Month: August 2020

Central Districts trainer Kevin Myers enjoyed a day out at Awapuni on Friday, saddling five winners. The wily conditioner linked with rider Shaun Fannin to win four of the five jumps races with Bakela, Ave Maria, Albaron and Napolean, but it was the flat victory of staying and jumping all-rounder Aigne in the Eddie Carson Memorial Parliamentary Handicap (2100m) that proved one of the highlights of the day. Confidently ridden by Sam O’Malley, Aigne showed a great turn of foot late to demolish his rivals by six and a half…

Star Kiwi mare Melody Belle has continued preparations towards her expected return in the Gr.2 Missile Stakes (1200m) with a win in a star-studded barrier trial at Randwick. Three heats for Group horses were conducted on Randwick’s Kensington track on Friday morning having been pushed back from Tuesday because of the recent wet weather in Sydney. The Jamie Richards-trained 10-time Group One winner Melody Belle finished strongly between runners under jockey Kerrin McEvoy late in her trial over 850m on a heavy track to win by a half-length over dual…

The champion first season sire for 2019-20 is Novara Park’s Sweynesse, who sired three winners including Bonita Aurelia, who won the Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) and placed in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). The highly regarded Walkthisswey was an impressive recent winner at Riccarton. “It’s a really good result, and a great way for the stallion to start his career,” said Novara Park manager Ray Knight. “It’s been a funny old year for everyone with Covid-19, but it’s been very encouraging for us to see his first progeny…