Wandering Eyes

While missing a chance for valuable black-type three weeks prior, promising filly Dangerous Liaisons was able to finish her South Island mission on a high at Riccarton last Saturday. The daughter of No Nay Never initially journeyed from Tony Pike’s Cambridge stable to contest the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) on April 13, but a foot abscess on the morning of the fillies’ feature halted those plans. She bounced back strongly at the following Saturday meeting to finish runner-up to another progressive type in Contemplation Bay, but wasn’t to be denied a fortnight later when stepping up over the mile, pulling away from Blood Diamond to score by a neck in the Rating 65 contest. Pike was pleased the filly was able to gain a consolation prize in the south, after a light season with two victories and two second placings from five starts. “It was a shame as we were hoping to go down there and get some black-type, but a foot abscess on the day stopped that,” he said. “It was great to get a consolation prize, she won well and is still a pretty new and green filly, still lightly raced. She has a nice future going forward. “She’ll probably go back up north now, and we’ll make a plan going forward into next season with her.” Dangerous Liaisons carries the silks of breeder Simms Davison of Mapperley Stud, who has retained the ownership of the well-bred filly, who is a full-sister to Sigh, a Group Three winner in Australia. “She’s well-bred so I think Simms had a bit of interest in her with that pedigree, and she was also probably a bit immature to put through the sales as a yearling,” Pike said. “She’s continued to develop really nicely now and should make a lovely four-year-old mare. “I think he’s quite keen to get some black-type with her going forward, and keep her as a broodmare.” Pike’s juvenile pair of Ziggy Stardust and Wind Rush gave a strong impression heading into their three-year-old season with second and third-placed performances in the respective two-year-old features at Riccarton and Te Rapa. Ziggy Stardust, a daughter of Turn Me Loose, recorded the fastest closing sectionals of the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m), coming from near-last to within a half-length of winner Discretion Rules. “It was a super effort, she’s a progressive filly that has improved at every start,” Pike said. “The barrier draw (9) forced us to go back a little bit more than we wanted too, and she was probably a bit new and green going down the straight at Riccarton but her last 200 was very good and she went close to getting up. “It’s great to get black-type as a two-year-old, she’ll head to the paddock now and only improve as a three-year-old with a bit more maturity and over a further trip.” With a range of options in the three-year-old filly calendar, Pike said the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November would be the ideal spring target, having had experience on the course as a youngster. “She’s run well at Riccarton, so if we could get her down for the 1000 Guineas that would be ideal going forward, but there is a lot of water to go under the bridge before then,” he said. “There are plenty of nice races for these fillies coming up in the spring, and we will look to get her maiden out of the way early before following that three-year-old fillies’ path.” Closer to home in the Waikato, Pike was pleased with the efforts of Wind Rush in the Listed 2YO Stakes (1400m), who fought well in unsuitable track conditions finishing 1-3/4 lengths from impressive colt Super Photon. “It was a really good effort for a horse that hated the track, he’s a lovely actioned horse and he was really dipping and diving especially from the 600 to straightening for home,” he said. “He’s done well to pick himself up and finish strongly late. ‘Being by Almanzor, he’s only going to get better at three physically, and he looks a really promising horse for the stable heading into next season.” The well-related gelding is a full-brother to talented galloper Adam I Am, being out of Our Famous Eve, a past winner of the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m). View the full article

A water walker incident has seen Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have to abort the campaign of the lightly raced Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit) after just one run this preparation. The imposing son of Charm Spirit finished fourth in the Victoria Handicap after an extensive layoff and had hopes of racing in Queensland over the winter carnival. The Roll The Dice Racing-owned galloper burst onto the scene winning his first four starts last year. His first defeat came in the Feehan Stakes when favourite after suffering from cardiac arrhythmia. “He crashed himself into the water walker mucking around,” co-trainer Kent said. “He banged his shoulder so we just have to give him a bit of time. “But we are not going to lose optimism with him, it’s very unfortunate.” In other stable news, Kent told Racing.com on Sunday a decision would be made this week on South Australian Derby runner-up Warmonger if he would progress to the Queensland Derby or the spelling paddock. It was a frustrating day for the Price-Kent team on Saturday with Warmonger, Angland and Wee Nessy all finishing runners-up across three states. The stable have also sent the promising Moby Dick to the spelling paddock after finishing fifth last weekend in the Vobis Gold Dash. View the full article

