Wandering Eyes

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

According to trainer and co-owner Tim Martin, a necropsy performed on the popular Iowa-bred Tyler's Tribe (Sharp Azteca) revealed that his death was the result of a collapsed trachea. He died following a workout Wednesday at Oaklawn. Martin said that when the trachea collapsed Tyler's Tribe was deprived of air and oxygen, which caused him to die. Martin said the problem with the trachea also explains why Tyler's Tribe had on-going problems with bleeding. The gelding bled in each of his last two starts and also bled in the 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. He was eased in the Breeders' Cup and had to be vanned off the track. “He had a weak trachea and from what I've been told that's why he was bleeding,” he said. “His oxygen was getting shut off and that made him bleed.” Martin said he had Tyler's Tribe scoped as a precautionary measure the day before he worked. “On Tuesday before I worked him, I galloped him and scoped him,” he said. “I brought my vet in to make sure that everything was clean and everything was good so I could work him the next day. He scoped clean. Everything was good. He didn't show any signs of a weak trachea. I've never experienced having a horse with a problem like that. “The exercise rider told me that he breezed good. He worked in :48 and change. Never did he show any signs of having a breathing issue. He never seemed liked he had a problem getting air. Every time he worked he acted liked he had done nothing. But they said he was losing oxygen and that would make him bleed. He pulled up after the work and was on his way back to the barn and then he just fell over.” Of the condition Martin added, “I had never even heard of this. I was told the only way you can detect this is you have to put a tube down their throats. That's news to me. This is a very rare thing, or at least that what I've been told.” After an 11-month layoff, Tyler's Tribe returned in a Mar. 10 allowance race at Oaklawn. He was beaten 20 3/4 lengths and was reported to have bled. “I did everything I could with that horse,” Martin said. “I gave him almost a year off. He is an athlete. If he wanted to run, I was going to go ahead and run him. But we talked about if he couldn't make it back I wasn't going to keep pushing him. We'd make him into a riding horse. That horse meant a lot to us and to a lot of people.” Martin lost another horse on the day after Tyler's Tribe perished. Following a five-furlong workout the gelding Collins (Into Mischief) collapsed and died. Martin said the results of the necropsy on Collins have yet to come in, but he believes the horse died of either a heart attack or an aneurysm. “I can't believe this happened twice to me, back to back,” he said. After the second fatality, the Oaklawn stewards scratched all horses trained by Martin entered to race over the final three days of the meet, which concluded Sunday. “They acted like I committed a big crime,” he said. “I didn't do anything. I know where I stand and what I do. Once I knew they died of natural causes there was nothing to be alarmed about. I've been there 40 years and they're telling me to get my horses off the grounds. What's the old saying, 'guilty until proven innocent?'” Martin has shipped out to Prairie Meadows, which opens Saturday. He said that to the best of his knowledge he will be able to race there. Tyler's Tribe won his first five starts by a combined margin of 59 3/4 lengths, which earned a trip to the Breeders' Cup. He finished last in the Juvenile Turf Sprint and was never again the same. The post Trainer Reveals Tyler’s Tribe Died from a Collapsed Trachea appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Veteran jockey Jon Court rode the final race of his career Sunday afternoon at Oaklawn Park. Court, 63, entered Sunday with 4,263 victories and $114,023,582 in purse earnings in his career, totals that rank 67th and 59th, respectively, in North American history, according to Equibase. “It's time,” Court said moments after his final career stakes mount, Navy Seal, finished fifth in the Arkansas Breeders' Saturday at Oaklawn. “It's something I've been thinking about for a while. People have been asking me a lot. I've had a great 43 years. I'm past the 43-year mark, 44. I've got some kind of cushion and retirement laid out. I've got a real estate license and I've got some other companies that I can work part-time with, doing things off the racetrack. I really enjoy kind of mixing it up like that and getting out there in world. One thing is I was drawn here by the love of the Thoroughbred and that's going to be the toughest thing that pulls on me.” Court has been riding professionally since 1980. He rode his first winner June 7 of that year at Centennial Racetrack in Colorado. The Florida native topped the Oaklawn standings in 2000 with 69 victories. He's the seventh-winningest rider in the Arkansas track's history with 730 victories, including 38 stakes. Court also owns riding titles at several other tracks, including Ellis Park and Birmingham Turf Club. Court became the oldest jockey to ride in the Kentucky Derby when he finished 16th aboard Long Range Toddy in 2019 when he was 58. When he was 61, he became the oldest jockey in American Thoroughbred history to win a $1-million race when Last Samurai captured the GII Oaklawn H. in 2022. Court's biggest career victories