Month: August 2020

After River Radiance (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) overcame adversity to run a gallant first-up third in a Class 2 race over 1100m, trainer Mok Zhan Lun decided that the S$250,000 Merlion Trophy (1200m) on Sunday was worth a roll of the dice. “I was very happy with his last run (on August 8). He got galloped on and still came in third (to Sacred Rebel),” said Mok. “Without that incident, I’m not saying he would have won, but he could have finished closer. He came back with lacerations to his…

Wanganui trainer Raymond Connors has taken out two of the last three editions of the Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) with quality jumper Wise Men Say (NZ) (Yamanin Vital), and the marathon feature is once again his main target this year. The 11-year-old son of Yamanin Vital has finished fifth in his two starts over hurdles this preparation and Connors is happy with the way his gelding is tracking. He will contest the LJ Hooker Manawatu Steeplechase (4400m) at Awapuni on Saturday where he has been lumbered with 71kg, 4.5kg more…

Talented six-year-old Sherrif (NZ) (High Chaparral) heads off on a journey on Saturday that could yet see him tackle the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on October 17. The starting point is the Colchester Engineering 1400 at Matamata, a race where the High Chaparral gelding will be confronted with a heavy track and 62kg to carry. Despite those unfavourable factors, Cambridge trainer Roger James is happy with Sherrif’s fitness and overall condition after two placed trials, at Te Rapa in July and Taupo last week. “Both trials were very…

Evergreen galloper Irish Excuse (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) may be 10 years old but he is showing no signs of slowing down. The No Excuse Needed gelding has recently returned to Gore from a four start campaign in Canterbury where he recorded his 16th career victory at Riccarton first-up. “It was a pretty good campaign,” trainer Ellis Winsloe said. “All of his Christchurch runs were pretty good, but the track was probably a bit too firm for him at Ashburton last start.” Winsloe has been pleased with the way Irish…

The high quality of New Zealand’s three-year-old crop last season is illustrated by the finalists for the Champion Three-Year-Old category at the NZ Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards. Eight horses, including five fillies, are finalists in the three-year-old division, which will provide the voting panel with plenty to mull over. Seven of the eight contenders won a Group One race in the 2019-20 season and between them the finalists recorded 29 wins and 29 placings from 67 starts. The Kiwi three-year-olds made a mark on both sides of the…