With the COVID-19 pandemic putting a halt to international buyers attending New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale at Karaka this week, the trusty phone has been worth its weight in gold for many vendors. Ohukia Lodge principal Jamie Beatson said he has been glued to his phone over the last couple of months speaking with prospective purchasers about his 14-strong draft. The Cambridge-based operation has also upped the ante with their photos and videos this year in order to give international parties the best possible impression of their draft.…
Month: November 2020
Versatile Wellwood answers the call
Cambridge trainer Robert Wellwood is one of the bright young stars of the New Zealand training ranks and the hands-on horseman has already proved adept at a number of roles in the thoroughbred industry. But on Monday Wellwood ticked another industry box, filling the void as the commentator at the Taupo trials, after a rostering faux pas. “We turned up first thing as we had one in heat three and they announced over the loud speaker that because the trials were only put on at the last minute, somebody at…
Team Anderton head south
Brian and Shane Anderton will take eight horses south to Ascot Park on Wednesday and they believe they can go home with a few cheques. Five-win gelding Our Teddy Boy (NZ) (Onceuponatime) will jump from barrier seven in the Waikiwi Tavern & The Foundry Restaurant Handicap (1400m) carrying 57kg with the assistance of apprentice jockey Rahul Beeharry’s three kilo claim. The son of Onceuponatime has placed in three of his last four starts after winning at Gore in August and his trainers are hoping he can end his preparation on…
The Box Seat – November 17
Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen discuss their decision to step away from the sport they’ve dominated on this week’s edition of the Box Seat. The All Stars trainers talk to host Greg O’Connor after this week announcing they are taking a break from training at the end of this year.
Green with envy
Green Blazer, who makes his race debut at Sandown on Sunday, has the blueblood pedigree any trainer would welcome into their kennel. Owned by the ‘Team TAB’ syndicate, managed by greyhound media identity George Farrugia, Green Blazer was ‘Pick 2’ in last year’s National Greyhound Draft. Bred in the purple, Green Blazer (Box 8) – engaged in a GRV Vic Bred Maiden Series heat (515m) – oozes black type ancestry. His sire, Mepunga Blazer, won the 2017 G1 Maturity Classic and was a G1 Winter Cup finalist. And his dam,…
All Stars’ stars staying put
By Adam Hamilton Two of the All Stars’ best horses, New Zealand Cup champion Self Assured and Amazing Dream aren’t going anywhere. Hugely successful Victorian-based owner Jean Feiss has confirmed Self Assured and Amazing Dream will be trained by Hayden Cullen in the wake of news Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen are taking a break from the sport. And she’s completely supportive of Purdon and Rasmussen “doing what’s right for them.” “From my point of view, nothing is going to change. Self Assured is going to Auckland and then I…
Caitlin’s Kidz Kartz triumph with Mr Darcy
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk It wasn’t just winning the Kidz Kartz New Zealand Cup at Addington that made Caitlin Schneider happy. It was the fact she won with Mr Darcy, a pony she took on as a “project”. Three years ago the Auckland teenager bought the purebred Welsh pony off Trade Me for $1500. “I saved up and saved up. He was an unbroken two-year-old and I did all the work with him. It’s very satisfying to win it – I was very proud.” Named after Mr…
Selections | Manawatu | 17 November
Selections for Manawatu today Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race JASON TEAZForm Analyst JOSH SMITHHarness News Desk Race 13.32pm 10 Ardee Trouble 9 Zoned Scarlett 12 Splitting Image 5 Get On The Sauce 12 Splitting Image11 Leesa Castleton10 Ardee Trouble9 Zoned Scarlett Race 23.59pm 3 Godziller 13 Blake 9 Sheza Rose 5 Boilover 1 Mac Paua5 Boilover8 Sehwz Rose13 Blake Race 34.34pm 9 Run Mason Run 1 Budvar Eyre 8 Fleeting Major 10 Dramatist 2 Roma Rosa8 Fleeting Major10 Dramatist1 Budvar Eyre Race 45.06pm 5 Super Duper Dude 3 Betancourt…
Timely success for Northland stable
Success in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) with Dragon Storm (NZ) (Shocking) couldn’t have come at a better time for Ruakaka trainer Chris Gibbs. COVID-19 restrictions had a huge impact on all parts of the racing industry, but it’s arguable that nowhere felt it more than Northland, and Ruakaka in particular. The Level 3 lockdown in Auckland in late winter meant that no horses could travel through New Zealand’s largest city, meaning that race meetings at Ruakaka were called off and preventing Northland trainers from taking horses to Waikato…
Broodmare paddock beckons Supera
Group One performer Supera (NZ) (Savabeel) will resume what will be her last preparation when she tackles the Gr.2 Dunstan Feeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday. The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained six-year-old sustained a minor foot issue that ruled her out of the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings last month and her trainers have been pleased with her progress since. The daughter of Savabeel placed in her 1000m trial at Taupo on Monday and Ken Kelso said that will ready her for her fresh-up assignment…