Month: July 2020

Megeve primed for Avondale resumption

Editor BOAY

South Auckland trainers Peter and Dawn Williams will take just one runner to Avondale on Wednesday, but they believe that is enough to pick up a cheque. Three-year-old filly Megeve (NZ) (Wandjina) will contest the AJC Members (1100m) and will be looking to keep her undefeated record at the Auckland track intact. The Sir Peter Vela-owned filly won on debut over 1200m at Avondale last October before placing at Tauranga a month later. Her connections have taken a patient approach with her and it looks to be paying off with…

Becca Perry joins family bloodstock business

Editor BOAY

Bruce Perry Bloodstock is becoming a family affair with Perry’s daughter Becca joining the Wairarapa-based bloodstock agency. Since leaving school Becca has completed a Bachelor’s degree and spent time living and travelling around the United States. Upon her return to New Zealand she joined the travel industry in Wellington. Perry said it was always her plan to become more involved in her family’s business and with the impact COVID-19 is having on the travel sector she thought it was an ideal time to make the move. Bruce is adamant the…

National tilt for Bee Tee Junior

Editor BOAY

Talented New Zealand jumper Tallyho Twinkletoe (NZ) (St Reims) will be be vying for back-to-back wins in the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) next month, but trainer Rachael Cunningham is hoping to spoil his party with compatriot Bee Tee Junior (NZ) (Nom Du Jeu). The former Kiwi galloper was narrowly beaten into second by Tallyho Twinkletoe in Sunday’s Brendan Drechsler Hurdle (3500m), which has given Cunningham the confidence to press on to the National with her gelding. “We are going to go to the National, we might as well aim high,”…

2020/21 Stallion Register North Island launch

NZHarnessNews

The North Island Standardbred Breeders Association Inc would like to invite you to the 2020/21 Stallion Register North Island launch!  This event is being held as follows: Tasman Room, Alexandra ParkThursday 6 August 2020The entire race card will be sponsored by the North Island Breeders and there will be displays and personnel available from the Studs to present to you their new stallions, talk to you about deals for this season, advise on breeding options you have and the like.   It is anticipated to be a fun filled night…

Franco Riot aiming for hat-trick at Cambridge

NZHarnessNews

By Josh Smith – Harness News Desk Former southerner Franco Riot has pleasantly surprised trainer Abz Holdaway with the way he has performed since joining her Pukekohe barn. The son of McCardle has won both of his starts this preparation and Holdaway said he has far exceeded her expectations after originally being bought to target amateur driver races. “He is going super at the minute,” she said. “We didn’t really expect much when he first got here. We actually bought him to be an amateur racehorse and things didn’t quite…

Zero-tolerance approach to COVID-19 breaches

Editor BOAY

From Thursday 23 July facial coverings (masks) will be mandatory at all Victorian greyhound race meetings and trial sessions. Although provided, it is preferred people bring their own masks. GRV officials will take a zero-tolerance approach to breaches of Government directives for COVID-19 which includes the wearing of facial coverings (masks). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Participant Support Line on 1300 144 360 or via email on participants@grv.org.au.

Support Services for Licenceholders

NZHarnessNews

A reminder that HRNZ offers the below support services to all Licenceholders, if you feel you need to reach out to someone about the following… Vitae A free counselling service provided to Licenceholders if you need assistance with –  Personal or workplace stress Relationship problems Conflict situations Anxiety / depression Anger / Violence Grief / loss Harassment Personal trauma Addictions Budget advice Call 0508 664 981 24/7 or complete the online referral form here. The Salvation Army Andrew McKerrowRacetrack Support ChaplainAndrew.mckerrow@salvationarmy.org.nzMobile: 029 771 2398 Diana YoungAlcohol, Drug and Mental Health ClinicianDianna.young@salvationarmy.org.nzMobile: 021…

Te Akau pair relishing NSW preparation

Editor BOAY

Leaving a couple of their star gallopers over in New South Wales to spell after their autumn campaigns is proving to be a masterstroke by Te Akau principal David Ellis. The stable’s travelling foreman Ashley Handley also stayed in Australia to oversee the pair and her presence is proving to be invaluable for trainer Jamie Richards, with border restrictions ruling out any travel plans for the young horseman. “David Ellis made the decision after the (Sydney Autumn) carnival to leave the horses there and Ashley Handley, who works for us,…

Sacred Capital too strong in Chairman Memorial Cup

Editor BOAY

Karaka graduate Sacred Capital (NZ) (O’Reilly) marked the anniversary of his Macau Derby (1800m) heroics with another stellar performance at the same meeting. Purchased out of Waikato Stud’s 2016 Ready To Run sale draft for $580,000, the quality gelding dominated Sunday’s M$800,000 Chairman Memorial Cup (1200m) to lift his career earnings past M$4 million (NZ$800,000). Ridden by Peter Ho, Sacred Capital recovered from a slow start to find a midfield position in Sunday’s sprint feature. He then unleashed a ferocious finish in the straight, powering past the leader in the last 150m…

Kiwis dominate jumping card

Editor BOAY

The NZ suffix dominated proceedings at Pakenham on Sunday, with all six jumping races taken out by Kiwi horses. Plumpton trainer Patrick Payne led the way with three victories, including features with Tallyho Twinkletoe (NZ) St Reims) (Brendan Dreschler Hurdle, 3500m) and Slowpoke Rodriguez (NZ) (Istidaad)(Mosstrooper Steeplechase, 3500m). Payne labelled the former as the best jumper he has trained, while Slowpoke Rodriguez has become one of his favourites. “He’s (Tallyho Twinkletoe) the complete package,” Payne told RSN927. “I loved a horse called Sea King. He was a good jumper and…