Wandering Eyes

The Horse Racing Women's Summit has added a limited number of tickets to their previously sold-out July 23 event at the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York, according to a Friday press release. The event will include a day of speakers, networking and connecting as the topic of safety of racehorses during and following their race careers takes center stage. Participants will enjoy a light continental breakfast and full buffet lunch from PDT Catering, and two complimentary drinks from Old Tavern Farms's Barrel Bar to wrap the day. Click here to purchase tickets and for a complete schedule of events. The post Horse Racing Women’s Summit Event At Saratoga Adds Tickets appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Texas tradition of festival racing continues this weekend, but the focus shifts to the turf as top grass horses descend on Lone Star Park for the fourth annual Summer Turf Festival on June 29.View the full article

The Department of Agriculture and the Revenue Commissioners have removed the need for a guarantee for the temporary admission of horses in particular circumstances, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA) announced via presser on Friday. With the waiver, pure-bred horses for sporting events, breeding, training, grazing, or for performance of work or transport will no longer require a security deposit on import. Horses participating in sporting events will require proof of the scheduled attendance at the race meeting/sporting event to qualify for temporary admission. Bloodstock entering for breeding, training, grazing, or work/transport will require an agreement or contract which includes a passport or identification number; names and addresses of both parties to the agreement or contract, service location, length of time, and signatures from both parties. The release also included that if a nomination contract or a training agreement were amended so as to contain all of the above information, it could be used to allow temporary admission. “I want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the equine breeding industry and the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) in pursuing this issue,” said Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Martin Heydon T.D. “Since I first raised the need for a change around the treatment of horses imported for breeding and training purposes, it has been a long road to arrive at this breakthrough but this important change is finally over the line. I am confident that it will be a significant boost to the sector and that the removal of the need for a security bond will help attract more British mares to Ireland for covering by stallions here.” The post Removal of Guarantee for Temporary Admission of Horses to Ireland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On Sunday July 7, a memorial service at the Belmont Chaplaincy Center will be held in honor of Toby Sheets, the former assistant to Steve Asmussen who passed away in Greece earlier this month, according to a tweet sent on X by NYRA paddock analyst Maggie Wolfendale. The memorial will take place between 5:30 p.m. ET to 9:00 p.m. ET, and a special service is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Wolfendale said that the event will be live streamed for those who cannot attend in person. Sheets, who was last seen alive Tuesday, June 11 on the island of Mathraki, in Greece, was found on a beach the following Sunday. The local coroner in Corfu, Greece, who performed the autopsy, said Sheets died from drowning. For all of those who know and loved our fantabulous friend (for those that can't be there in person, it will be live streamed) pic.twitter.com/TwPFMBnXcf — Maggie Wolfendale (@MaggieWolfndale) June 28, 2024 The post Memorial For Toby Sheets To Be Held At The Belmont Chaplaincy Center July 7 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. Saturday's Observations features a well-meant half-brother to Snowfall (Jpn) in a deep field of maidens at the Curragh. 13.15 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, c/g, 7fT ROCK OF CASHEL (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is the pick of Ryan Moore from a Ballydoyle trio in this maiden used by Aidan O'Brien for the introduction of City Of Troy (Justify) 12 months ago and which has played host to Rip Van Winkle (Ire), Gleneagles (Ire), Roderic O'Connor (Ire), Duke Of Marmalade (Ire), Horatio Nelson (Ire) and Australia (GB). A half-brother to the brilliant Oaks heroine Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) out of a group-winning full-sister to Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), he is joined by the stable's fellow newcomers Trinity College (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a son of the 1,000 Guineas heroine Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) carrying the colours of his part-owner Masaaki Matsushima and Bernard Shaw (Into Mischief). A $1.8-million Keeneland September sensation out of the GII Canadian S. winner and GI E. P. Taylor Stakes-placed Princess Haya (Street Cry {Ire}), he is partnered by John Velazquez. 13.40 Newmarket, Mdn, £20,000, 2yo, f, 7fT PARADISE SPRINGS (GB) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) is a Godolphin homebred of note in this maiden won in the past three years by the Oaks runner-up Dance Sequence (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Cheveley Park's superstar Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Kin to the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. hero Naval Crown (GB) by Ghaiyyath's sire Dubawi (Ire), she meets three experienced peers on this July Course bow. 17.15 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 3yo, c/g, 7fT JOHN STEINBECK (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the third foal out of the G3 C L & M F Weld Park Stakes winner and GI Belmont Oaks Invitational third Coolmore (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who is a full-sister to the Classic winners Gleneagles (Ire), Marvellous (Ire) and Joan Of Arc (Ire). Belated making his debut for Ballydoyle, he meets only four rivals in a substandard maiden for the track. The post Wootton Bassett Colt Heads Ballydoyle Trio Set for ‘City of Troy Maiden’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The catalogue for the Arqana August Yearling Sale, which takes place from August 16 to 18, was released on Friday. The sale has an impressive roll of honour given last year's Prix de l'Arc winner Ace Impact and this year's French Derby hero Look De Vega are both graduates. Add that to the fact top-notchers Unquestionable, Feed The Flame, Ancient Wisdom, Sunway and Bucanero Fuerte were sold at the August Yearling Sale, it's easy to see why Arqana has become and must for many of the top buyers across the world. This year's sale will take place alongside the prestigious racing weekend that will hold the Prix Morny and Prix Jean Romanet. A total of 325 yearlings will be on offer. Progeny by the leading sires Blue Point, Camelot, Dark Angel, Dubawi, Frankel, Galiway, Havana Grey, Justify, Kitten's Joy, Kingman, Lope de Vega, Mehmas, New Bay, Night of Thunder, No Nay Never, Sea The Stars, Siyouni, Starspangledbanner, Too Darn Hot, Wootton Bassett and Zarak are catalogued, as well as lots from the first crops of Lope y Fernandez, Lucky Vega, Palace Pier, Space Blues, St Mark's Basilica, Starman and Victor Ludorum. Underlining the strength of the catalogue, 40% of the colts and fillies offered are out of black-type mares, with 20 lots out of, or siblings to Group 1 winners. A total of 220 yearlings are French breds or assimilated, which makes them eligible for owners' premiums that are unique to France. The catalogue can be viewed here. The post Potential Stars On Show As Catalogue For Arqana August Sale Released appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Despite two losses to start her 4-year-old year, trainer Phil Bauer is confident that Xigera still has a chance to be one of the leading members of the Distaff division. She has her chance to prove it June 29 in the $500,000 Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2).View the full article

