On-course patrons can expect the vibes to be good at Ellerslie’s twilight meeting on Thursday as Aucklanders enjoy some pre-Christmas cheer across an abbreviated six-race card. With the first race at 4:15pm and the last race less than three-hours later, the meeting provides a unique balance of racing and entertainment. “It’s extremely popular,” Auckland Racing Club chief executive Paul Wilcox said. “As of Monday, we had already sold 2000 more tickets than the entire meeting last year. “I’d be disappointed if we don’t get around the 5500 to 6000 mark.…
Month: December 2020
Key ride has Allpress excited for Eulogy
In-form hoop Lisa Allpress has a good handle on the leading contenders in the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni on Saturday, where she will ride last-start Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) runner-up Key (Exceed and Excel). Allpress guided the Stephen Marsh-trained Zee Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls) to success at Otaki that day but was a keen observer of Key’s performance, knowing the Gary Harding-raced Exceed And Excel filly well from riding her in her early jumpouts and a trial for trainers Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard. “I’ve always had…
Hometown trainer seeks second Waikato Cup
Cambridge and Matamata may be the epicentre of thoroughbred training in Waikato, but David Greene hasn’t regretted his decision to base himself at Te Rapa for a minute. Greene, who seeks a second consecutive Gr.3 SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m) victory with Justamaiz (NZ) (Guillotine) on Saturday, was drawn to the Hamilton track for family and lifestyle reasons – and the chance for a few more hours of sleep every morning. “We’ve got a very efficient set-up where we can just walk on and off the track rather than putting…
Selections: Manawatu 10 Dec
Selections for Manawatu on Thursday Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race JASON TEAZForm Analyst Race 15.04pm 1 Hes A Facta 3 Hands On 6 Scottish Poacher 2 Muriwai Magic Race 25.29pm 11 Littlebitoflove 13 Leesa Castleton 8 Zoned Scarlett 6 Thank You Race 35.54pm 2 Brian Christopher 7 Smoke N Heaven 9 Harley Hell 5 Richmond Tiger Race 46.20pm 3 Sir Brigadoon 7 Super Duper Dude 4 Shezsomthinspecial 13 Nerano Race 56.45pm 5 American Me 7 Warloch 8 Armed Reactor 9 Eagle Watch Race 67.05pm 4 Ace Strike 8 Brookies…
Hoffman’s each way hopes
By Jonny Turner Waikouaiti trainer Amber Hoffman lines up a team packed full of good eachway chances at Winton on Thursday. Her five-strong line-up includes smart debut winner Trinity Star, who will have her second career start in race 8. The four-year-old hit the track on the perfect note when swooping on the leaders to win at Oamaru last month. “She is a nice mare, she is still learning and she doesn’t know a lot,” Hoffman said. “But the ability is definitely there.” “So hopefully she can carry on and…
Heavyweight Hero
Emily Morgan caught up with Bob Butt – trainer of Heavyweight Hero
Stuart’s first winning double
By Jonny Turner Richmond trainer Robert Stuart notched the first winning double of his career when siblings Scelta Uno and Nerano scored at Palmerston North on Tuesday. And in the process, he booked the pair’s dam, Jass, in for a late-season trip to the breeding barn. Nerano became the fourth winner from four starters for the Village Jasper mare when cruising to victory in race 8 with Peter Ferguson in the sulky. Stuart hopes the victory is the sign of things to come from the son of Tintin In America.…
News Briefs : Dec 9
Hurricane hits Balfour The annual highlight that is the Tin Shed Cup has been run and won in Northern Southland. The pre-Christmas trials at Balfour have been going for 60 years. Six horses lined up in the big race with Ellie Barron and Hurricane Banner, trained by Shane Matheson, winning the $650 prize by three quarters of a length. New training partnership for Willis What a fortnight or so it’s been for Southland trainer Brittany Willis. She had her first win when Money Honey won at Ascot Park on November…
Vision draws closer thanks to ‘Chase for Charity’ donation
Three wonderful charities are sharing in more than $65,000 after the recent conclusion of greyhound racing’s 2020 ‘Chase for Charity’ promotion including Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision. In the second of three post-event presentations over the coming weeks, GRV’s GM Strategic Communication, Louise Martin joined the ‘Off The Bench’ team this morning as Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision was presented with a cheque for $19,749,50. Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision director Dr Simonne Neil was on hand to accept the cheque, and said the money would help provide rearchers with the necessary tools to better understand…
Lithgows course to Cup glory
Sean Lithgow jokes that if retired coursing sensation Gotham Queen was human, she’d be one of those people that everyone hates because she’s good at everything. Gotham Queen was named Victoria’s best coursing female a remarkable three years in succession in 2017/18/19, she won 18 times on the racetrack and now she’s making her mark as a matron, courtesy of her first litter, by Walk Hard. “She’s been amazing,” Sean Lithgow said of Gotham Queen. Sean and Mel Lithgow will tackle Saturday night’s Group 2 BFC Ballarat Cup heats with…