Leviathan owner Ozzie Kheir is looking forward to watching Kiwi recruit Impecunious (NZ) (Sacred Falls) step out in Melbourne this week. The daughter of Sacred Falls will line up at Caulfield on Wednesday for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young in what will be her first Australian start. Prepared by Michael and Matthew Pitman in New Zealand, Impecunious was the subject of a number of overseas offers after winning impressively at Riccarton in June. Original owner Chris Griffin remains in the ownership. Compared to the prices paid for European imports…
Year: 2020
Eight Carat for Anna
Smart three-year-old filly Sweet Anna (NZ) (Tavistock) is nearing a raceday return after trialing well at Te Aroha on Monday. The well-bred daughter of Tavistock was initially on a path to the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) but was thwarted by a foot abscess just days out from the race, forcing trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman to abort a trip to Christchurch. Raced by breeder Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan, Sweet Anna has had just the four starts, breaking maiden ranks at second time of asking and…
Tiley taking aim at summer features with Play That Song
Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley has summer features in mind for talented filly Play That Song (NZ) (Showcasing). A winner of the Gr.2 Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes (1200m) as a juvenile, Play That Song finished third on Saturday when resuming at Te Rapa. “She is good and has come through that race well,” Tiley said. “She is heading for the Uncle Remus (Listed, 1400m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.” The daughter of Showcasing is then likely to return to Ellerslie for the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) on January 23, aiming…
Foote’s summer team nearing return
Cambridge trainer Ben Foote is looking forward to the raceday return of Group One winner Travelling Light, her Group winning half-sister Vitesse Bo and speedy three-year-old Babylon Berlin as his summer team kicks into gear. A talented horseman, whose primary focus has been pre-training, preparing ready to run horses and trade horses, Foote’s training operation continues to go from strength to strength despite only having a handful of race day runners. Foote was quick to pull pin on a spring campaign with last season’s Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) winner Travelling…
Ocean Billy puts Pomare’s retirement on hold
A career highlight at Te Rapa on Saturday might have put a further delay on retirement plans for owner-breeder-trainer Bill Pomare. After more than three decades in the industry, the Rotorua horseman celebrated his biggest win when Ocean Billy triumphed in the Gr.3 Skycity Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m). “We’re pretty much on the cusp of retirement, but I’ve been saying that for a few years now,” Pomare said. “You know how it is in racing – you keep saying you’re going to call it a day, but then another good…
Anderson & Love roll out newcomers
By Jonny Turner Trainer Graeme Anderson does not know quite what to expect from new stable recruit Sagwitch at Forbury Park on Wednesday night. The seven-year-old will be out to recapture his best form when he starts for the Westwood Beach horseman and his training partner, Mike Love, for the first time in the fast class pace. Classy when at his best, Sagwitch has struggled to produce consistently good form since his excellent five-year-old season. Though all signs are positive for the pacer heading into race 8, there is still…
Ronald McDonald House wins the Chase for Charity
Ronald McDonald House is the third charity to receive a share of more than $65,000 from greyhound racing’s 2020 ‘Chase for Charity’ promotion. GRV Chair, Peita Duncan today presented a cheque for $23,293 to Ronald McDonald House Charities CEO, Peter Bishop, as part of GRV and state-wide radio show Off The Bench’s fundraising effort. Each weekend for 40 weeks during 2020, ‘Off The Bench’ hosts Craig Hutchison (Ronald McDonald House) and Liam Pickering (Men’s Shed Association) placed $500 each on a greyhound, with all winnings being raised for their respective charities. A…
‘Yozo’ chases country cups double
Provincial star Yozo Bale is attempting to become only the sixth greyhound to capture the Group 2 Bendigo Cup-Ballarat Cup double. Back in July, Yozo Bale and Tiggerlong Tonk provided Mount Wallace trainer Correy Grenfell, 26, with the Bendigo Cup quinella. And on Saturday night, Yozo Bale is chasing a $47,000 first prize in the BFC Ballarat Cup final (450m) – Race 8 at 8.48pm. WATCH: Yozo Bale (8) clocks 25.40sec taking out a G2 Ballarat Cup heat last week. He will join Tivoli Man (1993/1994), Lansley Bale (1998), Tom’s…
55 Second Challenge for El Roca filly
The Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge record could be given a nudge at The Valley on Friday night by the Lloyd Kennewell-trained three-year-old filly Esta La Roca (NZ) (El roca). The daughter of Westbury Stud stallion El Roca was one of 10 horses who galloped at the track on Monday morning ahead of their intended engagements at the venue later in the week, with the track in quick condition and horses producing times faster than usual ahead of race day. Joe Bowditch, who has ridden Esta La Roca in each of…
Te Akau in no rush for Australian Stable
An Australian stable still remains on the radar for New Zealand juggernaut Te Akau Racing, but it is in no rush to set up roots just yet. Te Akau Racing revealed earlier this year that it was looking to take a dozen boxes at Flemington, using the stable to launch raids across Australia. Te Akau principal David Ellis confirmed to Racing.com that Te Akau Racing still had strong interest in having an Australian stable, but said changes to racing in his homeland would leave it in a strong position in…