Betr steps up with early odds
After the TAB decided to release their odds on race day, Betr has responded to punters complaints. “If nobody goes up on Victorian and Queensland thoroughbred meetings the day before they're held, we will step in and aim to have a market up by 5pm to make sure punters can get on,” Betr chief trading officer Tristan Merlehan told racenet.com.au.
“We're serious about giving punters the best-possible experience and that means doing our best to get markets up when punters want to bet. This follows productive discussions we've had with Racing Victoria and Racing Queensland and shows we can improve outcomes for punters if we're all pulling in the same direction. We will look to work with further racing bodies and expand our early markets coverage for the benefit of our shared customers.”
Cummings takes over Carbine Lodge
Trainer James Cummings will take over Godolphin’s lease on Carbine Lodge in Flemington next season, giving him 50 boxes there when he goes public in 2025/26. Racing.com reports that the current Flemington-based Godolphin staff members will transfer to Cumming’s employment. He has also put in an expression of interest for Leilani Lodge at Randwick.
Jenni’s Meadow ready for Oaks
Lindsay Park trains Jenni’s Meadow (Brutal {NZ}) for owner Tony Ottobre, and she runs in Saturday’s G1 Queensland Oaks. “She did make a long sustained run and the way she finished off, you'd think the extra 200m (in the Oaks) will be no problem,” Ben Hayes told racenet.com.au.
Jenni's Meadow | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“We're really happy with her and she's done everything right. She's really thrived and her final piece of work earlier in the week was excellent. We feel like we're right on track, we're just going to need a little bit of luck from barrier one, which is the opposite of The Roses (barrier 14).”
Jones set for third Group 1 in Kingsford-Smith
Jockey Angela Jones would love to win her third Group 1 race in Saturday’s G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup on Tony Gollan-trained 6-year-old gelding Zarastro (I Am Invincible). “When I heard he was scratched I was hoping the meeting got called off, because I really want to see him in a good Group 1 field this winter carnival,” Jones told racenet.com.au.
Angela Jones | Image courtesy of Racing Queensland
“Riding Zarastro would probably be my best chance to win a Group 1 to date and I have formed some a good connection with him. It's now pretty special to be riding him at that top level, when he's been such a good horse to me. He goes hard and he's a big beast of a horse and he knows that.
“But come to race day and he's pretty straightforward. He has to roll along, that's his advantage, he can't be going too slow or it doesn't work out. He knows what pace he needs to go at and you just have to roll with him.”
Swan Hill’s Golden Topez won by Yellow Sam
Trainer Lindsey Smith has won Friday’s Golden Topez at Swan Hill with Group 3-winning 6-year-old mare Yellow Sam (Ready For Victory). “It shows her willpower and tenacity,” jockey Fred Kersley told racing.com.
“She's had some health battles after Bendigo. Her first jumpout was probably a little bit below par for her standards but she quickly turned it around in that second jumpout and that gave me a lot of confidence coming here today.” She took her record to seven wins from 16 starts and earnings over $400,000. She won the 2024 G3 Mystic Journey Stakes, and was purchased by Smith from Kelly Thoroughbreds’ Inglis Melbourne Gold Yearling Sale draft for $10,000.
“I'm always confident on one of Lindsey's horses, they'd be some of the fittest horses in the race. Lindsey's an incredible horseman and he's provided me with a lot of opportunities. It might have been a China Bowl, a Topaz, a Wangoom, these country sprint races, it's been fantastic, so I can only praise Lindsey for giving me these opportunities.”
Impending War stays unbeaten
The Elvstroem Classic for juveniles on the Swan Hill card was won by Impending War (Impending) who took his record to two from two for Lindsay Park. The 2-year-old colt was withdrawn as a yearling by Erinvale Thoroughbreds and is one of 15 career 2-year-old winners for Impending who move to Larneuk Stud this year.
He is the first foal of War Dame (Declaration Of War {USA}) who is a half-sister to Listed winner Lady Of Honour (No Nay Never {USA}).
