Chad Schofield has the chance of producing a significant piece of history this Sunday (13 December) at Sha Tin when he partners Rattan (NZ) (Savabeel) with the hope of joining his father Glyn on the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) honour roll, which would be a Hong Kong first. Dad won the race in 2005 aboard Natural Blitz at 27/1 by one and three quarter lengths, the only win of the horse’s career, and this weekend son Chad will look to emulate his father’s heroics in the HK$22 million…
Year: 2020
Australian Cup for Night’s Watch
Enigmatic galloper Night’s Watch (NZ) (Redwood) is likely to be aimed at the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 6. The multiple Group Three winner, who commenced his career in New Zealand under the tutelage of Peter and Dawn Williams and Paul Richards, has had a slew of trainers since relocating across the Tasman. Night’s Watch made an impressive debut for Ballarat trainer Archie Alexander at Pakenham on Saturday, running on strongly to finish second behind dominant winner Tavidance when lumping 62kgs in the David Bourke Memorial (1600m).…
Stakes assignment for impressive Ellerslie winner
Promising filly Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) made amends for a narrow defeat on debut with an impressive victory over 1300m at Ellerslie on Saturday. The Jamie Richards-trained three-year-old had impressed with two trial victories before stepping out at Awapuni last month where she made up good ground late in the piece to be beaten by a nose by local runner Wild Moose. A wide barrier draw (15) saw punters tread carefully on the weekend but they were well rewarded thanks to a class effort by jockey Craig Grylls who had the…
Thorndon for Rock On Wood
Trainer Leanne Elliot is pleased with the way Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) winner Rock On Wood has come through his exertions on Saturday but isn’t rushing to make immediate plans for his next start. “He has come through it pretty well actually and is looking pretty spritely,” the Levin horsewoman said. “He is nominated for the Thorndon (Gr.1, 1600m) and at this stage I am not sure where I will go before then. I will give him a few days. “I think he is suited to a mile. It…
Westbury celebrate bumper weekend
If Westbury Stud needs a highlight reel for its stallions ahead of the 2021 yearling sales, it won’t need to look far beyond Saturday’s racing. The day began well when Stormy, the first runner for Westbury stallion Telperion, became his sire’s first Group winner when taking out the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham. A couple of hours later, Rock On Wood became the first elite level winner for another Westbury stallion, Redwood, when he took out the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at the same venue. Fourth behind…
Take Two for Prise De Fer
Te Akau Racing’s Prise De Fer (NZ) (Savabeel) may have missed last weekend’s Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) but the five-year-old gelding will soon have the opportunity to make up for lost time. Trainer Jamie Richards took the cautious approach not to send the son of Savabeel to Wellington where the weather forecast looked questionable on an already rain-affected track, and the Group One performer will now step out in Saturday’s Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa. “We were just a little bit concerned about the soft track,…
Dance Time gets prime opportunity
By Jonny Turner Punters should forget Dance Time’s last start and take a line through his previous effort at the New Zealand Cup Carnival when assessing his winning chances at Palmerston North on Tuesday. The Steve and Amanda Telfer trained six-year-old heads south after a disappointing fourth in a highly competitive four-horse race at Alexandra Park late last month. Steve Telfer put the performance down to the horse ending up in his least favoured position, sitting parked. With that clear excuse for the performance, Dance Time’s prior fourth placing behind…
Selections|Manawatu 8 December
Selections for Manawatu on Tuesday Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race JASON TEAZForm Analyst Race 13.34pm 2 Richmond Tiger 1 Sheza Rose 3 Midnight In Memphis 8 Betancourt Race 24.05pm 10 Missy Moo 9 Zoned Scarlett 4 Get On The Sauce 7 Thank You Race 34.29pm 7 Sir Brigadoon 2 Muriwai Magic 1 Hands On 4 Hes A Facta Race 44.54pm 1 She’s A Dagg 6 Jimmy Richter 7 Scelta Uno 5 Cha Cha B Race 55.19pm 12 Dance Time 6 Eagle Watch 11 Cruzee Mach 2 Brookies Jaffa Race…
Victorian Megastar shines at Dapto
Simon Told Helen was within 0.02 lengths off Fantastic Dotty’s 520 metre track record, which was set in 2015, at Dapto last night. Jumping from box three in the third Dapto Megastar heat, Simon Told Helen flew out of the boxes early and never looked beaten in his first look at the track. “He just loves tight tracks and tight corners and to run those sectionals was just super,” trainer David Burnett said. “Hopefully he can go a little bit better next week. It would be nice to get that…
How to play the Ballarat Cup heats
The Watchdog has run a fine tooth comb over Saturday night’s Group 2 Ballarat Cup heats, and has plenty of advice for punters. Listen to the audio below to learn how to give yourself a strong chance of making it a profitable evening. BALLARAT CUP – HEAT 1Saturday, 6.53pm Form guide The Watchdog says: “I wouldn’t want to be taking even money on Short Pork.” greyhoundracingvic · 2020 Ballarat Cup – Heat 1 BALLARAT CUP – HEAT 2Saturday, 7.20pm Form guide The…