Month: January 2020

Baker down but not out after losing stars

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Trainer Bjorn Baker is without two of his best horses but is upbeat about the coming months. Losing two of his best horses to injury within days of one another has been a cruel start to the year for Bjorn Baker but the in-form trainer says the show must go on. Champagne Cuddles, a dual Group winner and four-time Group One placegetter, has been retired after suffering a rare and career-ending leg injury during the Magic Millions Snippets at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Three days later, Baker confirmed Group…

Gollan after first 2YO win of the season

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Premier Qld trainer Tony Gollan hopes Mass Destruction will be his first 2yo winner of the season. Leading Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan is again a runaway leader in the metropolitan premiership but he hopes to rectify an unusual statistic at Eagle Farm. Gollan already has his seventh straight title wrapped up with 55-1/2 wins, more than double nearest rival Robert Heathcote, but he has not had a two-year-old metropolitan winner this season. He believes that will change soon starting with Mass Destruction in Saturday’s QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1000m). “We haven’t…

Herbie Dyke next for Tiptronic

Editor BOAY

Tiptronic will head to the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). Photo: Trish Dunell Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly) secured his fifth career win at Ellerslie on Sunday when victorious in the Monstavison 2100. Trainer Graham Richardson was pleased with the 5-1/4 length winning performance and is now eyeing Group One targets for the son of O’Reilly. “He’s a good horse, he has just had a lot of bad luck,” Richardson said. “He has been up in the rating system because of his consistency and he just tries every time. “I thought with…

Five-timer for Asano

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Kozzi Asano after his five-timer at New Plymouth. Photo: Grant Matthew (Race Images Palmerston North) Apprentice jockey Kozzi Asano extended his lead in the New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership after recording five wins at New Plymouth on Thursday. The Christchurch-based hoop began the day with a third-placing on Southern Vogue in the Peninsula Beachfront Hotel Mooloolaba Maiden (2000m) before winning his first race of the day aboard $1.60 favourite Aquila Star in the Epsom With Wheels & George 1800. He then went on to take out the four remaining races on…

Avantage/Winter Bride Telegraph favs

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Avantage is now equal fav for the Group 1 Telegraph in New Zealand with Queensland mare Winter Bride. Trainer Jamie Richards is trying to look on the positive side heading to the Group One Telegraph with Avantage who has to contend with the outside barrier in the Trentham sprint. She was the NZ TAB’s favourite before she drew barrier 13 on Wednesday but on Thursday was equal at $3.80 with Queensland mare Winter Bride. Her draw continues a run of bad barriers for Avantage, who in four previous runs this…

Heisenberg wins Central Otago Cup in record time

NZHarnessNews

by Jonny Turner Canterbury reinsman Tim Williams made the most of his catch drive behind Heisenberg when guiding the pacer to a national record breaking win in Thursday’s Central Otago Cup. The Robert Dunn trained 4yr-old confirmed he was back to his absolute peak following his win in the Ashburton Cup when taking 0.1sec off the national record for 2400m and breaking the Wyndham track record to win the group 3 feature. Williams allowed Heisenberg to roll strongly in front after spearing him to the lead early from barrier 5.…

Double Rocket out to double up

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner          Double Rocket will be out to double up at Alexandra Park tonight. The Arna Donnelly trained 4yr-old will be out to repeat the highly deserved win he produced on Auckland Cup night at Alexandra Park when he takes on a competitive line up.   Though the pacer’s rating has seen him move up in grade following his victory, tonight’s race should not prove too much harder than the premier night event he won last month. “It is probably not a great step up from last time, they…

Belle Of Montana looking for the win

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin Belle Of Montana may have given punters a blood nose last start but the good news is the glamour mare escaped unharmed. So it is all system go for phase two of her season which should begin with a win at Alexandra Park tonight. The brilliant mare had a rollercoaster December, winning the Group One Queen of Hearts at Alexandra Park but exploding into a wild gallop as a $1.20 favourite in a free-for-all on New Years Eve. That was caused by a hopple shortener coming loose…

The Shark – best at Auckland on Friday 17-01-20

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17 January 2020 , Punters Info The Shark heads to Alexandra Park for Friday night harness racing action in search of success under the ribbon of light. For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge Race 1 7 The Big Bird: Smart debutant with a big motor and a bit of a future. Astute stable and if doing things right should really be winning. 2 Asteria Lavra: Debutant from a smart trotting stable with some nice workout and trial form under the belt. Respect. 10 Daisy Hill: More than capable of…

The Shark – best at Blenheim on Friday

NZHarnessNews

The Shark makes his way to Waterlea Raceway in Blenheim where they are celebrating 100 years of racing for the first of two days from the Marlborough Harness Racing Club. For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge Race 1 6 Kahress: Had them shot to bits on the home turn at Cromwell until the trail horse unleashed. Peak fitness now and should pick one up this trip. 4 Awapuni: Always respect for a Hope trained maiden trotter. They’re not just there to make up numbers. Talented and a chance…