Temporale back in his happy place

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Group One winner Temporale will be back to his happy place on Thursday night, behind the mobile at Alexandra Park. The Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett-trained eight-year-old has won 11 of his 17 careers starts from behind the gates, all at the Auckland track, and he will look to add to that tally on Thursday night. The son of Monarchy showed he was back to his best in his first-up effort at Alexandra Park a fortnight ago where he put in a herculean effort…

Icon’s a legend!

Famed English writer JRR Tolkein once penned: “It is not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit.” And it’s that sort of courage which typifies the Paul Abela-trained Modern Icon. “Tyson” – as he’s affectionately known – looked headed for racetrack stardom after winning successive races at Sandown (29.39sec) and The Meadows (29.99sec) in January this year. But fate dealt a cruel hand shortly after when he suffered a serious hock injury at Sandown. Owned by the Staying Icon syndicate, comprising Fab Mastropasqua and…

The straight’s great at Healesville this Sunday

The picturesque Yarra Valley will be buzzing with the sound of pounding paws this Sunday, with the running of the 31st Healesville Greyhound Cup over 350m. This race is the flagship event for the Healesville Greyhound Association, which boasts Victorian greyhound racing’s only TAB straight track. Race 1 at Healesville is scheduled for 11.09am on Sunday, with the Cup to run at 12.59pm. One of Victorian greyhound racing’s premier provincial races, the Group 3 Healesville Cup boasts prize money of $67,000 in the final, including $47,000 to the winner. As…

More in store for Vamos Bebe

Well-related four-year-old mare Vamos Bebe broke maiden ranks in style at Avondale on Wednesday over 1200m. The Trelawney Stud-owned daughter of I Am Invincible had finished second at her two starts prior to her breakthrough win. Trained by Jamie Richards, the mare travelled like the winner a long way out under a positive Danielle Johnson ride. “She has always promised to do that,” Richards said. “Her trials and her first two runs have been good. “She’s a filly that has battled with a couple of immaturity issues but hopefully now…

Classy colt gets job done

Punters that took the $1.30 about talented three-year-old The Irishman would have had their hearts in their mouths when the son of Tavistock stepped slowly from the barriers on debut over 1100m at Avondale on Wednesday on a Heavy10 surface. But the Tony Pike-trained colt flagged himself as a horse with a bright future after closing well from near the tail of the field to run down leader True Blessing in the shadows of the post. “It was a pretty big effort,” Pike said. “They went very slow, he hated…