Month: September 2020

Bonham goes bang

NZRacingDesk

Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard unleashed a smart filly at Woodville on Thursday when first-starter Bonham (NZ) (Per Incanto) cruised to victory in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1100m). The three-year-old daughter of Per Incanto had won a trial impressively at Foxton and replicated that performance on raceday. Ridden by Rosie Myers, the Little Avondale-bred filly scored by three-lengths and is sure to feature in better races. “She has always shown exceptional ability, but she just lacked a little bit of ringcraft, that was the only concern against some…

Road To The Jericho begins

NZRacingDesk

The road towards The Jericho Cup (4800m) at Warrnambool on November 29 will begin at New Plymouth on Saturday for the victor of the qualifying race of the same name. The NZB Airfreight sponsored 3210m race was taken out by Aigne (NZ) (Sufficient) last year and owner Neil O’Dowd is hoping he can replicate the result in this year’s edition. The son of Sufficient has been in a purple patch of form of late, winning his last three races, including the Parliamentary Handicap (2100m) and Awapuni Hurdles (2900m). His success…

Baker chases fifth Underwood crown

NZRacingDesk

Hall of Fame trainer Murray Baker has won the Gr.1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield four times already so he well knows the formidable task he has set for The Chosen One on Saturday. Baker’s previous four winners – The Phantom (1990), Lion Tamer (2011), Dundeel (2013) and Bonneval (2017) – would easily find a place among a who’s who of New Zealand galloping greats over the past 30 years. While five-year-old Savabeel entire The Chosen One has won six of his 23 starts – four of those at stakes…

Cole out to snap streak of seconds

NZRacingDesk

After a series of second placings over the last week, Matamata trainer Cody Cole is hoping to go one better on Saturday. Cole saddled Extortion for a runner-up finish at Te Rapa last Thursday, then picked up another two second placings with Craftyeva and Cadeau, his two runners at Matamata on Wednesday. “We’ve had three seconds in a row now, so hopefully we can pick up a win soon,” Cole said. “But I really don’t mind those horses running second fresh-up. I think we’ve got a bit to look forward…

Inaugural Harness Million just a day away

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  If hotpot Krug wins the first ever Harness Million Colts and Geldings Final at Alexandra Park tomorrow night it will have shades of 2012. Back then it was Bit of A Legend, driven by Dexter Dunn, and trained by Cran Dalgety,who won what was then called the PGG Wrightson Yearling Sales 2YO Open. Tomorrow’s race is for NZB Standardbred yearling sales graduates, and has attracted 14 starters, including five from the all-powerful All Stars stable. Like Bit of a Legend, Krug was initially…

Catch The Thief: SA show stealer?

Editor BOAY

Can champion Victorian sprinter Catch The Thief ‘steal’ a spot in the Group 1 Adelaide Cup? That’s the salivating prospect – and a $5000 first prize – on offer for the overall winner (based on overall times) in the TAB SA Match-Race Series over 515 metres at Angle Park tonight. The overall winner from the four match races is guaranteed a spot (if they accept) into the G1 Adelaide Cup on October 9. Catch The Thief’s charismatic trainer Matt Clark is confident he will and thinks he can break the…

Ride High skips the clash

NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton FANS will have to wait at least another week for the first clash of glamour Aussie pacers Ride High and Lochinvar Art. In a surprise late twist, Ride High was nominated, but then pulled-out of Saturday night’s $30,000 Minuteman free-for-all (2240m) at Melton. Connections have remained tight-lipped on the circumstances, but it is now expected Ride High will run in Saturday week’s $50,000 Group 2 Smoken Up Sprint (1720m) at Melton to sharpen-up for the $300,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup a week later. This week’s race is…