Wandering Eyes

The catalogue for the Fasig-Tipton May Digital sale is now online at digital.fasigtipton.com and bidding is now open for the 110 horses of all ages that are on offer. The sale will close on Tuesday, May 14, beginning at 2 p.m. ET. The catalogue includes breeding stock in addition to horses of racing age, 2-year-olds and yearlings. Among the offerings are the first mares in foal to champions Elite Power (Curlin), Forte (Violence) and Up To The Mark (Not This Time), as well as Gunite (Gun Runner) Mage (Good Magic) and Taiba (Gun Runner). Perennial leading sires Constitution, Into Mischief and Not This Time are also among the covering sires. “We have a serious collection of breeding stock, the type of quality buyers usually have to wait until November to find,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “Mare buyers will miss important opportunities if they don't shop this sale.” The horses of racing age include graded-stakes quality colts and geldings, as well as last-out winners. Graded winners and performers have been catalogued among the racing/broodmare prospects and can continue their careers at the track or be bred. “There is good quality and depth among the racehorse offerings in both the male and female divisions,” noted Aaron. “Many of the fillies have global appeal and can even be bred right away on Southern Hemisphere covers.” Added Aaron: “The buying public has really begun to embrace our digital platform, and sellers are responding by upping the quality that they offer online. Our clearance rate on Fasig-Tipton Digital is 90% in 2024. This demonstrates that we provide a fair marketplace with realistic sellers. I think more and more buyers are coming to realize and appreciate that. The post Bidding Open For Fasig-Tipton May Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 50th edition of the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale catalogue was released on Thursday. Featuring 406 stores, the sale is set for June 26-27 and begins at 10:30 a.m. each morning. All lots catalogued are eligible for the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper 2025. A wide variety of sires have progeny on offer, including Doctor Dino (Fr), Maxios (GB), Great Pretender (Ire), Walk In The Park (Ire), Beaumec De Houelle (Fr), Crystal Ocean (GB), Poet's Word (Ire), Getaway (Ger), Affinisea (Ire), Blue Bresil (Fr), and No Risk At All (Fr). Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins said, “The Derby Sale has a rich history, and each of the previous 49 editions have consistently produced impeccably bred, quality individuals from Ireland's leading Store vendors. We made every effort to compile a catalogue that reflected the significance of the 50th Derby Sale, and I have full confidence that our 2024 graduates will make their mark on the biggest stage.” The post Catalogue Unveiled For the 50th Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As we revel in the afterglow of a 150th Kentucky Derby that was everything racing needed it to be, those of us with a foot in the sport horse world still have the previous weekend on repeat in our heads. The last weekend in April, horses can be found thundering around a different venue of international competition at the Kentucky Three-Day Event, which features the Olympic sport of eventing at the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) 4* and 5* levels at the Kentucky Horse Park. The 5* level is a more difficult level of competition than what riders will contend with this summer in Paris and the Kentucky 3-Day is one of only seven 5* competitions in the world. In an Olympic selection season, you can imagine that the competition is stiff. Since its inception, the Retired Racehorse Project has keenly tracked the Thoroughbred presence on the Kentucky entry list from year to year, since eventing has held out as a sport where the Thoroughbred can still be seen at the international level. Unfortunately, this number has crept downwards in the last 10 years from 21 in 2015 to just five in the 5* this year. As the sport has evolved away from the old long format, which required substantially more physical stamina, top riders have gravitated to purpose-bred, typically imported sport horses who possess a flashy trot and can jump out of their skin. I say all of this about the level of competition and historical Thoroughbred presence to provide context for my next statement: This year the Thoroughbred came out on top in a big way. Of the five Thoroughbreds entered in the 5*, every one of them, not only completed the event, but completed in the top half of the division, which saw 35 starters. And one Thoroughbred in particular got everyone's attention after the cross country phase was complete. Twenty-four-year-old Mia Farley and “Phelps” were one of only two pairs, and the only American pair, to complete the course “double clear,” meaning that they ran the course within the optimum time with no jumping faults. This may be an emerging pattern, as they were the only pair to accomplish this in the Maryland 5* last fall in was their first outing at the level. Phelps is currently owned by David O'Connor, a living legend in the sport of eventing. The horse ended up in O'Connor's barn as a resale project, but he had a gut instinct to keep the horse around, so he “bought” Phelps for $1 to formalize the transaction. And here is where the purpose of this article comes in. My social feeds over the past 10 days or so have been peppered with headlines about Mia and her $1 “underdog” Thoroughbred. I know full well that the media loves an underdog story and so many of us have shared these stories with good intentions, but this mindset is doing a disservice to the breed. Breeders Fred Hertrich, III and John Fielding paid a Tiznow stud fee ($75,000 at the time), raised Phelps, and put him in the Taylor Made consignment at the 2014 Keeneland yearling sale where Solveig Stables was the top bidder at $50,000. It was presumably Solveig Stables that put Phelps in training as he logged four works in the summer of 2015. By his 3-year old year, he had exited racing and was in the hands of Joanie Morris, who ultimately sold the horse to O'Connor, and Farley took over the ride by the time Phelps was five. Six years later, Phelps is making a name for himself at the highest level of international competition in the sport of eventing. He may not have excelled at what he was originally bred to do, but perhaps there's some dual Breeders' Cup Classic-winning blood that's influencing his success today? If anything, he's certainly not a $1 horse. Mia Farley and Phelps | EquiSport Photos We need to stop feeding the narrative that Thoroughbreds are underdogs with rags-to-riches stories just because they're doing something other than what they were originally bred to do. As we well know, these horses are thoughtfully bred, lovingly raised, and carefully produced and cared for like the world-class athletes that they are. Lack of competitiveness on the track simply has nothing to do with the quality of the horse and all that went into producing it–it only means they need to pursue something different. The racing and breeding industries did the necessary thing 10-plus years ago by mobilizing and significantly funding aftercare. We've made so much progress in ensuring that horses transition easily into their next chapter and we need to be talking more about what is next. We've moved beyond the point of convincing people that Thoroughbreds are capable and, if we're going to continue to support an efficient and effective aftercare industry, we're going to need to further drive demand for the breed in equestrian sport. We can't do that in a meaningful way without data and there is no breed registry for the Thoroughbred sport horse that is collecting that data. As a result, the Thoroughbred's influence on sport is being lost. Sport horses who are, in many cases, 50% or more Thoroughbred blood are marketed as warmbloods, draft crosses, and appendix Quarter horses. Artificial insemination (AI) is the norm in sporthorse breeding and the resulting foals are registered to other studbooks, regardless of whether the dam or sire was 100% Thoroughbred. As an industry, we've given up the opportunity to market our own horses as something other than charity cases–and that matters, because it is demand that is going to help secure that horse's future when the statistical likelihood that they're going to need a second career comes to pass. The Jockey Club's federal filings describe its mission as “… the breed Registry for Thoroughbred horses in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. It is dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing…” so