First treble for Reece Goodwin
Trainer Reece Goodwin scored his first treble when stablemates Magnardo (Toronado {Ire}), Bouges (Justify {USA}) and Titan Of Choice (Extreme Choice) won at Pakenham on Monday. He had to wait till the end of the day with the wins coming in races 7, 8 and 9.
Damian Lane rode all three for Goodwin, and with the earlier win of Matt Ivill-trained Rip Current (Toronado {Ire}), he won four of the nine race card.
Pretty Baby set for Guineas
Saturday’s Morphettville winning 3-year-old filly Pretty Baby (Barbados) will be set for the G1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield by trainers Gordon Richards and Damien Moyle.
“Whether we’re dreaming or not, we really want to have a crack at a 1000 Guineas,” Moyle told racingsa.com.au.
“That was just a trial, so to do that, we’re on track. We have to test the water in Melbourne sooner or later, 1400 metres plus is right up her alley. We do have a big opinion of her and she’s just starting to put it all together.”
Morrison warns of long term risk in gambling reforms
The removal of incentives could impact wagering turnover by 30 per cent under the Albanese government's Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2026 with Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison warning of the long term impact.
“It's important the policy makers understand what's at stake here for racing,” Morrison told racenet.com.au.
Aaron Morrison | Image courtesy of Racing Victoria
“Around 85 per cent of racing's funding comes from wagering-related revenue. Racing is not able to simply replace that income if it disappears. If funding falls materially, difficult decisions will have to be made around investment, infrastructure, returns to participants and stakeholders and racing activity.
“We're unlike some of the industries that might be impacted. We have real people, real jobs, real livelihoods, real community impacts for racing. If these changes significantly reduce wagering revenue, the risk of country racecourse closures becomes very real. Nobody wants that outcome, least of all us, but we need to be honest about the consequences of taking more funding out of the system.
“We support harm minimisation and sensible reform, but the decision makers also need to consider the harm caused by overreach. If funding is removed from racing, the impact will be felt by regional jobs, community clubs and the people whose livelihoods depend on the industry.”
TAB announces BetMaker deal
In a statement to the ASX on Monday, TABCorp announced it had entered into a deal to acquire wagering technology provider BetMakers for an estimated $267 million.
“The acquisition of BetMakers will accelerate the organisation's strategy across multiple areas with greater speed and efficiency,” Tabcorp CEO Gillon McLachlan said.
“BetMakers has undergone a significant transformation over the past two years and built impressive wagering technology and a talented team. Accessing those advantages will uplift our own tech capability and fast track our product ambitions, particularly for our unique media and tote offering.
“Combining BetMakers' business with our rights, content and customer relationships creates a differentiated offering that will unlock growth and deliver attractive financial returns. Tabcorp is midway through its strategic transformation, with strong foundations established, and this acquisition provides us with an excellent opportunity to accelerate our ambitions.” BetMakers CEO Jake Henson will transition to a position at TABCorp.
EOI open for WA’s trilogy of slot races
On Monday, Racing WA opened expressions of interest for slots in the $5 million Quokka at Ascot, the $1.25 million Nullarbor at Gloucester Park and the $600,000 Sandgroper at Cannington – the world's first and only tri-code slot race series. The Quokka reduces from 13 slots to 12.
“The proposed changes are focused on ensuring The Quokka remains a sustainable and attractive proposition for slot holders and owners,” Racing WA Head of Thoroughbred Operations Vinny Meens said.
“Reducing the field size to 12 runners will help strengthen the commercial viability of The Quokka for slot holders and owners, while maintaining the quality and competitiveness that has made the race such a success. The potential introduction of new slot holders also presents an exciting opportunity to bring fresh investment and participation into the race.
“The Quokka has established itself as one of Australia's premier sprint races and these changes will help ensure it continues to evolve and grow.”
Prizemoney boost for Battle Of The Bush series
Racing Queensland announced a new format for the Battle Of The Bush with a $400,000 prizemoney injection into rural racing in the state. Under the new format, 16 sprint heats will be run over 1200 metres, with prize money increased from $12,500 to $25,000. Middle-distance heats will be contested for $15,000 per heat, with the repurposing of existing races seeing a jump of $5,000 each.
The sprint final will stay with a $200,000 prize pool while the 1500-metre final will be worth $100,000. “Country racing is part of the social fabric of regional Queensland,” Racing Minister Tim Mander told racingqueensland.com.au.
Tim Mander | Image courtesy of Tim Mander
“More than half of the industry’s $2.5 billion in economic contribution directly benefits the regions, and we’re proud to be backing the clubs, volunteers, owners, trainers and jockeys who keep this industry thriving across Queensland.
“The expansion of the Battle of the Bush delivers on a key commitment in The Next Lap: A plan for the future of Queensland racing to expand the current Battle of the Bush series and provide greater racing opportunities and incentives for our regional participants.”
New winner for Finance Tycoon
Second season sire Finance Tycoon added winner number two when Greg Eurell-trained 3-year-old gelding Crudens Tycoon won on debut at Pakenham on Monday. The $2750 Inglis Digital purchase is the first winner for Dutchesse Moshe (Moshe) who won six races including once at the same track.
Utopic Future wins on debut
Ciaron Maher-trained 3-year-old colt Utopic Future (I Am Invincible) won on debut at Pakenham on Monday. The $600,000 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale graduate was bought by Hong Kong Bloodstock and NPC from Yarraman Park Stud.
