Month: January 2020

Ballarat Cup night wrap

NZHarnessNews

ONLY a horror barrier draw will deny brilliant Kiwi filly Stylish Memphis hot favouritism for next Saturday night’s Group 1 Victoria Oaks. Not only did she seem to comfortably win the first of the two Oaks at Ballarat last night, but she went much quicker time than the top local filly, Maajida, ran winning the second heat. Stylish Memphis was balanced-up early by caretaker trainer and driver Mark Purdon, worked forward and eventually poured pressure on another Kiwi, Cran Dalgety’s Dr Susan, to take the lead after 1000m of the…

In-form jockey stays loyal to Southern connections

Editor BOAY

New Zealand Premiership leading jockey Kozzi Asano. Photo: Grant Matthew (Race Images Palmerston North) Apprentice jockey Kozzi Assano is flying at the moment, in more ways than one. The Canterbury-based hoop has been clocking up a fair few frequent flyer points of late travelling around the country and he was once again rewarded for his efforts at New Plymouth on Thursday. Asano bagged five wins on the six race card and placed in the other. It was the second time in a month he had recorded five wins at a…

Gold Coast abandoned after deluge

AAP

The Gold Coast Turf Club has cancelled a phantom meeting with facilities drenched by 275mm of rain overnight. Officials called Saturday’s races off and any hopes of holding a phantom meeting were abandoned because of water inside parts of the infrastructure. The Gold Coast Turf Club was counting its blessings the deluge did not come a week earlier when the rich Magic Millions day was held. GCTC boss Steve Lines said there was no choice but to abandon the meeting. “You have never seen rain like it. The car parks,…

Bright future tipped for Frondeur

Editor BOAY

Roc De Cambes, sire of Frondeur. Photo: Trish Dunell Roc De Cambes filly Frondeur kept her perfect record intact when winning over 1200m at Pakenham on Thursday. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained three-year-old settled towards the back of the field for jockey Zac Spain. Frondeur loomed wide on the turn where she was able to gather in her opposition and run away to a length victory. Kent was pleased with the win and he believes she has a bright future after recording the two career victories to date.…

Kensington Stakes return for My Pendant

Editor BOAY

My Pendant lines up in the Listed Kensington Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Danny O’Brien admits the Kensington Stakes distance is a query for My Pendant (NZ) (Pins) but the trainer will not be surprised to see her finish over the top of her rivals. My Pendant has never raced below 1200m but O’Brien has opted to kick off her campaign in Saturday’s Listed race over the straight 1000m at Flemington. “She has come back in really good shape,” O’Brien said. “The 1000 metres might be a…

Beat The Clock faces a Full threat in Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup

AAP

Joao Moreira and Beat The Clock win the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint. Beat The Clock will face select yet stiff competition when he attempts a second consecutive win in Sunday’s (19 January) Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) but jockey Joao Moreira believes the John Size-trained speedster’s biggest threat could be a rival he knows all too well, stablemate Full Of Beauty. Champion sprinter Beat The Clock has finished top three in all of his 23 career starts and the Brazilian ace has been in the saddle for 21 of…

Moreira confident as Waikuku shoots for the top in Stewards’ Cup

AAP

Waikuku is seeking a Group 1 breakthrough. Waikuku is the slick young upstart to Beauty Generation’s brilliant but seemingly subsiding champion and a victory for the former in Sunday’s (19 January) Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) could confirm a new era for Hong Kong racing. Joao Moreira believes that possibility will likely be the new reality. “Form-wise, Waikuku is probably at the top of the board,” the rider said at Sha Tin yesterday morning (Friday, 17 January). “Beauty Generation, for the last two seasons, has been the best horse in…

Cool Aza Beel secures Million berth

AAP

Cool Aza Beel winning at Tauranga on Friday. Photo: Race Images Te Akau Racing’s quest to win the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) for the fourth year in succession was bolstered considerably when Cool Aza Beel ensured his place in the field with a dominant victory at Tauranga on Friday. The Jamie Richards-trained son of Savabeel made light work when defeating his three rivals in the Matamata Veterinary Services 2YO (1200m) and the focus will now be on the million-dollar feature at Ellerslie on Saturday week. “We’re on track,” a relieved…

Flemington meeting scheduled to go ahead

AAP

The Kensington Stakes meeting at Flemington is scheduled to go ahead after racing officials received a positive update regarding the forecast smoke haze and air quality levels in Victoria. Three race meetings in the state were abandoned earlier this week, Werribee on Tuesday and Yarra Valley and Caulfield on Wednesday, because of smoke haze and a forecast for hazardous air quality as a result of bushfires affecting parts of Victoria and NSW. Smoke haze had again been predicted for Melbourne on Saturday, putting the Flemington meeting in doubt. Following the…

Rain impacts NSW race meetings

AAP

Rain has claimed race meetings on the east coast with three meetings in NSW and one in Queensland called off. After weeks of dry weather and bushfires impacting air quality, the much-needed rain arrived late this week. Saturday’s Kembla Grange TAB meeting on the South Coast and Deepwater and Tuncurry to the north have been called off as has the Gold Coast in south east Queensland. Kembla has been postponed because of surface water after 44mm fell with more expected while the Gold Coast experienced heavy falls overnight. Camperdown in…