perhaps it's reasonable to say that this is outside of the scope of The Jockey Club's mission. Either way, we should be talking seriously about launching an industry-supported initiative that fills the void where a Thoroughbred sport horse registry is needed. If you solve that, you solve a huge portion of the traceability and post-racing accountability issue. The RRP staff recently held our annual all-hands meeting and completed a vision exercise where we defined what it looked like when our mission is effectively accomplished. After all, the goal of charities should be to effect change significantly enough that their charitable work is no longer needed. What did we come up with? A world where aftercare is no longer a charitable effort, but rather an anticipated and well-planned-for transition, and where the Thoroughbred is held in as equitable regard as other sport and riding breeds. That headline teaser might read “Leading sire X has prolific influence on track and beyond, produces record number of 5* starters.” I sincerely believe we're ready to embrace this next chapter in the Thoroughbred brand. Kirsten Green is the Executive Director of the Retired Racehorse Project. Best known for producing the Thoroughbred Makeover training competition, the RRP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which seeks to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing. The post ‘Not a $1 Horse’: Changing the Narrative of the Thoroughbred Beyond Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wednesday's Racing Together Community Day featured a record turnout of organisations across the racing and bloodstock industries volunteering in their local communities. A number of teams were active with other groups targeting their events during the month. John Blake, CEO of Racing Together said, “To see almost 80 organisations sign up to Community Day is a great tribute to the motivation and positive values shared by industry colleagues nationwide. “Our team had no need to sell the concept or cajole volunteers who, as in previous years, have mobilised to take their teamworking out of the office, yard or racecourse and into a community setting where their efforts will make a significant difference.” The post Record Turnout For Racing Together Community Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coolmore's Capulet (Justify–Wedding Vow {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) followed up an Aug. 15 debut victory at Dundalk with placed efforts in September's G2 Golden Fleece S. and G2 Royal Lodge S., and went postward for Thursday's Listed Boodles Raindance Dee S. at Chester coming back off a third over one mile at Chelmsford, behind the reopposing Bracken's Laugh (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), on sophomore return last month. Sent into an immediate lead by Ryan Moore, the 7-2 chance held sway throughout the extended 10-furlong test and stayed on relentlessly under continued urging inside the final half-mile to hold the late threat of Bracken's Laugh by a half-length and secure a record-equalling 11th renewal for Aidan O'Brien. Last month's impressive Listed Feilden S. winner Jayarebe (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}) finished 3 1/4 lengths adrift in third. In winning, Moore extended his race-record haul to seven. “All the options are open to him now, we'll see how he is and it will be one of the Derbys in England or France, I'd have thought,” the winning trainer revealed. “There's obviously the Irish Derby in the mix too, so all things are open now. He's a lovely, honest horse. He was a little bit free in front today, but did it nicely in the end. We took him to Chelmsford to see if he was going to go to Kentucky, but he was green there and he'd come on for that run.” Connections' Paul Smith commented, “That was very pleasing, I thought Ryan gave him a lovely ride and he appreciated the step up in trip. He's an uncomplicated horse and he travels well, so I suppose it will be the French Derby or the English Derby. We know he gets 10 furlongs well and he'd probably get a mile-and-a-half the way he runs. We have the trials at the weekend and next week and Aidan will sit down with the lads and discuss the plan from there.” Moore added, “He was nicely drawn, there were only the four runners and he got into a nice rhythm and was able to build away. I was very happy with him, he came forward nicely from Chelmsford and the step up in trip has helped him. He's a horse who had good form last year and, with a bit of luck, he'll go on from here and improve again. I think the nicer ground and 10 furlongs suited him well, so there'll be plenty of options for him now.” Capulet is the fifth of seven foals and one of two scorers out of G2 Kilboy Estate S. victrix and G1 Nassau S. runner-up Wedding Vow (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), herself a full-sister to five black-type performers out of G1 Oaks runner-up Remember When (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). They include G1 Derby hero Serpentine (Ire), G3 Blue Wind S. victrix and G1 Oaks third Bye Bye Baby (Ire) and G3 Gallinule S. winner Beacon Rock (Ire). Remember When, in turn, is kin to MG1SW sire Dylan Thomas (Ire) (Danehill), G1SW European champion Queen's Logic (Ire) (Grand Lodge) and G1 1000 Guineas heroine Homecoming Queen (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). The April-foaled bay is a half-brother to the unraced 2-year-old colt Saints N Scholars (Ire) (Quality Road) and a yearling filly by Wootton Bassett (GB). Thursday, Chester, Britain BOODLES RAINDANCE DEE S.-Listed, £100,000, Chester, 5-9, 3yo, c/g, 10f 70yT, 2:10.67, gd. 1–CAPULET, 128, c, 3, by Justify 1st Dam: Wedding Vow (Ire) (GSW-Ire, G1SP-Eng, $316,572), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Remember When (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire) 3rd Dam: Lagrion, by Diesis (GB) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale, Wynatt & Chelston (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £56,020. Lifetime Record: GSP-Eng & Ire, 5-2-1-2, $141,852. 2–Bracken's Laugh (Ire), 128, c, 3, Zoffany (Ire)–Guardia (Ger), by Monsun (Ger). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€35,000 Wlg '21 GOFNO1; €55,000 Ylg '22 TATIRY; 200,000gns 2yo '23 TATBRG). O-Bernardine & Sean Mulryan; B-Guardia Partnership (IRE); T-Richard Hughes. £21,330. 3–Jayarebe (Fr), 131, c, 3, Zoffany (Ire)–Alakhana (Fr), by Dalakhani (Ire). (€180,000 Ylg '22 ARQDOY). O-Iraj Parvizi; B-Oliver Pawle (FR); T-Brian Meehan. £10,680. Margins: HF, 3 1/4, 2 1/4. Odds: 3.50, 5.50, 1.75. Also Ran: God's Window (GB). Scratched: Harper's Ferry (GB). A Ryan Moore special as Capulet leads from start to finish in the Dee Stakes at @ChesterRaces… pic.twitter.com/EpmGJJQC0C — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 9, 2024 The post Justify’s Capulet Secures Record-Equalling 11th Dee Stakes Success For Aidan O’Brien appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In the five years since the Maximum Security decision, the Kentucky stewards still have not learned that the way you communicate to the public that an incident is being reviewed is to post the inquiry sign. View the full article

Godolphin's undefeated G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas hero Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) has joined the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings in a joint-third at a mark of 121 after his Newmarket score, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities announced on Thursday. Juddmonte's G1 Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River (Into Mischief) leads the table at 128, with fellow Godolphin colourbearer and G1 Dubai Sheema Classic hero Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) second at 123. Sharing third with the Guineas winner are National Treasure (Quality Road) and Senor Buscador (Mineshaft). Nine horses share a mark of 120, with newcomer and GI Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan (Goldencents) joining that grouping, alongside G1 Queen Elizabeth S. heroine Pride Of Jenni (Aus) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}), GI Maker's Mark Mile S. winner Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) winner Justin Milano (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}). Mystik Dan's narrowly defeated rivals Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) are both now ranked 119. The post Notable Speech Joins Longines WBRR In Joint-Third After Guineas Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2024 edition of The American Racing Manual, which contains historical data through 