Symon Wilde’s Count Zero (NZ) (Zed) cost just $22,000 as a yearling and has returned in excess of $700,000 for connections. But half of the current ownership group hadn’t even heard of the son of Zed until he was a two-year-old, when a chance encounter at Moonee Valley saw them buy into the Grand Annual Steeplechase hero. Darren Weir’s Prince Of Penzance (NZ) (Pentire) had just run second in the Moonee Valley Cup under a bold front-running Michelle Payne ride and one of the owners was very unhappy with the tactics. As it turned out, this would be the trigger for a series of events that eventually landed Stefan Mirenda and his entourage in a then unraced Count Zero. “We had a mare named Atlantis Dream (NZ) (Elusive City) and she ran the same night as Prince Of Penzance. I remember one of the owners was really dirty on Michelle’s ride,” Mirenda said. “He and Darren had a bit of a blue … I said to Darren afterwards, ‘I thought it was a brilliant ride’ and he obviously stuck with Michelle for the Melbourne Cup. “But this fellow owned 50 per cent of Count Zero, so 50 per cent of the horse became available. One of our group actually already owned five per cent of him. “Atlantis Dream had been retired, so Darren rang us and said, ‘Look, do you want 50 per cent of this one? I think it will stay’. So that’s when we got in, when he was a two-year-old.” Count Zero ran eight times for Weir, notching two placings before winning a relatively weak 2100-metre Swan Hill maiden at start number five. The three starts that followed didn’t inspire too much confidence, but the ownership group was still keen to see the son of Zed stretch out over much further. So, when Weir was barred from training in 2019, connections had to find another trainer for their prospective stayer, but Mirenda said Wilde was always the clear frontrunner. “We’d always thought he would get to a longer distance, we thought that with all of our sons of Zed,” he said. “Symon had just trained Gold Medals (NZ) (Elvstroem) to win the Grand Annual and that was actually against a Zed, in Zed Em (NZ). “We needed someone who could jump them, get them to stay and had a beach. Atlantis Dream always used to get sore in a prep and then come up again from the beach, so that was really important to us. “Symon ticked all of those boxes and we thought a lot of his training regime. We sent Count Zero there and the rest is history!” And what a history it has been: in 51 starts for Wilde, Count Zero has won five times over obstacles, four times on the flat and earned roughly 30 times his purchase price in prizemoney. He is also just the second horse in history to win both the Jericho Cup (2020) and the Grand Annual, a feat matched only by Ciaron Maher’s Ablaze (NZ) (Raise The Flag). Mirenda thought he had seen it all with the shock Jericho win, but Thursday’s effort, preceded by a 37-length defeat just two days earlier in the Brierly, left him further in awe of the veteran jumper. “He won the Jericho by sitting last for two laps, so I think Simon had in the back of his head that might be the way to ride him,” he said. “But he’s always led or been second in his jumps races, he’s always on the pace … on Tuesday, he just fell asleep and he was going left at every fence,” he said. “It was frustrating, but straight after the race, Darryl Horner Jnr said, ‘I really think we’ve got to ride him up close, and he should jump better because he’ll be keener’.” With that feedback on board, it was a very different Count Zero who sat second throughout the 5500-metre Grand Annual. In truth, he looked beaten a couple of times by Bell Ex One, but Mirenda had full faith in his galloper to put his head in front when it counted. “He sat second all the way, which was perfect. When Rockstar Ronnie packed it in, we had that marathon two-horse war down the straight,” he said. “But even when he was headed, I still thought he would win. He just fights, he always does. He’s so bloody tough, that horse. “It’s incredible. He’s won the Jericho and the Grand Annual, the longest flat race in Australia and the longest jumps race, I don’t know if anyone will do it again.” As an added bonus, Mirenda and fellow owner Peter Smits are also in Count Zero’s full brother Sunday Buzz (NZ) (Zed), who ran second in last year’s Jericho Cup. Incredibly, Wilde paid less than $10,000 for Sunday Buzz in 2019, meaning the two talented stayers were picked up for a combined $32,000. The six-year-old, who has raced 19 times for three wins so far, will be looking to go one better in this year’s Jericho. “It’s just the two of us, me and Peter Smits, in the full brother, we basically jumped in as soon as Symon bought him,” Mirenda said. “He was a fair way off them in the Jericho, but Symon just threw him in there at the last minute. He’s already being set for it this year, but he’ll have to win a couple of qualifying races first.” View the full article

Racing returned to Awapuni’s synthetic track on Sunday and local trainers Shaun Fannin and Hazel Schofer capitalised on it, recording a winning double courtesy of Bubbajock and Fourty Eight. Bubbajock rewarded his connections for their patience when winning his maiden at his tenth attempt in the Mark Duncan Livestock 2140. The five-year-old son of Proisir was fresh-up off a break and was having his first start at his new home track after joining Fannin and Schofer’s stable last December. “All the owners in Bubbajock are wonderful and they have kept the faith with the horse for a fair while now,” Fannin said. “He has been through a few stables, he hasn’t been easy. “Being trained on the track at Awapuni, he knows his way around the synthetic track, and he got into a nice rhythm and was pretty strong throughout yesterday. “He is a bit of a nervy sort of horse and being at home he was quite comfortable out there. He was pretty strong yesterday and I think we will stick to the synthetic track with him this season.” Stablemate Fourty Eight is set to make his jumping debut later this month, and readied for it with a pleasing three-quarter of a length victory in the Martin Collins New Zealand 2140. “I think he is three from three on the synthetic now. He is showing that he quite likes it there,” Fannin said. “We were scratching our heads a little bit as to why he wasn’t performing in his last couple of runs beforehand, but we just gave him a freshen-up and he has been jumping a fair bit, and he performed well yesterday. “He is quite a promising jumper, so he is going to aim for a hurdle race at Hawera on the 19th of May. I think he will give a good sight when he goes to Hawera in a couple of weeks.” The stable has had a fair bit of success on Awapuni’s synthetic track and Fannin said it has its place over the winter months. “It is a tool that has its place if you use it properly,” he said. “We find we don’t use it too often. When the wet weather is around, it provides a good surface for the horses. We just use it where we see fit. “Some horses appreciate it more than others, but it definitely has its place and we have had a lot of success on it, it seems to suit some of our horses especially.” The stable now sits on nine wins for the season, just one shy of last season’s tally, which the couple hope to break in the remaining months of the season. “We don’t have an overly big team and we try and place them as best we can,” Fannin said. “Things have been going very well lately, so hopefully we can find a few more over the next three months.” View the full article

Veteran trainer is ‘getting a lot better’ and believes Super Joy N Fun has ‘a good chance’ in the Class Three Shelley Handicap (1,200m)View the full article

Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr. have decided to pause Globes campaign following an incident with a water walker. The talented racehorse, Globe, known for his past wins, encountered a setback during training when he playfully collided with the water walker resulting in a shoulder injury, as explained by co-trainer Kent. Despite this setback, the trainers remain hopeful for Globes future. Unfortunately, Globe faced another challenge during the Feehan Stakes due to arrhythmia, despite being the favourite among the leading bookmakers. Nonetheless, the team had aspirations for him in the Queensland winter carnival. On another note, Price and Kent are currently deliberating whether to send Warmonger, who secured second place in the South Australian Derby, to compete in the Queensland Derby or allow him some rest in the paddock. A decision is expected soon. The Price Kent team had a great Saturday with Warmonger, Angland and Wee Nessy coming in second in races spanning three states. Also, Moby Dick showing promise has been given a break in the spelling paddock following a fifth-place finish in the Vobis Gold Dash weekend. With these challenges, Price and Kent stay positive and prioritise their horses welfare as they tackle the hurdles of the racing season. Horse racing news View the full article

Kenny McPeek recalled losing a $100 bet to Lance Gasaway in 2019. Now, after Mystik Dan won the $5 million Kentucky Derby, there are plenty of C-notes to go around.View the full article

Librado Barocio trains Senorita Stakes winner Visually for California Racing Partners, Ciaglia Racing, Fick Brothers Racing, Dario Bernardi, and George Monty.View the full article

Western Empire made a triumphant comeback, in Perth racing, with jockey William Pike guiding him to victory in the Group 3 Tabtouch Northam Stakes (1300m) on Sunday. The six-year-old gelding, previously trained by Grant and Alana Williams, showed his talent with a third place finish in The Joey (1200m). As the favourite at $2.20 with the top horse racing bookmakers, Western Empire didn’t disappoint, putting on a performance that earned Pike his second win of the day. With Pike manoeuvring through the field, Western Empire showcased his speed down the stretch, leaving his competitors behind. Despite a stumble towards the end, he maintained control, clinching his eighth career win. While Western Empire stole the spotlight, outsider Mood Swings, at odds of $101, emerged as the top contender, finishing 2 ½ lengths behind in second place. The consistent Red Can Man from Albany secured third place, trailing by half a length. Northam Stakes Race Replay – Western Empire (1st) The redemption of Western Empire highlights the skill of Grant and Alana Williams in bringing out the best in him after performances in Melbourne. Previously, Western Empire had a rough start, under the guidance of Danny O’Brien and John Leek Jr., never placing higher than fifth in seven races. However, the Williams family saw promise in the horse and purchased him for $150,000 during the Inglis Digital Sale in October. Western Empire’s journey in Perth racing has been truly remarkable. In 2021, he emerged as a standout three-year-old, winning four races, including the prestigious Group 2 WA Derby (2400m). His dominance continued seven months later with a victory by four lengths in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600 m), establishing himself as a star of WA horse racing. Grant Williams expressed his happiness at having Western Empire in their stable and recognising his talent. The trainer considers Western Empire to be one of the horses they’ve ever trained and is pleased with his form and mindset. Williams values the opportunity to work with horses like Western Empire. While theres a chance of heading to Melbourne in the spring, Western Empires immediate focus is on the Belmont Sprint (1400m) and Hyperion Stakes (1600m). Williams and Pike are committed to maintaining the gelding’s fitness and well-being, ensuring he remains successful on the racetrack. Pike, who has a connection with Western Empire, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to revisit the days with the horse. He recognises the memories they have shared and looks forward to achieving milestones in the days ahead. As Western Empire progresses on his journey, racing enthusiasts eagerly anticipate his upcoming victories, eager to witness him reach greater heights than those he has already achieved. Horse racing news View the full article

