By Michael Guerin Spankem remains pacing’s top seed and the horse to beat in all the feature races — until at least 4.40pm today. Because even his trainer and driver Mark Purdon admits the chasing pack, many of them also trained by him, are closing in on the Horse of the Year as they clash in today’s $50,000 Flying Stakes at Ashburton. As the Miracle Mile, Taylor Mile and Messenger winner Spankem was always going to start the season as the New Zealand Cup favourite and some key withdrawals, Tiger…
Year: 2019
O’Reilly to handle Cruz Bromac
By Jonny Turner Rakaia reinsman Gerard O’Reilly has been gifted a pleasant surprise for Monady’s Ashburton Flying Stakes in the form of New Zealand Cup contender Cruz Bromac. The driver has watched much of the build-up to the New Zealand Cup from the sidelines, but that will change dramatically when the tapes fly for today’s 2400m feature. O’Reilly will find himself driving a genuine New Zealand Cup hope in the race regarded as the most important leadup to the 3200m classic. “It was a bit of a surprise. I certainly…
The Shark – Best at Ashburton on Monday
The Shark heads to Ashburton for Labour Day Monday in search of winners on Ashburton Flying Stakes Day. For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge Race 1 2 Prospect Park: Two cracking runs to open the career. Maiden grade won’t hold for much longer and should leave today. 6 The Guild: Consistently running good races but not just not quite grabbing the victory. Another good chance here though. 8 Just Michael: Finds more bad luck than you’d like but is racing better than a maiden and has raced well…
High school sweethearts vying for first stakes win
Trainers Sarah and Matthew Smith with Diorissimo. Photo: Wild Range Photography A pair of bargain buys at the New Zealand Bloodstock May Sale in 2014 could lead to the biggest day in racing for Ashburton trainers Sarah and Matthew Smith. The husband and wife team headed north to Karaka five years ago to acquire some future racing stock and came home with Diorissimo and Splendior, who they purchased for $1300 and $300 respectively. “I had marked Splendior in the book, I liked that family and I liked her,” Sarah Smith…
Irish horse syndicate under investigation
Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Kemboy could be barred from racing for the foreseeable future following a ban on entries from syndicator, the Supreme Horse Racing Club. The syndicate, which has all its horses with Irish trainer Willie Mullins, hit the last headlines last season through the exploits of Kemboy, who was last seen winning the Punchestown Gold Cup in May. Horse Racing Ireland has requested answers from Supreme in relation to what the governing body described as “a number of queries and concerns”, and said it has so far received…
Pressure on for Bad To The Bone
By Michael Guerin A rare set of results have put the pressure on talented three-year-old Bad To The Bone at Alexandra Park tonight. And that could force driver Zachary Butcher’s hand from his second line draw in the $22,000 Sires’ Stakes heat. Bad To The Bone was one of the better juveniles in the country last season and trainer Barry Purdon, who looks set for a huge night tonight, wants him in the Sires’ Stakes Final at Addington on November 12. But Bad To The Bone’s problems are two-fold. Firstly…
The Shark – Best at Addington Friday
The Shark heads to Addington Raceway where some of the up and coming stars step out to play for Friday night harness racing action. For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge Race 1 8 Jaimes Bad Boy: Smashed them at Forbury last week after blowing it at Timaru the week before. Enigmatic, but talented. Right lady in the bike to win again. 13 Highland Reign: Class performer of the field here, but often disappointing when off the grass tracks. Should step up but the jury is out at this…
The Shark – Best at Alexandra Park Friday
The Shark goes in search of winners during Friday night harness racing action at Alexandra Park. For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge Race 1 2 Credit Master: Jump and run type who left tongues wagging last time. Look out if he finds the front over the short course. 1 Kennys Dream: Classy wee trotter back in action for the season. Perfect draw as should be following the leader. Class will take her a long way. 5 CK Spur: No luck off a big mark last time out but…
Tony and Phil are dreaming big with Kenny
By Garrick Knight When old mate Phil Williamson came calling with a horse, Tony Herlihy wasn’t going to say no. But he admits neither man foresaw what a brilliant move it would be to have Kenny’s Dream shift from Oamaru to Auckland earlier this year. The blueblood trotting mare went on a tear at Auckland through winter, recording four wins and two seconds from six starts for over $56,000 in stakes. “Me and the owner (Williamson) were very happy,” Herlihy told HRNZ with a chuckle. “Phil felt she had always…
Lets Hustle chasing big bonus at Addington
By Garrick Knight It’s been a dream start in horse ownership for the group of lads behind Lets Hustle, one of the more improved horses in Canterbury at present. Training on Woodend Beach with Regan Todd has worked the oracle with the son of Bettor’s Delight, who has won three races and over $18,000 since a new syndicate was formed to lease part of him back in August. “For a lot of them it’s their first horse, so they think it’s pretty easy this game,” Todd told HRNZ. “They’ve had…