included consecutive runnings of the GI Arkansas Derby, which he won in 2010 aboard Line of David and in 2011 aboard Archarcharch for trainer Jinks Fires. He also won the 2004 GI Citation H. aboard Leroidesanimaux (Brz) for Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel. Court was honored with the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award in 2007. “It's been a good career,” Court said. “Racing's been good to me. The horsemen have been great. The fans have been superior. I've got nothing but positive things going out.” The post Jon Court Retires appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the leading GI Kentucky Derby runners looking likely to skip the May 18 GI Preakness S., a wave of non-Derby starters are lining up for the second leg of the Triple Crown. Trainer Bob Baffert, whose horses were banned from the Derby, confirmed GI Arkansas Derby winner Muth (Good Magic) and stablemate Imagination (Into Mischief), who won the GII San Felipe S. before finishing a narrow runner-up behind Stronghold (Ghostzapper) in the GI Santa Anita Derby last time out, are both expected for the Preakness. The duo breezed in company at Santa Anita Saturday, both timed in 1:11.40 (1/5) for six furlongs and they are tentatively scheduled to ship from Southern California to Baltimore May 14. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas indicated Saturday that Myracehorse's Seize the Grey (Arrogate) was likely for the Preakness following his win in the GII Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs on the Derby undercard. “I think the 680 people will want to vote for that,” Lukas joked of the micro-share ownership group. “My vote will be the one that counts, but I'll vote with them. We have nothing to lose. He earned his way to run in the Preakness. He's qualified for it. He's nominated for it. So why wouldn't we give those people that opportunity? That's what we're getting paid for, to make that many people happy. If he pulls up well and everything is good tomorrow and the next day, we'll strongly, strongly consider the Preakness.” While Chad Brown ruled Derby runner-up Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) out of the Preakness, the trainer said GII Louisiana Derby third-place finisher Tuscan Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) was possible for the race. “I'm going to take a look at that horse training up until the Peter Pan,” Brown said of Saturday's nine-furlong Grade III race at the Belmont at the Big A meet. “See how the race comes up, see where he draws, because it's likely to be a big field, I'm hearing. Keep an eye on that Preakness, and sort of go from there.” Also considered possible for the Preakness is Informed Patriot (Hard Spun), who earned a fees-paid spot in the race with his win in Oaklawn Park's Apr. 20 Bathhouse Row S. Informed Patriot was fifth in the GI Arkansas Derby for trainer Steve Asmussen. GIII Withers S. winner Uncle Heavy (Social Inclusion) and Copper Tax (Copper Bullet) are also on the list of potential Preakness starters revealed Sunday by Pimlico officials. Trained by Gary Capuano, Copper Tax earned an automatic berth to the race by virtue of his 3/4-length victory in the Apr. 20 Federico Tesio S. at Laurel. “We'll see how it is in the next few days and see how things shake out,” Capuano said. “The door's not closed yet. It actually opened up a little bit. Baffert is going to come with a couple real good horses and he'll be the factor in there, obviously. Copper Tax is in good shape. Everything looks good with him. We're still a little bit up in the air trying to figure things out.” Copper Tax has yet to breeze back since the Tesio and a work over the weekend was delayed by rainy weather. “I did let him stretch his legs and gallop on pretty strong [Saturday] and he loved it out there,” Capuano said. “He's doing good. We'll see how this week goes, how the weather and the track holds up and how much I can do with him between now and probably the end of the week and go from there.” The post Preakness Possibles Line Up appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Monday's Observations features a pair of No Nay Never colts who are contesting Curragh listed races. 14.25 Curragh, Listed, €50,000, 3yo, 8fT SAMUEL COLT (IRE) (No Nay Never) is the star turn in this Listed Coolmore Stud Paddington Irish EBF Tetrarch S., named in honour of the colt who won 12 months ago en route to stardom. Runner-up in the G3 Ballylinch Stud S. last month, the Ballydoyle representative who is a relative of the G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Tiger Moth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Oasis Dream's sire Coach House (Ire) faces four rivals in this course-and-distance G1 Irish 2000 Guineas prep. 13.50 Curragh, Listed, €40,000, 2yo, 5fT WHISTLEJACKET (IRE) (No Nay Never), a full-brother to Little Big Bear (Ire), bids to build on his debut second over six furlongs here last month in this Listed First Flier S. won for the last two years by his Ballydoyle stable. Among the opponents to the 500,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 purchase is AMO Racing and Giselle De Aguiar's course-and-distance maiden winner Arizona Blaze (GB), who looks to provide his first-season sire Sergei Prokofiev with his first black-type winner. The post Samuel Colt Takes On Tetrarch Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article