La City Blanche gives Tony Cruz his fourth win as a trainer in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup. Tony Cruz will bid for a remarkable eighth Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) as a trainer on 26 May after showcasing his stable’s staying might as La City Blanche and Five G Patch fought out the Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. A Group 1 winner over 2000m in Argentina as a three-year-old in 2021 when he raced as Zodiacal, La City Blanche reprised his best form with a stout display to deny Five G Patch by a neck with Unbelievable third, one and a quarter lengths further back. Reflecting after the frenetic tempo set by Moments In Time (fourth), Money Catcher (eighth) and Ka Ying Generation (10th), the overall time of 2m 25.46s was the fastest since 1995 as the field strung out before the leading trio was gradually reeled in approaching the 600m. With previous wins in this race aboard Super Pistachio in 2011 and Chefano in 2020, Chadwick was elated to triumph for his old boss, Cruz – who boosted his tally of Queen Mother Memorial Cup victories to four as a trainer. 2024 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Replay – La City Blanche “Any race to win is nice, so very happy,” Chadwick said. “We knew he (La City Blanche) was a top stayer, we knew he was fit and healthy, had no weight on his back. When they had me a bit tight around the turn by the 700m, he just thought about it a bit, so I just had to help him through that, but he travelled back on the bit nicely and we came around them and got them on the line. “I was really happy to ride the horse and get the win on him and I’ll stick with him for the Champions & Chater. I had a lovely run. It’s great to sit on Tony’s horse and hopefully more wins to come.” “This horse (La City Blanche) is nothing but a stayer,” Cruz said. “He has no early speed and he likes the good ground and today Matthew Chadwick rode a perfect race. I expected Five G Patch to win the race. I said to my owners ‘I think my two horses will be first and second today’.” Looking to the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup, Cruz said: “A mile and a half will be perfect for them and as long as the ground is going good.” Six-time champion jockey Zac Purton reached the 100-win milestone for the eighth consecutive season, and ninth time overall, with a quartet on La Forza, Bottomuptogether, Aestheticism and Ka Ying Rising. With 19 meetings left in the season, Purton leads Karis Teetan (68 wins) by 32 and was delighted to achieve a 2023/24 ambition. “At the start of the season, 100 wins is always the benchmark – if you get to there, you have had a good season, so it’s nice to get there again and on a progressive horse, too,” Purton said after Ka Ying Rising surged to an impressive win in the Class 2 Brandy Snap Handicap (1200m) to earn a PPG Bonus of HK$1 million. “He’s done a really good job – he’s always been a little bit lightly-framed and giving him the break between runs has really helped him. He was a lot calmer today, which is good. He’s still not the finished horse and he’s going to develop a bit more. We’re going to have some fun with him.” With a Hong Kong career total of 1,710 wins, Purton is steadily bearing down on Chief Stipelas Whyte’s all-time record of 1,813 wins. Toronado two-year-old La Forza claimed the Argonaut Plate (1000m) for Griffins for Jamie Richards to provide Purton with the first of his four winners before Frankie Lor delivered Purton’s second score with Hong Kong first-starter Bottomuptogether, a three-year-old by Shamus Award, in the Class 4 Isle Of Man Handicap (1000m). Francis Lui struck with Holy Lake under Vincent Ho to land the Class 3 Insular Handicap (1800m) to move within four of Pierre Ng in the trainers’ championship before Ng responded with Aestheticism in the Class 4 Norman Conqueror Handicap (1600m) under Purton to keep his buffer at five wins – 58-53. David Hayes slotted his 600th Hong Kong winner and 40th for the season when Karis Teetan guided Regent Glory to victory in the Class 4 Manicou Handicap (1200m, dirt). “I only found out today that I was close (to the milestone), so it was good to get the 600 up because I haven’t been here as long as other trainers so it’s nice to get that number,” Hayes said. “I’m happy with the strike rate (this season) and it’s a good, consistent stable, I think, now. We’re trying to target 50 winners for the season with 50 horses.” Hong Kong champion trainer in 1997/98 and 1998/99, Hayes saddled 458 winners in 10 seasons during his first Hong Kong stint between 1996 and 2005, adding 143 since returning to the city in 2020/21. Hayes sealed a double with Ka Ying Rising, pushing his tally this term out to 41 wins. Golden Fairy notched his first victory at Sha Tin with his success for Chris So and Alexis Badel in the Class 5 Special Cargo Handicap (2000m) before Beauty Glory triumphed in the Class 4 Monaveen Handicap (1400m) for Tony Cruz and Brenton Avdulla. David Hall and Teetan combined with Hong Kong Hall to clinch the Class 3 Game Spirit Handicap (1200m, dirt) before Hugh Bowman denied Purton a fifth victory with a short-head success on Benno Yung’s Tourbillon Prince in the Class 3 Inch Arran Handicap (1400m). Horse racing news View the full article

The empire strikes back! In a brilliant winning return to Perth racing, Western Empire revived memories of past glories when he outclassed his opponents in Sunday’s Group 3 Tabtouch Northam Stakes (1300m). Back in the familiar care of previous trainers Grant and Alana Williams, Western Empire put the writing on the wall at his previous start in The Joey (1200m) with a flashing first up third. Starting a firm $2.20 favourite on the strength of that eye-catching Joey performance, Western Empire returned to his imposing best and gave jockey William Pike the second leg of a double. Once Pike angled back inside of heels, Western Empire exploded clear in the straight and although he wanted to shift ground a little over the final stages he had the race shot to pieces and career win number eight was safely in his grasp. $101 outsider, Mood Swings, was Western Empire’s closest rival, 2 ½ lengths away in second place while consistent Albany-based seven-year-old Red Can Man was another half-length away in third position. Western Empire’s redemption win added to Grant and Alana Williams’ elite reputation with the master co trainers reviving the fortunes of the six-year-old who couldn’t fire a shot in Melbourne. In two campaigns for Danny O’Brien and John Leek Jr, Western Empire fared no better than finishing fifth in seven starts before the Williams’ bought him for $150,000 in the Inglis Digital Sale last October. Western Empire, who was born at Haunui Farm and cared for on behalf of breeder Bob Peters, was a star for the Williams’ before departing for interstate and they were more than keen to have another crack at training the gelding when the opportunity presented. In 2021 Western Empire was the star three-year-old of Perth racing when he claimed four straight feature races in a row including the Group 2 WA Derby (2400m). Seven months later he was being spoken about as the next superstar star of WA racing after demolishing his rivals by four lengths in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m). Grant Williams said he and partner, Alana, are thrilled to have a horse of Western Empire’s quality back in their stable. “It was a no brainer and he’s probably the second best horse we’ve ever had,” Williams said. “We thought he might have a few problems , but there is nothing wrong with him. “He’s in great nick and in a good space now. “It’s just exciting as you don’t get a chance to train these horses very often. “It’s really good to get him back in our care.” Williams has not ruled out Western Empire going back to Melbourne in the spring, but the upcoming Belmont Sprint (1400m) and Hyperion Stakes (1600m) are target races. “Hopefully we can keep him fit and healthy,” Williams said. “There are a couple of races for him now, definitely the 1400 and 1600m. “We’ll make some plans and we might even go back to Melbourne.” Pike said he felt fortunate to be able to wind the clock back on Western Empire. “He already gave us great memories and nice times,” Pike said. “It’s good to get him back and do something similar. “Hopefully we can reach those heights we got to last time.” View the full article