Four Degrees wins Silver Goblet
Dubbo’s Silver Goblet for country trained juveniles on Friday was won by Lyle Chandler-trained gelding Four Degrees (Brave Smash {Jpn}). Second-last on debut in the R.Listed Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic, he has bounced back to win two in succession from his four career starts.
Sold by Noble Bend Farm for $19,000 at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale to MDG Bloodstock, he was passed in at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The second foal of his dam, Caudan (Exceed And Excel) who placed and is from the family of Rothesay.
Thee Creek wins again at Ipswich
Midfield in the G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic, 2-year-old colt Thee Creek (Better Than Ready) returned to the winner’s circle at Friday’s Ipswich meeting to take his record to two wins from five starts and earnings over $140,000.
He was purchase by Hubert Racing for $140,000 from Lyndhurst Park Stud’s 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft and is the second foal of News Release (Press Statement) whose 3-year-old full sibling to Thee Creek, The Hamo, is also a city winner. News Release is an unraced half-sister to Listed winner Moonlight Hussler (Hussonet {USA}).
His trainers Peter and Will Hulbert bookended the meeting, winning the last with Sir Carter (Zoustar).
Thee Creek as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Allen to continue on Miss Ole
Jockey Ben Allen has ridden 22 winners in the past month and has five rides at Flemington on Saturday including exciting juvenile Miss Ole (Ole Kirk). “I'm just getting better rides and being a bit more consistent. I've always been a bit stop start in my career … I'm trying to be more consistent, just keep riding as much as I can and ride for as many people as I can and it seems to be working,” Allen told racenet.com.au.
“(Miss Ole) is pretty smart. I didn't do too much on her (Tuesday gallop), just got a feel and I like her.”
Espana to turn tables on Miss Ole
Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans-trained Espana (Capitalist) ran third to Miss Ole last start and the two will clash again on Saturday at Flemington. “If she handles the straight, we do think she has improved,” Yeomans told racing.com.
“The only thing is she's not as well weighted this weekend. We claimed off her last start, so she was very well weighted that day. Can we beat Miss Ole? We're not sure, it was obviously a very slickly run race (last start), but our filly ran very nice sectionals and was very strong through the line and now she's got that race-day experience under her belt.
“We'll be going there probably more hopeful of a win than expecting it, but we really do think she can run very well again.”
455 lots announced for Inglis Digital
Stakes winners in foal to Wootton Bassett (GB) and Snitzel, along with a significant number of young, well-bred racing and breeding prospects headline the Inglis Digital June (Early) Online Sale.
Wind Chimes (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) was the joint-leading 3-year-old filly of her generation, winning in Group company and narrowly beaten when runner-up in the G1 Prix du Moulin in France over a mile.
Already the dam of a winner, she is offered in foal to Wootton Bassett.
In total the June (Early) catalogue has 455 lots – 196 racehorses (104 race fillies), 137 broodmares, 68 racehorse shares, 27 weanlings and 27 yearlings.
Change My Address set for city
Trainer John Sargent’s 2-year-old filly Change My Address (Exceedance) heads into Sydney for Saturday and is coming off a debut win at Warwick Farm. “(Her name) means if she can win enough prizemoney I will be changing my address. If she wins The Everest or something, I will be moving to Vaucluse!” Sargent told racenet.com.au.
John Sargent | Image courtesy of John Sargent Racing
“I saw her about six weeks before the (Magic Millions) sale and I liked her then. At the sale, she was one of the later lots and I had already spent my money. They wanted $30,000 and she was passed in. Then the stud rang and told us they were putting her online and we got her for $10,000.” She earned $60,000 in her first start and win.
Snoopy Now heads to Flemington
Port Adelaide Guineas winner Snoopy Now (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) has won since failing in the G1 South Australian Derby and takes on Flemington on Saturday. “The last sectionals for him at Murray Bridge last start were pretty good. That track was a little bit firm, and you know he handles any wet, I think it's a slow (Soft) 7 over there at the moment,” trainer Darryl Hewitt told racenet.com.au.
