Mon, 04/03/2023 - 08:17
HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Thursday, April 06, 2023)
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DRF Past Performances
Jack d’Or needed a stakes-record time to win his first Grade 1 in his 2023 debut in Sunday’s $2.98 million Osaka Hai for older horses in Japan.
Ridden by Yutaka Take, Jack d’Or ($9.10) disputed the early pace at Hanshin Racecourse and held a clear lead in the stretch. Jack d’Or held off a late challenge from 9-5 favorite Stars on Earth to win by a nose, finishing 1 1/4 miles on turf in 1:57.40.
The previous stakes record of 1:58.20 was set by Suave Richard in 2018. The course record is 1:57.20.
From a maiden race winner to an also-ran in two group stakes, Bunker Hut had an eventful span in three starts last August and September in Australia.
What began well, with a maiden win in his fourth career start in August, ended with a last-place finish in a field of 16 in the Group 1 Champion Stakes for Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds at Royal Randwick Racecourse in September.
By comparison, the goals with Bunker Hut are of a more modest nature for his first start of 2023 - a six-furlong handicap at Kembla Grange Racecourse on Monday evening.
Sat, 04/01/2023 - 16:39
Bold Act won his fourth consecutive race and first start of 2023 in the $123,800 Cardinal Condition Stakes at Chelmsford City Racecourse near London, the final race in the European qualifying series for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6.
Bold Act, a well-regarded colt from the powerful Godolphin stable, won the Cardinal Stakes at a mile on a synthetic track by a half-length over Brave Emperor, who ranks first in the European qualifying standings for the Kentucky Derby.
The reliable gelding Mr Brightside saved the day for favorite backers in Group 1 races at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday.
Mr Brightside ($6.40 in American pools) won the $2.6 million Doncaster Mile for the second consecutive year at Randwick, closing from seventh in a field of 20 to win by a head over 50-1 My Oberon.
Going Global, a nine-time stakes winner on turf in California in the last two years, finished 16th, beaten 13 1/4 lengths in her Australian debut.
Several of Japan’s leading older horses, with the notable exception of 2022 Horse of the Year Equinox, are among 16 runners in Sunday’s Grade 1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin Racecourse.
The $2.98 million Osaka Hai is run at 1 1/4 miles and is the first Grade 1 of the year on turf for distance runners in Japan.
Thu, 03/30/2023 - 14:56
Brave Emperor currently ranks in a tie for the lead in the European qualifying series for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6.
To clinch the single berth available from the series, Brave Emperor will need the best race of his already accomplished career when he starts in Saturday’s $123,800 Cardinal Condition Stakes at a mile on the synthetic track at Chelmsford City Racecourse near London.