Juvenile filly Renovations has already achieved a lot in a short space of time and trainer Cody Cole is excited to see what she can do as a three-year-old. The daughter of Ardrossan attained black-type at Te Rapa last Saturday when she was runner-up in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) behind fellow Waikato Stud-bred Super Photon. The result extended her record to a win and two placings from four starts since making her debut in February, and Cole believes there is plenty to look forward to with the filly raced by Social Racing. “She has come through it (Saturday’s run) super,” Cole said. “We were jumping from 1100m up to 1400m, so she probably overdid it a little bit early, and it might have taken away from her finish, but she fought on very bravely and she ran into a smart colt (Super Photon) there. “She has shown good improvement. We have always had an opinion of her otherwise we wouldn’t have put her in the (Matamata) Breeders’ (Gr.2, 1200m). She probably wasn’t quite ready for it but since then she has figured it out a bit more mentally and switched on for what she is there for. Her last two runs have been very encouraging.” The spelling paddock now beckons Renovations, with plenty of stakes assignments in the offing in spring, including the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings in September. “She will go to the paddock and then we will just look towards the Gold Trail in the spring,” Cole said. “Being out of a Zabeel mare, and she is a good physical type now, I think she is going to improve again into her three-year-old year. We will let her get over this preparation and she will come back a better horse.” Meanwhile, Cole is looking forward to taking a trio of his stable runners to his home meeting at Matamata on Wednesday. Both Secret Life and Ladylou were runner-up in their first-up assignments last month, and will aim to go one better in the Fairview Motors Matamata 1600 and Entain/NZB Isurance Pearl Series (1400m) respectively. “They both put up great runs fresh-up,” he said. “Unfortunately, they have both drawn pretty wide, which is going to make it a tough ask on Gryllsy (Craig Grylls, jockey). If they get a bit of luck from those draws, it wouldn’t surprise me if either of them won.” Recent stable acquisition Shoot The Breeze is set to make her debut when she joins Ladylou in her contest. “It will be a kick-off point and a fitness run,” he said. “She looks to have a bit of ability from her trial, and she has worked well enough.” Looking ahead to the weekend, Cole is set to take a number of runners to Arawa Park on Saturday, including Iffshecan in the Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m). The five-year-old mare was fourth when first-up over 1200m at Wanganui last month, and Cole is hoping her fondness for the Rotorua track is in her favour this weekend. “Iffshecan is probably going to have a throw at the stumps in the weight-for-age fillies and mares race,” Cole said. “She has got a good track record at Rotorua, but weight-for-age is probably not good placement for her. But it’s just a track that she has raced well at and if she is going to run 1400m I think the time is now. She hit the line well at Wanganui with a fair bit of improvement in her yet too.” View the full article

Turn The Ace and Michael McNab winning the Prezzy Card Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Te Rapa specialist Turn The Ace kicked off a new preparation with a commanding front-running performance in the Prezzy Card Sprint (1200m) at his favourite track on Saturday. It was the sixth win from 11 starts at Te Rapa for the Turn Me Loose gelding, whose previous victories included the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1100m) at the same meeting three years ago. That black-type success came second-up – a state in which Turn The Ace often runs his very best races and has an impressive three-from-four winning record. The five-year-old went into Saturday’s $40,000 race fresh, although he had beaten Group 1-winning three-year-old filly Molly Bloom in a stylish trial win at Matamata on April 26. Turn The Ace was driven forward in the first few strides of Saturday’s race by jockey Michael McNab, and that was where he stayed. He shook free of Winning For All at the top of the straight and was all alone from there, opening up a winning margin of three and half lengths over the strong-finishing Quality Time and Highlighter. Trainer Andrew Forsman paid $30,000 to buy Turn The Ace from Karaka 2020. His 22-start career has now produced eight wins, three placings and $211,156 in stakes. “It was another good win today,” Forsman said. “He obviously loves Te Rapa, and his ability to race up on the pace was a real asset. “We thought he might be a run short going into today, with only the one trial under his belt. But we wanted to try to give him as many opportunities to race at that track as we could, so thought it would be worth running today even if it was effectively a second trial. “But we had a look at the field and thought he might not have too much competition for the lead. If he was able to get his way out in front and then rail the way he does at Te Rapa, he might be hard to catch, and that’s how it turned out. “We don’t have too much planned for the rest of his campaign now – just racing at Te Rapa as much as we can.” Runner-up Quality Time was an eye-catcher in his New Zealand debut for new trainer Kylie Hoskin. The gelding began his career with three wins in Germany, then won another three races and more than $350,000 for syndicators Go Racing while racing out of the Chris Waller stable in Australia. Notably, all of his victories have been between 1550m and 2200m. Horse racing news View the full article

Zoulander and Kylie Williams after winning the Bush Inn Tavern Open Sprint (1200m) at Riccarton. Photo: Race Images South Michael and Matthew Pitman’s outstanding carnival continued on Saturday at Riccarton Park, with handy sprinter Zoulander pulling off a tough victory in the Bush Inn Tavern Open Sprint (1200m). The local father-son training partnership collected a myriad of victories and placings through Riccarton Park’s autumn season, and snatched a further four at the final meeting with Star Ballot, Motiontime, Ocean Light and the seasoned son of Zoustar saluting. Zoulander recorded his last success in late February over the course and distance beating subsequent stakes-winner Our Echo, but was among the lesser-rated gallopers in Saturday’s contest sitting a $10.80 chance. In-form race favourites Sassy Merlot ($2.60) and Spartan ($3.10) headed the field as joint-pace makers from the jump, with jockey Kylie Williams hugging the rail aboard Zoulander midfield. As the pressure came on, Spartan led for majority of the long Riccarton straight and continued to fight hard after Zoulander drew level at the 100m, but the Pitman’s charge stuck his neck out and got the victory by a long head, with stablemate Benaud running into third. Southern-based hoop Williams has partnered Zoulander on seven occasions for two victories and two minor placings, and showed clear fondness for the six-year-old post-race. “He’s like your best friend, he’d give you the shirt off his back and he tries all the time,” she said. “Ideally, I didn’t want to be amongst them because he’s not that brave, but today he fought really hard and pushed his way out. “I travelled up quite nicely and so did Amberecho, so I just needed a bit of a gap and he’s come to that horse (Spartan) quite easily. He really wanted to win today.” Zoulander was bred by Gerry Harvey, and was originally purchased by Rogerson Bloodstock for $240,000 at the 2019 National Yearling Sale at Karaka. The six-year-old commenced his career with Team Rogerson, and Graeme Rogerson remained in the ownership when he was transferred to the Pitman’s base in mid-2022, accumulating $149,527 in stakes in total. Progressive sprinter Motiontime continued her affinity with the chute with a second victory at the course under Kavish Chowdhoory, defying her 30/1 odds in the Rating 75 1200m contest. In the final event of the day, Ocean Light was marked higher in the betting at $5.70, and delivered in style with a scorching outside run to claim the Pitman’s fourth win under Lisa Allpress, who also snatched a hattrick in her southern mission. Horse racing news View the full article

