Happy Star will be vying to keep his undefeated record intact this preparation when he contests the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton Park on Saturday. The Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained five-year-old has won both of his starts this time in and they are hoping he can continue his picket fence formline this weekend. “He’s been going super,” Benner said. “He has done nothing wrong this whole preparation, he has won two trials and two races. “He has travelled down really well. He is a very…
Month: August 2020
Riccarton Park to race behind closed doors
The Canterbury Jockey Club together with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has made the decision to plan for Saturday’s race meeting to be run under the Emergency Regulations applicable to a Level 2 Alert. As was the case with the Taupo and Waverley race meetings this week this will mean that only people essential to the running the race meeting will be permitted on course. Owners, members, and ticketed guests will not be able to attend due to there being insufficient time to make compliant arrangements as required by the regulations.…
Finalists announced
The four finalists for the Sir Patrick and Justine Lady Hogan Breeder of the Year Award were announced by the New Zealand Breeders Association this week. Last year’s winner Nearco Stud is nominated, along with The Oaks Stud, Trelawney Stud and Waikato Stud. The NZTBA have also announced the nominees for the Eight Carat Broodmare of the Year as Bak da Chief, Evana, Meleka Belle and Platinum Elle. Nearco Stud Limited is owned by South Island businessman Greg Tomlinson, who after a passion for racing, bought his first mare in…
Baker’s dozen for Donnelly
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Local trainer Arna Donnelly will take her biggest ever contingent to a race meeting when she heads to Cambridge Raceway on Saturday. She will be represented by 12 of her own runners, but will also line-up debutant Jack Irish for trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan, with the Clevedon-based duo unable to make it to the meeting as a result of COVID-19 Level 3 restrictions in Auckland. While it will prove a busy day for Donnelly, she said she will be ably assisted by…
All weather test for grass specialist
By Jonny Turner Grass track star Di Caprio will attempt to make an impact on grit when he clashes with a quality field in the feature pace at Addington on Friday night. With his horse fit and ready and no grass track racing in sight, trainer Brian O’Meara will step the 6yr-old out on his less preferred surface in the 2600m handicap. Though the Shadow Play pacer is clearly brilliant on grass and has produced all of his six wins on turf, it does not necessarily mean can not produce…
‘Toby’ Ace in Victorian Sprint final
Weblec Ace was victorious in tonight’s Victorian Sprint Championship final.
Todd hoping to make a splash at Addington
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Like a fine wine, Splash Cola is just getting better with age. The 10-year-old daughter of Sundon will contest the Lamb & Hayward Mobile Trot (1980m) at Addington Raceway on Friday and while trainer Regan Todd isn’t expecting a lot from his charge first-up, he is hoping she can make a solid start to her preparation. “She seems really good. She has been trialling up well, but will be in need of the run,” Todd said. “She is as ready as she can be…
Big Fish, Little Fish | Addington, 14 August
Big Fish, Little Fish is the brand new Whale Watch brought to you by Michael Guerin and Craig Thompson. Today they look over the Addington meeting.
Selections | Addington, Friday 14 August
Michael Guerin, Matt Cross and Greg O’Connor provide us with their selections ahead of today’s meeting at Addington today Selections can be found here Head to www.tab.co.nz to make a bet!
Gizmo’s ‘need for speed’
Group 1 Topgun winner Get It Gizmo has been grounded for eight months. But hopefully he’s flying high in his racing comeback tonight at Warrnambool. He’ll contest a Mixed 4/5 (450m) – Race 8, Box 6 at 7.19pm. Trained by Harry Manolitsis, Get It Gizmo took everyone’s breath away in last year’s Topgun. He defeated a field comprising sprinters the ilk of Sennachie, Whiskey Riot, Black Opium, Shima Shine, Feral Franky, Good Odds Harada and Barooga Brett. Last year, he was also a finalist in the G1 Melbourne Cup, G1…