Collett bullish with weekend prospects

Pukekohe trainer Richard Collett will saddle two solid chances at Ellerslie on Saturday, with My Callisto (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) to contest the Dunstan Feeds 2100, while four-year-old mare Sweet Clementine (NZ) (Sweet Orange) will tackle a strong field in the JRA Trophy (1400m). Runner-up over 2100m at Avondale last start, My Callisto has been installed a $4.80 favourite for the Rating 65 Benchmark in which he will clash with progressive stayer Captaintwinkletoes (NZ) (Sufficient). “He has got to be hard to beat on his last run,” Collett said. “He…

Riding return nigh for Phelan

It’s been a frustrating last few months for top jumps jockey Shaun Phelan, but the end to his injury enforced layoff is near. The talented rider has been sidelined since June after he broke his wrist when schooling a horse and he has subsequently missed the majority of the jumping season. However, a recent x-ray has shown a lot of improvement and he may make his raceday return ahead of the two biggest jumps meetings of the year. “I just had another x-ray and it is almost healed,” he said.…

Williamson welcomes Addington reprieve

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk There don’t seem to be enough hours in the day for equine veterinarian Donna Williamson, but she makes sure to have time to train her small team of standardbreds. The South Canterbury trainer is being kept busy running Belmont Park, but she is looking forward to getting off her property on Friday to head to Addington Raceway with Group Three performer The Dominator. The seven-year-old trotter will contest the Gr.3 Alabar Ordeal Trotting Cup (2600m) and Williamson said she is pleased with The Pres…

Start crucial to Sundees Son’s Ordeal defence

By Jonny Turner Drawing barrier 1 has thrown a curveball at Sundees Sun ahead of the classy squaregaiter attempting to defend his Ordeal Trotting Cup crown at Addington on Friday night. The Robert Dunn trained trotter is clearly feeling fit and ready enough to win the 2600m group 3 feature if his excellent recent trial win at Rangiora is anything to go by. The 6yr-old powered to an impressive victory from a 40m handicap in a faultless display for driver John Dunn. That effort came after the Sundees Son galloped…

Zipping ‘plans’ for Zarbo

Astute race planning – and a fair dollop of natural ability – resulted in Zipping Zarbo winning 13 of her first 15 starts. The Deb Coleman trained flyer has since won another three races (with five seconds and two thirds) from 13 starts. And earlier this week, it was that same forethought – and raw talent – which landed Zipping Zarbo victory in the $15,000-to-the-winner President’s Cup (485m) at Horsham. The frontrunning Zipping Zarbo ($4.90) staved off a late challenge from Weblec Haze ($5.30) to score by a half-length in…

Walker cautious with Count

Smart miler Countofmontecristo (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) reaches a new stage of his stellar career when he steps out for his first race under three-time Singapore champion trainer Mark Walker this Saturday. Walker, who only received the former Michael Clements-trained galloper last Friday, has not taken long to find a contest for his new precious charge, the S$100,000 Class 1 race over 1600m. Raced by Joe Singh, Countofmontecristo is the highest rated horse in work at Kranji on 115 points (after Aramco, on 118 points, but who is spelling). He…

COVID-19: Updated Permitted Worker Permit needed

To continue to travel throughout Victoria during Covid GRV participants are required to update their Permitted Worker Permit from the Victorian State Government. The updated form requires dates of work to be filled out, which can be found on the second page of the form. This was previously pre-filled. The updated form can be found via these links: MS Word Version / PDF version. Identical to the first Permitted Worker Permit, you may have to complete the form as both the employer and the employee. If you do not have…

BRING IT ON!

Superstars Black Opium, Christo Bale and Tiggerlong Tonk square off in a dream clash at The Meadows this afternoon. And the ‘showdown’ is sure to pique punters’ interest! At the time of writing, Tiggerlong Tonk headed TAB’s fixed odds market at $2.70, followed by Christo Bale and Black Opium at $2.90 each of two. The Free For All (525m) is Race 8 at 5.24pm. Australia’s sprint queen, Black Opium has won two Group 1s, while ultimate professional Tiggerlong Tonk and powerhouse Christo Bale are both Group 2 winners. Here’s the…