Broadsiding can win the Guineas
Trainer James Cummings believes Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}) keeps improving and can win Saturday’s G1 Randwick Guineas. “He handled that first-up run very well. Our assessment is that he handled that run better than he handled that win in the Golden Rose first-up last prep. I’ve been very pleased with him heading into the Guineas,” Cummings told godolphin.com.
Broadsiding | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“With confidence of that win under his belt against the 3-year-olds, and remaining with the 3-year-olds again here, he looks beautifully placed. Everything feels like it’s going nicely to plan. He’ll relish the soft going, that will be of no concern to Broadsiding. One to 20mm of rain on Saturday at Randwick and he’ll still be in business. He’s got as good a wet-track record as anything in that Randwick Guineas.”
Fire causes Moree to be postponed
After initially causing the delay, the races at Moree were postponed after a fire broke out outside the running rail near the outside fence on the home turn. Fire crew attended but the ongoing smoke was a concern for veterinarians and the meeting was postponed on welfare grounds.
“Acting on veterinary advice and in consultation with senior jockeys after conditions failed to improve, the decision was made to postpone today's race meeting,” said Racing NSW stewards.
Stefi first up in G1 Canterbury Stakes
Trainer Bjorn Baker has made the bold move of entering Group 1 winner Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) into Saturday’s G1 Canterbury Stakes first up this campaign. “She is a horse that has been unlucky throughout her career,” Baker told racingnsw.com.au.
“We want a little bit of luck, she’s a bit more mature, she’s definitely up to it we know that. She’s more forward than she’s been previously so the Canterbury Stakes does suit first-up. She’s going well, I think the draw is good and there looks a bit of speed there. It’s going to be a tough race no doubt about it.”
Arkansaw Kid to be competitive in Newmarket
Lindsay Park’s Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel {Ire}) hasn’t raced since December but his trainers think fitness won’t be a problem for Saturday’s G1 Newmarket Handicap. “I think it was the first time it had been done in 100 years when Dad won it first-up with Redkirk Warrior, so we're hoping to do the same,” co-trainer Ben Hayes said.
“This horse probably had a bit more fitness on his side. He came out of The Supernova really well, he was a bit unlucky there and the form out of that race has been excellent. His stablemate Here To Shock has come out and won a Group 1 in New Zealand.
Arkansaw Kid | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We've targeted this race (Newmarket) since then so although he's fresh, he's got some race fitness on his side and he never went out of work. He's had two nice trials into it and, with a winnable weight, I think it's a very open Newmarket this year. He's got a good record down the straight and we think he can be very competitive.”
Top weight for Benedetta in Newmarket
With the withdrawal of Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}), Benedetta (Hellbent) is the new top weight for Saturday’s G1 Newmarket Handicap. “She's earned her way into that weight range, but I didn't expect to see her with 57kg and nothing above her. Even when I saw the line-up on Monday, I wasn't sure what weight we'd get but I didn't expect it to be the top-weight,” trainer Jason Warren told racing.com.
“There's no doubt it's going to make things harder carrying 57kg. It's a ratings-based system and she's the number-one-rated horse in the race, so we've got to approach from that perspective.”
Benedetta | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Cummings to move out of Leilani Lodge
Edward Cummings told his owners on Wednesday that he will move back to Hawkesbury and give up the lease on Leilani Lodge. This ends a long run of the Cummings family training from the famous facility dating back to the 1980s when Edward’s grandfather Bart moved in. The ATC have announced their intention to put the lease up for tender.
Beiwacht set for G2 Todman Stakes
Godolphin trainer James Cummings says there is plenty to like about 2-year-old colt Beiwacht (Bivouac) heading into Saturday’s G2 Todman Stakes. “He’s a very good colt, Beiwacht. He’s getting his act together at the right time with the proximity to the Golden Slipper. He has not taken one backward step from that win in the Silver Slipper,” Cummings told godolphin.com.