It did not take long for Milford’s (NZ) (Savabeel) recent drought-breaking long-odds win to be forgotten by the Mike Moroney stable. The Savabeel gelding got home at $31 at Flemington on May 18 but was then desperately unlucky at the same track three weeks later. The six-year-old got shuffled back to last on the home turn and struggled for clear running for most of the straight but still finished fourth, beaten 1-1/2 lengths. As galling as that result was, it confirmed to the stable what they felt coming into the campaign and has the team buoyant ahead of this Saturday’s $150,000 Marshall White Quality (2000m) at Caulfield. “He’s absolutely flying,” Moroney’s racing manager Anthony Feroce said. “Everyone saw his run last start. As Declan (Bates, jockey) explained it, every time he zigged he should have zagged and it was like watching a car crash. “He gets back to Caulfield, where he’s won at this distance. We can’t fault the horse.” Feroce is convinced Milford is going as well as he’s gone since crossing the Tasman after his second to Rocket Spade in the 2021 New Zealand Derby (2400m). That is a promising report given he has won an Easter Cup (2000m) and Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Group 3 level since being based at Flemington. The Easter Cup win came from barrier one, which gives Feroce confidence he will be able to make the most of barrier two this weekend. “He’s won races leading, but this prep we’ve found out he seems to be much happier chasing them,” Feroce said. “So, he likes being ridden a bit colder, but that would mean he’s going to need luck from the barrier.” Luke Currie replaces Bates aboard Milford, who is challenging last-start winner Foujita San for favouritism in the Caulfield event. View the full article

David Hall hopes Atullibigeal (Street Boss) can add further lustre to his stable’s strong season with victory in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Monday. With 41 wins, Hall is only three victories short of matching his career-best haul of 44 wins in a Hong Kong season after a campaign crowned by Invincible Sage’s Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) triumph in April. Atullibigeal, a Listed in New Zealand, has delivered two of Hall’s wins this season in a 12-start campaign which has seen the five-year-old earn prize money in 11 appearances – and also suffer two short-head defeats. “He (Atullibigeal) is a very honest and consistent horse and he’s had a good season. These sort of races, the ratings sort of favour the lighter-weighted horses so it might be a little bit tougher for him with the handicap but he’s very honest,” Hall said. “He turns up all the time and if it’s a genuinely run race, he’ll be running on strongly.” To be ridden by Hugh Bowman from barrier four, Atullibigeal (135lb) faces eight rivals – Flaming Rabbit (133lb), Tomodachi Kokoroe (129lb), Wonder Kit (126lb), Supreme Lucky (125lb), Keefy (123lb), Superb Boy (122lb), Chiu Chow Spirit (118lb) and Gorgeous Win (118lb). View the full article

The Gredleys' Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) will have seven rivals in Sunday's G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh after the confirmations were revealed on Friday morning. The James Fanshawe trainee will renew rivalry with Ballydoyle's Derby third Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), one of four representing Aidan O'Brien alongside The Euphrates (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Euphoric (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Grosvenor Square (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). David Menuisier saddles the 2023 G1 Criterium International winner Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), while the field is completed by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Leicester novice scorer Matsuri (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) from the Roger Varian stable and the Ger Lyons-trained Keeper's Heart (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). The post Ambiente Friendly Faces Seven in Irish Derby Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Terry Kennedy has the firepower to make an early impact at his local meeting on Sunday. The Wingatui trainer will be represented by the in-form duo of Anticipate (NZ) (Ghibellines) and Sadler’s Lass (NZ) (Gallant Guru) in the opening event, the Grand Casino R88 Handicap (1600m). Ghibellines mare Anticipate resumed from a break on the course earlier this month and romped home in her first appearance since January. “I think she will be very hard to beat, she won nicely last start,” Kennedy said. “She has come up really, really well and she’s a 2000m horse plus. It was only 1400m the other day and she obviously sprinted well and over a mile, at this stage, I’d expect her to be pretty competitive.” Anticipate has been relatively lightly raced for a seven-year-old with three victories and a handful of placings from 17 appearances. “She had a few issues early on and that’s why she hasn’t had many starts, a bit of time has been the best thing for her,” Kennedy said. Sadler’s Lass also gave a good account of herself most recently when the Gallant Guru mare finished runner-up over a middle distance at Oamaru. “She is very fit and we’re supposed to get quite a lot of rain and she likes it that way,” Kennedy said. “Coming back in trip won’t worry her, they definitely won’t be running any time, the wet track will suit her and she likes Wingatui so she’ll be a good chance as well.” Dan Subramanian will be aboard Anticipate while Yogesh Atchamah will claim 3kg off Sadler’s Lass. Kennedy has also booked apprentice Ruvanesh Muniandy to partner Hakaharry in the Nellies Restaurant & Bar Maiden (1600m), with the pair posting two placings from their last three starts together. “It could be Hakaharry’s turn, he’s been going alright in stronger fields, so I think he’ll be competitive and Sacred Mist was good last start as well,” Kennedy said. Subramanian will also combine with Sacred Mist in the Property Brokers – Ray Kean Maiden (1400m) following their late-closing third last time out at Oamaru. Kennedy’s team is completed by Miss Belle in the Dunedin City Motors Handicap (1600m) and a fresh I’m No Princess in the Otago Racing Club Life Members Maiden (1200m) with Subramanian again taking the rides. “Miss Belle has been disappointing, but she’s got blinkers on for the first time,” Kennedy said. “I thought she would have won a race easily by now, but she didn’t really handle the track last time at Oamaru where it was quite holding. “She will be better off on Sunday if it’s looser and I’m No Princess isn’t the worst. She has come back a bit stronger this time.” View the full article

