Month: March 2024

Chain Of Lightning bolts clear in Birthday Card Stakes

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The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained Chain Of Lightning (+1500) has stormed away in the Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) in the final event at Rosehill on Saturday. It comes after the five-year-old mare was unable to make up the ground from the rear of the field in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on February 24, with the training duo making the decision to head north for the contest against the fillies & mares. She produced a withering burst to score, while the likes of Tashi (+550) and Wee Nessy…

Imperatriz defends William Reid Stakes crown

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Imperatriz brings up an incredible 10th Group One win in the William Reid Stakes at The Valley. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Mighty mare Imperatriz added a 10th Group One victory to her collection with another supreme performance in Saturday’s $1 million William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. Imperatriz became Te Akau Racing’s second mare to reach 10 Group One wins. She has followed in the famous footsteps of Melody Belle, who won 14 times at the elite level in the colours of affiliate syndicators Fortuna Racing. Imperatriz has now moved…

Zapateo causes minor upset in Group 1 Galaxy

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Zapateo held out all challengers to claim Group 1 success in The Galaxy. Photo: RacingNSW Zapateo (+2500) has launched late to secure victory in the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday, giving the James Cummings-trained mare her first Group 1 success. She was friendless in the market despite a solid runner-up effort in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) a fortnight ago and was able to continue her hot run of form on Saturday. She had to fend off the late challenge of the returning Annabel Neasham-trained Sunshine…

Gumdrops runs away from her rivals in Don Casboult Classic win

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Gumdrops ridden by Thomas Stockdale wins the PKF Don Casboult Classic at Moonee Valley Racecourse on March 23, 2024 in Moonee Ponds, Australia. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr have combined with Thomas Stockdale for the second time in four races to take out their second Group 3 contest of the day at Moonee Valley, with Gumdrops (+600) joining Vibrant Sun with a win in the Group 3 Don Casboult Classic. The daughter of Written Tycoon won the Listed Crockett Stakes at the same track…

Lady Of Camelot claims Group 1 Golden Slipper

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Blake Shinn guides Lady Of Camelot to Golden Slipper success. Photo: RacingNSW Lady Of Camelot (+600) has got the head down where it matters most to claim the $5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m), earning Gai Waterhouse her eighth win in Australia’s richest two-year-old feature. It was an outstanding edition of the Slipper, with the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott barn lining up six acceptances for the event, including the long-standing favourite Storm Boy (+130). Shangri La Express (+6000) and Straight Charge (+1300) were sent to the front and…

Veight claims Group 1 glory in George Ryder Stakes

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Damian Lane lifts Veight to victory in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained three-year-old Veight (+700) has made the worthwhile trip to Sydney, claiming his maiden Group 1 success in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The son of Grunt put the writing on the wall in his most recent performance, only finding one better in the form of Southport Tycoon in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 2. Third-up into the campaign the colt appeared…

Riff Rocket powers over the top to claim Rosehill Guineas

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Riff Rocket blouses his rivals to claim Group 1 Rosehill Guineas success. Photo: RacingNSW Riff Rocket (+180) has produced a scintillating turn-of-foot to claim the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on Saturday, adding his second Group 1 victory to the resume after taking out the VRC Derby (2500m) in the spring. The Chris Waller barn had initially held dual acceptances for the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) as well, but the decision to keep the son of American Pharoah against his own age group has paid dividends. It was built…

Honest mare claims Tauranga feature

NZRacingDesk

Underrated mare Diss Is Dramatic (NZ) (Dissident) found her winning groove again when she stormed home to claim the feature event at Tauranga, the Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m). Steady rain during the day saw the track downgraded to a Heavy8 and played into the hands of those horses who could find a path to the better going out wide in the home straight. Rider Matt Cameron executed that plan to perfection as he allowed the Lisa Latta-prepared four-year-old to settle mid-pack in the early running, but crucially four…

Eternal Flame deals to family’s unfinished business

NZRacingDesk

Saturday’s A$300,000 Gr.2 BMD Group Sunline Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley provided a special reward for a part-owner who has spent the last few years wondering what might have been. The fillies and mares’ feature was won in impressive style by the New Zealand-bred Eternal Flame (NZ) (Sacred Falls). The talented four-year-old is co-owned by Trevor Eastwood, who had previously raced the mare’s injury-plagued close relative Kinane (NZ) (Reliable Man). Out of a half-sister to the dam of Eternal Flame, Kinane won twice in a short career headed by the…

Macthief resumes in style

NZRacingDesk

Well-travelled sprinter Macthief (Time Thief) displayed his affinity for winning early in a campaign when he came from last at Tauranga on Saturday to claim victory in the Triton Pacific Owens Plate (1200m). The John Bell-trained seven-year-old began his career in South Africa where he had seven starts, winning two of his first three and also finishing third in the Gr.1 Cape Guineas (1600m) before heading to Hong Kong where he was unplaced in his only two runs. Sent to New Zealand and into the care of Bell, he signalled…