Month: November 2020

Cambridge trainer Andrew Campbell is looking towards the lucrative Karaka Million twilight meeting in January with a couple of his promising juveniles. The Tivaci colt out of Sir Percy mare Salford Art, and the Highly Recommended colt out of O’Reilly mare Borntobeirish won their respective two-year-old 800m trial heats on the Cambridge Jockey Club’s new synthetic track on Tuesday. “I am rapt with the track. It was pretty even and every horse got its chance,” Campbell said. “It is so even and consistent. Everyone was thinking it was going to…

Promising three-year-old Basarwa (NZ) (Atlante) will have to overcome his outside barrier in the Gr.3 Lucia Valentina Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki on Thursday to keep his undefeated record intact. The son of Atlante won comfortably by 1-1/4 lengths on debut at Hastings earlier this month and trainers Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen believe he is up to tackling stakes company second-up. They were pleased with his debut effort but admit he still has a lot to learn. “I thought it was a good run, which followed up his strong…

The Cambridge Jockey Club’s new synthetic track has received a tick of approval from leading jockey Samantha Collett after its first set of trials on Tuesday. It was the second time the ace hoop has ridden on the track after previously riding on the surface at the jumpouts earlier this month. “I think it is really fantastic,” she said. “The club can be really proud of what they have produced. “I was fortunate enough to have a few rides around at the jumpouts prior to today’s trial meeting and it…

Buoyed by a half-million dollar success from two of his human proteges, Allan Sharrock is hoping for big things from three of his equine stars at Otaki on Thursday. The Taranaki trainer heads to the Levin Racing Club meeting with Tavi Mac (NZ) (Tavistock), Waisake (NZ) (Zed) and Our Hail Mary (NZ) (Ocean Park), an exciting trio that all have black-type targets ahead of them this season. They will line-up five days after Sharrock watched two of his former employees – trainer Brett Scott and jockey Michael Walker – combine…

Patrick Ryan Junior is approaching the Jericho Cup with a degree of confidence knowing Golden Flag (NZ) (Raise The Flag) has already proven he can handle the distance of Australia’s longest flat race. Last year, Golden Flag finished second to classy stayer Ablaze (NZ) (Raise The Flag) in the second running of the 4600 metre event at Warrnambool and Ryan Junior believes that will prove the best form for Sunday’s marathon at his home track. “We know he can run the trip, which is a big positive going into this…

New Zealand Bloodstock have released catalogues for the 95th National Yearling Sales Series which will take place at their Karaka sales complex from January 24. The much anticipated Karaka Million twilight meeting at Ellerslie Racecourse on January 23 will kick-off an action-packed week and act as an entrée for live action at Karaka for New Zealand Bloodstock’s Book 1 and Book 2 sales. Showcasing some of New Zealand’s brightest talent, a selection of 579 yearlings will go through the ring in Book 1 on January 24, 25 and 26, followed…