A year after winning a maiden steeplechase on the biggest jumping day on the Hawke’s Bay calendar, Torque Time (NZ) (Guillotine) will head back to Hastings on Saturday in search of a bigger prize. The Jo Rathbone-trained gelding will take on New Zealand’s reigning champion jumper West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) and a talented supporting cast in the 2024 edition of the Animal Health Direct Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m). Torque Time has had nine steeplechase starts for a win and six placings. He was a last-start third placegetter behind another of New Zealand’s standout steeplechasers, The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman), in the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) at Te Rapa on June 15. The runner-up in that race was Hey Happy (Rip Van Winkle), who won an open steeplechase at Te Aroha on Thursday. Rathbone has been pleased with Torque Time’s progress and is looking forward to getting him back to Hastings, where he was an impressive winner of the I See Red Syndicate Maiden Steeplechase (4000m) at last year’s edition of this meeting. However, the Heavy10 track conditions are a significant concern. “I thought he ran well in the Waikato Steeplechase, and especially considering he’s not really a true wet-tracker,” Rathbone said. “It was a pretty tough performance in the circumstances and I was happy enough with the result. “The wet track is going to be the issue for him again this weekend. It’s definitely not going to make the job easy for him. “One thing that he does have going for him as far as Hastings goes is that he jumps well and is a careful jumper. He was a very good winner at this meeting last year. I think Hastings suits some horses a lot better than others, and he has shown that he jumps the fences there particularly well.” Torque Time will be ridden by the premiership-leading jumps jockey Portia Matthews, and the TAB rated him a $27 chance on Thursday afternoon. That market is unsurprisingly dominated by West Coast at $1.60. Meanwhile, Rathbone celebrated a win in Thursday’s amateur riders’ race at Te Aroha as Billy Boy (So You Think) scored a convincing front-running win in the hands of Amber Riddell. The 22-year-old Riddell, daughter of leading jockey Jonathan, has now won four races including three for the Rathbone stable. She rode her first winner aboard the Rathbone-trained Quota (NZ) (Makfi) in August of 2022, followed by a pair of wins with Billy Boy at Woodville last June and at Te Aroha on Thursday. Riddell’s three rides on Billy Boy have produced two wins and a second placing. “It was a good win by the horse today, and Amber rode him well,” Rathbone said. “She’s ridden three winners for me now and she’s got a great record on that horse. It’s probably safe to say he’s a favourite of hers.” Rathbone also celebrated success at Otaki on Friday with Slippery (Keano), who was victorious on debut in the Riverstone Café Maiden (1400m). View the full article

Former top three-year-old filly Llanacord (NZ) (Contributer) will be offered to the public through gavelhouse.com’s National Online Breeding Stock Sale, which will go live at 5pm on Friday, June 28. The daughter of Contributer gave trainer Stephen Nickalls and her fellow owners a massive thrill, particularly over a golden couple of months in her three-year-old term. Bred by Mapperley Stud’s Simms Davison, Llanacord was purchased at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2019 Book 2 Yearling Sale by Nickalls’ stepfather Kevin Hopson after she caught his eye at an on-farm yearling inspection earlier that year. “Stu Hale did his yearling tours and Kevin drove the bus. He couldn’t think of anything better, getting able to drive around and look at horses at the same time,” Nickalls said. “They went to Mapperley and she was one of the later ones to come out. He was sitting there thinking he had to go and get the bus ready, and she came out and he loved the way she walked. He said he was late coming back with the bus because he couldn’t take his eyes off her. “When he went to the sales, he managed to buy her for $15,000. Initially she went to Glynn Brick, he broke her in and did all the early education with her. He passed away and she came down to us as a late two-year-old, we gave her a jump out and she took us on a ride you don’t get to experience very often.” Llanacord won her maiden at Wanganui over 2040m as a three-year-old before repeating the result in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings at her next start. She backed that up with a third placing in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham before heading across the Tasman where she was runner-up in the Gr.3 South Australian Fillies Classic (2500m). While she didn’t reach the same heights as an older horse, Llanacord still placed in the Listed Wanganui Cup (2040m), and Nickalls said she has retired a sound and happy mare ready for an early service in the new breeding season. “She has been a wonderful mare for us, she has given us all sorts of thrills,” Nickalls said. “She has taken us to Australia, she was Group One placed and was a Group Two winner in the Lowland. “We are only a family run stable and to share that journey with my mother, step-father, wife and kids, it was amazing. When she won the Lowland, we were stuck under COVID rules so we couldn’t celebrate too much on course. The thrill and joy of doing that was amazing. “The only thing Kevin said to me when he sent her down was that he wanted to get to the Oaks. I remember the morning of the Oaks, and Kevin was as nervous as anything, and I said to him we have actually achieved what you wanted to achieve, so the rest is a bonus. It was a huge run to run third that day in one of the real Classics of New Zealand racing. “She ran some super races as a older horse. She ran third in the Wanganui Cup and we thought we were ready to go on and then she cut her back hock and that put everything on the backburner, and then you are chasing your tail for the rest of the season. “The following season she had the odd little niggle, we could never quite get her to the races at 100 percent. I was hoping that her ability would carry her through, but she ran some fantastic races, she ran second over a mile at Ellerslie and came from a long way back. “She has given us a great journey. She is there ready for an early service, and someone will have a lot of fun with her as a broodmare.” View the full article