2023, is now available in PDF format through The Jockey Club Fact Book. The Fact Book is a statistical and informational guide to Thoroughbred breeding, racing, and auction sales in North America. The Jockey Club is accepting feedback for potential modifications to The American Racing Manual, which can be submitted to contactus@jockeyclub.com. The post American Racing Manual Available appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John Stewart's Resolute Racing continued its world-wide buying spree in Australia Thursday when going to A$3.2 million to acquire multiple Group 1-placed Tutta La Vita (Aus) (The Autumn Sun {Aus}) (hip 87) at the Inglis Chairman's Sale. The 3-year-old filly, the second-highest priced lot at the sale, had been campaigned by Kevin and Vikki Payne, who purchased her for A$300,000 as a yearling in 2022. She will continue to be trained by Chris Waller. “We are really excited about buying Tutta La Vita,” Stewart said. “We met Chris Waller when we were in Australia a few weeks ago and knowing that Chris was training her and having a relationship with him and knowing how he felt about the horse was one of the reasons we were looking at her. We are constantly evaluating the top fillies and mares globally. It's something that we are really dedicated to understanding. There were a lot of impressive horses in this auction. We thought that Tutta La Vita fit with our breeding program long-term a little bit better than the other fillies that were for sale. So we decided to wait and put all of our focus on her. We were lucky to come away owning her.” Lot 87 Tutta la Vita sells for $3.2m @inglis_sales Chairman's pic.twitter.com/kXihQsGUf7 — TTR AusNZ (@TTRAusNZ) May 9, 2024 Coolmore's Tom Magnier made the highest purchase at the auction, going to A$3.4 million to acquire She's Extreme (Aus) (Extreme Choice {Aus}), but Stewart said the operation was underbidder on Tutta La Vita as well. “We have a good relationship with Coolmore and Tom texted me after we bought her and that's how I found out that they were actually on her as well,” Stewart said. “That makes me even more confident in the purchase because I view them as a very good judge of horses, especially of this caliber and on the breeding side.” Tutta La Vita was most recently 10th in the 2400-meter G1 Australian Oaks in April and is expected to cut back to 2200 meters in the G1 Queensland Oaks next month. “Right now, we are just excited to have her continue to race in our colors,” Stewart said. “We are organizing getting our silks down there for races coming up and excited to have her continue her training with Chris Waller. We look forward to being in Australia and being able to see her race. We are going to try to work it out so that we can be there for the Queensland Oaks in June and be able to see her in person.” Of long-term plans for the filly, Stewart said, “We haven't really talked about breeding yet. Everything is on the table. We have breeding operations in America, of course. We are a breed-to-race operation and we are looking to make a long-term investment in Australia. It's very possible she could end up staying in Australia as well. We are just really excited about this purchase and excited to make more of an investment in Australian racing. We hope the Australian racing fans will join us in cheering her on when she races next.” The post Stewart Strikes for A$3.2 Million Tutta La Vita at Inglis Chairman’s Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A new €1-million Equine Care Racecourse Capital Development Scheme to further enhance racecourse safety measures was launched by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) on Thursday. Two initial areas are being targeted by the new scheme. The first improvement is to have identification markers on all hurdles and fences at the 23 racecourses staging jump racing will be converted from orange to white in line with best international practice, and there will be a linked move away from the traditional birch hurdles to non-birch hurdles by the end of 2025. The second improvement area will be to introduce appropriately sized trot-up areas to facilitate veterinary inspections, including a rubberised surface for consistency, at all racecourses by the start of their 2025 racing seasons. In each case, grants of 50% and 40% will be offered towards replacing hurdles and improving trot-up areas, respectively. The former was agreed upon following discussions with the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR), and that procurement will be managed through HRI. The next phase of the scheme will be to target the supply of water, both in terms of adding or expanding reservoirs at racecourses. For more information on the scheme, please visit the HRI website. John Osborne, HRI Equine Welfare and Bloodstock Director, said, “HRI's new Strategic Plan 2024-2028 has set human and equine care and safety as our highest priority. This investment targets race safety in the most specific way, producing an immediate improvement for our horses.” The post Equine Care Racecourse Capital Development Scheme Launched By HRI appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dual Group 1 winner She's Extreme (Aus) (Extreme Choice {Aus}) (lot 32) was knocked down for A$3.4 million by Coolmore Australia's Tom Magnier to top Thursday's Inglis Chairman's Sale. The 4-year-old mare, bred by Aquis Farm, was offered as part of the Newgate Consignment. Originally an A$275,000 Inglis Easter yearling, the chestnut won the G1 Champagne S. in her juvenile finale, and added another top-level win in the Kennedy VRC Oaks in her final start at Flemington on Nov. 3. During her career, she was placed in three additional Group 1 contests. Trained by Anthony Cummings, She's Extreme's record is 11-3-3-2 and she earned A$1,153,760. “As a Group 1 winner at two and three she put herself in elite company and she is a rare offering,” said Coolmore Australia's Tom Moore. “She is everything we look for and we are delighted to have her,” he said, adding that she was purchased for an international Coolmore partnership with the view of “supporting one of our young up-and-coming stallions.” “Horses like Home Affairs (Aus) and Wootton Bassett (GB) are in the mix for her, we will sit down over the next few years and decide.” The third foal of the So Secret (Aus) mare Keysbrook (Aus), She's Extreme is one of two winners for her dam. Keysbrook, in turn, is a half-sister to the stakes winner Brasileira (Aus) (Commands {Aus}). The extended family features group winners Jorda (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Detours (Aus) (Ad Valorem), and Aichi (Aus) (Strategic {Aus}) among others. The post Coolmore Australia Buys She’s Extreme For 3.4 Million To Top The Inglis Chairman’s Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Describing a horse as having the body shape of a pencil might not sound like high praise, but Dylan Gibbons believes it will be an advantage for Tavi Time (NZ) (Tavistock) when he steps out on a heavy track at Gosford. Gibbons has a theory that thoroughbreds with a lither frame cope better with testing conditions and Tavi Time fits that bill. “I’m a believer that the leaner, lighter horses seem to skip through the ground better because they don’t get in as deep,” Gibbons said. “If you see him in the yard, he is shaped like a pencil, so I think he’ll skip through it.” Gibbons’ notion will be put to the test on Saturday when Tavi Time tackles the A$500,000 The Coast (1600m) at Gosford where the track is rated at the extreme end of the spectrum as a heavy 10. The four-year-old’s only other start in similar conditions was at his debut when he made up many lengths from back in the field in a 1200m race at Kembla Grange. He has won three of his five starts on soft ground, including a 6-1/2 length romp in the Mudgee Cup (1600m) in December, and Gibbons is hoping the horse has more luck than he did when fifth to Territory Express (Territories) in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) last start. The plan was to find a midfield position with cover from Tavi Time’s wide draw but when he was slow to jump, Gibbons found himself back in the ruck and forced to ride for luck. “I took the chance, it just didn’t set up for him, but he still ran tremendously well to run fifth,” Gibbons said. “He was near the winner in the run, and it’s got an exceptional turn of foot.” Trainer Kris Lees has followed an uncannily similar path with Tavi Time to the one he took with 2022 The Coast winner Rustic Steel (Deep Field) and Gibbons says that is no coincidence. The latter finished fourth in that year’s Provincial-Midway Final before claiming the rich Central Coast feature at his 12th start. Not only does Tavi Time come through the same race, he lines up for start number 12 on Saturday. “Kris knows what he’s doing. He doesn’t normally like to make up the numbers in these big races so he is there for a reason, and it probably isn’t the strongest edition either,” Gibbons said. “He gets a weight drop from his run in the Provincial-Midway Final so that will aid him as well.” View the full article