English Gambler clearing a hurdle on his way to victory in the Modern Transport Group Hurdle (2800m) at Te Rapa. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Talented hurdler English Gambler extended his impressive front-running record over the fences in Saturday’s Modern Transport Group Hurdle (2800m) at Te Rapa. The Lauren Brennan-trained son of Casino Prince has a reputation for putting a sizable margin on his rivals early, and the restricted-open contest proved no different as he extended his lead to near 20 lengths by the winning post on their first occasion. Regular jockey Hamish McNeill was able to steady the nine-year-old down the back straight, and after resuming a slick pace at the 800m, was too strong and held out a game Mont Ventoux by 1.25 lengths. The victory was English Gambler’s fourth over the hurdles in twelve starts, with his most impressive to date a dominant performance in the open hurdle on Pakuranga Hunt Day last August, warranting his $2.00 favouritism. Cambridge-based Brennan was pleased with the effort post-race, particularly under the 70.5kg top-weight. “His gallops have been really solid and he hasn’t really put a foot wrong,” Brennan said. “He jumped really well today, he hasn’t schooled this time in so that was his first for the whole season. “I wasn’t sure about the weight, I took the saddle back and nearly needed a wheelbarrow, but the horse has been training really well. “Hamish has ridden him enough times that he knows his quirks, and knows what he can and can’t do on him.” English Gambler’s pace in front has also proved his Achilles heel when contesting the longer staying efforts in the likes of the Great Northern Hurdle (4200m), and Brennan indicated she will be wary of that this preparation. “We just take it race by race with him, we know he doesn’t stay much further than 3200m and we want a half-decent track for him. We’ll just see what weather conditions come up and go from there,” she said. “We’ll probably incorporate a few flat runs between jump races, because they’ll probably be few and far between. He can go on the flat over ground.” McNeill has mixed his jumping commitments with riding on the flat in recent seasons, and had plenty of confidence in the gelding’s ability over the shorter distance. “Just look at what he did in the Pakuranga last year, especially over 2800m on a good track,” McNeill said. “He’d switched off by the top of the straight once he’d jumped the first. I was surprised how far they let me get in front when I looked back at the winning post, but he’s a machine of a horse. “The last came up really long, but he took a short one instead of taking off last he did last year. “It’s just a shame he can’t see a trip out, but you never know what could happen this year, he is a year older.” Horse racing news View the full article

Three weeks and a day ago, second-season sire The Autumn Sun didn't have a group 1 winner to his name and, for some, the wait was becoming tense. Now they seem to be dropping like leaves from a tree around this time of year.View the full article

Darwin apprentice Emma Lines (left) and Alice Springs apprentice Dakota Gillett enjoyed success at Pioneer Park in the Red Centre on Sunday. Picture: Nikki Westover Photography The remarkable Desert Lass, arguably Alice Springs’ most popular horse proved once again on Sunday that she is a force over 1400m. Four weeks after finishing as runner-up in the Alice Springs Cup (2000m) for the second straight year, the Carrol Hunter-trained seven-year-old mare proved too good in the Emmie Wehr Memorial BM76 Handicap. It was her fifth win from 14 starts over 1400m, with the daughter of Rock Hero also managing six seconds and a third. Desert Lass, with nine wins and 20 minor placings from 42 starts at Pioneer Park from 1000-2000m, won’t feature at Pioneer Park much longer, with Hunter confirming that retirement beckons at the end of the 2023–24 season. Hunter plans to head north for the Darwin Cup Carnival scheduled for July–August before drawing the final curtain. The mare saluted over 2050m for those who missed a start in the 2022 Darwin Cup for previous trainer Lisa Whittle before finishing sixth in last year’s Darwin Cup (2050m) for Hunter. Jumping from the outside gate (nine) on Sunday, Darwin apprentice Emma Lines had Desert Lass ($7) sitting in fifth place as Befana ($61), Great Buy ($6), That’s Justified ($6), and Flying Yishu ($3.50 fav) – sitting four deep – held sway passing the 800m. There were plenty of chances turning for home, but once leaving the fence, Desert Lass stormed up the middle of the track before overcoming Will Savage’s Fantasy Eagle ($41) and Ray Viney’s in-form Kickatorp ($4) by a length and a half. Fantasy Eagle (Ianish Luximon) was eighth at the 600m before finishing strongly along the rails and fellow backmarker Kickatorp (Jessie Philpot) was unlucky when forced four deep at the 400m, but Lines produced a super ride on the winner. With Desert Lass assigned 60kg, Lines could claim 1.5kg and replaced regular rider Casey Hunter. Dan Morgan’s $1.90 favourite Garrucha (Dakota Gillett) made it back-to-back wins and three wins from his past four starts when he toppled Savage’s Vanderland ($19) by 1.5 lengths after both had shared the early lead over 1100m (0-64) – Morgan’s Arrogant Miss ($9) was third. Greg Connor’s $10 hope Delago Lad (Lek Maloney), who hadn’t won since September, shared the early lead with Whittle’s Il Don Cavallo ($6), who held the fence, over 1200m (BM54) before saluting by 0.8 lengths with Gardner’s Lamoree ($5.50 fav) third. Gary Clarke’s $3.20 favourite Miracoli (Aaron Sweeney) was easily nine lengths adrift of the lead passing the 1100m before making it back to back wins by downing pacemakers – Kerry Petrick’s Princess Pancakes ($4.20) and Paul Gardner’s Better Not Fuss ($21) – by 2.3 lengths over 1600m (0-64). Gardner (19) leap-frogged Petrick (18.5) in the trainers’ premiership when $11 chance Hello Carol (Kyra Yuill) overcame a bout of inconsistency by finishing a length clear over 1100m (Class 2) from Connor’s stablemates Danny Whizzbang ($16), who stormed home, and Quanapirri Bay ($5), who shared the early lead with the winner. Protostar (Dakota Gillett), the $1.80 bookmaker favourite, bombed the start and despite making up considerable ground tired in the home straight to finish seventh. Horse racing news View the full article