Local trainers Kenny Rae and Krystal Williams unveiled an exciting new talent at the last Ruakaka meeting three weeks ago, and they are hoping for a repeat result in Saturday’s Truweld Engineering 3YO (1400m) over the same course and distance. Bred and raced by Totara Park Stud in partnership with Little Avondale, Dan Vegas (NZ) is a well-related son of Per Incanto and Miss Bluebell (NZ) (Savabeel). That makes him a brother to stakes performers Gringotts (NZ) and Millefiori (NZ), while Miss Bluebell’s dam Operavega (NZ) (Stravinsky) is a half-sister to Vegas Showgirl (NZ) (Al Akbar), the dam of the legendary Winx (NZ) (Street Cry). Dan Vegas lived up to those bloodlines with a bold debut performance at Ruakaka on June 8, leading all the way and quickening smartly in the straight to score by a length and a half. “That was a very good performance, and I think he’s improved since then as well,” Rae said. “He’s always shown us a wee bit. He’s always been able to run. What’s helping him now is that he’s starting to have a much better temperament as well. He’s doing very well and is still on the up. We’re hoping to see him run another good race on Saturday. “I entered him for the three-year-old race and the Rating 65 on Saturday, but he’ll stick to his own age. He’d have to carry too much weight against the older horses.” Dan Vegas is a notable absentee from the dozens of nominations for the $60,000 ITM/Gib Northern Winter Championship Finals that will be held at Ruakaka on July 13. “We didn’t enter him for that three-year-old final and we probably won’t do a lot more with him in this preparation,” Rae said. “He’s been in work a while and has done well to get to where he has. Even if he doesn’t perform this weekend, we can be pretty pleased with what he’s achieved, and I think he’s got a bright future.” Stablemate Tide And Time (NZ) (Time Test) will also contest Saturday’s Truweld Engineering 3YO and does hold a nomination for next month’s ITM/Gib 3YO Final (1600m). The daughter of Time Test made up late ground for an eye-catching fourth behind Dan Vegas three weeks ago. “She drew badly for that last race and has got another wide gate (13) this time,” Rae said. “She’s been working and eating well and has done everything right, but I think she’ll be better suited going up to 1600m in the next meeting.” Saturday’s Ruakaka NZ’s Best Bet in Winter 2YO (1100m) features a close relative to Dan Vegas. The two-year-old filly Vegas Queen (NZ) (Proisir) – also bred and part-owned by Totara Park Stud’s Dirk and Nicki Oberholster – is by Proisir out of Miss Bluebell’s half-sister Miss Vegas (NZ) (Carlton House). Vegas Queen made her debut with a sixth behind Whiskey ‘N Roses (NZ) (Belardo) on her home track three weeks ago. “She’s a lovely filly that will go places, and she has enough class to be competitive on Saturday,” Rae said. “But she’s a pretty big filly. I said to Dirk, ‘We both want her to win this week, but realistically she’s not a two-year-old type.’ We might have to take our time with her a little bit.” Proven black-type performer Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver) will contest Saturday’s Northpine 25 Years (1200m), having resumed with an eye-catching second over 1100m on June 8, while Heart Of Alladin (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) and Mischief Managed (NZ) (Derryn) will attempt to repeat their last-start quinella when they clash again in the 13 July ITM/Gib Northern Winter Championships (1600m). “It was a lovely first-up run by Illicit Dreams,” Rae said. “She always goes well in her first couple. “We had a claimer (Ace Lawson-Carroll) on her last time, and he rode her well, but the owners wanted to switch to a senior rider this time around (Jasmine Fawcett). “I can’t fault Illicit Dreams, Heart of Alladin or Mischief Managed. They all galloped very well yesterday morning. We have a new jockey on Mischief Managed with Michael McNab not riding, but Warren Kennedy’s taking over so we don’t lose anything there. “Heart of Alladin and Mischief Managed should both be competitive in that race. I’d like to get them up to 2100m, but the only option on Saturday is going up out of their grade. They’d pick up too many ratings points if they performed well there. So we’ll just stick to the mile for now. As Bart Cummings said, patience is the cheapest thing in racing and the thing that people use the least, and I’m starting to figure that out myself.” View the full article

Talented winter galloper Spencer (NZ) (Derryn) will be chasing his third win in succession when stepping up in the Taradale Club Handicap (1200m) on Saturday at Hastings. Spencer has been a consistent performer for Waverley horsewoman Erin Hocquard this season, producing three wins including back-to-back successes at his most recent starts in Rating 75 grade, despite nearly dislodging Lisa Allpress when crossing the line at Otaki. “He was really good again at Otaki, it was a shame he had to shy at the post but that’s just him, a bit quirky but still good to deal with,” Hocquard said. “I thought he may have gotten a bit braver this year, but he’s just still got it in him, and he can be pretty quick when he does shy. “I’ve had him since he was a two-year-old and ride all of his trackwork and he’s done it to me so many times. I just expect it from him now so I’m usually ready for it.” The son of Derryn will come up against a couple of seasoned open gallopers on Saturday but will carry the 54kg minimum under Allpress. “There wasn’t really any other options for him apart from the 1200m on Saturday or it was getting a bit far between races, but the wet track will make it further anyway,” Hocquard said. “I will totally leave it up to Lisa, she knows what she’s doing.” Spencer holds a Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) nomination for early August, and Hocquard hopes to test him at stakes level prior to a trip south after trialling the heavy conditions on Saturday. “We may go to the Opunake Cup (Listed, 1400m) depending on how he handles the wet track over at Hastings,” she said. Hocquard prepares Spencer for her former employer Aidan Schumacher and his brother Kieran, who also entrusted her with Otaki contenders Billy Echo (NZ) (El Roca) and Jerricoop (NZ) (Zed). “They started sending me horses when I went out on my own, and I still like to help them out when I can with their foals. They still have plenty of horses up there,” she said. View the full article

While a firm plan has yet to be locked into place, Gentian Blue’s (NZ) (Reliable Man) connections are giving thought to a trip across the Tasman. The gifted daughter of Reliable Man has impressed in a brief career and has already showed she’s a genuine stakes contender. Gentian Blue has won two of her seven starts and finished fifth in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) and was spelled after following up with another bold run to fill an identical placing in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). The five-year-old will be back in action in the Northpine Waipu Cup (1400m) at Ruakaka at the weekend with Vinnie Colgan to guide the mare’s fortunes. “We’ll see how she goes on Saturday and we have toyed with the idea of potentially going over to Victoria,” said trainer Maxim Van Lierde, who races the mare with wife Samantha. “We could maybe run her in a couple of handicaps while her rating is still nice and low. “She has obviously got a lot of ability and it’s about placing her right to try and get what we want out of her.” Gentian Blue has had the benefit of a trial ahead of her resuming run and is in good shape to kick off. “She’s been up at Ruakaka since Monday and has settled in well up there,” Van Lierde said. “She’s forward enough, we scratched the other week with the impending rain, and I would be expecting her to be really hitting the line hard late.” The Cambridge horseman’s patient approach with Gentian Blue reaped rewards last time around and there’s confidence the best is yet to come when the grey moves up in distance. “We have given her the time that she’s needed,” Van Lierde said. “She went from strength-to-strength last preparation and, given what she did last season, we’re excited to see what she can do for us this campaign. “I would like to have another crack at the Breeders, but I think she will be more effective when she gets up to 2000m and beyond. “It would be nice to get some black type for her page, she deserves it and it’s about taking it step by step and not getting too far ahead of ourselves.” Gentian Blue is out of the Thorn Park mare Emma’s Choice (NZ), whose dam is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Easter Handicap (1600m) winner Ray’s Hope (NZ) (Star Way) and his brother Star Defence (NZ) (Star Way) was a dual South African Group winner. Van Lierde also has promising Echoes Of Heaven filly Swycho (NZ) in Saturday’s Truweld Engineering 3YO (1400m). She has finished fourth in both of her appearances at Matamata and Tauranga since returning from a spell with Kozzi Asano booked for the ride. “We were thrilled with Swycho’s run last Saturday and her sectionals in the race were outstanding,” he said. “She pulled up really well and ate up that night and was on the truck to Ruakaka on Sunday. Sam said she is thriving up there on the beach.” Van Lierde and his wife bred Swycho, a daughter of the Singspiel mare Pansies whose family includes the Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) winner and Gr.1 July Cup (1200m) placegetter Alverta (Flying Spur). View the full article

