Promising three-year-old Knight Mariner (NZ) (Tavistock) will get a chance at a consolation black-type race after his powerful win at Ipswich. Knight Mariner came from last to easily win the Sirromet 3Y0 (1690m) on Wednesday. He was part of a treble for trainer Tony Gollan and his apprentice Baylee Nothdurft which also gave Nothdurft 100 wins for the season. Gollan and Nothdurft have the trainer and jockey premierships at both metropolitan and state levels safely in their keeping. Gollan had planned to run Knight Mariner in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby…
Month: July 2020
Racing Industry Bill passes third reading
Racing Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the Racing Industry Bill passing its third reading, creating the legislative framework for revitalising the racing industry while limiting the need for future government intervention. “For too long our domestic racing industry has been left to fade into obscurity at the expense of jobs and the passionate people and communities that support it,” Peters said. “The Coalition Government has now delivered on its promise to create a framework that enables the industry to take the reins and move itself forward. With this Bill, responsibility…
Alfa Oro out to continue picket fence form
New Zealand-bred gelding Alfa Oro (NZ) (Bachelor Duke) will attempt to keep his picket fence form line intact at Caulfield on Saturday when he contests the Neds Handicap (1100m). The son of Bachelor Duke has had just the six lifetime starts after fracturing his right-fore cannon bone after his second start. After nearly two years of rehabilitation, Alfa Oro returned to the racetrack at Pakenham in April where he finished runner-up before posting three successive wins, including a last-start victory over 1100m at Flemington late last month. Trainer Matt Laurie…
Group One jockey returns to Christchurch
Group One-winning jockey Racha Cuneen has returned to New Zealand to boost the Canterbury riding ranks and he couldn’t be any happier about it. Cuneen, best known for his Group One wins in the 2016-17 season on La Diosa in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton and Signify in the Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham, has taken three rides at Riccarton on Saturday. “I returned just before New Zealand closed its borders and renewed my licence here. I’m enjoying being back,” 28-year-old Cuneen said. “My weight blew out to…
Water treadmill aids Bambry’s bold resumption
Central Districts trainer Chrissy Bambry wasted no time putting wins on the board at the first Lower North Island thoroughbred meeting following a COVID-19 enforced hiatus. Recent stable addition Spring Tide was an emphatic maiden winner in the opening event over 800m, while two-races later Speed Call made a one-act affair of the Wanganui Motors HWT 1600m, scoring by more than 12 lengths under a confident Ryan Elliot ride. “You don’t mind that the weather is a bit cloudy when you’re getting winners,” Bambry said. Spring Tide came to…
Double Pearl Bonus on Offer at Riccarton
A return to racing in the South Island isn’t the only thing filly and mare owners will be excited about this weekend. Canterbury Jockey Club’s NZB Insurance Pearl Series race (1200m) on Saturday will give Pearl Series registered fillies and mares their first opportunity since the COVID-19 lockdown to secure Pearl bonuses, as well as a one-off incentive for second-placegetters running until the end of this July. For the six remaining Pearl Series races of the 2019-20 racing season, NZB Insurance and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing will contribute an extra…
Crack Me Up primed for Civic Stakes
The Bjorn Baker-trained Crack Me Up will be looking to rebound from his subpar performance in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) when he contests the Listed Civic Stakes (1350m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The Stradbroke was the New Zealand-bred gelding’s sole run in Queensland and his trainer said he hasn’t taken any ill-effects from the trip. “He was up there for about 10 days, so it wasn’t too tough on him,” Baker told Sky Sport Radio. “He has done the trip a few times. He is old and tough and…
Racing Code Funding Confirmed for 2020-21
The Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) today advised New Zealand racing codes of forecasted funding in 2020/21 of $139.6m which is the same level as was budgeted for the 2019/2020 season before the impacts of COVID-19. This is despite fewer thoroughbred and harness races planned for the upcoming season. RITA Executive Chair Dean McKenzie said the business and the Codes had responded swiftly to the impact of COVID-19 by taking decisive action to stabilise the industry and retain funding for next season at proposed 2019/20 levels. “Despite the significant impact…
Mighty performance from Kiwi newcomer in Korea
Globe-trotting jockey Alan Munro partnered two-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding Mighty New (NZ) (Red Giant) to an impressive Class 4 victory in a 1200m race at Seoul last weekend, which may pave the way for further Kiwi exports to South Korea. The son of Red Giant was one of nine horses purchased by the Seoul Racehorse Owners’ Association at the 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale and is prepared by progressive trainer Seo Hongsoo. Bred and prepared for sale by Annabelle Johnson via the Westbury Stud draft, Mighty New…
Pitman team out in force at Riccarton
Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman have a host of horses ready to race and the stable will be well represented when racing returns in the South Island on Saturday on their hometrack. The leading conditioners accepted with 27 horses, with four likely to be balloted and Michael Pitman is keen to see a number of the younger members of his team strut their stuff on raceday. Punters won’t get a guide to the prospects of the Pitman team by reviewing trial form, with the stable having by-passed two trial…