What Goulburn Races Where Goulburn Race Club – Racecourse Dr, Goulburn NSW 2580 When Tuesday, May 7, 2024 First Race 12:40pm AEST Visit Dabble Country racing heads to Goulburn on Tuesday afternoon, where a competitive seven-race program awaits punters. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with more rainfall forecast in the lead-up, the Heavy 8 rating at the time of acceptances seems likely to hold for race-day. The opening event is scheduled for 12:40pm AEST. Best Bet at Goulburn: Mountain Chatter Mountain Chatter scored a dominant one-length victory at Canberra on April 12 and appears to have above-average ability. The son of Kermadec was initially dragged back early before making strong inroads to the inside when getting clear thanks to a blistering turn-of-foot. This is much tougher as he steps up to Class 1 company, but with barrier one giving him a similar run throughout the 900m journey, Mountain Chatter can make it back-to-back wins for the John Nisbet barn. Best Bet Race 1 – #4 Mountain Chatter (1) 3yo Gelding | T: John Nisbet | J: Jack Martin (67.5kg) +150 with Neds Next Best: Joyner Joyner caught the eye in a recent jump-out at Canberra on April 19 and looks prepared for a first-up assault. The filly by Denman led all the way in a dominant piece of work under Richard Bensley, going on to score by 3.12 lengths with plenty left in the tank. She’s drawn awkwardly in gate 11, but with good early speed from the jump, watch for Joyner to make every post a winner on debut. Next Best Race 3 – #4 Joyner (11) 3yo Filly | T: Pat Murphy | J: Grant Buckley (57kg) +125 with Neds Best Value: Easement Easement got a pass mark returning from a 206-day spell at Moruya on April 26 and should take major benefit second-up into the campaign. He was well-beaten by 4.6 lengths but was doing his best work late over an unsuitable journey. Getting out to the 1300m still might not be far enough, but with the wet track conditions likely to favour the son of Preferment, the each-way price on offer with online bookmakers is too good to pass up. Best Bet Race 6 – #4 Easement (11) 4yo Gelding | T: Greg Backhouse | J: Alysha Collett (59kg) +150 with Neds Goulburn Monday quaddie tips – May 6, 2024 Goulburn quadrella selections Monday, May 6, 2024 1-2-4-7 1-2-3-4-5-6-10 3-4-6-8-10 1-5-8-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Motoring late in the GIII Senorita S. down the Hillside Turf Course at Santa Anita, it was Visually (Enticed–Eye Candy Annie, by Candy Ride {Arg}) who struck the front and won, which handed her sire the first graded stakes race of his career as a stallion. At odds of 17-1, the filly shed the blinkers and settled down the slope looking to make a run from the back of the pack. Jockey Edwin Maldonado gave her the cue after crossing the dirt and she responded with a late turn of foot to win by a length over Rascality (Into Mischief). This was also trainer Librado Barocio's first graded stakes win. Sunday, Santa Anita Park SENORITA S.-GIII, $101,500, Santa Anita, 5-5, 3yo, f, 6 1/2fT, 1:12.91, fm. 1–VISUALLY, 120, f, 3, by Enticed 1st Dam: Eye Candy Annie, by Candy Ride (Arg) 2nd Dam: Annie's Apple, by Shawklit Won 3rd Dam: Maid for Steele, by Rare Performer 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($15,000 Ylg '22 KEEJAN; $23,000 Ylg '22 OBSOCT; $20,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-California Racing Partners, Ciaglia Racing LLC, Fick Brothers Racing Inc., Dario Bernardi, and George P. Monty; B-Thorough Bred by Design LLC (KY); T-Librado Barocio; J-Edwin A. Maldonado. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 9-2-1-2, $139,400. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Rascality, 120, f, 3, Into Mischief–Taking Aim, by Trappe Shot. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($190,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT). O-Legacy Ranch, Inc.; B-KatieRich Farms (KY); T-Richard E. Mandella. $20,000. 3–Laulne (Fr), 124, f, 3, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Lady Francesca (GB), by Montjeu (Ire). (€750,000 2yo '23 ARARC). O-Madaket Stables LLC, Panic Stable LLC, Gerard Augustin-Normand, Robert V. LaPenta and William Strauss; B-Franklin Finance S.A. (FR); T-Philip D'Amato. $12,000. Margins: 1, HF, HD. Odds: 17.00, 3.60, 2.70. Also Ran: Girl of My Dreams, Shamrockin, Antifona (Fr), Alluring, Flattery. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Enticed?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Enticed's daughter Visually paints a beautiful picture when winning the G3 Senorita Stakes @santaanitapark! Congratulations to all the connections! https://t.co/TZ7k1bwbS1 — Darley in America (@DarleyAmerica) May 5, 2024 The post Sire Enticed With First Graded Stakes Winner In Senorita S. At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A hot topic following the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) concerns a rough stretch run, specifically, the repeat bumping between drifting-in runner-up Sierra Leone and Japanese invader and third-place Forever Young.View the full article