“It'll hopefully help him a bit, obviously if you're going over there there's going to be some nice ones around.”
Magic Millions National for Exotique Miss
Toowoomba trainer Michael Nolan will line up 4-year-old mare Exotique Miss (Under The Louvre) in Saturday’s $500,000 Magic Millions National Classic at Eagle Farm. “We were more than happy with her run in the Pam O’Neill (when third). She raced forward but was taken on and we feel she would have won if left alone,” Nolan told racingqueensland.com.au.
“All of the owners are good mates of mine from Toowoomba and they’ve had shares in a lot of horses with me in the past. My uncle Basil bred her and they joined in her ownership when she was offered for sale. She was passed in at the Rockhampton sales and we bought her a year later out of the paddock.
“We came up short for the Queensland Oaks (last year) so I still don’t know whether she can stay or not. We pulled the pin on the Oaks after she ran on a very heavy track in the Gold Coast Bracelet at the Sunshine Coast. She races well at Eagle Farm and loves the track but she’s on the same weight as all the others under Weight For Age.”
Good draw for Magnificent Andy in Hyperion
Jockey Brad Parnham smiled when Magnificent Andy (Magnus) was given a good draw for Saturday’s G3 Hyperion Stakes. “I’m obviously pretty confident going into the race,” Parnham told racingwa.com.au.
“His runs in recent times have been really great, he always gives 100 per cent all the time. His last two starts we’ve drawn a bit awkward; we were caught wide in the Northam Stakes. The other day (Belmont Sprint) I managed to get across but probably rode him a little bit closer than I would have if I had drawn a gate.
“Now that we’re up to a mile we’ve drawn a good gate, and I can position him where I want. He won this race last year and I give him quite a big chance to go back-to-back in the race.”
Exciting Federer to resume
Ciaron Maher-trained Federer (Dundeel {NZ}) has won two of his three starts and resumes on Saturday at Randwick. “He can be a fresh kind of horse and when he started back in work he got loose and cut his leg so he’s had a bit longer off than needed,” assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord told racingnsw.com.au.
Federer | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“He’s had a good base, he started the prep at the beach at Bob’s Farm to give him a good grounding. We gave him an easy time in his first trial but in his second trial we asked a bit more of him. Ciaron always had a big opinion of him and the horse was always bred to get better with time.” His dam is G1 Caulfield Cup winner Jameka (Myboycharlie {Ire}).
Four for Pike in juvenile race
Trainer Tony Pike will run four juveniles against each other on Saturday at Ellerslie, being Arthur (Camelot {GB}), Ashoka (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Boombox (NZ) (Spirit Of Boom), and Happy Youmzain (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}). “It was never the intention to run four together, but they are all nice, progressive two-year-olds that I want to give a run to,” Pike told Loveracing.nz.
“They can then have a break with race day experience under their belts going into their 3-year-old seasons. This is probably the last chance to get a reasonable surface so our hand will be forced to run all four.
“The most forward are probably Ashoka and Boombox, they are more natural type 2-year-olds. The other two are lovely horses as well, when they get up to a mile, and should be getting home strongly late.”
North Pacific colt ready for action
Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole runs 2-year-old colt Pacific Breeze (North Pacific) on Saturday to qualify him for the 2YO Winter Championship Final at Ruakaka later this month. “I am really happy with him, he trialled up well at Waipa the other day with the blinkers on, carrying plenty of weight with Ryan (Elliot) riding him. He was really happy with him and he seems to have trained on well,” Cole told Loveracing.nz.
Pacific Breeze | Image Courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images)
“He was pretty unlucky in his first start when Sam (Spratt) rode him at Te Aroha and then he won well down the line (at Waverley). He ran in the Group 1 (Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes) and wasn’t disgraced. He had a freshen-up after that and seems to have come back well.
“He gets a perfect gate (3) on Saturday, and you can do what you want from there as long as they jump well. All going to plan, he can have one more run afterwards in the Ruakaka series final and then have a little break before the spring.”
