Category: Racing

  • Quality entries for The Pinnacles

    Star mare local mare Amelia’s Jewel headlines a quality list of nominations from around Australia for the upcoming Carnival in Western Australia – The Pinnacles.

    The leading stables on the eastern seaboard of Australia have all nominated horses for the rich five-meeting carnival in Western Australia. 

    The Pinnacles kicks off on November 18 with Champion Fillies Day and culminates on December 16 with Damien Oliver Gold Rush Day

    Western Australia’s three Group 1 races – the Railway Stakes (1600m), the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) and the Northerly Stakes (1800m) will be held on three consecutive Saturday – November 25 through to December 9. 

    Connections of horses entered in The Pinnacles will chase $10.5 million in prizemoney. 

    Chris Waller has 26 horses entered across the feature races while other eastern seaboard stables with nominations include Gai Waterhouse and Adrian BottAnnabel Neasham,Ciaron Maher and David EustacePeter Moody and Katherine Coleman , Anthony and Sam Freedman and Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr

    Inaugural Quokka winning trainer Bjorn Baker, has entered his Quokka victor Overpass in the Winterbottom Stakes while runner-up, Amelia’s Jewel heads the local entry for that race along with the Damien Oliver Gold Rush. 

    A total of 94 horses have been entered for the Railway Stakes, headlined by multiple Group 1 winner Zaaki, prepared by Neasham who has also entered My Oberon

    Chris Waller has entered 13 horses for the race, headed by AtishuOsipenko and Kovalica while Australian Cup winner Cascadian, a previous Perth visitor for Godolphin, is among entries. 

    Former WA-based trainer Lindsey Smith has entered Tuvalu for a return to his previous hometown. 

    Among the 68 nominations for the Winterbottom Stakes includes Asfoora, last week’s Schillaci Stakes winner at Caulfield, Espiona for the Waller stable and I Am Me, a winner of six of her last eight starts for Maher and Eustace. 

    There are 106 nominations for the Northerly Stakes including last year’s Railway Stakes winner Trix Of The Trade for local trainer Colin Webster while Waller has entered Rediener and Moody and Coleman have three entries, including Stakes winner Pounding

    Local gallopers Red Can ManResortmanStartradeSnowdome and My Bella Mae join Amelia’s Jewel among the 104 nominations for the Damien Oliver Gold Rush that also sees Nugget, a Cox Plate entrant for Maher and Eustace among nominations. 

    Perth Racing chief executive James Oldring is delighted with the quality of nominations for The Pinnacles

    “We have worked extremely hard to present The Pinnacles as an Australian racing carnival, not just a West Australian feature and the calibre of horses and trainers that have nominated for our carnival highlights are a testament to our progress in that regard,” Oldring said. 

    “It’s so important for the standing of our carnival, particularly our Group 1 events, to attract the best horses, trainers and jockeys in Australia. 

    “We look forward to extending a very warm welcome to everyone that travels from the east coast to take on the best of our home team, who will no doubt be all out to ensure that the bulk of the prize money, and the bragging rights, stay right here in Perth.” 

  • World Pool will be in operation for the first time on The Everest Day (Randwick, Australia) this Saturday.

    The HKJC will host 9 out of 10 races from the card.

    The World Pool bet-types offered are Win, Place, Quinella, Quinella Place (Swinger), Tierce (Trifecta).

    Note that not every partner is taking all these bet-types as you can see on the World Pool micro-site – worldpool.hkjc.com.

    You may also find the below race details there, as well as latest news and some other educational contents like World Pool background, history and other turnover numbers.

    Australian Spring Carnival mini site has been launched as well, with introduction and feature articles on all the simulcast meetings in Australia from October to November – English version 英文版 / Chinese version 中文版

    Besides, as one of the official betting partners, we have the naming rights for one race – please refer the one highlighted in orange in below table:

    The Everest Day (珠穆朗瑪峰錦標賽馬日) 
    Sat 14th October 2023 
    Randwick (蘭域)
    Local TimeHK TimeIntervalRace NameDistanceStatusSurface
    13:0510:05World Pool Handicap (全球匯合彩池讓賽)1400Turf (草地)
    13:4010:4035mReginald Allen Quality (雷根雅倫讓賽)1400LTurf (草地)
    14:1511:1535mGloaming Stakes (高明錦標)1800G3Turf (草地)
    14:5011:5035mThe Kosciuszko (科斯高山錦標)1200Turf (草地)
    15:2512:2535mSydney Stakes (悉尼錦標)1200G3Turf (草地)
    16:1513:1550mThe Everest (珠穆朗瑪峰錦標)1200Turf (草地)
    16:5013:5035mSilver Eagle (銀鷹錦標)1300Turf (草地)
    17:3514:3545mKing Charles III Stakes (英皇查理斯三世錦標)1600G1Turf (草地)
    18:1015:1035mAngst Stakes (熱望錦標)1600G3Turf (草地)

    Other useful sites and information:

    World Pool mini site – English version 英文版 / Chinese version 中文版

    Moment of the Day/Year 2023 – Link

    For more latest news as well as live information, please visit our official World Pool twitter handle.

    Please feel free to promote on your platforms!

    Next World Pool day after the Everest will be on 21 Oct, which consists of races in both Australia (Caulfield Cup Day) and UK (British Champions Day).

  • TAB Everest rises to new heights at Royal Randwick

    Sydney’s world-famous Royal Randwick hosts the seventh running of the $20 million TAB Everest and a celebration of a thoroughbred racing and entertainment phenomenon this Saturday.

    General Admission tickets at just $40 via theraces.com.au provides entry to Royal Randwick for a ten-race card, a post-racing concert from Australian act Empire Of The Sun in the spectacular Theatre Of The Horse and access to the new $46 million WINX Stand.

    General Admission ticket holders and Australian Turf Club Members also have all public transport services – including light rail services directly to Royal Randwick – included.

    Along with the $20 million TAB Everest, the richest race on turf in the world, Saturday also sees the inaugural $5 million King Charles III Stakes and the $2 million The Kosciuszko, all part of Australia’s richest day of racing.

    Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Matt Galanos said TAB Everest Day has become an iconic event on the Sydney Spring sporting and entertainment calendar.

    “The world’s richest race on turf at Royal Randwick brings a live racing experience unmatched in Australian racing,’’ Mr Galanos said.

    “The electric atmosphere throughout the day peaks with the running of the TAB Everest as the crowd joins as one to roar the annual rendition of Sweet Caroline as the horses get to the gates.

    “With public transport and a live concert after the races from Empire Of The Sun all included in a $40 ticket, TAB Everest Day is the year’s best value of any major event in Sydney.

    “Royal Randwick is ready to host the world’s fastest horses and Sydney’s most exciting event in Spring.’’

    Full fields for Saturday’s massive card offering a total of almost $32 million prizemoney are available here and full TAB Fixed Odds markets for all races available here.

    The $20 million TAB Everest contains 12 of Australia’s best horses headed by:

    • Overpass ($9 TAB) representing the Australian Turf Club and slot partners RAM Racing, trained by Bjorn Baker and ridden by Josh Parr, and owned by a syndicate of owners with Darby Racing.

    • A Golden Eagle and TJ Smith Stakes champion in I Wish I Win ($4.50 TAB), trained by Peter Moody and ridden by Luke Nolen of Black Caviar fame, representing slot holder Trackside NZ.

    • Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride’s two runners – Think About It ($4.50 TAB slot holders Newgate and GPI Racing) ridden by Sam Clipperton and Private Eye ($6 TAB slot Max Whitby and Neil Werrett), who ran second in last year’s TAB Everest, to be ridden by Nash Rawiller. Both horses are managed by Proven Thoroughbreds.

    • Godolphin owning two runners – In Secret ($17 TAB) ridden by Zac Purton for the slot holder and Cylinder ($9 TAB) for jockey Zac Lloyd and the James Harron slot

    • Mazu ($17 TAB) – representing Triple Crown who owned dual Everest winner Redzel. Mazu is prepared by Redzel’s trainers Peter and Paul Snowden and will be ridden by Tommy Berry for The Star and Arrowfield slot

    • Hawaii Five Oh ($17 TAB) trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott with jockey James McDonald aboard for the Aquis slot. The stable also has Alcohol Free ($34 TAB) jockey Craig Williams for Yulong.

    • Sydney’s 13-time Sydney training champion Chris Waller with two runners – Golden Slipper champion Shinzo ($15 TAB Kerrin McEvoy) for Coolmore and Espiona in his own slot for Star Thoroughbreds and jockey Hugh Bowman.

