March, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘Today Was His Day’: Hong Kong’s Loveable Loser Travel Datuk Ends 48-Start Slump By A Nose

Almost five years after debuting at Happy Valley, Irish import Travel Datuk shed unwanted status as Hong Kong's most celebrated maiden by successfully snapping a 48-start losing streak to the bemusement and delight of trainer Richard Gibson and jockey Matthew Poon.

Feted as a cult horse – and Facebook hero – after 17 minor placings (11 seconds and six thirds) from his previous 48 outings in Hong Kong, Travel Datuk narrowly claimed the Class 4 Chatham Handicap after a promising career opening in Ireland, where he raced as Rockaway Valley for John Harrington. Sold to Hong Kong after placing at G3 level and running fifth in the G1 Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh in 2015, Travel Datuk took his earnings to HK$4.27 million long after being decried as a non-winner.

Travel Datuk actually won a Maiden as a 2-year-old in Ireland in 2015, but had proved eternally frustrating in his new surroundings – albeit with a growing profile.

“Actually, he became a very popular horse this season. Many fans contacted us on Facebook, he's a brave, very consistent horse, always tries his best – and for some reason, today was his day,” Gibson said of the 8-year-old.

“I do not know why he chose today, but congratulations to Matthew (Poon). He made the difference.

“He always tries his best, but not used to winning. He's been very consistent and sometimes that's how it goes in racing – it's a great credit to the horse, he kept himself in good shape and today was the day.”

Gibson indicated the 8-year-old's competitive limitations did not detract from the horse's generous nature and popularity.

“I think I will remember him for his defeats and these are not things for a trainer that you are proud of – the defeats. You are more celebrating of the wins.

“So, we'll take today. You never know. Now he's won once, who knows next time?

“I didn't think he was going to make it (win), actually. It's not a record a trainer is very proud of but he's been very consistent this year and a lot of fun.

“It's funny – these horses, once they get their nose in front, they tend to do it another time.”

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Meadowlands Shifting Post Time To 6:20 P.M., Effective March 19

Management at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment announced Wednesday morning that post time will move to 6:20 p.m., effective Friday, March 19.

“This is in response to our fans who want to bet our entire card but appreciate getting home a little bit earlier,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir of the track shifting post time 20 minutes later than what has been the norm since Dec. 26. “We have seen solid wagering on our early races that have been taking place in the before-7 p.m. window. Those races have, in effect, replaced the races in the after-11 p.m. window, where wagering had not been as strong when we had our post time at 7:15 p.m.”

Racing will be conducted on the usual Friday and Saturday basis all the way through Hambletonian Day, Saturday, Aug. 7.

Post time for this weekend's races (March 12-13) will be 6 p.m.

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Tune In: Schedule Released For Virtual IFAR Conference Next Month

The International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) announced today its lineup of topics and speakers for its fifth conference, which will be held as a series of four virtual sessions on 6, 13, 20, and 27 April. Each webinar will begin at 12 p.m. GMT and last approximately an hour.

The 2021 IFAR will kick off on 6 April with “Aftercare in 2021,” a session that will provide an update on IFAR's activities from Chair Di Arbuthnot and feature perspectives from Jessica Harrington, trainer (IRE); Tik Maynard, eventer (U.S.); Graham and Anita Motion, owners, Herringswell Stable (U.S.); and Nemone Routh, racing office manager, Aga Khan Studs (FR). The discussion will be moderated by international racing broadcaster Nick Luck (U.K.).

“By hosting this year's IFAR virtually, we are able to include participation from a greater range of aftercare advocates, experts, and regulators from around the world,” said Arbuthnot. “Each session that we have planned will offer listeners the opportunity to learn from our speakers, engage with them through a live Q&A, and share the best practices they have learned with their native racing jurisdictions.”

The remaining schedule of topics and speakers can be found below:

13 April, 2021: Aftercare for Racing Administrators and Regulators

Moderator: Caroline Searcy (AUS)

Panelists:

– Martin Burns: General Manager, Welfare & Sustainability, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing

– Simon Cooper: Director, Weatherbys, General Stud Book (U.K.)

– Dr. Anna Smet: Manager, Animal Welfare, Racing and Wagering Western Australia

20 April, 2021: Global Insights on Aftercare (Aftercare Providers, Equine Charities)

Moderator: Donna Brothers (U.S.)

– Stacie Clark: Operations Consultant, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (U.S.)

– John Osborne: Director of Equine Welfare and Bloodstock, Horse Racing Ireland

– Dr. Ignacio Pavlovsky: Veterinarian, Owner, and Breeder (ARG)

– Lisa Coffey: Founder and Director, Racing Hearts Equine Assisted Therapy (AUS)

– Kristin Werner: Senior Counsel, The Jockey Club (U.S.); Administrator, Thoroughbred Incentive Program

27 April, 2021: Aftercare for Racing Industry Participants: Owners, Breeders, and Trainers

Moderator: Francesca Cumani (U.K.)

– Mark Fisher: Kotare Bioethics Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand

– Dr. Eliot Forbes: Chief Executive Officer, AniMark Ltd. (AUS); member, IFAR Steering Committee

– Tom Reilly: Chief Executive Officer, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Aushorse

– Dr. Christopher Riggs: Director, Equine Welfare Research Foundation; Chief Advisor, Veterinary Science, The Hong Kong Jockey Club

All sessions are free, but registration is required. For more information about the conference and to register, please visit internationalracehorseaftercare.com/virtual-ifar/. Recordings of each session will be made available on the IFAR website.

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‘Curious And Friendly’: First Foal Is A Colt For Canadian Classic Winner Coltimus Prime

The first reported foal by graded stakes-placed and dual-continent classic winner Coltimus Prime (Milwaukee Brew – Certainly Special, by Distorted Humor) arrived on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at Beau Valley Stable in Didsbury, Alberta.

The colt, bred by Anthony Bilotta, is out of Shanali, a stakes-winning daughter of Alydeed.

“This colt is very correct and he is curious and friendly” said Michael Hoffman, manager of Beau Valley Stable.

Bred by Jayson Horner, Coltimus Prime is the only stallion standing globally by recently pensioned Milwaukee Brew, a two-time winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap.

As a 3-year old, Coltimus Prime won the classic Prince of Wales Stakes in what remains the fastest time in over 25 years. He also added another classic victory to his resume, winning the Panamanian Group 1 Clasico Presidente de la Republica Stakes.

Coltimus Prime stands for $2,500 Canadian at Beau Valley Stable.

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