Stakes winner Santa Catarina has joined the Melbourne stable of Mike Moroney and will have her first hit-out of the new season at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Raced by prominent New Zealand owner Lib Petagna, Santa Catarina was previously trained in New Zealand by Stephen Marsh for whom she won five of her 17 career starts, including the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa. Moroney said the mare had joined his Flemington team about three weeks ago, shortly after she finished fourth in a 1000m…
Month: July 2020
Scent of Derby in Beuzelin’s Blue Vanda choice
Choosing Siam Blue Vanda (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) over Top Knight (Zoustar) might have been a tough decision to make for any jockey, but to Louis-Philippe Beuzelin, it was never really a toss-up. The two Michael Clements four-year-olds have charted fairly identical pathways to the top of their age group at Kranji, with Siam Blue Vanda – named after the orchid – the slightly later bloomer. Seven wins both, with a proven track record up to the mile, and potentially further. They also have ‘black type’ to their name, Top…
August / September Racing Calendar now available
GRV’s Racing Calendar for August/September is now available for download. The calendar will also appear in the August edition of Greyhound Monthly, which will be published online tomorrow evening. Click HERE to download
Dee-light for Demons fans?
With the snow season ‘melting away’ due to COVID-19, Demons’ supporters stuck in their suburban ‘chalets’ may warm to a TAB special cross-sport double tonight. TAB is offering $3.60 about Melbourne winning and even losing by 5pts or less against top-of-the-ladder Port Adelaide and Mister Harlewood winning at Sandown greyhounds. And at those odds, expect Dees’ fans to ‘come in from the cold’. Star stayer Mister Harlewood is in Race 5 Box 6 at 7.43pm, while bounce down for the Dees v Power clash is at 7.50pm.
The Meadows joins forces with Healesville as second straight track is set for Victoria
The Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association (MGRA) will soon announce a proposal for a new straight track at its current venue following the commencement of a detailed feasibility study of the proposed site, MGRA Chair, Eddie Caruana and Greyhound Racing Victoria CEO Alan Clayton said today. Mr Caruana said he and his fellow Directors were excited to be taking the next step to expand the racing program at their track which is the home to some of the nation’s best racing. In joining Mr Caruana in the announcement, Mr Clayton added…
Racing Industry Update
This Saturday, 1 August 2020, the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) will become TAB New Zealand (TAB NZ). The change marks a significant milestone in the history of the TAB and the racing industry. It also brings to an end a 13-month period of transitioning, as RITA, from the New Zealand Racing Board. The creation of TAB NZ is part of the final steps in a transformation that started back in April 2018 when John Messara was appointed by the Minister for Racing Rt Hon Winston Peters to undertake his…
No spectators for 75th Little Brown Jug
The 75th running of the Little Brown Jug, one of North America’s most coveted races, will be held this year, but without spectators because of the COVID pandemic. Hosted by the Delaware County Agricultural Society since 1946, the Little Brown Jug is the third and final leg of pacing’s Triple Crown. Usually it attracts a crowd of around 40,000 fans. This September the Delaware County fairgrounds will be deserted apart from horses and essential personnel. “It is a disappointing day for us. We have been working diligently with the…
Copy That excites with dominant win
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Exciting pacer Copy That may not have had the chance to contest the New Zealand Pacing Derby this year, but he made sure he finished his three-year-old season in style at Alexandra Park on Wednesday night. The Ray Green-trained colt was taken straight to the front by driver Maurice McKendry in the Shane ‘Interterestrial’ Primrose Mobile Pace (2200m) where they were able to dictate terms throughout and ran away to a comfortable four length victory over Smooth Deal, with a further head back to…
Thompson’s St Leger ‘royal flush’?
Pearcedale trainer Jason Thompson holds a strong hand in all three heats of the Group 3 Warragul St Leger (460m) on Friday night. Thompson’s ‘ace in the pack’ is Zambora Smokey, but he also has his litter brothers Zambora Lou and Zambora Lion – along with Fire Legend and Taken – engaged. Thompson is hoping he has a ‘winning hand’ with his quality quintet but rightfully ‘played his cards close to his chest’, mindful the age-restricted series comprises several class acts – including Catch The Thief and Jeff Britton’s six-member…
Darren DeFilippi Memorial Trot turns 25
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Not a day goes by when Colin and Julie DeFilippi don’t think about their son Darren. “It’s still hurts thinking about him and what he has missed out on in life,” says Julie. The 25th running of the Darren DeFilippi Memorial Trot will be held at Addington Raceway on Friday night. It marks a quarter of a century since the talented junior driver was killed in a three car crash as he returned from the Orari races. “We have both struggled,” says Colin,…