Group Three winner Who Dares Wins (NZ) (Iffraaj) is set to be one of the first open class horses to resume after racing’s COVID-19 enforced hiatus. The seven-year-old gelding pleased trainers Tony and Lyn Prendergast with his one length win in his 1150m trial at Rangiora last week and they are eyeing next week’s Riccarton meeting to kick-off his winter campaign. “I am really happy with the way he has come up,” Tony Prendergast said. “He has been a bit on the rotund side, but he is trimming down nicely,…
Month: July 2020
Phelan jumping to get back racing
Waikato trainer and jumps jockey Shaun Phelan got a little taste of racing at Waverley’s point-to-point meeting last week and now he wants more. “I have got a few nice rides for Harvey Wilson,” Phelan said. “I rode a few for him at the point-to-point and for John Wheeler as well at Waverley the other day and they all look pretty forward,” he said. “There are a few numbers around, there is definitely some good quality around the jumping ranks this season.” While many people couldn’t go for much more…
Eye surgery for Te Akau Shark
Trans-Tasman Group One winner Te Akau Shark’s return to training has been delayed due to impending surgery on a rare eye condition. The popular galloper has been spelling in New South Wales after finishing fifth in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at the end of a fruitful campaign that netted Group One victories in both the Waikato Sprint (1400m) and Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) “Whilst spelling, we further investigated an eye irritation of Te Akau Shark’s that we have managed successfully,” Te Akau Racing Principal David Ellis CNZM said.…
Four for Belardo
Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Belardo’s flying start as a freshman sire has continued over the weekend with two more winners, taking his tally to four winners in the space of seven days.Isabella Giles, from the Clive Cox yard, stuck to her task and started to pull away over 1200m at Leicester and on Sunday Lullaby Moon made lightwork of her opposition showing a strong turn of foot and clearing out to a comfortable two-and-a-quarter lengths over her rivals.Belardo now has four winners, with a further three placegetters, and as flat…
Over The Sky scores at Pakenham
Tavistock colt Over The Sky looks to have a promising future after impressing with his maiden victory over 1600m at Pakenham on Monday. It was just the second start for the three-year-old, after running third on debut, and trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr believe he has a bright future. “We thought Mark (Zahra, jockey) gave him the perfect ride,” Kent said. “They got into a lovely spot from that barrier (8). “The horse is still learning what it is all about and possibly got to the front and…
Waimate couple enjoying online challenge
Anna Miles and Michael Simpson of Pear Tree Farm are looking forward to Sunday when their two weanling colts go under the virtual hammer in New Zealand Bloodstock’s Weanling Sale on plus.gavelhouse.com. “We have been really lucky because we drew lot 1 with the Proisir colt out of Joan’s Girl,” Miles said. “He is a lovely, kind, strong, well conformed horse. “He is a full-brother to a filly we sold through the South Island Sale a couple of years ago called Harlow who was a winner on debut as a…
Group Two winner primed for return
Kevin Hughes was excited to have Group Two-winning mare Emily Margaret back at the trials on Thursday. The daughter of Pins finished near the tail of the field in her 1000m heat at Rangiora after being caught on the rail, but Hughes, who trains in partnership with his wife Pam, was pleased with her run. “We just wanted to tuck her in behind today,” he said. “If she had got a split I think she would have bolted in, but I said to the boy (Sanu Toolooa, jockey) just tuck…
Vale Battle Paint
Chequers Stud have reported the death of their resident sire Battle Paint, with the son of Tale of the Cat humanely euthanised on Tuesday after a battle with colic. The winner of three races in Europe, Battle Paint was runner-up to Holy Roman Emperor in the Gr.1 Grand Criterium (1400m) as a two-year-old. He went on to become a more than useful addition to New Zealand’s stallion ranks, as the sire of seven stakes performers headed by Group Two winner Battle Time and star Singapore galloper Affleck. “He was a…
Tavisan well suited
Caulfield trainer Mick Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, believes Tavistock four-year-old Tavisan (NZ) is well placed at Moonee Valley on Saturday to maintain his winning form. The five-win gelding was back in the winner’s circle when successful at Caulfield over 1100m last start and Price has high expectations for the front-running speedster when he steps up to 1200m on Saturday. “He’s going well and the race sets up beautifully for him, as long as Great Again doesn’t take him on,” Price said. “He’s just taken a…
Star sprinters join burgeoning Valachi Downs roster
In a strong message of support to the New Zealand breeding industry, Valachi Downs have announced two new additions to their stallion roster for the coming breeding season. Dual Group One winner Ten Sovereigns, the best and fastest son of outstanding young sire No Nay Never, will travel to New Zealand from Coolmore Ireland with U S Navy Flag, while exciting young sire Vespa will be relocated to stand at his place of birth, Valachi Downs. Ten Sovereigns hails from a long line of Group One-winning two-year-olds and leading sires and will stand at…