Lakeview Cruiser has run second at his last four starts and young Metung trainer Harley Whelan fears it could be more of the same in Sunday’s Dunkley’s Machinery Rising Stars heats (440m) at Sale. Lakeview Cruiser, which is trained, owned and bred by 22-year-old Harley and his family, has won only one of his eight career starts, but he’s finished in the minor placings in the other seven, including five frustrating seconds. “He always seems to run second,” said Whelan. “It looks a bit like that might be the case…
Year: 2020
CEO’s Monthly Update: December 2020/January 2021
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone involved in Victorian greyhound racing for how you all came together to work in a very collegiate way through what has been the most challenging year in our sport’s history.
Ocean Beyond targeting autumn campaign
Warrnambool trainer Daniel Bowman is feeling upbeat despite a seven-figure deal falling through for his undefeated gelding Ocean Beyond (NZ) (Ocean Park). Connections were offered upwards of A$1.3 million for the son of Ocean Park, although the transaction was not completed after the three-year-old failed the vetting stage of the process. “We went through the rigors of getting him vetted and I think they got a bit scared off about how immature he was, he wasn’t heavy enough,” Bowman said. “He is probably still six months off maturity-wise. “They said…
Oaks target for Impecunious
A 1400m test awaits New Zealand-bred filly Impecunious (NZ) (Sacred Falls) in the new year ahead of some bigger targets, including the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick in April. “She’ll go to a 1400m race on one of those days (January 1 at Flemington or January 2 at Caulfield) and then have 10 days in the paddock with a view to getting her to the ATC Oaks,” Trent Busuttin, who trains in partnership with Natalie Young, told Racing.com. “She’s out of a Zabeel mare and that (Oaks) is what…
Positive steps for Auckland merger
The proposed merger between the Auckland and Counties Racing Clubs has taken another positive step this month with the signing of a memorandum of understanding. “Feedback from members and the wider industry on the proposal has been positive with many expressing support for the potential of the new club to deliver a sustainable future for racing in the Auckland region,” the clubs said in a joint statement. “Over the last month we have continued to develop the proposal and a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the amalgamation has now…
Million outlook bright for unraced colt
Punters who have taken the $6.50 about unraced juvenile Khufu (American Pharoah) in next month’s $1m Doubletree by Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) can breathe a little easier after the son of American Pharoah looked all class when winning an 800m trial at Cambridge on Tuesday. The Tony Pike-trained colt has long impressed trial-watchers but will make a belated bid for Karaka Million glory after a hamstring tweak has pushed back his raceday debut. Jumping straight to the front in Tuesday’s trial on the polytrack, Khufu cruised to the line…
Three’s a charm for Mahoney
Jenna Mahoney is hoping three will be her lucky number on Saturday. The South Auckland conditioner will be taking three three-year-old fillies to Ellerslie on Boxing Day where she is hoping she will record her third stakes victory as a trainer. Her charge will be led by last start Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) victor Opalescence (NZ) (Showcasing), who will contest the Listed Shaw’s Wire Ropes Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m), alongside stablemate El Roseay (NZ) (El Roca). Mahoney was over the moon on Tuesday morning when El Roseay and Opalescence had…
Byerley Park a godsend for Mansour
Coming to grips with life away from the saddle has been tough for former jockey Donavan Mansour, and a new role managing Byerley Park for prominent owner Daniel Nakhle has been a godsend for the well-liked horseman. The expat South African suffered a broken pelvis, along with numerous internal injuries, following an incident at the starting barriers at Te Aroha last year where his mount reared up, went over backwards and came down on top of him. Mansour was airlifted to Waikato Hospital and while there were initial fears that…
Trio give Dunn strong hand
By Jonny Turner Robert Dunn will have all bases covered when he lines up three winning chances with different strengths to their game in the Ashburton Cup. The inter-island horseman will start Spellbound, Franco Niven and Steel The Show in the 3200m staying test on Wednesday. Dunn rates Steel The Show as the biggest chance of the trio given his impressive form since joining his Westwood Beach barn. “Steel The Show would probably be our best chance,” Dunn said. “On how he has been since he joined the stable, he…
No Melbourne for Inspirational Girl
Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man) will not campaign in Melbourne during the autumn, with owner Bob Peters confirming that his Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1600m) winner needs an extended break. While he is yet to finalise the exact line-up of horses that will chase riches in the Eastern States over the coming months, Peters said the lightly raced Reliable Man mare would not be ready to tackle races like The All-Star Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) in March. Inspirational Girl has won nine of her 12 starts but pulled…