An extended first campaign in Australia might have brought about the undoing of one-time Melbourne Cup fancy Goldman (NZ) (Verdi) in the spring, but the measures taken to rectify that are set to pay immediate dividends. The five-year-old is a solid $3 favourite for Saturday’s Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) as he searches for his first win since defeating subsequent Melbourne Cup runner-up Soulcombe (Frankel) in the 2023 Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington. It was the culmination of a barnstorming start to the former New Zealander’s Australian career during which time he won his first three runs by a combined total of over 13 lengths. However, when he failed to fire in four spring appearances, trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott sent him for a lengthy spell and started again. “In hindsight, that (first) preparation just had us on the back foot and with that, we elected to skip the autumn because that was going to be another quick turnaround,” Bott said. “We decided to get him right, give him a good break and focus on the backend of the autumn and mainly the winter with him. “I think that call has done him the world of good.” Goldman appeared back to his best when resuming with a game second to two-time Group 1 winner Huetor (Archipenko) in the JRA Plate (2000m) last month on a wet track. He will strike similar conditions at Gosford, which was rated a heavy 10 on Thursday, while the tight-turning circuit should also suit his on-speed racing style. Waterhouse and Bott are keen to take the promising stayer to Queensland where the Doomben and Brisbane Cups, along with the Q22, are all potential targets, although how deep he progresses into the winter will hinge on his form. “How far do we want to go through the winter? Do we potentially want to aim up at the spring again?” Bott said. “If we do, we’ve probably got to measure what we do. “He is in good shape and he’s exactly where we want him. We’ve just got to take him through his classes and go through the right races with him and look after him.” View the full article

Izymydaad (inside) and Donardo jump the final fence of the Dr John Moore Memorial Open Steeplechase (3800m) at Wanganui. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) A pair of rising 12-year-olds fought out the finish of Thursday’s Dr John Moore Memorial Open Steeplechase (3800m) at Wanganui, with the Ken Duncan-trained Izymydaad coming out on top. The evergreen son of Istidaad commenced his racing career in 2019 and the gelding’s second appearance came over the fences, with every season under his belt bringing new heights, including a narrow second to champion jumper West Coast in the Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) in July last year. Hunterville-based Duncan kicked off Izymydaad’s campaign last year at the Wanganui meeting and he was successful in the same race by nearly five lengths, a result he replicated by a much smaller margin on Thursday. Izymydaad took up his customary front-running position early in the 3800m event, with $1.45 favourite Hey Happy settling in behind the speed on the back up from a spectacular display at Te Rapa last Saturday. Another veteran in Des De Jeu was the first to challenge Izymydaad nearing the 1000m, but the gelding pulled away again turning for home and was set to fight it out with fellow 11-year-old Donardo, eventually holding him off by a slim head at the post. Duncan was swift in applauding the performance of Izymydaad’s pilot Stephan Karnicnik following the race, explaining he had just returned from a lengthy injury lay-off to take his 24th ride aboard the gelding. “It was a lovely run, the horse tried hard and when the contenders took him on around the track, he fought them off. He fought really hard to the end,” Duncan said. “I give full credit to Stephan, he’s been out with an injury and hadn’t been on a horse for six months until he stayed with me three days ago. “He’s ridden quite a few since he’s been at home, and I think he was hurting more than the horse at the finish.” With the cancellation of the Waverley Point-To-Point last month, Duncan opted to take Izymydaad for a final hit-out over the fences at Levin on Tuesday, where he was an overwhelming winner of his heat. “He’s been up and down the hills at home to get fit, unfortunately Waverley was cancelled so we ran him at Levin on Tuesday as these jumping trials are very important to the industry,” Duncan said. “He ran an impressive trial there, which I thought may have taken the edge off him, but it made him a bit harder for today.” Duncan, who also co-owns Izymydaad, was pleased to see his charge was still as keen a jumper as ever despite his age leading into the race. “He’s come in as good as ever, he was actually sillier in the paddock this morning than I’ve seen him in a while, he was like a three-year-old. I actually thought he might jump the gate,” Duncan said. “The two 11-year-olds were going to the line together, I spoke to Lucy (de Lautour, trainer of Donardo) today and every year we think ‘do they want to have a go again’, but after giving this horse a run on the flat, he put his hand up and said he still wants to be out there and competing. “They’re funny old horses, but you put the jumps in front of them, and away they go. He won by a jump at the trials he was so far in front, and he came home as happy as a lark, right on the bounce for today.” With five victories and just shy of $144,000 in stakes to his name, Izymydaad will be heading for the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m), scheduled to run at Trentham on May 25. “We love going to Wellington, so the Manawatu Steeplechase is next on his agenda and hopefully it is run there,” Duncan said. Horse racing news View the full article

Our Absolute will contest the Van Dyks 3YO (1400m) at Arawa Park on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Our Absolute continued a memorable season for trainers Robyn and Russell Rogers when she was runner-up in the Group 3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa a fortnight ago. The result added some valuable black-type to her pedigree page, also achieved by stablemate Zecora, who won the Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa in December. The Kendayla Park principals bred and part-own both horses and were particularly excited for Our Absolute’s part-owners Trudy Thornton and Lynsey Satherley, with the latter having ridden the daughter of Niagara to the black-type result. “We were really happy with her last run, and I think she has improved again since then,” Robyn Rogers said. “It (black-type) is always really important being a filly. Because we bred her, we have got a lot of the family, so you get a multiple positive factor when something can poke its nose in and get some black-type. “That was such a good field in the Breeders’, we were just hoping she would run in the first six, it was a really nice surprise to see her be so close at the end. “Trudy was the first one to ring us that morning to wish us luck and then ring and congratulate us. It was great for Trudy but especially for Lynsey, who now does all the work on her. She is a tough little filly.” The plan was to head to Arawa Park on Saturday to tackle the Group 3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) with Our Absolute, however, the Rogers’ elected to change tack and head to the Van Dyks 3YO (1400m) with their filly on the undercard instead. “We hummed and hawed whether we would put her in the weight-for-age race, that was originally our target,” Rogers said. “Then we heard of a few others that were going there and we thought that was going to be really strong and this was a nice option, being a three-year-old race on the same day. “She is not going to get too many more three-year-old races before the end of the season, so we opted to go that way. “It is still a strong race, there are quite a few in there that you wouldn’t be surprised if they won.” Rogers said she is happy with her filly, and while she does think she will handle the Rotorua track this weekend, the unknown of competing at Arawa Park remains a concern for the Waikato horsewoman. “The only concern is that she has never raced at Rotorua – some horses love Rotorua