Trainer Jamie Richards finished 2020 with a bang, posting an historic six wins at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, and winning his last start of the year courtesy of Zouluminous (Zoustar) at Taupo on Wednesday. While pleased with his team’s efforts, his attention has swiftly turned back to Ellerslie where he will have a number of strong chances on New Year’s Day. The Te Akau conditioner is excited about his three chances in the Gr.2 Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes (1200m) on Friday, led by last start Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) winner…
Year: 2020
Selections | Winton – Dec 31
Selections for Winton today. Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race JUSTIN EVANSCommentator Race 11.00pm 1 Mahia9 Miss Auckland12 Noosa Beach6 Motor Mouth Race 21.25pm 4 Afterburner6 In Sequence10 Global Flight11 Jaccka Jeorge Race 31.50pm 10 Debutante Party6 Sista Sammy5 Sassy’s VC7 Omaggio Race 42.15pm 3 Franco Huntingdon11 Touche9 Bettors Highlight7 Maya Angelou Race 52.47pm 7 Love N The Port10 Kiwitrix14 Miss Crazed6 Cody Banner Race 63.28pm 12 The Kingsman11 Black Ops4 I’m Watching You3 Lucys Delight Race 74.02pm 2 Artatac11 Tommy Waterhouse3 Stars N Bars10 Shards Fury Race 84.36pm 4…
Tony Cruz believes less is more with Computer Patch
Computer Patch is a four-time winner from 12 starts in Hong Kong. Far from dismayed with Computer Patch’s recent 1200m form at elite level, Tony Cruz is banking on the former Australian galloper’s drop to 1000m for the Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap as a decisive change of approach. Cruz has saddled Computer Patch in only five starts since inheriting the horse from John Moore for a win, two seconds, a fourth and a sixth. While the two runners-up efforts came at Group 2 level over 1200m, the sole…
Stakes target for Beauden
Owner Joan Egan is having a week to remember. On Boxing Day she won the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie with Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel), and on Wednesday the Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained Beauden (NZ) (Bullbars) won the Taupo Cup (2000m) emphatically in front of a bumper crowd. The son of Bullbars began well from barrier six for jockey Ryan Elliot to settle outside early pacemaker Mongolianconqueror (NZ) (Ocean Park). Elliot let his charge loose at the 600m mark and he quickly opened up several lengths over his rivals…
Pitmans quinella Kurow Cup
Trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman walked away happy men from Kurow on Wednesday after securing the quinella in the Kurow Cup (1400m) courtesy of Carson River (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and Enzo’s Lad (Testa Rossa). Carson River settled midfield for jockey Samantha Wynne before finding the one-one outside stablemate Enzo’s Lad. The son of Swiss Ace quickly found the lead when turning for home and distanced his rivals to win by 2-1/2 lengths from the late closing Enzo’s Lad. Matthew Pitman was delighted with the result and said it was good…
Barron’s each way chances
By Jonny Turner A strong book of drives could have junior driver Ellie Barron starting her New Year’s Eve celebrations early at Winton on Thursday. Barron combines with several strong eachway chances on the nine-race card at Central Southland Raceway, including three from her father Clark’s stable. Barron senior also has two of Canterbury trainer Dean Taylor’s mares in his care, who look big winning chances for his daughter. Baileys Diamond produced an excellent performance to run second to a smart mare in Yankee Party in her last start at…
Life’s a beach for Thefixer
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Thefixer may be away from home, but trainer Regan Todd has ensured the Group One winner has still had the comforts of the beach while campaigning in the north. Todd is staying at Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett’s Waiuku property where he has been utilising the local beach to prepare Thefixer for the Gr.1 Woodlands Stud 2020 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Alexandra Park on New Year’s Eve. The seven-year-old gelding settled in well to his new surroundings earlier this month and posted a runner-up…
Wallis hoping for belated birthday gift
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Michelle Wallis celebrated her birthday on Tuesday with a victory at Cambridge Raceway with Sunny Petite, but she is hoping for a belated present on New Year’s Eve when Temporale makes his northern return. The Group One-winning trotter’s southern campaign was cut short in October after becoming ill following the Group Three Ashburton Flying Mile (1609m), but he has recuperated well in the lead-up to the Group One Sims Pacific Metals 2020 National Trot (2700m) at Alexandra Park on Thursday. “He didn’t trot any…
Big Fish Little Fish – Alexandra Park Dec 31
Big Fish Little Fish hosts Craig Thompson and Michael Guerin cast their eye over Auckland’s big New Year’s Eve meeting at Alexandra Park. It’s a huge night highlighted by the Auckland Cup.
Fleetwood Maca out for crowning glory
Fleetwood Maca (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) will be vying for her coronation at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day when she contests the Gr.2 Valachi Downs Royal Stakes (2000m). The Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained filly will back-up after a bold runner-up performance in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at the Auckland track on Boxing Day. “It was a huge run,” Gerard said. “She did all the donkey work, and she had every excuse to lie down and run at the back of the field. But she is a very…