Month: July 2020

Visiting Taranaki trainer Allan Sharrock struck gold with his first runner following the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown when Tellyawhat (NZ) (Dalghar) notched an impressive victory at Te Rapa. Most punters had expected the well-performed London Express (NZ) (Shampexpress) to provide Sharrock with his best chance in the rating 88 1000m dash however it was the enigmatic six-year-old gelding Tellyawhat that came up trumps courtesy of another picture-perfect ride by apprentice Ashvin Goindasamy. The Cambridge apprentice had Tellyawhat travelling sweetly in midfield throughout before angling for an inside run after the field…

Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards brought up his first century of training wins in New Zealand in his own right after Bak Da Master (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) scored in the first race at Awapuni on Saturday. Left stranded on 99 wins before the Covid-19 lockdown in New Zealand, Bak Da Master was his first runner since and delivered with a well-timed run under rider Michael Roustoby in the 1550 metre contest. It is the second time Richards has topped the 100-win mark after achieving the feat in the 2015/16 season with…

Walking Flying (NZ) (Tavistock) brought up a winning hattrick at Flemington on Saturday when scoring a stylish victory in the Silver Bowl Series Final (1600m). The filly lumped 60kg to victory under a slick ride from Jamie Mott, who also partnered the filly in her previous two successes. “She’s in fantastic form and she’s done a great job as she’s been up a long time,” co-trainer Ben Hayes said. “It was a very good ride by Jamie, who had to be patient and found the gaps. “He’s got a great relationship…

Team Rogerson started a big day at Te Rapa on Saturday in fine style with a victory by promising two-year-old filly De La Terre (NZ) (Reliable Man). The Tuhikaramea-based operation had a huge team lining up for the return to thoroughbred racing in the Waikato and were celebrating after the first event on the 12-race card with a gritty performance by De La Terre. Replacement rider Ashvin Goindasamy, who took the mount when Ryan Elliot couldn’t make the filly’s 56.5kg carded weight, bounced the daughter of Reliable Man to the…

A trip north paid dividends when Tigre Royale (NZ) (Redwood) scored a gritty victory at Randwick in the TAB Vision Bm78 Handicap (2400m) on Saturday. The Archie Alexander trained Tigre Royale was chasing his third successive wins after winning at Geelong at his two previous starts. The four-year-old gelding delivered getting the better of Desert Path (Champs Elysess) after slogging it out to the line to win by 0.1L. Tigre Royale races in the silks of OTI Racing with Saturday’s win his fifth from 17 starts taking his earnings over A$164,000. A…

Potential West Australian top-liner Showmanship (NZ) (Showcasing) kept his near perfect record in tact when winning the Amelia Park Handicap (1400m) in comfortable fashion at Belmont on Saturday, his fifth win from six stars. Prepared by Grant and Alana Williams for prominent owner Bob Peters, Showmanship travelled like the winner throughout and sailed to a two and a half length victory under William Pike. The Showcasing four-year-old got further back than expected but appreciated the solid tempo. “We had a discussion before the race and William thought he would be…

It’s been a long time between runners for Te Aroha trainers Keith and Gavin Opie. The father-son training partnership have not had a runner since January 3 and are hoping to make up for lost opportunity with a four-strong team set to show their wares at Counties on Saturday as racing in New Zealand resumes from a three month slumber. “It’s been a while since our last runner,” Keith Opie said. “We got the winter team ready and now it’s nearly the end of the season. “It just seems to…

The art of training is knowing the ability of your horses and where to place them to reap the rewards. Lindsay Park has a pair of two-year-old fillies engaged in the Rod Johnson Handicap at Flemington on Saturday in the hope they will make it to a black-type race in coming weeks. Unbeaten Rich Hill Stud graduate Chequerboard (Fastnet Rock) and Energy Within (Toronado) put their credentials on the line, aiming for a start in the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final at Flemington on July 4. “We’re using this race…

Saturday’s Counties meeting will mark thoroughbred racing’s return in New Zealand and while a lot of trainers are excited to be back, the day will mean a little bit more to Team Rogerson. Bailey Rogerson has elected to surrender her trainer’s license and leave the Team Rogerson training partnership in order to follow her aspirations of riding in the professional jockey ranks. The 18-year-old hoop is set to make her debut as a four kilogram claiming apprentice jockey after several years in the amateur ranks. “She has ridden as an…

Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Danny O’Brien expects to get a better guide on New Zealand stakes performer Run To Perfection (Sepoy) when the colt makes his second Australian appearance at Flemington. O’Brien has Run To Perfection in Saturday’s Listed AR Creswick Stakes (1200m) for three-year-olds having given him eight weeks between runs since his inconclusive Australian debut. Run To Perfection was unplaced, beaten two lengths, in a 1400m Flemington handicap against his own age under 61kg on April 25. “We ran him eight weeks ago and he had a bit of…