and some don’t,” she said. “I don’t know if she will love the track or not. She jumps, puts herself in the race, and she is great in that respect. If anything was going to like Rotorua, you would think she would, but you never know. “I think quite a few are in the same boat about Rotorua, so it will be about who handles it on the day.” Following Saturday’s run, Rogers said Our Absolute will likely have one more run at Ruakaka before heading to the spelling paddock. “Originally we were thinking this might be it, but she is still very bouncy and very well,” she said. “We may look at a couple of three-year-old races coming up at Ruakaka where the ground is always a bit better up there. “Now that she has got a bit of black-type, that takes some pressure off. You would always like to improve on that and win a black-type race, but that is very hard to do. “She has done all of this on one prep really – she went to the breakers and came out and then started racing and has kept going. She has quite exceeded our expectations of what she would do this prep. As soon as she tells us she is a little bit tired, she will go to the paddock.” Group 3-winning stablemate Zecora is enjoying her time in the spelling paddock and Rogers said they are still contemplating whether she will return to the track in the spring or be offered to the public as a broodmare prospect ahead of the upcoming breeding season. “We are still tossing up whether we will bring her back for another prep or we might look at selling her as a broodmare, now that she has got her black-type win,” Rogers said. “She went to the paddock feeling very full of herself and watching her gallop around the paddock now, I think she is ready to come back into work, but whether we do or not, we haven’t made that decision yet.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Caulfield Races Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 22, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Saturday, May 11, 2024 First Race 11:40am AEST Visit Dabble Caulfield Racecourse is set to host a stacked 10-race program on Saturday afternoon. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit, and although there are some light showers predicted in the lead-up, punters should expect a Soft 5 surface with a strong possibility of an upgrade into the Good range. The action is scheduled to get underway at 11:40am AEST. Best Bet at Caulfield: He’s Beset He’s Beset was a two-time winner across the ditch before being transferred to the Nick Ryan barn, and the gelding was far from disgraced when finishing runner-up to Jimmysstar in both outings last preparation. Jordan Childs should have the opportunity to slot into the one-one in transit, and when asked for the ultimate effort, watch for He’s Beset to power over the top. Best Bet Race 2 – #6 He’s Beset (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Nick Ryan | J: Jordan Childs (59kg) +200 with Dabble Next Best at Caulfield: Gentleman Roy Gentleman Roy returns after 336 days away from racing and brings an element of class to this BM100. The seven-year-old managed two runner-up placings in Group 1 company in 2023, behind Jacquinot in the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) and Think About It in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). He’s been trialling well leading into this, and with apprentice hoop Celine Gaudray claiming 1.5kg, look for Gentleman Roy to make every post a winner. Next Best Race 8 – #1 Gentleman Roy (11) 7yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Celine Gaudray (a1.5) (62kg) +500 with PlayUp Best Value at Caulfield: Up To Mischief Up To Mischief is undefeated in three starts and gets her first genuine test in this BM70. She was too classy in her most recent start at Orange on April 19, putting her rivals away with relative ease to win by 1.8 lengths. She’s shown plenty of potential in her wins to date, and provided she can handle the step up in grade, the +1000 available with online bookmakers appears too big. Best Value Race 7 – #8 Up To Mischief (3) 3yo Filly | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Ethan Brown (58.5kg) +1000 with Bet365 Saturday quaddie tip for Caulfield – 11/5/24 Caulfield quadrella selections Saturday, May 11, 2024 1-2-4-8-11 1-2-5-8-11 6-8-10-14 1-4-8-12-14-15 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Saturday, May 11, 2024 First Race 3:04pm ACST Visit Dabble It’s calm before the storm in the Top End with the Darwin Cup Carnival looming on the horizon, but 39 horses have still accepted for this Saturday’s five-event program at Fannie Bay. There’s a slight chance of rain on Friday, but come Saturday the forecast is for sunny conditions with a top temperature of 35C. The rail will be in the true position, and it will once again be a good dirt surface in Darwin. BEST BET: CANADA BAY Canada Bay impressed en route to a 3.5-length win over 0-58 opposition on debut at Fannie Bay on ANZAC Day. The four-year-old mare jumped from gate two in the eight-horse field and led her rivals a merry dance by leading from start to finish. She steps up in grade, and apart from drawing an ideal gate, she also carries slightly less weight. Best Bet Race 5 – #3 Canada Bay (1) 4yo Mare | T: Tom Logan | J: Sonja Logan (57.5kg) Bet with Unibet NEXT BEST: AWEN Victoria-based trainer Mark Pegus took this daughter of Kodiac to the Red Centre for the Alice Springs Cup Carnival, and in her first start on March 27 she sank her rivals by 5.3 lengths in a 1400m maiden. Backing up 11 days later on Cup Day, Awen finished well adrift of Miracoli in third place over 1600m. On April 20, the mare was a length behind Princess Pancakes over 1400m in second place. Next Best Race 2 – #3 Awen (1) 5yo Mare | T: Phil Cole | J: Sonja Logan (58kg) Bet with Neds BEST VALUE: STAR MAGNUM This son of Magnus was an early $8 quote with online bookmakers, but he could challenge Gary Clarke stablemates Spaceship and Bel’s Banner for favouritism on Saturday. Star Magnum was a last-start fifth over 1200m on December 1, but he boasts a respectable first-up record (6:1-1-3). The fact that the former NSW and Queensland galloper also won a 900m trial by 13 lengths on May 3 certainly enhances his prospects. Best Value Race 3 – #1 Star Magnum (4) 6yo Gelding | T: Phil Cole | J: Emma Lines (a1.5) (59kg) Bet with Bet365 Saturday Darwin quaddie picks – 11/5/2024 Fannie Bay quadrella selections Saturday, May 11, 2024 3-5-6 1-2-3 3-5-6-8 1-2-3 Horse racing tips
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The Tui Toiler will contest the Wairio Cup (2200m) at Ascot Park on Sunday. Photo: Tayler Strong The Tui Toiler acquitted himself well in strong company last time out and he looks well-placed on Sunday to take advantage of a step back in class. The son of Highly Recommended will take aim at the Wairio Cup (2200m) and with regular rider Gosen Jogoo again booked for the ride, they look a strong combination. The Tui Toiler took on weight-for-age company most recently and finished less than three and a-half lengths off the frontrunner Green Luck in the Group 3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton. “He’s a big, tough horse and he probably should have led, but me being a bit conservative decided not to and Kylie Williams controlled the whole race,” trainer Stephen Blair-Edie said. “He wasn’t far away and if he had led he may have got third and some black type, we’re all learning all the time, and he’s pretty good at the moment.” The Tui Toiler’s previous form was also rock solid with a runner-up finish at Gore and then ran third in the Riverton Cup (2147m) after making the pace and backed up on the second day of the meeting to finish second. Blair-Edie also likes the chances of the Press Statement four-year-old Maggie Ruth in the Homestead Villa Motel & Majestic Float Handicap (2200m). She will be making her third appearance from her new quarters and will be stepping up to a middle distance after finishing in behind the major players in her previous two runs. “She’s not a bad mare and third-up should be ready to go,” he said. To be ridden by Brett Murray, Maggie Ruth has already proved her staying ability with her maiden victory posted over 2200 metres at Woodville for former trainer Shaun Phelan. Blair-Edie will have a number of representatives at Wairio and also at Riverton on Friday where he expects a good showing from Anafternoondelight when she runs in the Barnes Oysters/Riverside Rentals Handicap (1200m). “She’s probably my best chance, she has been racing well and hasn’t had very good draws,” he said. “She’s been caught out in the car park more than once.” Another daughter of Highly Recommended to be partnered by Jogoo, she ran third at Riverton at the end of last month and was then caught four wide without cover when unplaced from an outside barrier at Ascot Park. Horse racing news View the full article