British hoop Joshua Parker has been a welcome addition to the jump jockey ranks over the past month, and the success continues to come for the 24-year-old with a winning double at Te Aroha on Thursday. Riding for Wanganui trainer Kevin Myers, Parker partnered the $1.50 favourite in Call Me Jack (NZ) (Jakklaberry) to success in the TAJC Hospitality Function Centre Hurdles (3100m), settling near the speed throughout before breaking away to a comfortable 4-¼ margin at the post. “He was brilliant today, he was relaxed, his jumping was class, and he took me into the race,” Parker said. “Last time I rode him here I wasn’t very hard on him and kind of let him do his own thing, but Kevin gave me really good instructions to get him up there and keep him happy, and that’s exactly what I did. “Turning for home, he came back up underneath me, and he really tried hard. He deserved the win today.” Parker was disappointed to fall from another short-priced favourite Sweet Taboo (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) in the maiden steeplechase, but he soon made up for that with a comprehensive display aboard a very promising chaser in Hey Happy in the Piako Rural Services Steeplechase (3500m). Hey Happy (Rip Van Winkle) has been a model of consistency this season and pushed star jumper The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) right to the finish last start in the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m), placing him a $1.70 favourite on Thursday ahead of stablemate Interllectus (Intello) ($4.70). Parker took the patient approach with the eight-year-old, sitting back in the small field before storming into contention at the third-last fence. Interllectus chased gamely but couldn’t match Hey Happy who pulled away by 4-½ lengths to record his eighth win and just shy of $250,000 in stakes. “I was over the moon with him, his run was brilliant last time against The Cossack who is a lovely horse,” Parker said. “He had a nice opportunity today if everything went our way, he did catch me off guard with a couple of jumps, but he dug deep and I couldn’t have asked for any more from him. He was superb.” Originally hailing from England, Parker rode in the point-to-point races in his homeland before joining the leading stable of Myers in May, and soon entered the winner’s circle at his first meeting on June 3 aboard Invisible Spirit (NZ) (Charm Spirit). “I’d never sat on a racehorse until four years ago, I basically just went to a yard, started riding and kept falling off,” he said. “Eventually I learnt to stay on and two years went by, and I thought I would have a go race riding in the point-to-points in the UK. I bought a horse called John Joella and she was a schoolmaster, an absolute star of a horse. She gave me all the education that I needed for jump riding, and I started to get noticed by trainers and getting rides. Two big supporters of mine were Lee Moulson and John White, they backed me this season and I can’t thank them enough. “I heard about coming over here through Jack Power who had a really good season last year, and he said that if I could keep my weight down, there were plenty of opportunities to do well. “I was quite lucky, even though it was under unfortunate circumstances, that Dean (Parker), who works for Kevin had a nasty tumble and broke his collar bone. “It opened a big space and I’ve been very lucky to be able to ride some very talented horses of his, and I just try to do my best on all of them and put them in the right place. “Fortunately, a few have come up winners, Invisible Spirit is another really nice horse that was a bit unlucky today in second, but taking nothing away from the winner who was very good (Helena Baby). “If I had I managed to stay on Sweet Taboo he may have won too, but that’s just racing with highs and lows. You just have to pick yourself back up and be positive for the next ride.” With 13 starts under his belt and a trio of winners, Parker identified a number of differences between racing styles in the two countries that took some getting used too. “The races in the UK are a lot longer, and the fences aren’t live or quite as big,” he said. “Horses over here jump completely differently as well, they are a lot bolder and will take a big jump, which can be a good thing and a bad thing when you’re getting used to it. “Luckily Kevin’s sons Luke and Jason, and Dean school them brilliantly, they all jump lovely. They are all proper horsemen, breaking them in and getting them going really well. “Dean has been riding out and he will be back this weekend (at Hastings), he can’t wait and I know he’s been missing it. He gives me plenty of advice and he’s very knowledgeable, a good person as well as a great rider.” Fellow Brit Jay Kozaczek has also made the move over to New Zealand, and Parker emphasised the positives for riders considering a stint across the globe. “I’ve told plenty of lads in the UK to come over, but it’s not easy with costs for flights, visas and things like that. I’d advise anyone to come though, it’s great and there are so many opportunities,” he said. “There are just so many riders in the UK and not that many horses without a declared rider already, it’s very competitive. Jay has also come over and he’s gone and ridden a winner on his first day. “I am very lucky with the Myers as they are a great bunch to be around, I’ve landed on my feet here and being based with such good people. I’m very grateful for the boys, Kevin and Ange and their daughter Caley for all of their help. “Even the simple things like helping me get a bank account and a car for travel, all the little things that you don’t think about.” Parker has secured a couple of nice rides at the Hastings meeting on Saturday, including maiden hurdlers Go Butch (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) and Mugshot (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) for Myers, and an in-form Auld Jock (Adelaide) in the feature AHD – Animal Health Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m). “I’m looking forward to it, going out and enjoying myself and hopefully giving the horses a good ride,” he said. View the full article

