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Month: January 2021
Waller places correct Order Again
Chris Waller may have finally figured out the best way to ride Order Again (NZ) (Iffraaj) who came from last to take out the Benchmark 100 Handicap at Randwick on Saturday. Despite this being his seventh run for the stable, Waller explained that he had been trying to work out the gelding’s best racing pattern for sometime but may have now discovered it. “Each horse has a different racing pattern and I guess it takes you a while to learn,” Waller said. “We’ve found using him up early, or coming…
He’s raw but Zac is the Boss
A persuasive piece of track-work by Zac De Boss (NZ) (Zacinto) convinced trainer Simon Zahra that it was worthwhile for the three-year-old gelding to take on the older horses at Caulfield on Saturday. That judgement proved to be spot on as Zac De Boss took his record to two wins from two starts when he took out the Benchmark 64 over 1400 metres. Zahra, who trains in partnership with Mathew Ellerton, said that although Zac De Boss won he still had a lot to learn and did a bit wrong.…
Dalgety excited to be back
By Jonny Turner Cran Dalgety has returned to New Zealand’s training ranks with a spring in his step and a fire in his belly ahead of Sunday’s meeting at Rangiora. After working horses with wife Chrissie for two decades, the Dalgetys will start their first six runners together after forming an official training partnership. Dalgety took a sabbatical from training duties when Nathan Purdon took on a more senior role at Kentuckiana Lodge at the start of this season. With Purdon leaving New Zealand to set up a stable…
Imelda Mary back to winning form
Former top three-year-old Imelda Mary (NZ) (Ferlax) made a welcome return to winning form when she took out the feature event over 1400m at Tauranga on Saturday. The five-year-old Ferlax mare had last greeted the judge at the same venue back in March and was coming in fresh after returning from an unsuccessful three-race campaign in Melbourne during the spring. Trainer Wayne Hillis had been planning to test her fitness with an exhibition gallop at Taupo last Wednesday, but when he saw some light nominations for the open 1400m on…
Ansu scores impressive debut win for Didham
Trainer Peter Didham’s phone started ringing almost immediately after his rangy two-year-old Ansu put on a professional display to win his debut at Tauherenikau on Saturday. The Press Statement colt went into the 1000m contest with just a jumpout under his belt but showed he has plenty of ability when he sat outside the leader for rider Johnathan Parkes before dashing clear in the run home to register a comfortable one and a half-length victory. Didham was expecting interest in the colt following the win, which was in stark contrast…
Les Crayeres on song at Tauranga
Promising mare Les Crayeres (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) completed a winning double at Tauranga on Saturday when she took out the opening event on the card at the popular holiday racemeeting. The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained four-year-old has now had four starts at the venue for two wins after breaking maidens there at her last start, with the promise of more to come from the impeccably bred individual. Bred and raced by Sir Peter Vela, Les Crayeres is by Redoute’s Choice out of Vela’s Zabeel mare Our Echezeaux (NZ), the dam…
Star Tsar on Cups path following Ellerslie victory
Progressive staying prospect Star Tsar (Fastnet Rock) staked his claim for a start in the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) in March with a dominant victory in Friday’s Dunstan Feeds Stayers Championship Final (2400m) at Ellerslie. The track specialist appealed as a leading chance in the race off the back of a solid run for sixth in the Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) at his last start and franked that form with a comprehensive victory. Rider Troy Harris made full use of an inside barrier draw to place the…
Wellington Cup target for Port Delight
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Pukekohe trainer Clare McGowan will make the long trek down to Tauherenikau with a couple of her stable runners for the track’s annual dual code meeting on Saturday. The well-respected equine physiotherapist has been rushed off her feet of late, and co-trainer and husband David McGowan said she is well overdue for a trip away. “Clare is flat out all the time with her physio work,” he said. “She is out of the door first thing in the morning and isn’t back until 8pm.…
Whelans dealing with Silver Chief dream
Monique Whelan and her greyhound-loving family are living their racing dream this week, with homebred youngster Lakeview Walter joint favourite for Saturday night’s Group 1 Silver Chief (525m). Lakeview Walter is the ‘baby’ of the field; he doesn’t turn two until April, and has raced only six times but he heads TAB betting at $3.20 along with Equalizer, trained by five-time Silver Chief winner Jason Thompson. “It’s very, very exciting. I don’t think I’ve got my head around it yet,” said Monique. “There’s just something about Lakeview Walter. I don’t…