Month: January 2020

Hill still buzzing after unique success

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Malcolm Hill pilots He’s A Gold Digger to victory at Tauherenikau Photo credit: Race Images – Peter Rubery Three days on from He’s A Gold Digger’s success at Tauherenikau in a maiden 1000m event owner, trainer and jockey Malcolm Hill is still trying to get his head around the achievement. Hill, who had ridden his last winner in New Zealand over thirty-five years ago and weighed in at 85kgs when driving trucks in Australia before returning to New Zealand to be closer to his elderly parents, admits he is still…

Richards pleased with confidence booster for star filly

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Star filly Probabeel will tackle the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie as her next assignment Photo credit: Trish Dunell Trainer Jamie Richards was happy to put a tick in the mission accomplished column of star three-year-old Probabeel’s campaign plan after she accounted for her age group rivals with deceptive ease at Awapuni on Saturday. The Matamata conditioner was keen to see the Savabeel filly boost her confidence for an ambitious programme over the coming months with a first up victory and she delivered in spades as she strode…

Hickmott imports on path to winter returns

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Trainer Robert Hickmott is looking forward to the return of two imported stayers from injury. Trainer Robert Hickmott is optimistic about his stable’s prospects in 2020 and believes two imported stayers on the comeback trail from injury can help lead the charge. Hickmott spent several years as the private trainer for prominent owner Lloyd Williams, winning two Melbourne Cups with Green Moon (2012) and Almandin (2016). He branched out on his own in late 2017 and opened a stable at Caulfield. Hickmott had hoped German imports Schabau and Django Freeman…

McRae cautious with Nemera Franco 

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner  Punters who think Canterbury mare Nemera Franco looks like a winner on paper may need to approach today’s Cromwell meeting with caution. There is no question over the Steven McRae trained pacer’s talent heading in to the Cromwell Businesses Cup. But there are some concerns about where Nemera Franco is at physically heading in to the race. The speedy 5yr-old pulled up below her best and with a slow recovery rate when she finished seventh against a field of quality mares during the New Zealand Cup Carnival.…

The Shark – best at Cromwell on Monday

NZHarnessNews

The Shark works his way through the fields for the final day of the Central Otago harness racing circuit with action from Cromwell.  For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge Race 1 1 Kahress: Run of an improver fresh up at Omakau on the first day of the circuit. Should be better for that and the manners are good. Live chance here. 7 Kiwitrix: Left the manners at home at Omakau and took no part. Looks every bit a talented horse but still has a lot to learn. Probably…

Spirit Of St Louis to battle older horses

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner  Star Otago pacer Spirit Of St Louis is set to show off his speed in today’s Roxburgh Cup. The Graeme Anderson-trained 3yr-old will dare to go where few horses of his age do when competing in the 2700m feature handicap. Spirit Of St Louis will give older and more experienced horses a head start when starting from the 20m mark. That is the price the 3yr-old has to pay for rushing through the harness racing grades with the impressive start he has made to his career. “It…

The Shark – best at Roxburgh today

NZHarnessNews

The Shark heads further into the lower half of the South Island and makes his way to Roxburgh for their one and only meeting as part of the Central Otago Circuit. For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge Race 1 2 Fanny Hill: Back from the North Island where she was on fire with some really strong efforts. Should have this field covered from the handy draw. 4 Full Noise: Lovely run first up and will take plenty of improvement from it too. Should be able to get handy…

Thursday trial for Qld midweek meetings

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An experiment that could lead to a major overhaul of midweek racing in Queensland will begin this week. For the next five weeks the main Queensland midweek meeting will be run at Doomben on a Thursday in a twilight time slot. Meetings will start at around 2.30pm and finish shortly after 6pm (AEST). For about three decades Queensland’s main midweek meeting has been run Wednesday afternoons but in recent years interest has waned. The experiment will test whether Thursday twilights will draw bigger crowds and turnover. The Wednesdays will be…

Karaka First Crop Sire – Telperion

Editor BOAY

Street Cry’s well-performed son Telperion, a half-brother to Group One winner Kementari, will be represented by his first crop of yearlings at Karaka next month. He is out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Yavanna, herself a daughter of the Group Three winner Wild Queen, who is a half-sister to the Gr.2 Ascot Vale Stakes (1200m) winner So Gorgeous and the family of the great matriarch Denise’s Joy. Telperion was third on debut as a two-year-old for trainer John O’Shea. He then won the Listed Lonhro Plate (1100m) at the expense…

Karaka First Crop Sire – Puccini

Editor BOAY

A champion New Zealand three-year-old, Puccini will be represented by his first crop of yearlings at Karaka later this month. A son of champion stallion Encosta de Lago, Puccini is out of stakes-winning Paris Opera mare Miss Opera. The quality broodmare is also the dam of six-time Group One winner Sir Slick. Puccini was the star performer in New Zealand in his classic season when, under the guidance of Peter and Jacob McKay, he triumphed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) off the back of Group Two wins in…