Tasracing Welfare Grants awarded
Tasracing announced on Friday that the second annual Racing Animal Welfare Grants (RAWG) program has been awarded. “A panel of three assessors evaluated 15 eligible applications and selected 9 successful applicants, awarding a total of $59,647 in funding,” said the press release.
“Six (6) grants totalling $47,147 were approved in the Facilities & Equipment category – these projects will directly improve the lives of retired racing animals through upgrades and additions to their living environments.
“Three (3) grants totalling $12,500 were awarded for Initiatives & Events – these creative programs will contribute towards high quality welfare outcomes for animals for retired racing animals.”
Racing NSW opens EOI for Warwick Farm stables
Two cojoining stables at Warwick Farm are available to lease, via an expression of interest application, Racing NSW announced on Friday. Site 1 has 27 boxes and Site 2 has 16. “The stabling at these facilities are to be reserved for horses currently in work only. The Premises are not to be used for pre-training horses on behalf of other trainers. Stabling will be leased at market rates at a ‘per-box, per-week’ rate with utilities charged additionally on consumption.”
Stewart looking for another Waimate Cup
Trainer Leonard Stewart, who turns 93 later this month, will run his 2022 winner Vague (NZ) (Tobique) and lightweight Sympathique (NZ) (Postponed {USA}) in this year’s Waimate Cup. “Vague managed to win the race a few years ago and might be a chance again this year, although I’m a bit worried about the track conditions,” Stewart told Loveracing.nz. Vague’s sire Tobique is a son of Redoute’s Choice.
“She’s a very nice-actioned galloper who doesn’t really handle the very deep tracks. But she is going into this weekend in good order. Sympathique is one of those battlers who doesn’t mind wet ground. She’s racing well and has the ability to run along. She’s a runner’s chance.
Vague (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images
“I’m looking forward to Sunday, hopefully it will be a really good day’s racing after we missed out on the meeting last year. Waimate is a good club and I’m pleased that they’re holding their licence.
“But the track conditions might be a factor this weekend. We’ve had a huge amount of rain, especially overnight on Wednesday when it rained all through the night. A few of the races might come down to a bit of luck and who handles the conditions the best.”
Irish Derby plan for Marc Chan's Wootton Bassett colt
Marc Chan's homebred G2 Golden Fleece Stakes winner Green Impact (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who defeated G1 Derby favourite Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) twice last year, went postward for Thursday evening's Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Glencairn Stakes at Leopardstown returning off a G1 2000 Guineas sixth and bounced back in style to claim a second black-type success in the nine-furlong contest. “Nobody wanted to go on and Shane (Foley) said he was squeezing him along all the way,” said trainer Jessica Harrington.
“He only dosses in front and when the other horse came to him it looked like he was going to go past him, but he keeps lengthening. All being well, he'll now go straight to the G1 Irish Derby. Shane can't wait to see him run over a mile-and-a-half. I know he's by Wootton Bassett, but he's out of a Galileo mare, so you'd hope that he will stay. It's good ground out there with no yielding in it. That's ideal for him, but I think he can go on any ground.”
Sheridan wins Irish Excellence Award
Siobhan Sheridan was announced as the Irish Racing Excellence Award winner at the 2025 Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, supported by Godolphin, which took place at the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge on Tuesday evening.
Sheridan, who is the Yard and Foaling Unit Manager for Olive O'Connor Bloodstock in Redcross, County Wicklow, received a specially commissioned trophy by sculptor Ani Mollereau, plus a cash prize of €5,000 (AU$8,800), with another €2,500 going the way of her employer to be used for the benefit of her work colleagues.
“I am completely stunned to have won the Irish Racing Excellence Award,” said Sheridan, who has worked on stud farms for almost 30 years. “It's hard for me to put into words how much it means and it will take a while to sink in. I am so blessed to work with Olive and work with such good people around me–that means the world to me.
“For those of us working in yards, to be seen and recognised like this is so special and it really highlights all the aspects of the work we do, all for the love of the horse. I'm very grateful to Godolphin and all the sponsors to demonstrate through the Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards how amazing our industry is.”
