The Gr.2 Skycity Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day is on the agenda for impressive last start winner Tony Be (More Than Ready). The Steven Cole-trained three-year-old son of More Than Ready broke maiden ranks at the Ellerslie twilight meeting over 1600m, coming from beyond midfield in a steadily run affair. “It was a good effort the other day because they went very slow early,” Cole said. “His sectional times were very good. I think he ran the second fastest last 600m on the day. It was…
Year: 2020
More in store for Lelawala
Promising three-year-old filly Lelawala (NZ) (Niagara) scored in good style at Pukekohe on Wednesday, dashing away in the concluding stages under apprentice Darren Dannis to take out the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m) at just her second start. Prepared by trainer Chris Wood, Lelawala had finished a good second on debut at Rotorua yet still paid a tidy dividend of $15 when saluting. “She’s a nice progressive filly. I won’t throw her in the deep end just yet. She’s got plenty of ability and I have always liked her,”…
Callsign Mav returns at Awapuni
Hawke’s Bay trainer John Bary believes Saturday’s Gr.2 Kevin Pratt Memorial Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni is the ideal race for resuming Group One winner Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante). The four-year-old son of Atlante stunned punters when winning the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) in spring at odds of 80-1 and backed that performance up with a third placing to Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) in the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m). Bary is confident his charge is well prepared for the fresh-up assignment after a trial at Taupo last month…
Hard tracks the key for returning Invador
Leading owner Neville McAlister is hoping a return to the dry tracks of home will let punters see Platinum Invador (NZ) (Redwood) back to his best in New Zealand this summer. The multiple Group One placegetter resumes his New Zealand career in the Gr.3 Bramco Granite and Marble Manawatu Cup (2300m) at Awapuni on Saturday after a Melbourne spring preparation that McAlister can only describe as “a bit of a disaster”. Platinum Invador was sent to the Peter Moody stable to have a crack at the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m),…
Proud-as-punch Parsons would love to provide record-breaker
There aren’t many prouder of Chris Johnson then North Canterbury trainers John and Karen Parsons. As Johnson guided the Ellis Winsloe-trained Point Score (NZ) (Ekraar) to success in Invercargill last Saturday to level up to David Walsh’s record of 2451 New Zealand wins, the Parsons were overcome with emotion. “It was incredible,” Karen Parsons said. “We didn’t have any runners down there but we were glued to the TV for every race. We’re very close with Chris. He’s like our son. He’s a superstar jockey and we’re very proud of…
Selections | Forbury 16 December
Selections for today at Forbury Race JASON TEAZ Form Analyst Race 14.53pm 10 Dem Bones Dem Bones 4 Tease My Trtan 5 Helious 6 Whangamata Race 25.23pm 2 Adhara 5 Antoinette 7 Midnitetraintogeorga 1 Marie Long Race 35.53pm 1 Major Wilson 12 Shards Fury 14 Taurus Bromac 8 Dashtothebeach Race 46.20pm 9 Sundon’s Flyer 3 Horse Of Course 7 Missie Castleton 4 Playboy’s Brother Race 56.51pm 4 Pete’s Dash 5 Jacks N Jazz 3 Myrcella 1 Ardent Lustre Race…
Big Fish, Little Fish – Forbury 16 December
Alexy ready for 300th start
By Jonny Turner History will be made at Forbury Park tonight when Waikouaiti pacer Alexy becomes just the second horse in modern-day harness racing to start 300 times in New Zealand. The Denis O’Connell trained veteran will notch a triple century of racetrack appearances when stepping out in race 5. The 11-year-old has already delivered plenty of thrills for his trainer and the group of his family members that race the rugged pacer. By 6.51 pm tonight Alexy will add a most unique achievement to his lengthy resumé. “He has…
IFHA release horse welfare standards
Following the lead of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) has this week released its horse welfare standards. The Welfare Committee of the IFHA created the minimum guidelines drawing from work undertaken in New Zealand which resulted in the release of the New Zealand Welfare Assessment Guidelines in October 2019. Welfare Committee chairman Jamie Stier, who led the IFHA work, emphasized that the IFHA Standards, created for a global audience, represent the minimum standard expected. “We encourage everyone to go above and beyond, “he…
Stable change for Mo’unga
Stakes winner Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) will do his future racing under the care of Annabel Neasham. Trained by Chris Waller to win three starts including the Listed Dulcify Stakes (1500m) in the spring, Mo’unga represents a big opportunity for new trainer Neasham who formerly worked for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace before going out on her own in earlier this year. Mo’unga, who races in the silks of Aquis Farm, was purchased out of Waikato Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Book 1 draft for $325,000.