    On a day full of racing highlights, several other innovative races on the card add to one of the biggest programs in Sydney racing history.

    The $2 million Group 3 Feel New Sydney Stakes with a capacity field of 18 runners including emergency runners for The Tab Everest.

    The $2 million The Kosciuszko featuring 14 NSW country-trained gallopers – the richest race in the world for country horses – and with a variety of slot owner agreements won via public ticket purchases.

    The $1 million Silver Eagle – which provides ballot exemption for the first three placegetters into the $10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens on 4 November.

  • Country trainer takes on city slickers in Friday’s Port Macquarie Cup (Taree)

    It’s not going to be easy for the country trainers to knock over the city slickers in Friday’s $200,000 Port Macquarie Cup at Taree, but Tony Ball is enthusiastic about the chances of his horse Ljungberg running a big race at good odds ($21 on TAB).

    The cup is one of the last remaining chances for trainers to qualify their horses for the $3 million Big Dance over 1600m at Royal Randwick on November 7 and as such has attracted runners from leading Sydney stables as well as provincial and country stables.

    The Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes stable at Rosehill will start favourite Superium – they also accepted with Mount Popa but it was scratched on Thursday.

    Chris Waller is sending Special Swey to the race from his Rosehill stable.

    But the presence of those Sydney horses doesn’t bother Taree trainer Ball, who was delighted with eight-year-old gelding Ljungberg’s last-start win over 1609m at Taree on September 24 and is looking forward to stepping him up to the 2000m of the cup.

    “If he can win and get a start in the Big Dance that would be a dream come true,” Ball said.

    “I reckon he’ll get the distance of the cup. He just needs there to be a bit of pace so they run along well and he doesn’t start pulling.

    “If he can settle down over the longer distance he’ll get a good cart into the race.

    “He’s been working really well since he won at Taree and (apprentice) Mollie Fitzgerald is riding him again after she rode him there.

    “She’s got a good understanding with the horse. I think he’ll run a good race.”

    Seven-year-old gelding Superium is an interesting runner because his five career wins have been over distances ranging from 1100m to 1400m and he has never raced over further than 1600m.

    But obviously the stable believes that at this stage of his career he can extend to the 2000m and be successful and bookmakers are certainly wary because TAB has installed him as $3 favourite.

    The big plus for Superium, which will carry 55kg, is that the minimum weight for the cup is 54kg and he will carry just one kilogram more than each of the other nine runners.

    Superium has had three runs back from a spell and at his most recent start finished off well for third in a Group 3 race over 1500m at Sandown just last Sunday.

    Holstein, trained by Matt Dunn at Murwillumbah, is second favourite at $4.20 and Special Swey is next in the betting at $5.

    Special Swey is a lightly-raced four-year-old gelding that has not performed well at either of its two runs back from a spell, but which did win a Group 3 race over 2000m in Brisbane during the winter carnival.

    *Gates open at 11.30am and the first race is at 1.05pm. Admission is $10 and $5 concession. Full bar, bistro, TAB and bookmaker facilities.

  • Turnbull Stakes Day, Sun Chariot Stakes Day and Gran Premio Latinoamericano to be beamed live for betting

    The Hong Kong Jockey Club will simulcast for betting five races from the Turnbull Day meeting to be held at Flemington racecourse on Saturday, 7 October. The Turnbull Stakes is a 2000m Group One for four-year-olds and older and contested under set weights and penalties conditions.

    The race attained Group 1 status in 2006 and has served as an important lead-up for major prizes of Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival such as the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup. The days broadcasting will commence 12.15 Hong Kong time.

    The 2023 running of the Turnbull Stakes promises to draw worldwide attention as Hong Kong’s Middle-Distance champion Romantic Warrior kicks off his overseas campaign here before a tilt at the Cox Plate. The Danny Shum trained superstar will become the first Hong Kong trained runner to contest in Australia since Dominant’s Sydney Cup venture in 2015.

    Sun Chariot Stakes Day from Newmarket in England (Sat 7 Oct – first race 20:30 Hong Kong time)

    Racing action will continue at Newmarket in the evening with the simulcast of the Sun Chariot Stakes and three other supporting races.

    Named after King George VI’s talented racehorse who won the Fillies Triple Crown in 1942 under legendary jockey Gordon Richards, the featured Sun Chariot Stakes is run over 1600m on the Rowley Mile course for the most promising three-year-olds and older fillies and mares. It forms part of the British Champions Series which will conclude at Ascot on 21 October.

    Gran Premio Latinoamericano from San Isidro in Argentina (Sun 8 Oct – 4:45 Hong Kong time)

    In the early morning of Sunday, 8th October, the Gran Premio Latinoamericano will be simulcast live for betting to Hong Kong racing fans for the first time.

    Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1 2000m for 3yo+) is the richest and most important race in Latin America. First run in 1981, the race is run every year in different member countries and participated by the best horses in the Latin America region. San Isidro Racecourse in Buenos Aires of Argentina will play host to the 2023 renewal.

    Final declarations with barrier draws for the Turnbull Stakes Day, the Sun Chariot Stakes Day races and the Gran Premio Latinoamericano will be available on Friday, 6 October.

  • Amelia’s Jewel off to the Toorak Handicap

    Amelia’s Jewel, trained by Simon Miller and holding an impressive record of 11: 9-2-0, is poised to compete in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.

    Owner Peter Walsh confirmed, “We’re definitely going to the Toorak, I spoke to Simon a few minutes ago, so that’s locked in.”

    This comes after her successful debut in Melbourne and a comfortable win in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes at The Valley, enhancing her reputation.

    “Damian Lane gave me his opinion yesterday, so we’re definitely going to Caulfield as long as we don’t get too much weight,” Walsh added.

    She is priced at $4 in this year’s Cox Plate odds, only shorter than Hong Kong’s champion Romantic Warrior ($3.60).

    Decisions regarding her racing in the Cox Plate (2040m) or the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) in Sydney will be determined post-Toorak.

    “Simon said ‘why do we have to make a decision now? Let’s just wait and see how she goes in The Toorak, see how the internationals go,’” shared Walsh, leaning toward the Golden Eagle but mentioning, “there’s no need to rush into a decision.”

  • Hong Kong racing season is upon us!

    Hong Kong: A Global Hub for Thoroughbred Racing

    Hong Kong has solidified its status as a top international hub for thoroughbred racing, attracting world-class talent to events like the Hong Kong Cup and the Hong Kong Derby, hosted at its iconic racecourses, Happy Valley and Sha Tin.

    Horse racing in Hong Kong traces its roots to the 1840s when the British introduced the sport during the colony’s inception. Happy Valley Racecourse was established in 1845 and became the epicenter of racing on the island, with even rice cultivation being banned to make room for it!

    Hong Kong’s racing scene has drawn foreign trainers and jockeys, notably Australians like John Moore and John Size. Homegrown talents, such as Ricky Yiu and Tony Cruz, have also made their mark.

    The Hong Kong Jockey Club, founded in 1959 and granted a Royal Charter by Queen Elizabeth II, oversees and regulates racing, holding a monopoly on pari-mutuel betting and contributing significantly to the community.

    Highlighting the calendar is Hong Kong International Races Day, featuring prestigious Group 1 races like the Hong Kong Cup. Other events include the Four-Year-Old Classic Series and the Hong Kong Derby, showcasing the city’s commitment to elite racing.

    Hong Kong’s dynamic racing scene has evolved into a global powerhouse, with iconic venues, prestigious races, and a thriving betting culture, making it a must-visit destination for racing enthusiasts and a stage where champions are crowned!

  • Massive interest this weekend on a G1 day at Caulfield

    We should get a nice guide to the G1 Caulfield Cup on Saturday with two very important lead up races on a strong day of racing.

    The main race is the G1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) with a full field likely to make this a cracking betting race.

    Without A Fight ($3.50) will be a huge focus of attention off his excellent Queensland Winter. But he will plenty of company with G1 winners such as Lindermann ($11), Duais ($15), Alligator Blood ($4.50) and Smokin’ Romans ($26) just some of the contenders. Tack on Pinstriped ($15) and Soulcombe ($11) and you have a quality contest in store.

    That other race with ramifications is the G3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) and we’ll see horses with Cups hopes looking for qualifying entry here. Mr WatervilleFirst ImmortalBerkeley Square and others chase spots while some already into the futures are Right You Are and Goldman.

    The G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) will give a nice indication of some of the chances in a few weeks. Saltcoats ($15) (if he runs here), Steparty ($2.80), Veight ($4.50) and Scentify ($11) are all big players.

    Promising sprinters will line up in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m) with some potentially moving around the states looking for big pay days. Amenable and Nunthorpe are two of those as they are down to take on the older brigade including St Lawrence and Here To Shock.

    The Listed Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m) is the final stakes race on the day and some fillies can make big improvement like Amazonian Lass and Miracle Of Love.

    Racing and Sports
  • Charmed draw for Golden Rose raider

    Tuesday, September 19, 2023
    
    

    Charm Stone, the lone filly and only Melbourne based horse has drawn barrier one in Saturday’s Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m).

    Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr are looking for back-to-back wins in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) and will saddle up the lone filly in the race with Charm Stone drawing the inside gate at Rosehill.

    Only one filly has won the Golden Rose and never in its traditional place in the Spring with Forensics winning in the Autumn of 2008 due to an equine influenza outbreak delaying some races.

    Horses drawn barrier one over the Rosehill 1400m win 12.5% of races on average, 2% higher than the next best barrier, with Kent Jnr confirming that regular jockey Damian Lane will make the trip to Sydney to ride the I Am Invincible filly.

    Speaking on Sky Radio, Kent Jnr said it was business as usual for the filly at home and expects her to handle both the rise in trip and grade.

    “She pulled up very well from that run, she was squealing, licking her bin… she didn’t really know she’d gone around,” Kent Jnr said.

    Her main bit of work was Saturday morning, she sat off Laced Up heels, they went four-three, Sydney way on the grass and she worked brilliantly… she pulled up beautifully, scoped up clean… hopefully she travels well and takes to her new surrounds nicely.”

    Both Jacquinot and Charm Stone tackled the Golden Rose at their sixth start and while Jacquinot was a colt, Kent Jnr said he and Charm Stone aren’t too dissimilar.

    “Clearly Jaciquinot’s a Group One horse and I think this filly is a Group One horse in the making, she’s got a beautiful temperament, she’s got big, long strides and she can maintain a long run,” Kent Jnr said.

    “I can’t help be scared of the opposition here, Shinzo has been trialling so well, I think Cylinder’s ready to explode and even Gary Portelli’s horse Encap was very good so I think it’ll be a very strong race and she’ll obviously be the first filly to win it if she does,” Kent Jnr said.

    Cylinder (barrier 4) holds the call with TAB at $4 from Shinzo (10) at $5 and King Colorado (9) at $7. Charm Stone (1) is on the fourth line of betting at $7.50 ahead of Militarize (2) and Encap (3) at $10.

    Reference: Racing and Sports

  • Cox Plate leaning for Amelia’s Jewel

    Owner Peter Walsh set a cat amongst the pigeons when he threw Everest plans into the melting pot for his star mare Amelia’s Jew

    On the eve of her interstate kick off at Flemington, Walsh sent social media into a frenzy and gave trainer Simon Miller conniptions.

    Up until that stage the only discussion points for Amelia’s Jewel, publicly anyhow, was the tug of war between Melbourne and Sydney.

    Would the Walsh camp target the G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley or travel up the highway and go for the $10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill?

    The Everest speculation created media fodder for a few hours, but by Saturday night in the afterglow of Amelia’s Jewel’s Let’s Elope victory, they were shut down.

    Walsh was back on point, declaring no decision will be made until Amelia’s Jewel gets her first sighting of Moonee Valley in Friday week’s Stock Stakes (1600m).

    The Group 2 race is to be the fork in the road for Amelia’s Jewel, but on Melbourne radio this morning (Monday) Walsh gave a clue of what is likely to come.

    “To be honest, if she gets around Moonee Valley well in a fortnight’s time, between Simon and myself, there is nothing like a Cox Plate, is there,” Walsh said.

    “Melbourne is a great place and is the headquarters of racing as far as I’m concerned.

    “It’s a great buzz in Melbourne, Moonee Valley on a Friday night and the grand final Saturday, what a great weekend, you know.

    “As I’ve said, the Cox Plate is the race that everybody wants to win, isn’t it.”

    Amelia’s Jewel has been the darling of WA racing since her scorching two-year-old season, but Walsh has been blown away by the interest in Melbourne.

    “The support there has been fantastic,” Walsh said.

    “It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling that so many people are interested in the horse.

    “I feel very, very lucky.”

    Racing and Sports