He is the first foal of Noor Sahara (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) who won the Listed Prix de Pontarme and is from the family of former shuttle sire Dream Ahead (USA).
Toronado (Ire) sired a double at the meeting with Rip Current and Magnardo.
North Pacific adds spring 3-year-old winner
At Kilcoy on Monday, Liam Birchley-trained 3-year-old filly La Premiere (North Pacific) bolted home by 2.8 lengths to record her maiden victory at start number two. She is the first foal of Le Figaro (Dream Ahead {USA}) who is a winning half-sister to Group 3-placed French Endeavour (Rubick).
She’s A Dealer on track for Group 1
Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes victrix She’s A Dealer (NZ) (Ace High) is on track to resume in the G1 Proisir Plate.
“She will trial next Sunday at Taupo and from there we’ll probably look at heading to the Proisir Plate,” Wellwood told Loveracing.nz.
“After that, there’s the mile and then there’s multiple options for her. We’ll see how she’s going and make a plan from there.”
Infection rules Gstaad out of Jacques le Marois
The Prix du Moulin de Longchamp could be the next port of call for Gstaad after the Irish 2000 Guineas winner was ruled out of next weekend's Prix Jacques le Marois due to an infection.
Gstaad | Image courtesy of Coolmore
Trained by Aidan O'Brien, the son of Starspangledbanner was last seen occupying the runner-up spot in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, chasing home Bow Echo (Night Of Thunder) for the third time this season, having also finished second behind that rival in both the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Whilst Bow Echo remains in contention to put his unbeaten record on the line in the Prix Jacques le Marois, Gstaad will definitely not be in the line-up for the Group 1 feature at Deauville on Sunday, August 16.
“He got galloped into in Goodwood and he got a little bit of an infection in his hind part from it,” trainer Aidan O'Brien explained. “With the antibiotics we put him on, usually we'd be able to run him in seven days, but they had to give him an extra strong antibiotic because the cut was deep so it took 14 days. It wouldn't be out of his system in time (to run in the Prix Jacques le Marois).
“It will probably be the Moulin now before he runs. That's probably where he'll go.”
John The Beer Man wins Grade 2 in a protest
Michael Caruso and Michael Dubb's 5-year-old gelding John The Beer Man (More Than Ready), who set the pace in the GI Jaipur Stakes before finishing third in his first stakes attempt June 6, returned to win Sunday's G2 Troy Stakes at Saratoga after overcoming trouble in the stretch drive. He finished a head the best after setting all the pace, but his connections had to sweat out both a stewards' inquiry and a claim of foul. In the end, he retained the victory, while the runner-up Waralo (War Dancer) was demoted to third and the third-place finisher, Doncho (Mo Town), was moved up to second.
“It was a tough inquiry and a little scary there,” said winning trainer Rob Atras, “but I think we were good. I'm really thrilled with this horse. What a Godsend.”
John the Beer Man got the Troy's 5 1/2 furlongs in 100.97. The Troy winner is named for John Soler, a friend of the owners. “I met Mike [Dubb] when I was 13 years old at wrestling camp,” Soler said. “This guy [Michael Caruso] is a three-time national champion and we've been friends ever since. It's such an honour to be part of this and the fact that they named the horse after me.”
Expensive Distant Storm adds Group 3 win
Reappearing from a break after placing in two Guineas in the spring, Godolphin's Distant Storm (Night Of Thunder) regained the winning thread in Sunday's G3 Prix Daphnis at Deauville.
Third in the Newmarket Classic and runner-up in the Irish equivalent, the 3-5 favourite was anchored in mid-division throughout the early stages of the mile contest by Billy Loughnane. Working to get to the outsider Grand Son Of Dark (Dark Angel) inside the last 50 metres, he prevailed by a length with Segall (Sottsass) 3.5 lengths away in third.
“I ended up a little bit further back than ideal, he was a little bit sleepy jumping from the gate but the pace was even throughout which was ideal,” Loughnane said. “Having a target to run at was great, as he's a horse who doesn't do too much once he's there and he won cosily in the end. He takes a little bit of time to pick up, but when he does he's electric to the line.”
Last year's €1.9million (AU$3.1 million) Arqana May Breeze-Up topper, Distant Storm is a son of George Washington's only progeny Date With Destiny who also produced the Royal Whip Stakes winner Beautiful Morning (Galileo), in turn the dam of Night Of Thunder's Group 3-placed Life Is Beautiful.
Expensive Shakespeare wins maiden
Getting his head in front at the third attempt on Sunday, Ballydoyle's 2-year-old colt Shakespeare (Dubawi) was adding his name to a rich list of winners of the seven-furlong Curragh maiden.
Beaten here and at Leopardstown so far, the son of the Nassau heroine Lady Bowthorpe (Nathaniel) who cost 1.3million gns (AU$2.6 million) at Tattersalls October Book 1 was sent straight to the front by Ryan Moore in this Guidenstown Stud Irish EBF Maiden won recently by Delacroix, Diego Velazquez, Al Riffa and Thunder Moon. Maintaining to the line, the colt who races for Peter Brant, the Coolmore partners and Westerberg had two 1.5 length margins to spare over the Joseph O'Brien-trained newcomers Benown (Starspangledbanner) and Loughrea N Roll (Lope De Vega).
“He's a big powerful horse who does everything right, but he's a little bit of a baby and that's why it took two runs for him to get to where he is,” Aidan O'Brien said. “He was too green and all he wanted to do was run off the bend last time at Leopardstown and he's still not there.”