What A.D. Hollindale Stakes Day Where Sunshine Coast Turf Club – 170 Pierce Ave, Caloundra QLD 4551 When Saturday, May 11, 2024 First Race 12:33pm AEST Visit Dabble The Group 2 A.D. Hollindale Stakes will headline a massive nine-race program at the Sunshine Coast this Saturday afternoon. The track was rated as a Heavy 10 at the time of acceptances, and with more rain forecast for Thursday and Friday, there is little to no hope the surface will improve much by raceday. The rail will go back into the true position for the entire circuit, with the opening race scheduled to jump at 12:33pm AEST. A.D. Hollindale Stakes Tip: Kovalica Kovalica returns to the Sunshine State for the first time since winning the Group 1 Queensland Derby, coming off an unlucky preparation during the Sydney Autumn Carnival where the Chris Waller-trained gelding couldn’t draw a good barrier. After finishing fifth in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes last start, this son of Ocean Park looks ideally placed here. From barrier 13, Nash Rawiller will settle near last and attempt to loop the field in the final 400m. A.D. Hollindale Stakes Race 7 – #4 Kovalica (13) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Nash Rawiller (59kg) +360 with Dabble Gold Coast Guineas Tip: Abounding After experiencing a tough run in the Listed Mick Dittman Plate first-up, Abounding will appreciate the rise in trip to 1200m second-up. The Robert Heathcote-trained filly ended last preparation with a narrow victory in the Magic Million 3YO Guineas, and when compared to her rivals, she appears to be the class horse in this contest. Robbie Dolan will settle midfield on the outside of runners from barrier six, and if she can let down strongly on the Heavy track, Abounding will prove very hard to beat. Gold Coast Guineas Race 6 – #10 Abounding (6) 3yo Filly | T: Robert Heathcote | J: Martin Harley (55kg) +700 with Neds Ken Russell Memorial Classic Tip: Perspiration Perspiration broke his maiden at Mornington last start as the Ciaron Maher-trained colt ran on from midfield and careered away from his rivals to claim a dominant 2.5-length victory. This son of Too Darn Hot has shown very good potential throughout his three-start career, and he has earned his crack at Group level against his own age group. With Mark Zahra in the saddle and jumping from barrier four, expect Perspiration to settle in the perfect position before letting down with a strong finish late. Ken Russell Memorial Classic Race 4 – #2 Perspiration (4) 2yo Colt | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Mark Zahra (57kg) +320 with Bet365 Best Bet at Sunshine Coast: Pereille Pereille will return from a two-month freshen after he was last seen in a Benchmark 88 Handicap at Randwick on March 2. The James Cummings-trained gelding has shown a liking to rain-affected tracks throughout his 15-start career, and with the first use of the expected Heavy track, he looks to be a great bet in the opening race. With all the speed influences drawn inside of this galloper, James McDonald will slot into a midfield position, and if he can find a horse to follow around the home turn, Perielle can return with a big win first-up. Best Bet Race 1 – #4 Pereille (5) 4yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: James McDonald (59.5kg) +320 with Picklebet Next Best at Sunshine Coast: Tojaki Following a dominant win in Class 6 grade at Eagle Farm in her most recent start, Tojaki from the Stuart Kendrick barn will return to her home track, where she is undefeated from two starts. Previously, this daughter of Zoustar settled near the back of the field before unleashing with a powerful finish to clear out and claim an impressive 3.5-length victory over 1400m. With a lot of speed expected in this contest, Robbie Dolan will adopt the same tactics as last start and attempt to replicate the result. Next Best Race 3 – #11 Tojaki (4) 4yo Mare | T: Stuart Kendrick | J: Robbie Dolan (53kg) +260 with PlayUp Saturday quaddie tips for A.D. Hollindale Stakes Day Sunshine Coast quadrella selections Saturday, May 11, 2024 1-3-7-10-12 2-4-5-8 1-3-13-18-19 1-2-8-16 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Apprentice jockey Joe Nishizuka was all smiles after winning aboard Step In Time at Matamata on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Ballymore Stables had a pleasing day at their home track of Matamata on Wednesday, recording a winning double, with stable apprentice Joe Nishizuka also notching his first victory for the barn. Mineshaft opened the stable’s account with a long neck victory over the Debbie Sweeney-trained Ranger in the Team Wealleans 1600, while two races later Step In Time broke through for his maiden win in the Winter Race Day 5th June 1600. Owned by Deirdre Neville-White and Ballymore Stables, who share a long history together, Step In Time was selected by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and purchased for $45,000 out of Highden Park’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Sale draft. Immediately following the win, Pam Gerard received a call from training partner Mike Moroney, who is recuperating in Melbourne hospital, and he was thrilled with the result. “Mike loves winning races on the home course at Matamata, and Deirdre (Neville-White), whose colours he wears, has been a massive supporter for a long time,” Gerard said. “It was great to get Joe (Nishizuka) on the board with a win for Ballymore. He’s been working really hard and he’s a young jockey with a lot of potential. He’s super excited and he rode the horse perfectly. “Step In Time was really good at 1400m last start and he’s come back in this prep as a different horse. “He wants 2000m, ultimately, like so many of the family, and he’s in at the right time of year because there is wet track from there. “He’s just taken time and we’ll probably give him another mile on the back of what he did today. “I’ve always liked him, but he used to go to the races and absolutely drip with sweat, and he’s just taken time to work it out.” New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing riding mentor Noel Harris was full of praise for Nishizuka following the race. “Joe followed the instructions that Pam asked him to, and to win like that will give him so much confidence,” Harris said. “He jumped the horse out well, slowly improved his spot on the rail, and he rode him out really well. “Iain and Betty (Marks) did plenty of work with Joe, getting him up to the stage of riding a winner and supported him beautifully. “He had an injury, which has reset him, and he’s gone into a stable (Ballymore) with more opportunities and Pam (Gerard) is doing a really good job with him. “There is a lot of pressure on the apprentices in their first year, but Joe has a good disposition and the type of kid that is really passionate about what he’s doing.” Horse racing news View the full article

A pair of rising 12-year-olds fought out the finish of Thursday’s Dr John Moore Memorial Open Steeplechase (3800m) at Wanganui, with the Ken Duncan-trained Izymydaad coming out on top. The evergreen son of Istidaad commenced his racing career in 2019 and the gelding’s second appearance came over the fences, with every season under his belt bringing new heights, including a narrow second to champion jumper West Coast in the Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) in July last year. Hunterville-based Duncan kicked off Izymydaad’s campaign last year at the Wanganui meeting and he was successful in the same race by nearly five lengths, a result he replicated by a much smaller margin on Thursday. Izymydaad took up his customary front-running position early in the 3800m event, with $1.45 favourite Hey Happy settling in behind the speed on the back up from a spectacular display at Te Rapa last Saturday. Another veteran in Des De Jeu was the first to challenge Izymydaad nearing the 1000m, but the gelding pulled away again turning for home and was set to fight it out with fellow 11-year-old Donardo, eventually holding him off by a slim ½ head at the post. Duncan was swift in applauding the performance of Izymydaad’s pilot Stephan Karnicnik following the race, explaining he had just returned from a lengthy injury lay-off to take his 24th ride aboard the gelding. “It was a lovely run, the horse tried hard and when the contenders took him on around the track, he fought them off. He fought really hard to the end,” Duncan said. “I give full credit to Stephan, he’s been out with an injury and hadn’t been on a