Year: 2019

Stallion Tavistock withdrawn from service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Tavistock, sire of Aust Derby winner Tavago (above) has been injured and withdrawn from service. Leading New Zealand stallion Tavistock has been withdrawn from service for the rest of the breeding season after sustaining an injury.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

NZHarnessNews

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…

Melody Belle sibling successful on debut

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Exaltation (NZ) (Not A Single Doubt), a three-year-old half-sister to star mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), turned in an impressive debut victory when winning the Helston & Associates Maiden (1200) at Riccarton on Saturday for trainer Jamie Richards. A $900,000 yearling purchase at Karaka by Te Akau principal David Ellis, Exaltation looks to have inherited a fair dose of the family ability, extending nicely under a patient Chris Johnson ride to win with plenty in hand. “That was a good win from a filly that we’ve always liked,” Richards said.…

Almond Eye adds Tenno Sho to her record

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Japanese superstar Almond Eye has consolidated her position as the country’s best with a scintillating victory in the Tenno Sho in Tokyo. The reigning Japanese Horse of the Year, Almond Eye beat nine other Group One winners to add the Tenno Sho to her Group One Dubai Turf win earlier this year. Trained by Sakae Kunieda and ridden by Christophe Lemaire, Almond Eye was midfield on the fence for much of the 2000 metres but when a gap appeared, she sprinted through and put the race beyond doubt. Almond Eye…

NZ mare Glory Days out of Melbourne Cup

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NZ mare Glory Days is injured and will not be among the next group of Melbourne Cup declarations. Group One-winning New Zealand mare Glory Days has suffered an injury and will not run in the Melbourne Cup. The seven-year-old was well positioned to make the final field of 24 but trainer Bill Thurlow has elected not to make the third declaration payment on Monday. “She banged her leg in the paddock last Monday and her leg has not responded as quickly as we would have hoped,” he said. “Her welfare…