Month: May 2020

Jock and Des Harris at Awapuni in the 1970’s. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North New Zealand racing lost the patriarch of a racing dynasty with the death last Saturday of Jock (John William) Harris. His family has been flooded by phone calls and messages since his death, just a couple of months short of his 90th birthday. No sooner had his son Noel put up a message on Facebook than friends from around the world were responding with their condolences for a humble man who touched so many lives, a…

The infamous 10,000m Bart Cummings Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) preparation has been adopted by a number of trainers in the lead-up to the great race. The Hall Of Fame trainer lifted the famous mug on a dozen occasions using the method, however, this year’s first qualifier won’t be following such a demanding path. New Zealand-bred mare Oceanex (Ocean Park) secured her place in the great race by taking out the ballot exempt Listed The Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday. By already assuring herself a place in the field…

Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie (left) with Jennifer Eccles after her Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) triumph. Photo: Trish Dunell Group One-winning filly Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) has returned to the Cambridge stable of Shaune Ritchie and will be a prepared for a campaign in Melbourne in spring. A dominant winner of the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), Jennifer Eccles also took out the NZB Filly of the Year series and has been a model of consistency throughout her classic year. “She is not actually back in work per…

There’s nothing like the green pastures of home and leading New Zealand jockey Opie Bosson can attest to that. The ace hoop is back on his Pukekawa farm after a successful autumn campaign in Sydney and he said he is enjoying being back out in the fresh air and open spaces after living in an apartment over the carnival period. “It’s good to catch-up on a few things, I am keeping busy anyway,” he said. “It’s great to be back out in the fresh air. “I am busy on the…

Te Akau Racing have confirmed that leading jockey Opie Bosson will remain as their number one retained rider for the upcoming 2020/21 racing season. Te Akau Principal David Ellis made the announcement via Twitter and on the Te Akau Racing website. “Opie and Te Akau go back a very long way – he started working with us when he was 14,” Ellis said.  “He is a truly gifted rider, with beautiful balance and the best instinct you will see. “His record again this season in the “Te Akau tangerine” has…

Class racemare Rondinella will do her future racing from the John O’Shea stable in Sydney Photo: Trish Dunell Uncertainty created by the Covid-19 pandemic has forced a change in plan for high class racemare Rondinella who will commence her next campaign from the stable of Sydney-based trainer, John O’Shea. Raced by Cathy Franich and Haunui Bloodstock Ltd, the rising six-year-old has been prepared throughout her career by Cambridge conditioners Roger James and Robert Wellwood who have guided her to four career victories along with placings at Group One level on…

Exciting two-year-old colt Cool Aza Beel pictured winning the Gr.1 (1200m) Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie. Photo: Trish Dunell Trainer Jamie Richards is enjoying being back in a familiar routine as the Te Akau Racing operation gears up for a return to the racetrack in the coming months. Richards, who sits atop the national trainers’ premiership with an unassailable twenty-seven win lead over his nearest rival, has plenty on his plate as he readies a team for the winter and early spring period including the preparation of a number of the…

Trainer Stephen McKee Photo: Trish Dunell While enjoying a return to stable life, trainer Stephen McKee is taking a patient approach as he enters a rebuilding stage with a mainly young team around him. The retirement of class gallopers such as Consensus (NZ) (Postponed) and Hasahalo (NZ) (Savabeel) combined with uncertainty in the local thoroughbred Industry will see McKee reduce his overall stable numbers to around the thirty mark during the coming season. The majority of those horses are rising two and three-year-olds with McKee excited about their prospects as they get…