What Caulfield Races Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 2, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Saturday, June 29, 2024 First Race 11:20am AEST Visit Dabble Metropolitan racing in Victoria heads to Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday, with a stacked 10-race meeting set down for decision. Clear skies have aided the track in coming up a Good 4 for the day, while the rail will be out 12m for the entire circuit, suggesting it may be no disadvantage to be up on speed. The Caulfield races on June 29 are set to commence at 11:20am AEST. Best Bet at Caulfield: Fleetwood Fleetwood has strung together consecutive victories at Warwick Farm and Randwick leading into his Melbourne debut. He put 1.3 lengths on his rivals first-up at Warwick Farm and then got the better of the classy The Black Cloud, who has since won at Flemington. Damian Lane hops on board, and from barrier one, the pair will likely take a sit off a hot speed and look to pounce late on. Best Bet Race 8 – #1 Fleetwood (1) 3yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Damian Lane (60kg) +150 with Bet365 Next Best at Caulfield: Chorlton Lane Chorlton Lane was dominant first-up at Bendigo on April 13, then arrived in time after being held up for a run at the Caulfield 1400m on May 4. He clearly loves firmer going, so the Good 4 is right up his alley. With Celine Gaudray on board claiming 1.5kg, Chorlton Lane looks the goods as he returns from an eight-week spell. Next Best Race 10 – #6 Chorlton Lane (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Celine Gaudray (a1.5) (54.5kg) +140 with Neds Best Value at Caulfield: Luna Cat Luna Cat produced a strong finish at Sandown over the 1000m on June 19 to bring up an impressive win. The Puissance De Lune mare was held up for a run until the final 200m, but once clear, she was impressive on the eye. Barrier 10 is a touch concerning at the Caulfield 1100m, but if Luke Currie can find cover early on, Luna Cat should prove too hard to hold out if she is anywhere near her best. Best Value Race 2 – #4 Luna Cat (10) 5yo Mare | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Luke Currie (58kg) +900 with Playup Caulfield Saturday quaddie picks Caulfield quadrella selections Saturday, June 29, 2024 3-5-6-10-12 1-8 1-2-3-4-9 6-8-13 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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Trainer Peter Snowden.(Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Peter and Paul Snowden are set to have their final elite-level runner together when Coco Jamboo contests Saturday’s Group 1 Tattersalls Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm. This follows the shock announcement that the father-and-son team intend to dissolve their training partnership at the end of the current racing season. Issuing a statement on Thursday, Snowden Racing revealed the surprise news, stating the decision was mutual and would allow Paul to spend more time with his family. “Paul has a young family to care for, and we have mutually decided that it is the right time for him to take a step back and be able to focus on them,” Peter Snowden said in a statement on X. “Since the establishment of Snowden Racing in 2014, we have had some incredible success together, and Paul’s contribution to the business will be hugely missed. “As for Snowden Racing, it will be business as usual at our Royal Randwick and Flemington stables as we continue to strive for success and provide results for our owners.” Peter Snowden confirmed his son would officially finish up at the conclusion of the current racing term on July 31. The duo has celebrated plenty of success over the last decade, preparing the likes of Mazu (Maurice), Russian Revolution (Snitzel), Sheeza Belter (Gold Standard), Captivant (Capitalist), Pride Of Dubai (Street Cry), Shooting To Win (Northern Meteor), Capitalist (Written Tycoon), and Redzel (Snitzel) to big-race wins. Team Snowden has trained 29 Sydney metropolitan winners this season and will be represented by Touristic in the Listed McKell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday. Horse racing news View the full article

What Belmont Races Where Belmont Racecourse – Saintly Entrance, Burswood WA 6100 When Saturday, June 29, 2024 First Race 11:24am AWST Visit Dabble Belmont Park will host a very competitive nine-race program this Saturday afternoon, with the opening race scheduled to jump at 11:24am AWST. With no rain in the forecast, the track is expected to stay in the Good range after being rated as a Good 4 at the time of acceptances. After racing with the rail in its true position last weekend, the fence will be pushed out to the +3m position for the entire circuit. Best Bet at Belmont: Dance Boss Dance Boss was narrowly beaten by Celebrity Prince last start, when the Simon Miller-trained gelding finished off strongly down the outside and looked to have the race won until the eventual winner flashed up the inside rail. The son of Deep Field has only missed the placings once from his eight career starts, and now that he gets back onto firmer ground and has a 3.5kg weight swing on his main rival, Dance Boss will get every chance to turn the tables and record another win. Best Bet Race 2 – #7 Dance Boss (4) 4yo Gelding | T: Simon Miller | J: Clint Johnston-Porter (54kg) +170 with Neds Next Best at Belmont: Another Strike Lou Luciani and Jason Whiting will combine with Another Strike for the third straight start this preparation following strong back-to-back performances at this track over 1000m and 1200m. Last start, this son of Sessions ran on from the back of the field and appeared to have the race within his grasp before Rockin’ Rupert burst through the pack and ran away with the victory. Even though he was beaten, this galloper defeated the rest of the field comfortably, and now that he drops slightly in grade and finds a weaker race, Another Strike can go one better. Next Best Race 3 – #1 Another Strike (10) 3yo Gelding | T: Lou Luciani | J: Jason Whiting (59kg) +380 with PlayUp Best Value at Belmont: El Patron El Patron has been a model of consistency in his last four starts, claiming one win and three placings, with his second-place finish last start being one of his toughest performances of the campaign. The Simon Miller-trained galloper was made to travel three-wide without cover on speed, and even though he covered more ground than any of his rivals, he was beaten in a photo finish by Climb On Top, who ran up the inside fence. Luke Campbell will push forward from the ace barrier to take up the lead, and if El Patron gets a soft lead, he will prove very hard to run down. Best Value Race 7 – #7 El Patron (1) 4yo Gelding | T: Simon Miller | J: Luke Campbell (a1.5) (57.5kg) +700 with Picklebet Saturday quaddie tips for Belmont races Belmont quadrella selections Saturday, June 29, 2024 2-3-8 4-5-7 1-2-5-9-12 1-6-11-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Just Folk ridden by Nash Rawiller takes out the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup at Eagle Farm. Photo: Darren Winningham Gavin Bedggood’s five-time Group winner Just Folk has undergone life-saving surgery after being diagnosed with colic. “I spoke to the vet at 9 pm on Tuesday night and they thought he was comfortable, but they rang me at 1:20 am and said we had no choice but to do surgery,” Bedggood told Racing.com. “As it turned out he had a twist in his bowel, so we weren’t going to get out of it any other way.” The rising eight-year-old, who has won $627,190 in ten starts for Bedggood since being the trainer’s most expensive purchase for $199,000 via Inglis Digital last year, will now require a four-month spell. Horse racing news View the full article