Led by Peacock, the "Run for the Roses" posted NBC Sports' largest streaming audience for a horse racing event with an Average Minute Audience of 714,000 viewers—nearly doubling last year (371,000).View the full article

Five-pound apprentice J.G. Torrealba, riding in his first full meet in Maryland, won twice on Sunday's closing day card to capture his first career riding title at Laurel Park, while Kieron Magee defended his crown as the meet's leading trainer. Magee was winless with two seconds from four starters on Sunday's program, but held on to earn his second straight spring meet title, 11-10, over Jerry Robb, who had one winner in Sunday's opener. Over the 15-day spring meet, Magee won at least one race nine times, taking over the lead with a stretch of four wins from 11 starters, including doubles Apr. 27 and May 3. “It means a lot. We'll have a little party at the barn for the guys,” Magee said. “It's all due to my help. I have great help, and you have to get lucky with entries and everything else. Everything just sort of fell into place, so we're happy.” Torrealba registered at least one win on 14 of 15 days, including each of the first 13, notching a hat trick Apr. 12 and doubles April 6, 7, 14, 20 and May 3. “I didn't expect it, but we've been working hard and God has blessed me with the talent and the opportunity,” Torrealba said through fellow rider Angel Cruz. “I got here and I've been blessed with a lot of winners. I just want to keep doing what I do best and ride horses.” Torrealba, 22, grew up in Venezuela with no family ties to racing or plans to make his living as a jockey, but fell in love with the sport watching the races and started riding in 2019. With the help of Laurel-based trainer Jose Corrales, Torrealba came to the U.S. in September 2022 and initially landed in Ohio. Torrealba made his U.S. debut last April at Thistledown and rode his first winner the following day. He won 23 of 161 races (14%) and banked $620,669 in purse earnings before heading out west, where he went 3-for-57 at Del Mar's summer stand. Torrealba stayed the fall in Southern California, tying for seventh (from 49 mounts) at Santa Anita and fifth (from 31 mounts) at Del Mar with six wins apiece. Represented by agent Simon Purdy, Torrealba rode his first Maryland races in January at Laurel. He ended the winter meet with the fifth-most winners (19) and sixth-highest earnings ($679,018) from 127 mounts and scored his first career stakes win on Copper Tax in the Mar. 23 Private Terms S. He added a second stakes win aboard Copper Tax in the Federico Tesio S. Apr. 20. “I just want to thank my agent and all the trainers and owners because they give me a chance, and all the jockeys here that help me,” Torrealba said. “I have to thank God and I just want to keep going and keep working hard.” The post Torrealba Earns First Career Riding Title at Laurel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tom Pedulla writes of five key takeaways from Kentucky Derby weekend.View the full article

NBC Sports' presentation of Saturday's Kentucky Derby averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 16.7 million viewers, the largest Derby audience since 18.5 million viewers watched Sunday Silence's 1989 victory on ABC, according to figures released by the network Sunday. Viewership peaked at 20.1 million viewers from 7-7:15 p.m. ET, as Mystik Dan edged Sierra Leone and Forever Young in the Kentucky Derby's first three-horse photo finish since 1947. Saturday's peak audience was the largest ever for an NBC Sports presentation of the Kentucky Derby. With 16.7 million viewers, the 2024 Kentucky Derby marks a 13% increase from last year's event (14.8 million) and will rank as NBC's most-watched program since the NFL Divisional Playoffs in January. The NBC-TV household rating for the broadcast (6:31-7:24 p.m. ET) was 7.5/27–up 9% from last year. The 27 share is the highest ever for an NBC Sports Kentucky Derby presentation. Led by Peacock, the “Run for the Roses” posted NBC Sports' largest streaming audience for a horse racing event with an Average Minute Audience (AMA) of 714,000 viewers–nearly doubling last year (371,000). NBC Sports has averaged 15+ million viewers across all platforms for 11 of the last 15 Kentucky Derby races held in May (2009-2024, excludes 2020 Covid-impacted event which was moved to September). NBC Sports and Churchill Downs Saturday announced an extension to their partnership, with NBC and Peacock continuing to be the media home of the Kentucky Derby through 2032. The post Derby TV Audience Largest Since 1989 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Doncho (Mo Town–Sassy Redhead, by Henny Hughes) did not mind a wet surface as the gelding took home his first black-type in the Gold Fever S. during the Belmont at the Big A meet on Sunday afternoon. The dark bay was sent on his way as the 2-1 choice and he vied for the early lead with longshot Buccherino (Bucchero) up the backstretch. Putting away his rival around the far turn, the chalk turned up the heat entering the lane, kicked for home past the eighth pole and won by two lengths over Maximus Meridius (Maximus Mischief). The final running time was 1:09.77. Doncho achieved his 'Rising Star' badge at second asking against optional claimers when he won by 4 1/2 lengths at Fair Grounds Feb. 13. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0. Sales History: $32,000 '22 Ylg KEESEP, $72,000 '23 2yo OBSOPN. O-JAL Racing; B-Susan Young (Ky); T-Michelle Lovell. DONCHO, the 3YO son of @coolmoreamerica stallion Mo Town, wins the Gold Fever Stakes under @jaimetorresjcky for trainer @_MichelleLovell. pic.twitter.com/LrJx9oqt7W — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) May 5, 2024 The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Doncho Mines First Stakes Win In Gold Fever At Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article