Month: May 2020

Scathing targets unusual double for Munce

AAP

Scathing and Justin Huxtable combine to try and secure a riding-training double for Chris Munce. Improving three-year-old Scathing is primed to give Chris Munce a chance to complete the unusual double of training a stakes winner after riding a stakes winner for the same owners. Munce will saddle up Scathing in the Group Three Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday. Scathing is owned by the Gold Coast’s Henderson Racing syndicate several of whom raced the 2010 Caulfield Cup winner Descarado. Munce rode Descarado to victory in the Caulfield…

Singapore racing postponed further

Editor BOAY

The Singapore Turf Club has announced racing will not resume until July at the earliest. While racing has or is readying to resume in many jurisdictions around the world Singapore will continue to suspend race meetings in alignment with the government’s phased approach to resumption of activities. The Club will evaluate throughout June whether it is able to stage meetings at Kranji starting in early July. Singapore has implemented one of the strictest lockdowns worldwide after a second Covid-19 wave swept through the small nation.

Edmonds excited about Tyzone’s chances in 2020 The Stradbroke Handicap

AAP

Leading Gold Coast trainer Toby Edmonds is getting very excited about the chances of his top line sprinter Tyzone in the 2020 Group 1 $350,000 The Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 6. Trekking, above, is the favourite for the 2020 The Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm. Photo by Steve Hart. Tyzone was runner up to Trekking in last year’s Stradbroke Handicap and he showed that he was on track to go one better this year with an eye-catching final lead up run in the Group 2 $175,000…

Superstar headlines Healesville heats

Editor BOAY

Reigning Waterloo Cup winner ASTON BINTANG makes his return from a three-month spell in a Derby heat at Healesville tomorrow afternoon. The greyhound racing action will be red hot up the Healesville straight, with two heats of the Oaks followed by three heats of the Derby from just after midday. The first Oaks heat kicks off at 12.04pm (Race 4) and typifies the quality on the card, with young gun BAREKI (Won 5 from 7) taking on BRING YOUR BANJO (13 from 25) in what looks a cracking two-way battle.…

Ghost stole WA Derby

Editor BOAY

Imagine winning your first Group race and not being able to be there. Well Victorian trainer Matt Clark didn’t have to imagine because last night Catch The Thief claimed the $32,000 to-the-winner WA Derby at Cannington. Covid-19 restrictions prevented Matt from making the trip over to WA but Catch The Thief was in the trusted hands of Steve and Krystal Shinners, who finished second behind Catch The Thief with Buster The Brute. “If Catch The Thief wasn’t in the race, Steve would have won. It’s a testament to his character…

Good barrier the key to Vega One’s 2020 Stradbroke Handicap chances

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Jockey Jim Byrne is hoping for a good barrier draw to give Vega One every chance to win the 2020 Group 1 $350,000 The Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 6. Vega One, above, is one of the main chances in the 2020 The Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm. Photo by Steve Hart. Byrne had his first race ride on Vega One last Saturday in the Group 2 $175,000 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm and while the Tony Gollan trained sprinter didn’t figure in the finish, he…

Byrne gives Wisdom Of Water plenty of thought heading into 2020 J J Atkins

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Premiership winning jockey Jim Byrne is giving Wisdom Of Water plenty of thought before his mount Rothfire clashes with the Gold Coast speedster in the Group 1 $350,000 J J Atkins (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 6. Jockey Jim Byrne, above, rides Rothfire in the 2020 J J Atkins at Eagle Farm. Photo by Daniel Costello. Byrne will ride the favourite Rothfire in the Group 1 for the two year olds but has been impressed by Wisdom Of Water who galloped in between races at Eagle Farm last Saturday. “I have…

Dawn Passage heads up 2020 Fred Best Classic nominations

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Stradbroke Handicap hopeful Dawn Passage heads up the nominations for the 2020 Group 3 $125,000 Fred Best Classic (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday. Dawn Passage, above, heads up the nominations for the 2020 Fred Best Classic at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart. The winner of the Fred Best Classic for the three year olds is exempt from the ballot for the Group 1 $350,000 The Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm the following Saturday and co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are hoping that Dawn Passage can secure a place…

$72.5 million is a bailout for RITA but not racing

AAP

by Brian de Lore Published 15 May 2020 Tuesday’s announcement by Racing Minister Winston Peters contained some very interesting messages, but none more so than his delivery of $72.5 million which is a feat only Winston Peters could do for an industry about to go bankrupt. Peters has to be given credit for his ability to pull a rabbit from the hat at the eleventh hour but will the participants of racing receive any tangible benefits from this windfall, or is it too late? COVID-19 took the blame for racing’s…

Erolo’s on a roll!

Editor BOAY

Jordan Formosa, 25, was born and bred into the sport of greyhound racing – assisting his father, Jason, from the time he could walk. However, in his teenage years, another passion – football – took precedence. Formosa became heavily involved with the Heathcote District Football League, and football in general in the Bendigo region. Subsequently, greyhound racing spent some time ‘on the bench’. But the calling for greyhound racing was still strong, and around four years ago Formosa decided to take his first love more seriously. “I thought I’d do…