horse for six months until he stayed with me three days ago. “He’s ridden quite a few since he’s been at home, and I think he was hurting more than the horse at the finish.” With the cancellation of the Waverley Point-To-Point last month, Duncan opted to take Izymydaad for a final hit-out over the fences at Levin on Tuesday, where he was an overwhelming winner of his heat. “He’s been up and down the hills at home to get fit, unfortunately Waverley was cancelled so we ran him at Levin on Tuesday as these jumping trials are very important to the industry,” Duncan said. “He ran an impressive trial there, which I thought may have taken the edge off him, but it made him a bit harder for today.” Duncan, who also co-owns Izymydaad, was pleased to see his charge was still as keen a jumper as ever despite his age leading into the race. “He’s come in as good as ever, he was actually sillier in the paddock this morning than I’ve seen him in a while, he was like a three-year-old. I actually thought he might jump the gate,” Duncan said. “The two 11-year-olds were going to the line together, I spoke to Lucy (de Lautour, trainer of Donardo) today and every year we think ‘do they want to have a go again’, but after giving this horse a run on the flat, he put his hand up and said he still wants to be out there and competing. “They’re funny old horses, but you put the jumps in front of them, and away they go. He won by a jump at the trials he was so far in front, and he came home as happy as a lark, right on the bounce for today.” With five victories and just shy of $144,000 in stakes to his name, Izymydaad will be heading for the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m), scheduled to run at Trentham on May 25. “We love going to Wellington, so the Manawatu Steeplechase is next on his agenda and hopefully it is run there,” Duncan said. View the full article

Our Absolute continued a memorable season for trainers Robyn and Russell Rogers when she was runner-up in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa a fortnight ago. The result added some valuable black-type to her pedigree page, also achieved by stablemate Zecora, who won the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa in December. The Kendayla Park principals bred and part-own both horses and were particularly excited for Our Absolute’s part-owners Trudy Thornton and Lynsey Satherley, with the latter having ridden the daughter of Niagara to the black-type result. “We were really happy with her last run, and I think she has improved again since then,” Robyn Rogers said. “It (black-type) is always really important being a filly. Because we bred her, we have got a lot of the family, so you get a multiple positive factor when something can poke its nose in and get some black-type. “That was such a good field in the Breeders’, we were just hoping she would run in the first six, it was a really nice surprise to see her be so close at the end. “Trudy was the first one to ring us that morning to wish us luck and then ring and congratulate us. It was great for Trudy but especially for Lynsey, who now does all the work on her. She is a tough little filly.” The plan was to head to Arawa Park on Saturday to tackle the Gr.3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) with Our Absolute, however, the Rogers’ elected to change tack and head to the Van Dyks 3YO (1400m) with their filly on the undercard instead. “We hummed and hawed whether we would put her in the weight-for-age race, that was originally our target,” Rogers said. “Then we heard of a few others that were going there and we thought that was going to be really strong and this was a nice option, being a three-year-old race on the same day. “She is not going to get too many more three-year-old races before the end of the season, so we opted to go that way. “It is still a strong race, there are quite a few in there that you wouldn’t be surprised if they won.” Rogers said she is happy with her filly, and while she does think she will handle the Rotorua track this weekend, the unknown of competing at Arawa Park remains a concern for the Waikato horsewoman. “The only concern is that she has never raced at Rotorua – some horses love Rotorua and some don’t,” she said. “I don’t know if she will love the track or not. She jumps, puts herself in the race, and she is great in that respect. If anything was going to like Rotorua, you would think she would, but you never know. “I think quite a few are in the same boat about Rotorua, so it will be about who handles it on the day.” Following Saturday’s run, Rogers said Our Absolute will likely have one more run at Ruakaka before heading to the spelling paddock. “Originally we were thinking this might be it, but she is still very bouncy and very well,” she said. “We may look at a couple of three-year-old races coming up at Ruakaka where the ground is always a bit better up there. “Now that she has got a bit of black-type, that takes some pressure off. You would always like to improve on that and win a black-type race, but that is very hard to do. She has done all of this on one prep really – she went to the breakers and came out and then started racing and has kept going. She has quite exceeded our expectations of what she would do this prep. As soon as she tells us she is a little bit tired, she will go to the paddock.” Group Three-winning stablemate Zecora is enjoying her time in the spelling paddock and Rogers said they are still contemplating whether she will return to the track in the spring or be offered to the public as a broodmare prospect ahead of the upcoming breeding season. “We are still tossing up whether we will bring her back for another prep or we might look at selling her as a broodmare, now that she has got her black-type win,” Rogers said. “She went to the paddock feeling very full of herself and watching her gallop around the paddock now, I think she is ready to come back into work, but whether we do or not, we haven’t made that decision yet.” View the full article

The Fearless One will contest the Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) at Arawa Park on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Robbie Patterson is hoping to see a glimpse of The Fearless One’s true staying talent in Saturday’s Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) at Arawa Park. The talented son of The Bold One has been sparingly raced for his six years of age, with just 15 starts under his belt for three victories and seven minor placings. His most recent hiatus came as the result of a wind operation, and Patterson is hoping the gelding can return to the heights of his Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2400m) placing in mid-2022. “He’s coming back from a wind operation, so he’s probably going to really start putting his foot in the till now to see whether he’s going to come back to where he was,” he said. The Fearless One’s fresh-up appearance at Otaki exceeded expectations with a strong runner-up finish behind Group 1 performer Lightning Jack on heavy track conditions, however, that effort may have told in his run for seventh in the Listed ANZAC Mile (1600m) a fortnight later. “He put in a very pleasing effort first-up behind Lightning Jack, but he was a bit plain the other day. That might have been the fact that he was second-up at a mile, when he had run out of his skin over a mile first-up,” Patterson said. “I’m hoping that’s the reason, but I have got a bit of doubt after coming back from his operation. “I think an improvement in track conditions would be of help, if it could come back to Soft5 would be great, but that’s probably being hopeful.” The Fearless One has been among several horses Patterson has campaigned during Queensland’s winter carnival in recent years, but the Taranaki trainer has his sights firmly set on the New Zealand spring with his high-flying stable. “We won’t be going to Queensland this year, a lot of my better Group horses are out in the paddock and getting ready for the early spring here,” he said. Last-start winner Rum Night will also make the journey north to contest the Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua 2200, while closer to home at New Plymouth on Saturday, Patterson is looking forward to starting the career of juvenile filly La Kwik, an Ardrossan half-sister to Group 3 Waikato Cup (2400m) winner Dionysus, and multiple stakes-performer Quintabelle in the A B Electrical Ltd 2YO (1200m). “She’s a very well-related filly being a half to Dionysus, who won the Waikato Cup, and Quintabelle who has been a very good filly all season down south,” Patterson said. “I don’t expect her to be winning on Saturday but if she can run third or