Month: June 2020

Track record falls at Horsham

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The Aloisi Bates Syndicate as well as Rob Camilleri and team now have a track record to celebrate thanks to Kipling who broke the 410m track record at Horsham on Tuesday night. Kipling lowered Time To Talk’s 22.894sec performance set in October last year to a sizzling 22.844sec from box four in the CHS Group Final. “The little fella put the writing on the wall last week on a slow track,” trainer Rob Camilleri said. “I said to the owners after his run last week that he will improve if…

Wonder-ful Winter Cup heats

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In-form Victorian duo Whodat Opal and Mepunga Wonder headline heats of the Group Listed Trios Winter Cup (520m) at Cranbourne on Wednesday night, which kick off at 7.48pm. Whodat Opal (Stan Ralph) has won five of her past six starts including a Best of Day 29.92sec win at The Meadows last run after clocking a sizzling 5.02sec first split. Meanwhile, Mepunga Wonder has won 10 of his past 13 starts, predominantly at his home track of Geelong. Five Trios Winter Cup heats will be run, with the series open to…

Stockman rounds up rivals at Warwick Farm

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Stockman (far right) wins at Warwick Farm on Monday. Photo: AAP The disappointment of missing out on a Brisbane winter carnival opportunity has been emphasised for a second time in as many starts for staying prospect Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock). Rated a genuine Queensland Derby chance, Stockman had to settle for a win in much lesser grade at Warwick Farm on Monday. Trainer Joe Pride said he had Derby ambitions for Stockman well before the three-year-old announced his arrival with a Randwick win last month. “If there was a Queensland Derby…

Warwick Farm juvenile winner for Proisir

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Scenic Warrior winning at Warwick Farm on Monday. Photo: AAP New Zealand-bred two-year-old Scenic Warrior scored a hard-fought maiden win when successful in the Iron Jack Plate (1200m) at Warwick Farm on Monday. The son of Proisir was pressured throughout by eventual runner-up Gunnamatta and the Team Hawkes-trained colt pulled away late to score by just under a length. Scenic Warrior is bred and raced by the Falcone family, who also raced his sire Proisir. Co-trainer Michael Hawkes admitted he was concerned when the runner-up kicked up inside Scenic Warrior…

Windsor Park bids farewell to Falkirk

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Former Windsor Park Stud stallion Falkirk. Emotions stirred at Windsor Park Stud recently when their team said their final goodbyes and paid tributes to their old mate and resident sire Falkirk. Succumbing to the infirmities of aging, 20-year-old Falkirk was laid to rest at Windsor Park, the farm where he was born and raised and where he had enjoyed a successful stallion career following equally successful exploits on the racetrack. Falkirk was an unbeaten Group winner in four New Zealand starts before embarking overseas to win further Group races in…

Opacity to have short break before spring

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Opacity (closest to camera) on his way to winning at Randwick. Photo: bradleyphotos.com.au Trainer John O’Shea has opted not to press on further into winter with promising Ocean Park gelding Opacity. Opacity continued a rise through the grades with a narrow win at Randwick on Saturday in the third start of his campaign, taking his overall record to five wins from seven starts. Immediately after the race O’Shea mentioned Opacity could back up this Saturday in a bid to further boost his rating, but the stable has announced the rising…

Golden Melody gives Belardo first winner at Haydock

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Belardo recorded his first winner on Sunday. Photo: Trish Dunell Multiple Group One winner and Haunui Farm shuttle sire, Belardo recorded his first winner on Sunday when Golden Melody scored at the first time of asking at Haydock. The juvenile filly, trained by William Haggas, started 4-1 co-third favourite in the seven-runner novice event over 1200m and ran out an eye-catching two and a quarter-length winner over Star Of Emaraaty. James Doyle, the winning jockey, was impressed with the filly’s professional attitude and ability. “They said Golden Melody was quite…

La Romanee to spearhead emerging stable

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Matamata trainer Daniel Miller. Photo: Trish Dunell Young trainer Daniel Miller is looking forward to a return to racing and has three runners engaged at a bumper set of trials at Te Rapa on Tuesday. A staggering 293 horses are engaged for the trial meeting as racing emerges from a COVID-19 hibernation. For 23-year-old Miller, lockdown gave him time to focus on some of his younger brigade in addition to the breaking and pre-training element to his business. Miller leases stables just out of Matamata with 28 boxes with a…

Lowry looking ahead to new season

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Jacob Lowry is eyeing the new season for his return to raceday riding. Photo: Race Images South While many jockeys will be looking to get back raceday riding later this month, southern hoop Jacob Lowry has set his sights towards the new season for his return. The 22-year-old rider has struggled with his weight this season and he said his hiatus away from racing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t help the scales. “I am pretty heavy at the moment, which is to be expected,” Lowry said. “I…

Quality Stock Secured at Digital South Island Sale

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Lot 19 – Burgundy x Precious colt. Photo: Supplied Moving into uncharted territory, New Zealand Bloodstock’s annual South Island Sale saw its first-ever online session conclude on Gavelhouse Plus on Sunday 7 June. Prominent agent Phill Cataldo was busy throughout the Sale, investing in four yearlings including the top-priced lot early on in the session. Purchased on behalf of an Australian buyer, the Reliable Man filly out of Lady Zafira (Lot 2) was secured for $58,500 from the draft of Canterbury-based Ripple Creek. “She is a very well-grown, strong and…