Month: September 2020

Expat Kiwi trainer John Sargent is tickled pink with Group One performer Brandenburg’s (NZ) (Burgundy) draw in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. The New Zealand-bred entire has drawn three in a star-studded field that includes the likes of star Kiwi mare Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) and last start Group One winner and reigning Epsom victor Kolding. “The three marble is a big help, but a mile a Randwick everyone has got a chance,” Sargent told Sky Sports Radio. Jockey Jason Collett gave Sargent the thumbs up following…

The Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Field made a big statement to end last season and picked up this term exactly where he left off, dazzling with a first-up victory. He goes again in Thursday’s Class 3 Shanghai Handicap (1200m) but his handler is being level-headed about his chances despite his exciting young gun taking on a field of only six opponents. “He’s a horse with a lot of upside – he’ll carry 133 pounds on the weekend and even though it’s a small field, in this game you still have to…

Paul Preusker can’t wait to see his quality stayer Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) step into the ring when he starts in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m). Preusker talks regularly in boxing parlance regarding Surprise Baby and said he’s looking forward to him having a decent contest at Flemington over 2000m on Saturday. “He’s going to be a good winning chance but for me, it’s all about having a spar to get him right for the Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m),” Preusker said. “He worked super on Tuesday. Not too taxing, just…

The Richard Collett-trained Super Pursuit (NZ) (Proisir) broke maiden ranks at Tauranga on Wednesday in the manner of a horse destined for higher grades, vindicating the support of punters. Off the scene since finishing fourth at Te Rapa as a two-year-old to last weekend’s Gr.2 Golden Pendant (1400m) winner Subpoeaned (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle), the now four-year-old came from the rear of the field under a cool Andrew Calder ride to win going away. “I was hoping everything went right,” Collett said. “He is a horse that showed immense ability…

Hawke’s Bay trainer John Bary is hoping to upset the applecart once again on Saturday when Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) contests the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) on his home track at Hastings. The Atlante four-year-old was a surprise $81 winner of the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) a fortnight ago but despite the impressive victory, punters have again neglected the four-win galloper who is rated a $31 prospect as he steps up to a mile. “I think he is overlooked in the market,” Bary said. “He showed last season he…

A decision to invest in a handful of yearlings at Karaka last year is looking set to payoff for a group of American investors. The Bourbon Lane Stable LLC, led by American investor Dennis Foster, will look forward to watching three of their purchases compete in New Zealand this weekend. Bourbonaire (NZ) (Darci Brahma) will be the partnership’s major focus this weekend when he lines-up in the Gr.2 Dundeel At Arrowfield Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday. The son of Darci Brahma finished sixth in the Gr.3 Northland…

A total of 94 horses remain in contention for a start in the 2020 Melbourne Cup, the highest number of first acceptances in ten years. Racing Victoria announced that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia’s most famous race had 82 locally-trained horses and 12 international horses paid up as first acceptors on Tuesday. Over the past five years there has been an average of 16 overseas horses still in the mix at the same stage, but that number is down due to the additional restrictions imposed on travelling horses and their…

Former top New Zealand apprentice Rory Hutchings achieved a milestone in his career when notching his 500th win last Sunday. Hutchings recorded the highlight on Henschel at Port Macquarie for trainer Allan Denham, taking his tally for the new season to six. As a result of his constant struggle to keep his weight in check, Hutchings is restricted with raceday opportunities, but is pleased to be race riding after a break when returning to New Zealand last year to regroup and get his career back on track. Hutchings rode a…

Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman are hoping the gelding of Unition (Fastnet Rock) has done the trick. The China Horse Club-owned three-year-old stood out as an early juvenile when winning the Listed Fasttrack Insurance 5K Bonus 2YO Stakes (1100m) on debut before placing in the Gr.2 Wakefield Stakes (1100m) in his only other two-year-old start. However, the son of Fastnet Rock and Group One winning mare Diademe disappointed his connections with his first-up eighth-placing in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and the decision was made to geld…

Champion trainer Jamie Richards is hoping for another fruitful day on both sides of the Tasman on Saturday despite the stars not aligning for star mare Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m). The Cambridge Stud-owned mare drew barrier 18 for the A$1 million feature and as a result of the wide draw drifted to a $7 second favourite. The Savabeel four-year-old has had a meticulous campaign to get to the Epsom where she will shoulder 52.5kgs after winning the Gr.3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) last start (carrying…