruz struck and Angus Chung with Prime Mortar in the Class 4 Garonne Handicap (1200m). Flamingo Trillion made it two course and distance wins in succession with success in the Class 3 Loire Handicap (1800m) for Frankie Lor, leading all the way under Derek Leung as David Hall and Hugh Bowman extended a fruitful partnership, notching their 11th win from 41 starts this season, when Timestorm broke through for his first win in the Class 5 Dordogne Handicap (1200m). Michael Chang’s Big Red edged out I Can to claim a deserved victory in the second section of the Ciron Handicap (1650m) under Ellis Wong. With five top-four placings from his previous 12 starts, the Starcraft gelding provided Chang with his 13th win of the campaign. Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday, May 19. Horse racing news View the full article

George Weaver is the latest trainer facing the possibility of a lengthy suspension after an initial and second test showed the presence of the commonly used human diabetes drug metformin in the post-race sample of one of his horses.View the full article

Charlie Appleby is hoping for another break in the weather ahead of the reappearance of TDN Rising Star Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) in York's G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante S. on Thursday. Last year's G1 Futurity Trophy and G3 Autumn S. winner is a key member of the Derby cast at present, but his obvious preference for softer conditions leads connections into a quandary ahead of this trial. “The ground will be a question mark and we will want the rain to come,” Appleby said. “We know that he is a better horse with ease in the ground, so we will be on weather watch slightly. If it's on the easy side of good, then we will look forward to seeing him run. He has wintered well and we are very happy with him.” Interestingly, Ancient Wisdom was third on ground similar to that prevalent on the Knavesmire on Wednesday in Ascot's Listed Pat Eddery S. last July, where Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Al Musmak (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) were ahead. The latter went on to win the Listed Ascendant S. and finish runner-up in the G2 Royal Lodge S. and trainer Roger Varian said, “He's a solid horse, he's wintered well and we've been patient with him. This has always been his target and we think 10 furlongs at a track like York will suit him. I think how he runs will point us in a direction. He's in the French Derby, he's in at Epsom and he will have Royal Ascot options. I think he's a nice colt, with a good profile, who should run a good race.” Karl Burke's Guineas contenders failed to fire earlier this month, but there is still hope that Spigot Lodge can have an English Classic winner in 2024. Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's impressive Listed Newmarket S. winner Caviar Heights (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is worthy of respect here and his trainer commented, “I wouldn't want it too fast for him, but good ground will be ideal for him. He was good at Newmarket and his form was given a little bit of a boost at the weekend by the horse that won the Lingfield Derby Trial [Ambiente Friendly], that finished behind him first time out in the Feilden. He goes there with a fighting chance and it's a different challenge again, but hopefully he comes through it.” Also over the Dante's extended 10-furlong trip is the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' S., where George Strawbridge's Free Wind (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) defends her title against a quintet including the TDN Rising Stars Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) and Infinite Cosmos (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). While the latter only raced once after finishing third in this meeting's G3 Musidora S. last May, when third to the re-opposing Sapphire Seas (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in Yarmouth's Listed John Musker Fillies' S. in September, Juddmonte's Bluestocking took part in a trio of top-level contests. They resulted in second placings in the Irish Oaks and British Champions Fillies & Mares S., but Infinite Cosmos was always going to be a long-term project. Ryan Moore rides Infinite Cosmos and he said, “Free Wind and Bluestocking are obviously the form fillies, but the boss [Sir Michael Stoute] has his horses in good form and hopefully there is plenty more to come from Infinite Cosmos as a four-year-old. You'd hope there is progression in her after just the four starts and she comes into this in good form at home. I think the track will suit her, as will the recent rain.” The post Wisdom Needs Rain for Dante Date appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article