Month: October 2019

From Donald to Derby for Thought Of That

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Thought Of That has come from a maiden win at Donald to be a leading Victoria Derby hope. Donald may not be on the radar for those searching for potential Classic winners, but the track in north-central Victoria is one Ciaron Maher recommends. Maher, who trains in partnership with David Eustace, points to VRC Oaks winner Set Square racing at Donald early in her career while Victoria Derby prospect Thought Of That broke his maiden status at the track this month. Thought Of That runs on Saturday in the Derby…

Derby prospect scores on debut at Te Rapa

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Dragon Leap and Craig Grylls cruise to the line for an eye-catching debut victory at Te Rapa Photo credit: Trish Dunell Expensive yearling purchase Dragon Leap underscored his potential staying talent when he stormed home on debut to score over 1400m at Te Rapa. Raced by Hong Kong couple Eugene and Karen Chuang under their Hermitage Thoroughbreds banner, the Pierro three-year-old gelding was an A$1,050,000 purchase out of the Sydney yearling sales and is prepared by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott from their Matamata base. O’Sullivan and Scott have enjoyed…

Forty two horses left in Melbourne Cup

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The 2018 Melbourne Cup quinella Cross Counter (l) and Marmelo (r) have undergone scans. Four horses among the remaining 42 vying for the 24 spots in the Melbourne Cup field have been the subjects of veterinary scrutiny. Defending Cup titleholder Cross Counter and 2018 runner-up Marmelo, along with Ispolini and Southern France have undergone tests. Trained in England by Charlie Appleby, Cross Counter has undergone a precautionary CT scan at the University of Melbourne Equine Clinic and passed suitable to continue his preparation. His Godolphin stablemate Ispolini has been referred…

Stallion Tavistock withdrawn from service

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Tavistock, sire of Aust Derby winner Tavago (above) has been injured and withdrawn from service. Leading New Zealand stallion Tavistock has been withdrawn from service for the rest of the breeding season after sustaining an injury. Cambridge Stud says Tavistock has suffered an injury in his paddock which means he will not be able to complete his book of mares. He has covered 76 mares this year with 43 in foal. It has already been a challenging year for Cambridge Stud, with the death of champion racehorse and new sire…

Ritchie keen for two-pronged Guineas attack

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Bella Mente will contest the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes at Te Rapa on Monday Photo Race Images – Kenton Wright Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie is hoping that Monday’s Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa will provide him with confirmation of a stable double act in a Group One classic in Christchurch next month. Ritchie will produce Bella Mente (NZ) (El Roca) at Te Rapa, with the lightly raced El Roca filly looking to book her place in the Gr.1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000…

A day of contrasts for Richardson at Ellerslie

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The angle is deceptive but Tiptronic (outer) gets up to defeat Supera at Ellerslie Photo: Trish Dunell Underrated galloper Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly) put a smile back on trainer Graham Richardson’s face with an overdue victory at Ellerslie on Saturday after the popular Matamata horseman had lost an earlier victory in the enquiry room. The Richardson-trained two-year-old Devotioninmotion (NZ) (Proisir had finished first past the post in the second race on the day but was relegated back a placing after causing interference at the 200m mark to eventual winner Trident in the 880m…

Travelling Light confirms Guineas credentials

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Trainer Ben Foote with Travelling Light Photo: Trish Dunell Unbeaten filly Travelling Light (NZ) (El Roca) snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in Saturday’s Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie, earning clear favouritism for next month’s Gr.1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton. Bred and raced by Coll MacRury and his father Ian, Travelling Light was rated a $151 chance for the fillies’ classic when the market opened earlier this season. That price was slashed to $8 following brilliant victories in her first two starts,…

The Shark – Best at Manawatu on Tuesday

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The Shark heads to the first Manawatu Harness Racing Club meeting of the new season and goes in search of success. For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge  Race 1 8 Sundon’s Flyer: Stand start toff who was good enough to win on Cup Day last year. Should eat the handicap up pretty quick and be hard to beat. 7 Stylish Duke: Blair Orange’s choice of three Michael House runners. That bodes well for the chances, should be at peak fitness by now. 6 Laura Bush: Did a good…

Overbreeding needs to be addressed: RSPCA

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Victorian Minister for Racing Martin Pakula has welcomed funding for retired racehorses. While the Victorian Racing Minister has lauded the governing authority’s $25 million commitment to horse welfare, others say it does not go far enough. Racing Victoria announced the funding on Monday with the $25 million for the first three years to be spent on improvements to retraining and rehoming retired racehorses. But RSPCA Victoria is among those saying over-breeding is at the heart of the problem and foal crops need to be reduced. “The Equine Welfare Strategic Plan…

Best still to come from the Shark

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Te Akau Shark parades before the start of the Gr.1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Not that he needed convincing but trainer Jamie Richards left Moonee Valley on Saturday evening with confirmation that he has a galloper capable of matching it with the best Australasia has to offer. Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) had just produced a quality performance in the Gr.1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) that saw him surge home against the fence to snatch third behind world-class Japanese mare Lys Gracieux and…