Mornington trainer Brett Scott is hoping to add another country Cup to his recent haul with Kiwi galloper Our Big Mike (NZ) (Don Eduardo), who is also aiming for his second Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) victory. Two years ago, Our Big Mike led throughout to win the race for his New Zealand trainer Craig Phelan. This campaign, Our Big Mike has been prepared by Scott, who is aiming for his third country Cups win in six weeks. Our Big Mike won the Moe Cup three starts ago but at his…
Month: December 2020
Former Hong Kong stars begin new career
Trentham racecourse will host the first appearance of NZ Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) welfare ambassadors Werther (NZ) (Tavistock) and Ping Hai Star (NZ) (Nom Du Jeu) on Saturday. The duo, both former Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winners, are retired from racing and currently enjoy life as “nannies” at Palmerston North’s Highden Park. Libby Bleakley, who along with husband Sam owns Highden Park, was delighted the geldings would be given the opportunity to promote horse welfare and the many opportunities available for retired thoroughbreds. “These horses love having something to do, they…
Innes pleased to climb aboard Belltree
Jockey Leith Innes has a quality book of rides at Ellerslie on Saturday, including promising three-year-old Jason Belltree (NZ) (Ferlax) in the day’s feature, the Gr.3 Mitchell Family Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m). The Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley-trained son of Ferlax has won two of his three starts to date and was denied by a nose at Ellerslie two starts ago when beaten by Power On in a sit-and-sprint affair. Innes rode the handsome colt for the first time when successful at Counties over 1200m last start. “He’s a horse that…
Marine to Hong Kong
The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained Marine (NZ) (Ocean Park) has been sold to clients of Hong Kong trainer Caspar Fownes and will do his future racing in the Asian racing jurisdiction. The three-year-old son of Ocean Park has had just four starts, winning on debut before placing behind Zoltan (NZ) (Iffraaj) when racing greenly. Runner-up in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) behind Vitesse Bo (NZ) (Proisir), Marine over-raced in the early and middle stages of the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), clipping the heel of rival Lord Ardmore…
Methven Club News
The Methven track and facilities are looking in splendid order a little longer than a week out from the clubs big Christmas meeting on Sunday December 13. The order of the day as usual at this meeting is picnic atmosphere lots of Bar-B-Q’s and a heap of competitions, Father Christmas, lolly scrambles, egg and spoon races and the highlight as always with patrons the Babe in a Barrow race. In short a good old relaxing day in rural New Zealand. On the racing front the big races are the FastTrack…
Sam Ballantyne – Obituary
After nearly 50 years’ involvement in the harness racing industry in this country Sam Ballantyne has died in Christchurch, aged 74. A studmaster, trainer and driver Ballantyne was born in Scotland where he bred horses, just as his father had done. He also raced horses regularly throughout the UK at venues such as Prestatyn in Wales and it was during this time he crossed paths with now prominent Auckland trainer Ray Green (of Copy That fame). They would become mates. “The UK scene then was like a league of nations.…
Tomlinson’s fitting tribute
By Jonny Turner A cool and calm drive from Kerryn Tomlinson helped her pay tribute to her late great-grandmother when Miss Crazed produced a brilliant effort to win at Ascot Park yesterday. Tomlinson wore a black armband during yesterday’s meeting in memory on her great grandmother, Shirley Stokes, who died in Canterbury on Tuesday. Stokes is the mother of Dianne Ford, wife of Canterbury trainer Ken Ford. Stokes was a big supporter of her great grandchildren – Tomlinson and her sister, Sheree. Tomlinson was eager to pay tribute to her…
Draws not in All Stars favour
By Michael Guerin Champion trainer Mark Purdon admits he has concerns over the draws for some of his favoured runners as the Alexandra Park summer carnival kicks off tonight. But then there is Amazing Dream, who has the worst possible draw in one of the strongest races tonight and yet Purdon thinks it simply won’t matter. Purdon’s more hyped runners have copped tricky or just plain bad draws in all four races the All Stars runners contest tonight but he is still confident it won’t bother Amazing Dream in the…
Herbert makes raceday return
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Ricki Herbert is well-known for his association with football, coaching the All Whites to an historic World Cup campaign a decade ago, but on Thursday night he made a return to his other passion – harness racing. More than three decades ago Herbert developed a passion for the sport upon his return from playing international football when he started to help out his father Clive at his stable. “I had been overseas playing football and when I got back and wasn’t quite sure where…
Selections Alexandra Park|December 4
Selections for today. Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race JASON TEAZForm Analyst MICHAEL GUERINForm Analyst Race 16.08pm 2 Waitforever 10 General Montana 1 Ruby Mach 8 Ezana 10 General Montana 1 Ruby Mach 3 Sing To Me 6 Chase The Gold Race 26.38pm 4 Shan Noble 6 American Dealer 3 Riveered 2 First Class 2 First Class 4 Shan Noble 6 American Dealer 5 Mr Fantastic Race 37.08pm 7 Kango 6 Taipo 1 Pull The Other Leg 10 Major Jellis 7 Kango 6 Taipo 10 Major Jellis 1 Pull The…