Emmett Dunne to receive AFL Life Membership

GRV Board member and Richmond Football Club director Emmett Dunne will be awarded life membership at the AFL season launch in March. He will be honoured under the AFL’s ‘special services’ banner. Emmett played 115 games for Richmond in the VFL between 1976 and 1983 and was a member of the Tigers’ 1980 premiership side. Emmett Dunne’s football resume: – 129 games for Richmond and Footscray, 1976-85, kicking 63 goals – Footscray Reserves Captain/Coach 1986 – Springvale (VFA) player 1987 – 1980 Premiership (Richmond) – 1987 VFA Premiership (Springvale) –…

Understated Otaki couple enjoy Group One success

Trainer Johno Benner was hard at work on Sunday morning cutting grass for the horses in the stable that he operates with partner Hollie Wynyard, a far cry from the dizzying heights the couple had experienced less than twenty-four hours earlier. The popular Otaki pair experienced the taste of Group One glory at Trentham on Saturday when smart filly Bonham (Per Incanto) took out the Gr.1 Devan Plastics Levin Classic (1600m) in the hands of rider Lisa Allpress. The victory was the third for Benner and Wynyard at the elite…

Ton up but Johnson looking for more

Leading rider Danielle Johnson streaked to a century of wins for the season when she took out the Listed IRT No.1 Wellesley Stakes (1000m) on Quattro Quinta (NZ) (Darci Brahma) at Trentham on Saturday, but in typical fashion is hungry for plenty more winners in the coming months. Not content with bagging just the one stakes success on the day, the 29-year-old also added a Group race double, partnering Our Hail Mary (NZ) (Ocean Park) to victory in the Gr.3 Dixon & Dunlop Trentham Stakes (2100m) and Avantage (Fastnet Rock)…

Wellington Cup high on Sharrock’s wish-list

A perfect dress rehearsal from Gr.3 NZ Campus of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) pre-post favourite Waisake (NZ) (Zed) at Trentham on Saturday has trainer Allan Sharrock brimming with confidence about his chances in the main event in a fortnight. In the hands of stable apprentice Hazel Schofer, the Zed five-year-old came from last to destroy his rating 74 rivals over 2200m with Sharrock convinced he will lap up every inch of his two-mile task on January 30. “I thought he would win on Saturday but not by the…

Selections | Blenheim – 17 Jan

      Race       MATT CROSS       Commentator Race 111.42pm 12 Tyene11 Shiffty2 Random Jude7 Jesper Fast  Race 212.12pm 8 Alta Redeemer2 Le Pole Dancer3 Best Trio 15 Morries Girl Race 312.39pm 1 Changeover Jo2 Cha Cha B 4 Malinka 8 Westburn Bliss  Race 41.10pm 14 High Flying Harry6 Perfect Cut16 Cristiano Buccini7 Melando Chief Race 51.38pm 16 Isla Elsie1 Silver Surfer11 Regal Appointment12 Blink N Bones Race 62.05pm 11 Fun In The Dark7 Rick Reilly6 Ultimate Rocker3 Jazelle Race 72.30pm 1 Glen Elgin Tomson6 Blazing Impact10 Nerano11 Jenabella| Race…

Todd’s team ready to back up

By Jonny Turner Coming through their races in good style following day one has put trainer Regan Todd’s team in fine stead ahead of the second day of Blenheim’s popular two-day summer meeting on Sunday. The Woodend Beach horseman’s five-strong team produced strong performances on Friday and have pleased Todd with the way they have recovered from them. “The whole team is in the same boat, I hope they back up and I think they should,” Todd said. “They all seem good [on Saturday] morning, they were all nice and…

Equalizer hits Warragul target

Champion trainer Jason Thompson says a repeat of Equalizer’s barnstorming last-to-first heat victory won’t be good enough to win Saturday night’s Group 2 Evans Petroleum Warragul Cup Final (460m). While new track record holder Shima Shine stole the show in last Friday’s heats, Equalizer produced a visually stunning performance, coming from a conspicuous last to win running away in 25.50s, his fourth win from seven starts at Warragul. WATCH: Equalizer win his heat of the Warragul Cup from box eight. “He was the second quickest heat winner, it was a…

Mouth-watering middle distance clash

Mepunga Felix stamped himself as a star in the recent G1 #SilverChief series at The Meadows winning a heat in an electrifying 29.69sec. Tonight at Sandown Park he’ll look to build on his recent purple patch which has seen him net four wins from his past seven starts. But standing in his way is a pair of promising up-and-comers in what looms as a mouth-watering battle over 595m.

2021 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas Winner Is Aim: Isotope Throws Rider

It was a disappointing result for punters in the Restricted Listed $2 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) on Saturday with the favourite Isotope throwing her rider in the event eventually won in a runaway upset by the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Aim. Aim (pictured at Royal Randwick) enjoyed an upset victory in the 2021 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas in Queensland. Photo: Steve Hart. A recent dual Listed winner in Brisbane, Tony Gollan’s Deep Field filly Isotope was the short-priced fancy to take out the Guineas on Magic…