Beiwacht | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“The horse is capable of running, absorbing runs and getting better from what he’s shown us in his short career so far. I think there’s a lot to like about the colt but haven’t we found a good race, a proper horse race. I agree with some who say the Golden Slipper favourite is destined to come out of this Todman Stakes.”
Quartet for Wexford in Kiwi
Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott will be represented by Checkmate (NZ) (Mongolian Khan), Sought After (NZ) (Tivaci), Sethito (NZ) (Super Seth) and Hankee Alpha (NZ) (Proisir) in the inaugural running of the NZB Kiwi. “It’s certainly been a massive team effort and at the beginning of the season we had a number of 3-year-olds that were genetically bred to run only a mile,” Scott told Loveracing.nz.
“With that in mind, we aimed these horses at this race and while you can always make these plans, they don’t always work out quite as well as hoped, but all four of them have had pretty seamless preparations. They have all been racing well and there are good and genuine reasons why they should perform well and we’re looking forward to it.
“We genuinely think all four have got strong claims.”
Tempted ready for G2 Reisling Stakes
Trainer James Cummings believes 2-year-old filly Tempted (Street Boss {USA}) can upset the G2 Reisling Stakes field. “She settled down second-last at the half-mile in the Blue Diamond and didn’t get the clearest of passages. That’s okay, she finished off very well in the run. That gives me lots of optimism what she has to offer this campaign,” Cummings told godolphin.com.
Tempted | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“She’s returned to Sydney, shaken off that trip to Melbourne. She’s got a little bit to do from the draw, there’s no doubt about that. She’s got a great attitude, she’s got finishing speed and she should put herself right into this race.”
Go Racing’s Kiwi chance
Go Racing have Stephen Marsh-trained Penman (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) running in the slot of Barneswood Brady Nakhle in Saturday’s NZ$3.5 million NZB Kiwi. “He has been racing really well, and he has gone to another level in his last three starts,” Go Racing General Manager Matt Allnutt told Loveracing.nz.
“I thought his last run at Ellerslie was super, he probably had no right to win that given he couldn’t get out until about the 100-metre mark. We are looking forward to the inaugural running of the NZB Kiwi and it is a real honour to have a runner in it.”
Mr Brightside to overcome wide gate
Jockey Craig Williams thinks Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has the toughness to overcome a wide barrier on Saturday in the G1 All-Star Mile at Flemington. “Ciaron's (Maher) horse (Another Wil) beat us on the day but if you swap barriers you might swap results,” Williams told racenet.com.au of the G1 CF Orr Stakes.
Mr Brightside (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I thought there was a lot more merit to the margin that he won by, the other day. He's just an amazing horse and I think that showed the quality of the horse's determination, his ability and his will to win. He loves being at the races and competing, lucky enough for me to ride him, but for racing fans he's phenomenal.”
Wide draw a challenge for Widdup’s G2 Reisling contender
Brad Widdup trained 2-year-old filly Savvy Hallie (Hellbent) has drawn wide for Saturday’s G2 Reisling Stakes. “I am not going to mark her card for Saturday when she is drawn wide,” Widdup told racenet.com.au
“It might be a good barrier if the rain comes, I am not sure, so we will wait and see. It was obviously disappointing she didn't win on debut but it's a hard time of year with 2-year-olds and you just want to see if they can perform.”
Around the nation: Thursday’s highlights
With the postponement of Moree because of a fire, as well as Grafton, there were only three meetings across Australia on Thursday including the night meeting at Pakenham. At Townsville, 2-year-old gelding Nosey Neo (Neorealism {Jpn}) won for the second time, and the juvenile has been busy with eight starts this season.
Group 1 plan for Clear Thinking
Trainers Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich will run Clear Thinking (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in Saturday’s G3 Wenona Girl Stakes as they hope she’ll make Group 1 company this season. “She’s going to build in confidence and race craft every time she goes around and I can only see her getting better for each experience,” Messara told racingnsw.com.au.
