Month: April 2024

Trainer Mike Moroney is ‘making good progress in hospital’, his stable has confirmed. Ballymore Stables released a statement on Thursday updating the industry on Moroney’s health after he was hospitalised with acute pneumonia and a collapsed lung. “Michael’s breathing is still assisted by a ventilator and he is undergoing physiotherapy and treatment for that,” the statement read. “He is communicating with the teams at Ballymore Stables’ Flemington and Matamata bases, discussing racing and training programs. “Michael and the team are most grateful for the numerous well wishes received from all…

Emma-lee Browne ventured to Flemington on Thursday without any expectations regarding how Pondalowie (Deep Field) would perform and left with a win which was celebrated by a raucous group of owners. Pondalowie, ridden by Billy Egan, led from the outset in The Les Carlyon and extended clear from her rivals over the last 200 metres for a comfortable win in the Benchmark 70 event for three-year-old fillies over 1100m. “That was a bit of a relief. I’m very excited as we were a little bit disappointed in her. To see…

Emerging stayer Samuel Langhorne (NZ) (Shocking) will try and secure a start in the Melbourne Cup in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes after his impressive win in the William Newton VC (2500m) on Thursday at Flemington. In an unusual twist he will now clash with Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking), who was the pen name of the famous 19th century writer. Samuel Langhorne’s trainer Michael Kent bought both horses when they were yearlings but sold Mark Twain to Terry Henderson and his OTI group. Samuel Langhorne circled the field before the turn eight…

Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro) will attempt to land a record-extending fourth consecutive win in the HK$22 million Gr.1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday after receiving gate seven at this morning’s barrier draw. Hong Kong’s champion horse became the first to complete an FWD Champions Mile hat-trick in 2021, 2022 and 2023. He returns for the first time in 2024, which will be his second run this season after claiming the HK$32 million Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) last December following a 224-day break (a record…

Cambridge raider Mr Mojo Risin’ (NZ) (Deep Field) capitalised on a dream rail run to capture his first stakes victory when he claimed the Listed TAB Anzac Mile (1600m) at Otaki. Carrying the distinctive green colours of his breeders and owners, the Carter family under their Jomara Bloodstock banner, the four-year-old son of Deep Field had suggested he was ready to take the step up in class when powering home to win over 1400m in rating 75 company at the venue earlier in the month. Senior rider Joe Doyle took…

Hallmark Stud have announced that their resident stallion Super Easy will continue his breeding career across the Tasman following his recent purchase by Lewthwaite Thoroughbreds. A $140,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale purchase, the son of Darci Brahma was initially trained in New Zealand by John Sargent, for whom he won on debut before finishing runner-up in the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) and fourth in the Karaka Million 2Y0 (1200m). He continued his racing career in Singapore where he won a further 14 races on his way to being crowned…

Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor played a starring role at Flemington on Anzac Day, siring the quinella in the A$200,000 Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) with his three-year-old daughters Ahuriri (NZ) and Alma Rise (NZ). Ahuriri became only the ninth filly to win the VRC St Leger since 1930, and the first since fellow Kiwi-bred filly Exceptionally (NZ) (Ekraar) back in 2010. Both Ahuriri and Alma Rise were rated among the favourites for Thursday’s staying test, with Alma Rise just shading her rival for favouritism at $3.30 after showing real promise…

The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott training partnership have been in white hot form this season with 48 wins to their credit, including seven at Group or Listed level, headed by the victory of Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High) in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November. Currently sitting fourth on the National trainers’ premiership table, the Wexford Stables team will unleash runners at both their local meeting at Matamata on Friday and again at Te Rapa on Saturday with O’Sullivan confident they can break their…