GRV’s General Manager of Racing, Greg Kerr, provides an update on some of the current topics from around the racetrack. Q. What can you tell us about a 13th race being introduced to some Victorian race meetings? Greg Kerr: Running an extra race at some venues is now getting very close to delivery. Over the past few months, we have been working with Race Clubs and Wagering Service Providers to ensure a smooth delivery. We have six venues that could put on an extra race, nominations permitting, those venues being…
Month: October 2020
Hume Cup heats: Sleek Zeek steps up as Last Hurrah makes it six straight
Aspiring young trainer Ned McDonald – just two days shy of his 20th birthday – savoured his biggest moment in the sport when Zipping Zeek produced a sleek win in a G1 Hume Cup heat (600m) at The Meadows tonight. Transferred from NSW for the series, Zipping Zeek – who was a G1 Vic Peters Classic finalist and G2 Richmond Derby runner-up – made a sensational middle-distance debut. Zipping Zeek ($4.30) defeated Malayah Bale ($18.40) by 1.4L, with Here’s Tears ($3.10F) a further 2.8L way third in 34.10sec (Best). It…
Big Fish, Little Fish – Invercargill 29 October
Jenni lands knock-out blow in Bendigo Cup
Princess Jenni (NZ) (High Chaparral) has made a stunning return to form, landing the Gr.3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) on Wednesday in gallant fashion but is not nominated for the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) like several of her vanquished rivals. The David Brideoake-trained galloper held off a fast-finishing Joseph O’Brien-trained Pondus, who flew home late but came up short. Princess Jenni ($19) had been well beaten in all four starts this preparation leading into Wednesday’s race, but she relished the step out to 2400m with Jye McNeil on board. The five-year-old…
Mrs Beckham puts best foot forward
Flemington trainers Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra were pleased to see talented mare Mrs Beckham (NZ) (Toronado) show her best when successful at Bendigo on Wednesday as she notched her third career victory. The four-year-old, who sports the colours of breeder Kevin Hickman’s Valachi Downs has not been far away in stakes company but has been rejuvenated after a couple of below par runs by spending time in a rural environment. “She didn’t quite come up after her run at Sandown and then she was pretty average at her next…
Hindaam shows class
Well-related filly Hindaam (NZ) (Savabeel) extended her record to two wins and a second from four starts when successful at Bendigo on Wednesday over 1300m for trainers Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes. Sporting the colours of Shadwell Stud, the three-year-old filly was ridden patiently by Daniel Stackhouse and burst clear late to score by three-quarters of a length. “I think if she didn’t win then she would have been very unlucky not to,” Hayes said. “It was a hard watch halfway down the straight but once she got out she…
Savabeel four-year-old thriving
Wairere Falls (NZ) (Savabeel) is loving life in Sydney and added to his record in fine style on the Kensington track at Randwick on Wednesday. The well-related Savabeel four-year-old picked up a maiden success and three placings during his time at the Victorian arm of Chris Waller’s operation and since his move to Rosehill has really blossomed. Wairere Falls came from last to win at Hawkesbury before producing an identical performance on Wednesday with jockey Tommy Berry giving the gelding plenty of time to find his feet before powering to…
Group One target for Brando
Three-year-old feature races now beckon the Jamie Richards-trained Brando (NZ) (Savabeel) after his maiden victory in the Mainfreight 1400 at Te Aroha on Wednesday. The son of Savabeel had a picket fence form line at the trials prior to finishing runner-up behind $2.60 Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) favourite Tinker McPhee (Nostradamus) on debut at Matamata earlier this month. Punters duly backed the Te Akau runner into $1.30 favouritism for his Te Aroha assignment and he delivered for his supporters, winning by a long head over Deep…
Zoltan bounces back
Only a matter of days ago, trainer Kenny Rae had resigned himself to missing the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) with Zoltan (NZ) (Iffraaj) at Riccarton on Saturday week. On Thursday at Ashburton, Rae will saddle the talented three-year-old in the Thank You Barneswood Farm 1200, the Iffraaj gelding on trial for a start for the Guineas after a remarkable couple of days of recovery. Zoltan clipped heels turning for home in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton 10 days ago and hit…
Platinum Invador vying for Cup berth
Group One performer Platinum Invador (NZ) (Redwood) will have a last ditch effort at trying to secure a spot in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) when he lines-up at Flemington on Saturday. The son of Redwood will contest the Gr.3 Hotham Stakes (2500m) with the winner gaining automatic entry into the race that stops a nation next Tuesday. Having transferred from Lisa Latta to Peter Moody’s Pakenham barn earlier this spring, Platinum Invador showed a glimpse of his best when third in the Gr.2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield…