Month: April 2025

Charm Stone targets Group 1 return in Robert Sangster Stakes

AAP

Charm Stone. (Photo by George Sal – Racing Photos) It’s been a while between wins for Charm Stone, but the mare looks ready to make a statement when she resumes in Saturday’s Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper hasn’t been seen since running second in the Magic Millions Cup (RL, 1400m) at the Gold Coast in January. She’s been kept ticking over with two jump-outs in the lead-up to her first trip to Adelaide. Now a rising five-year-old, Charm Stone…

Beautiful Jewel primed for Group 1 Australasian Oaks

AAP

Australasian Oaks contender, Beautiful Jewel. (Photo: Brett Holburt – Racing Photos) Trainer Travis Doudle is hopeful a long-range plan will pay off on Saturday when Beautiful Jewel lines up in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville. The filly, by Highland Reel, has had three runs in South Australia since transferring from Ciaron Maher’s stable, placing twice including a strong second in the Listed Clare Lindop Stakes (1600m). She was unplaced last time out in the Group 3 Auraria Stakes (1800m) on April 12. “She’s been set for this…

Aaron White goes race-to-race at Alexandra Park

NZHarnessNews

With five Group 1s it’s a big night of racing at Alexandra Park on Friday night. Here are commentator Aaron White’s thoughts on the night, courtesy of trackside.co.nz   Race 1 – 5:14pm. $25,000 CLASSIQUE LANDSCAPERS MOBILE PACE 2200m 2 Hooray Henry, 11 Cos I Can, 10 Seaclusion, 8 The Surfer We haven’t seen Hooray Henry on the track for 91 days. He does have the “big” scalp of Copy That on his CV. Drawn to be prominent and can give some cheek at nice odds. Cos I Can is…

Front Page draws wide for The Quokka but remains top-three hope

AAP

Front Page. (Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au) Matt Dale concedes he didn’t get the barrier he was hoping for with Front Page ahead of Saturday’s $5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot, but he still believes the proven sprinter is capable of finishing in the top three. Front Page, who has made the trip west alongside fellow NSW-trained contenders Overpass and Headwall, will jump from barrier 11 in the third running of the slot race. It wasn’t so much the wide draw that frustrated Dale, but the fact that race favourite Overpass drew…

Maison Louis bound for Queensland Derby after Canterbury win

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Maison Louis. (Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au) Go Racing may have farewelled Group 1 winner Atishu, but they’ve quickly found another potential headline act in Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) contender Maison Louis. Trained by the Sydney-based duo of John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, the progressive three-year-old has made an immediate impact, winning three of his first five starts. That includes a strong last-start victory in a Benchmark 64 over 1900m at Canterbury on Monday, where he held off Existential Bob by 0.8 lengths with Andrew Adkins in the saddle. “He was really…

Mehzebeen back in her happy place

NZRacingDesk

Mehzebeen’s Australian campaign may have not gone to script, but she is back in her happy place in New Zealand where she will be out to continue her good run of form at Te Rapa on Saturday. The daughter of Almanzor had an unsuccessful two-run campaign in Victoria following her victories in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) and Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton in November, but returned to form in her New Zealand resumption, placing in the New Zealand St Leger (2500m) last month. She followed that with…

Val Di Zoldo back to rectify Travis Stakes result

NZRacingDesk

An ounce of good fortune would have had Val Di Zoldo winning last year’s Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m), and the mare will be back to make amends on that result at Te Rapa on Saturday. A five-year-old by War Decree, Val Di Zoldo has competed in stakes company on a regular basis since she was a juvenile, and while she won the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) at three, the hope of adding to that in the Travis last year was dashed when Wiremu Pinn’s iron detached from his saddle. She…

Rich Hill sets fees for Group One line-up

NZRacingDesk

Rich Hill Stud’s Group One stallion roster has enjoyed another stellar year and the farm’s 2025 service fees will reflect that success while also being mindful of the uncertain economic times. Champion sire Proisir will stand at $70,000 + GST, Satono Aladdin at $45,000 + GST, Ace High will be offered at $15,000 + GST and Shocking at $10,000 + GST. “Breeders who have supported Rich Hill stallions over recent seasons have reaped substantial rewards,” Rich Hill Managing Director John Thompson said. “Our 2025 service fees directly reflect this ongoing…

Harlech back on level playing field in Riccarton feature

NZRacingDesk

Evergreen eight-year-old Harlech will be back on even terms with his counterparts in a bid to go one better in this year’s Gr.3 Coca Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton Park. A multiple Group One performer through his career, Harlech has found his form of old in recent seasons residing in Christchurch, winning last year’s Easter Cup (1600m) and the Listed Hazlett Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui in February. He came within a half-neck of adding the Canterbury Gold Cup to the mantelpiece in last year’s attempt, and after carrying…

Moonee Valley track healthy but rain looms before return

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The Instructor ridden by Jett Stanley wins at Moonee Valley on March 22. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Track staff at Moonee Valley have been working hard to restore the turf following the discovery of multiple diseases after last month’s William Reid Stakes meeting — but concerns remain ahead of the venue’s return to racing this Saturday due to an uncertain weather forecast. The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted between 3mm and 25mm of rain on Friday, leaving officials nervously watching the skies. “If we get up to 7mm I’ll…