fourth and be attacking the line would be great. She’ll go out for a spell and will be a lovely three-year-old, she’s just a bit weak at the moment. “I think she’ll definitely be one to watch in the future.” Quality mares Regal Dice and Our Jumala are looking to improve further on their last-start performances in the Landmark Homes 1800, where the latter was unlucky to be near the tail in a leader-dominated Group 3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m). “Our Jumala loves this track, she can sit-back and slingshot off the bend,” Patterson said. “She went to Riccarton for the race that Green Luck won, where they just walked and sprinted up the straight, so she couldn’t quicken from the back. “She’s come home, done well and I expect her to run well on Saturday. “Regal Dice has had a couple of runs in now and got her fitness levels up, so I’m expecting her to run well too. I’d like to think both of them could be around the money at their home track. “She over raced the other day which is not like her, so Ciel (Butler, jockey) has been tinkering with her gear ever since. She’s come up with a nose band and thinks that’s the best option, so hopefully it comes to fruition.” Patterson has also engaged O’Ceirins Dream, Belladonna Lily, Smug One and Ragamuffin through the card, with a wide draw (13) the only hinderance on Ragamuffin’s potential in the Hel Rimu 1800. “I’ve got no qualms about the 1800, but he has got a sticky draw for the distance at New Plymouth as they start pretty close to the first bend up the straight there,” he said. “He’s improved with his winning run, he ran really well first-up for third and we put the blinkers on, and he got the job done. “If he can slot in one-off without doing too much, he’ll be right in the thick of it.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Goodwood Day 2024 Where Morphettville Racecourse – 79 Morphett Rd, Morphettville SA 5043 When Saturday, May 11, 2024 First Race 11:47am ACST Visit Dabble The Adelaide Racing Carnival will come to its conclusion this Saturday afternoon at Morphettville, with the Group 1 Goodwood set to headline a massive nine-race program. With no rain on the forecast for Friday and Saturday, another perfect Good 4 track is expected. The rail will be pushed out slightly to the +4m position for the entire circuit, with the opening race on Goodwood Day scheduled to jump at 11:47am ACST. Race 1: Benchmark 62 Handicap (1050m) After a dominant 6.7-length trial win at Balaklava, Vintage Star appears to have returned a much better horse in his third racing preparation and looks to be a good bet in the opening race of the day. With Jake Toeroek retaining the ride after being in the saddle for the impressive trial, this son of Starspangledbanner should be able to settle just behind the speed and finish off strongly over 1050m first-up. Selections: 2 VINTAGE STAR 4 THE STALKER 8 GRINT 7 DODD Race 2: 0-68 Handicap (1800m) Carisbrook was slightly unlucky when finishing second behind Albanian I Am over 1800m at Caulfield last start as the Joseph Waldron-trained galloper had to make two runs in the final 400m. Although the son of Darci Brahma was held up, he switched off the leader’s heels and let down with a strong finish. From barrier six, Teo Nugent should be able to settle Carisbrook behind a good speed and with even luck, he will play a prominent role in the finish. Selections: 7 CARISBROOK 3 BROOKLYN BOSS 2 BOND STREET BEAU 9 IMPOSING SUSPECT Best Value Race 2 – #7 Carisbrook (6) 6yo Gelding | T: Joseph Waldron | J: Teo Nugent (57.5kg) +700 with Neds Race 3: Group 3 David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) Symphony Of Colour appeared as though she was going to remain undefeated after fending off her rivals in the concluding stages of the VOBIS Showdown at Caufield last start; however, Stanley Express nabbed her in the final strides and relegated her to second place. With no Stanley Express in this race, a favourable draw in barrier two and with Damien Lane taking the reins, everything seems to be in Symphony Of Colour’s favour and she looks extremely hard to beat. Selections: 4 SYMPHONY OF COLOUR 5 FLYER 3 KARAVAS 6 THE DABBLE EFFECT David Coles AM Stakes Race 3 – #4 Symphony Of Colour (2) 2yo Filly | T: Matthew Ellerton | J: Damian Lane (55.5kg) +200 with PlayUp Race 4: Group 3 SA Fillies Classic (2500m) Andrew Forsman and Damien Lane will combine with Positivity in the SA Fillies Classic, with the three-year-old filly coming off a credible ninth-place finish in the Group 1 South Australian Oaks. After settling towards the rear of the field, this daughter of Almanzor took ground off the leaders in the final 300m as she ran up the inside of the field. With a Group 1 placing in the New Zealand Oaks over 2400m on her resume, Positivity will have no worries running out a strong 2500m here. Selections: 1 POSITIVITY 3 THE AUTUMN BELLE 5 GOTTA GO GURU 2 ZAMBEZI KHAN SA Fillies Classic Race 4 – #1 Positivity (3) 3yo Filly | T: Andrew Forsman | J: Damien Lane (56kg) +170 with Dabble Race 5: Listed Centaurea Stakes (2019m) Following her fifth straight win at Mornington on April 20, Sea What I See will take on Listed grade for the first time where she looks to be one of the better bets on the Morphettville program. Throughout the four-year-old mare’s five win streak, the Danny O’Brien-trained galloper has won by an average of 2.6 lengths, which is nothing short of impressive. With Blake Shinn in the saddle, expect Sea What I See to settle in a perfect spot and prove too good at the end of 2019m. Selections: 4 SEA WHAT I SEE 1 SEONEE 5 SILENT SURRENTE 8 CRIMSON VINE Best Bet Race 5 – #4 Sea What I See (12) 4yo Mare | T: Danny O’Brien | J: Blake Shinn (55.5kg) +100 with Bet365 Race 6: Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes (1200m) After missing out on the placings marginally in her last two starts, Grey River will rise in trip from 1100m to 1200m fourth-up, where the Jon O’Connor-trained mare will receive the run of the race from barrier three. Previously, this daughter of Al Maher was made to travel wide; however, she was one of the strongest running through the line. Todd Pannell has retained the ride and if Grey River can reproduce that last start effort, she will prove hard to hold out. Selections: 4 GREY RIVER 6 EXTRATWO 3 LACED UP HEELS 1 FASHION SHOOT Proud Miss Stakes Race 6 – #4 Grey River (3) 4yo Mare | T: Jon O’Connor | J: Todd Pannell (56kg) +500 with Picklebet Race 7: Group 3 The Cummings Stakes (1600m) The lethal combination of Patrick Payne and Billy Egan will be on full display in The Cummings Stakes when they combine with Jimmy The Bear who is coming off a good fresh performance over 1400m at Caulfield on April 27. The five-year-old gelding was well-backed before his first-up run, and after settling midfield he made a searching run around the outside, and finished off nicely. With a strong second-up record (3:2-1-0), Jimmy The Bear will be primed to run a big race here. Selections: 11 JIMMY THE BEAR 15 SECOND TO NUN 1 KING MAGNUS 2 POUNDING The Cummings Stakes Race 7 – #11 Jimmy The Bear (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Patrick Payne | J: Billy Egan (55kg) +600 with Neds Race 8: Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) The Goodwood will feature runners from all over the country, with the Western Australian-trained horses Amelia’s Jewel and Oscar’s Fortune sitting atop of the market. Will we see another interstate runner claim the Group 1 feature, or will a South Australian-trained horse claim victory? Check out HorseBetting’s free preview of the 2024 Goodwood here. Race 9: Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m) When on debut for the Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea barn last start, Sachem unleashed with a very powerful finish over 1100m, recording the fastest last 400m and 200m sections of the entire meeting at this track on April 27. Although this son of Street Boss has only won two races from 19 starts, he looks to be enjoying the change of scenery and if he can produce a similar performance as he did previously, he will go very close again in the last race of the day. Selections: 14 SACHEM 6 PURE PARADISE 12 WALK LIKE AN ANGEL 15 WALLY WEST Next Best Race 9 – #14 Sachem (11) 5yo Gelding | T: Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea | J: Todd Pannell (56.5kg) +380 with PlayUp Morphettville free Saturday quaddie tips Morphettville quadrella selections Saturday, May 11, 2024 1-3-4-6 1-2-4-11-15 2-6-7-11-15-16 6-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Mauritian jockey replaces Zac Purton aboard the emerging young speedster for next month’s Group Three featureView the full article