Clear Thinking (GB) | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“She’d won other races in difficult situations, she could have been beaten and found a way to win. Good horses do that, she’s got that tactical acceleration to be able to get herself out of a difficult position and make up ground. We’re going to assess each race and how much progress she makes and try to place her to advantage.
“I was thinking about Group 1 possibilities for her down the track and a race like the Tatt’s Tiara is a race we could head towards.”
Forecast rain to help Group 1 winner find form
Trainer David Hall hopes the forecast rain will help Invinvicble Sage (Thronum) return to form on Sunday at Sha Tin. “We’ve been here long enough to know that with Sha Tin you need to see it on the day before you get too excited, but if I’m looking at the forecast, I’m excited,” Hall told scmp.com.
Invincible Sage hasn’t won since winning the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize in April 2024. “It’s hard. He’s a Group 1 winner but he did it in 1:09.33 and he’s chasing horses now who are running 1:07.8. Unless he gets a wet track, you can’t really be too tough on his performances. We thought we’d have a run at the handicap. With a little horse that’s probably going to be difficult, but I think it’s the right option for him.”
Eustace has Derby hope
Former Australian-based trainer David Eustace thinks 4-year-old gelding Light Years Charm (Rubick) is a Derby chance if he can win at Sha Tin on Sunday. “I’m hopeful that he can prove he’s up to it,” Eustace told scmp.com of the last start winner.
Light Years Charm | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“It looks a pretty open race, so he obviously needs to win and win with some authority. Hopefully he can and I do feel he’s up to that sort of level. He’s got to go and do it. He was impressive last time and I’m looking forward to him running again.”
Gun Runner's Locked to Gainesway upon retirement
Multiple Grade I winner Locked (USA) (Gun Runner USA}) will stand at Gainesway upon his retirement from racing, according to a Gainesway release on Wednesday. In his most recent start, the 4-year-old won the GI Santa Anita Handicap by a record 8 1/2 lengths. He is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm, and trained by Todd Pletcher.
“Locked is exactly what we are looking to capture in a stallion at Gainesway. He has shown brilliance in his maiden victory at Saratoga and Grade 1 win at two. He has also shown versatility in his freaky performances ranging from seven furlongs to a 1 1/4 mile in graded events at three and four,” said Brian Graves, General Manager of Gainesway.
Maiden series expands in Britain
More than £3.3 million (AU$6.7 million) in prizemoney has been devoted to this year's programme of High-Value Developmental Races on the Flat in Britain with an increased focus on potential stayers.
The series features 89 maiden and novice contests, 31 of which are for 2-year-olds and worth £40,000 (AU$81,000), while another 30 restricted juvenile novices and maidens will carry a minimum of £30,000 (AU$61,000) in prizemoney. For 3-year-olds and up there are 28 open novice and maiden races worth a minimum of £40,000 (AU$81,000).
With the financial backing of British Stallion Studs (EBF), Juddmonte, Darley and Tattersalls, support for the initiative also comes from the BHA Development Fund. The series, now in its third year, was devised in the hope that the enhanced prizemoney would encourage the purchase and retention of young equine talent in Britain, thereby also supporting British breeding. It has grown in number from 63 races in 2023 and 84 last year.
Free racing data service for breeders in America
A new service for American breeders that provides a complimentary race record for Thoroughbreds foaled in 2025 and later that is updated after each domestic or international start will be offered by The Jockey Club, according to an organization press release on Wednesday.
“We created this free service not only to provide a horse's record of achievement on the track, but also to enable breeders to maintain a convenient connection to horses throughout their racing careers,” said James L Gagliano, president and chief operating officer, The Jockey Club. “We believe this will help foster aftercare and second career opportunities once a horse is retired from racing.”
In Australia, this data is freely available on the Racing Australia website.
