Stratford trainer Gavin Sharrock is hopeful of a good return from his Group One performed four-year-old Vancooga, when the daughter of Proisir resumes in the Gr.2 Valachi Downs Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Off the scene since her barnstorming run in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), where she finished runner-up to Jennifer Eccles, Vancooga has pleased Sharrock ahead of Saturday’s short-course task, with a solid 1200m trial last month assisiting in her preparation. A $61 outsider, Sharrock views the Foxbridge as a lauching pad to bigger…
Month: September 2020
Catch The Thief Speed Star bound
Catch The Thief is one of three greyhounds trialing over the 525m at The Meadows on Saturday evening in hope of qualifying for the Speed Star which will be run on Wednesday 16 September. Fresh off the back of an impressive first look at Angle Park in preparation for October’s Group 1 Adelaide Cup last week, Matt Clark is confident his star chaser will be able to make it into the match race series. Catch The Thief’s fastest winning time at The Meadows is 30.15sec recorded in February at start…
Tin Shed rattles Healesville Cup
Only one year into his training career David Kerr is dreaming of celebrating a fairy tale Group race victory with kennel newcomer Tin Shed Fred in Sunday afternoon’s Healesville Cup (350m). Tin Shed Fred has been absolutely airborne since recently being purchased by Kerr’s sister Belinda Connolly and her husband Shane, winning five of his seven starts and claiming superstar Black Opium’s scalp in last weekend’s Healesville Cup heats. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get to this stage,” said Kerr. “Especially being in a Group…
Additional race in Filly of the Year series
The schedule for New Zealand Bloodstock’s prestigious Filly of the Year Series has been confirmed for 2020-21, with NZB committed to delivering another successful year of sponsorship towards the sought-after title. The new season will see the number of legs contested increase from 10 to 11, with Waikato Racing Club to host the new addition in the $70,000 Group Three Soliloquy Stakes (1400m). As a result of COVID-19 and a rescheduling of the New Zealand racing calendar, the Soliloquy Stakes, traditionally run at Ellerslie, will now take place on 24…
Hello Youmzain in search of third Group One
Group One winning entire Hello Youmzain will take on 12 rivals in the early hours of Sunday morning when he aims to repeat last year’s success in the Gr.1 Betfair Sprint Cup (1200m) at Haydock Park. The Cambridge Stud-owned son of Kodiac broke through for his first Group One win in this race 12 months ago and has a very good record at Haydock with two wins and a second from three starts. His other victory at the track came in the Gr.2 Sandy Lane Stakes (1200m) when he defeated…
Time Test fully booked
Little Avondale Stud stallion Time Test’s book is now fully subscribed for the 2020 breeding season. The son of Dubawi is set to cover 135 mares and Stud principals Sam and Catriona Williams are delighted with the support he has received from breeders. Time Test welcomed his first crop of Southern Hemisphere foals last year and the Williams’ said they have received positive reports from breeders. “Time Test’s first foals in 2019 were greeted with universal admiration in both hemispheres and the fact that so few were put up for…
Horse of the Year Awards go virtual
Uncertainty regarding alert levels has resulted in the Board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing deciding against holding the 2020 Horse of the Year Awards in its usual format. The achievements of industry participants over the 2019-20 season will still be acknowledged with the 2020 Horse of the Year Awards held as a virtual event, hosted by MCs George Simon and Kate Gourdie. Ticketing outlet iTICKET will be in touch with those who have already purchased tables in due course to organise refunds. More details regarding the virtual event will be…
Blinkers to help Richards duo on raceday
Trainer Jamie Richards admits that his pair of three-year-olds set to contest Saturday’s Gr.3 WRC Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) are difficult to get a line on at home. Need I Say More ($3.50) and Your Point ($4.20) will represent the Matamata trainer and the undefeated geldings have been installed at the top of the market for the early season three-year-old feature. “Need I Say More has done well,” Richards said. “He is a laid-back sort of horse who is a bit hard to get a line on at home. “His…
Pride of the south returns
The pride of the south, Group One winner Patrick Erin, will begin his spring campaign at Wingatui on Sunday where he will tackle the Vault 21 (1400m). The Brian and Shane Anderton-trained gelding will carry 62kg and his connections just want to see him go around safely this weekend. “He had a jump out the other day and he didn’t blow at all, he is pretty forward,” Brian Anderton said. “He will be running on in the finish, but it will be a bit short for him probably. “As long…
Schofer out to continue strong start
Apprentice jockey Hazel Schofer has had a dream start to the season and currently sits atop the New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership with nine wins. The talented rider’s tally was boosted when she recorded six wins in a day at Hawera last month, becoming the first apprentice to record the feat. “I went in knowing I had good chances all day but you don’t really expect or aim to get six in one day. Everything went right, it was a great day to have,” Schofer said. Schofer is hoping she can…