James McDonald will miss the Group 1 Tatts Tiara meeting on Saturday at Eagle Farm. Photo: Trish Dunell James McDonald has withdrawn from his scheduled rides at the final Group 1 meeting of the season at Eagle Farm on Saturday due to illness. He was admitted to Randwick’s Prince Of Wales Hospital on Wednesday night after voluntarily standing down from riding at Warwick Farm earlier in the week due to stomach pain. Hospital tests revealed he has gallstones, and after further assessment, he was discharged on Thursday night. McDonald was slated to ride in seven races at Eagle Farm, including C’est Magique, trained by Chris Waller, in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m). 2024 Tattersall’s Tiara field 1. Bella Nipotina (17) T: Ciaron Maher J: Ryan Maloney W: 57kg F: 22142 Age: 6YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare Sire: Pride of Dubai Dam: Bella Orfana +115 -357.14 2. Semana (6) T: Ciaron Maher J: Dylan Gibbons W: 57kg F: 0x321 Age: 4YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare Sire: Winning Rupert Dam: Festivity +1400 +290 3. Roots (8) T: Chris Waller J: Tim Clark W: 57kg F: x03x0 Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Press Statement Dam: Arctic Success +1900 +380 4. Opal Ridge (5) T: Luke Pepper J: Tommy Berry W: 57kg F: 81×09 Age: 4YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare Sire: Rubick Dam: Chadana +1200 +250 5. Comrade Rosa (19) T: Tony Gollan J: Angela Jones W: 57kg F: 765×3 Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Capitalist Dam: No Looking Back +3000 +550 6. Bubble Rock (15) T: Tony Gollan J: Billy Egan W: 57kg F: 3×232 Age: 5YO Colour: Brown Sex: Mare Sire: More Than Ready (USA) Dam: Reef Point (USA) +2000 +400 7. Vienna Princess (1) T: Chris Waller J: Jim Byrne W: 57kg F: 8×094 Age: 4YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare Sire: Snitzel Dam: Graciousness +4500 +800 8. C’est Magique (9) T: Chris Waller J: Blake Shinn W: 57kg F: 1×492 Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Zoustar Dam: Yau Chin +550 +125 9. Lekvarte (7) T: Joseph Pride J: Reece Jones W: 57kg F: 0x151 Age: 5YO Colour: Grey Sex: Mare Sire: Reliable Man (GB) Dam: Plumm +4000 +750 10. Ausbred Flirt (12) T: Brad Widdup J: Tyler Schiller W: 57kg F: 29616 Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Maurice (JPN) Dam: Seven Year Itch +3400 +650 11. More Secrets (11) T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes J: Mark Du Plessis W: 57kg F: 7003x Age: 6YO Colour: Brown Sex: Mare Sire: More Than Ready (USA) Dam: Secret Indulgence (NZ) +10000 +1800 12. Zoe’s Promise (13) T: Kris Lees J: Michael Rodd W: 57kg F: 771×5 Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Swear Dam: Kind Funky Monkey (USA) +6600 +1200 13. Coco Jamboo (3) T: Peter & Paul Snowden J: Tom Sherry W: 57kg F: 51×41 Age: 4YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Massaat (IRE) Dam: Beta Tauri (USA) +1500 +300 14. Coeur Volante (16) T: Mike Moroney J: Blake Shinn W: 55.5kg F: 64×41 Age: 3YO Colour: Brown Sex: Filly Sire: Proisir Dam: Shanina SCR SCR 15. Roll On High (4) T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman J: Vlad Duric W: 55.5kg F: 01774 Age: 3YO Colour: Brown Sex: Filly Sire: Shamus Award Dam: All Highs On Me +1000 +220 16. Abounding (18) T: Robert Heathcote J: Martin Harley W: 55.5kg F: 3735x Age: 3YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Filly Sire: Rich Enuff Dam: Transonic +3000 +550 17 (1E). Miss Joelene (10) T: Kelly Schweida J: James Orman W: 55.5kg F: 33662 Age: 3YO Colour: Brown Sex: Filly Sire: Russian Revolution Dam: Cellargirl +4500 +800 18 (2E). Banana Queen (2) T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou J: Damien Thornton W: 57kg F: 025×0 Age: 5YO Colour: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: So You Think (NZ) Dam: Tropicana Lady +9000 +1600 19 (3E). Willinga Beast (14) T: Kris Lees J: TBC W: 57kg F: 15070 Age: 4YO Colour: Chestnut Sex: Mare Sire: Snitzel Dam: Time Check (USA) +4500 +800 Horse racing news View the full article

Spencer will contest the Taradale Club Handicap (1200m) at Hastings on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Talented winter galloper Spencer will be chasing his third win in succession on Saturday at Hastings. Spencer has been a consistent performer for Waverley horsewoman Erin Hocquard this season, producing three wins including back-to-back successes at his most recent starts in Rating 75 grade, despite nearly dislodging Lisa Allpress when crossing the line at Otaki. “He was really good again at Otaki, it was a shame he had to shy at the post but that’s just him, a bit quirky but still good to deal with,” Hocquard said. “I thought he may have gotten a bit braver this year, but he’s just still got it in him, and he can be pretty quick when he does shy. “I’ve had him since he was a two-year-old and ride all of his trackwork and he’s done it to me so many times. I just expect it from him now so I’m usually ready for it.” The son of Derryn will come up against a couple of seasoned open gallopers on Saturday but will carry the 54kg minimum under Allpress. “There wasn’t really any other options for him apart from the 1200m on Saturday or it was getting a bit far between races, but the wet track will make it further anyway,” Hocquard said. “I will totally leave it up to Lisa, she knows what she’s doing.” Spencer holds a Group 3 Winter Cup (1600m) nomination for early August, and Hocquard hopes to test him at stakes level prior to a trip south after trialling the heavy conditions on Saturday. “We may go to the Opunake Cup (Listed, 1400m) depending on how he handles the wet track over at Hastings,” she said. Hocquard prepares Spencer for her former employer Aidan Schumacher and his brother Kieran, who also entrusted her with Otaki contenders Billy Echo and Jerricoop. “They started sending me horses when I went out on my own, and I still like to help them out when I can with their foals. They still have plenty of horses up there,” she said. Horse racing news View the full article

Dan Vegas will compete at Ruakaka on Saturday. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) Local trainers Kenny Rae and Krystal Williams unveiled an exciting new talent at the last Ruakaka meeting three weeks ago, and they are hoping for a repeat result over the same course and distance on Saturday. Bred and raced by Totara Park Stud in partnership with Little Avondale, Dan Vegas is a well-related son of Per Incanto and Miss Bluebell. That makes him a brother to stakes performers Gringotts and Millefiori, while Miss Bluebell’s dam Operavega is a half-sister to Vegas Showgirl, the dam of the legendary Winx. Dan Vegas lived up to those bloodlines with a bold debut performance at Ruakaka on June 8, leading all the way and quickening smartly in the straight to score by a length and a half. “That was a very good performance, and I think he’s improved since then as well,” Rae said. “He’s always shown us a wee bit. He’s always been able to run. What’s helping him now is that he’s starting to have a much better temperament as well. He’s doing very well and is still on the up. We’re hoping to see him run another good race on Saturday. “I entered him for the three-year-old race and the Rating 65 on Saturday, but he’ll stick to his own age. He’d have to carry too much weight against the older horses.” Dan Vegas is a notable absentee from the dozens of nominations for the $60,000 ITM/Gib Northern Winter Championship Finals that will be held at Ruakaka on July 13. “We didn’t enter him for that three-year-old final and we probably won’t do a lot more with him in this preparation,” Rae said. “He’s been in work a while and has done well to get to where he has. Even if he doesn’t perform this weekend, we can be pretty pleased with what he’s achieved, and I think he’s got a bright future.” Stablemate Tide And Time does hold a nomination for next month’s 3YO Final (1600m). The daughter of Time Test made up late ground for an eye-catching fourth behind Dan Vegas three weeks ago. “She drew badly for that last race and has got another wide gate (13) this time,” Rae said. “She’s been working and eating well and has done everything right, but I think she’ll be better suited going up to 1600m in the next meeting.” Saturday’s Ruakaka NZ’s Best Bet in Winter 2YO (1100m) features a close relative to Dan Vegas. The two-year-old filly Vegas Queen – also bred and part-owned by Totara Park Stud’s Dirk and Nicki Oberholster – is by Proisir out of Miss Bluebell’s half-sister Miss Vegas. Vegas Queen made her debut with a sixth behind Whiskey ‘N Roses on her home track three weeks ago. “She’s a lovely filly that will go places, and she has enough class to be competitive on Saturday,” Rae said. “But she’s a pretty big filly. I said to Dirk, ‘We both want her to win this week, but realistically she’s not a two-year-old type.’ We might have to take our time with her a little bit.” Proven black-type performer Illicit Dreams will contest Saturday’s Northpine 25 Years (1200m), having resumed with an eye-catching second over 1100m on June 8, while Heart Of Alladin and Mischief Managed will attempt to repeat their last-start quinella when they clash again in the Northern Winter Championships (1600m). “It was a lovely first-up run by Illicit Dreams,” Rae said. “She always goes well in her first couple. “We had a claimer (Ace Lawson-Carroll) on her last time, and he rode her well, but the owners wanted to switch to a senior rider this time around (Jasmine Fawcett). “I can’t fault Illicit Dreams, Heart of Alladin or Mischief Managed. They all galloped very well yesterday morning. We have a new jockey on Mischief Managed with Michael McNab not riding, but Warren Kennedy’s taking over so we don’t lose anything there. “Heart of Alladin and Mischief Managed should both be competitive in that race. I’d like to get them up to 2100m, but the only option on Saturday is going up out of their grade. They’d pick up too many ratings points if they performed well there. So we’ll just stick to the mile for now. As Bart Cummings said, patience is the cheapest thing in racing and the thing that people use the least, and I’m starting to figure that out myself.” Horse racing news View the full article

Torque Time will contest the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) at Hastings on Saturday. Photo: Race Images PN A year after winning a maiden steeplechase on the biggest jumping day on the Hawke’s Bay calendar, Torque Time will head back to Hastings on Saturday in search of a bigger prize. The Jo Rathbone-trained gelding will take on New Zealand’s reigning champion jumper West Coast and a talented supporting cast in the 2024 edition of the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m). Torque Time has had nine steeplechase starts for a win and six placings. He was a last-start third placegetter behind another of New Zealand’s standout steeplechasers, The Cossack, in the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) at Te Rapa on June 15. The runner-up in that race was Hey Happy, who won an open steeplechase at Te Aroha on Thursday. Rathbone has been pleased with Torque Time’s progress and is looking forward to getting him back to Hastings, where he was an impressive winner of the I See Red Syndicate Maiden Steeplechase (4000m) at last year’s edition of this meeting. However, the Heavy 10 track conditions are a significant concern. “I thought he ran well in the Waikato Steeplechase, and especially considering he’s not really a true wet-tracker,” Rathbone said. “It was a pretty tough performance in the circumstances and I was happy enough with the result. “The wet track is going to be the issue for him again this weekend. It’s definitely not going to make the job easy for him. “One thing that he does have going for him as far as Hastings goes is that he jumps well and is a careful jumper. He was a very good winner at this meeting last year. I think Hastings suits some horses a lot better than others, and he has shown that he jumps the fences there particularly well.” Torque Time will be ridden by the premiership-leading jumps jockey Portia Matthews, and horse racing bookmakers rate him a $27 chance. That market is unsurprisingly dominated by West Coast at $1.60. Meanwhile, Rathbone celebrated a win in Thursday’s amateur riders’ race at Te Aroha as Billy Boy scored a convincing front-running win in the hands of Amber Riddell. The 22-year-old Riddell, daughter of leading jockey Jonathan, has now won four races including three for the Rathbone stable. She rode her first winner aboard the Rathbone-trained Quota in August of 2022, followed by a pair of wins with Billy Boy at Woodville last June and at Te Aroha on Thursday. Riddell’s three rides on Billy Boy have produced two wins and a second placing. “It was a good win by the horse today, and Amber rode him well,” Rathbone said. “She’s ridden three winners for me now and she’s got a great record on that horse. It’s probably safe to say he’s a favourite of hers.” Rathbone also celebrated success at Otaki on Friday with Slippery, who was victorious on debut. Horse racing news View the full article