Kiwi-bred mare Tralee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock) will be aimed at feature staying races after her runaway seven length victory in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m), which was the biggest win in that race this century. Symon Wilde said he hadn’t trained a horse with the staying capabilities of the lightly raced mare and he wasn’t surprised by how she handled her first assignment at 2800 metres in the Listed race where she led home a New Zealand-bred trifecta. “I’ve never seen one with a tank like hers. She’ll stay all…
Month: January 2021
Richards and Johnson continue carnival roll
Trainer Jamie Richards, jockey Danielle Johnson and Te Akau Racing have continued their dominant Ellerslie Christmas Carnival form with a stakes double through the deeds of Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in the Gr.2 Barneswood Farm Eclipse Stakes (1200m) and Savy Yong Blonk (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.3 SKYCITY City Of Auckland Cup (2400m). Richards saddled an unprecedented six winners on Boxing Day including three at black-type level, while Johnson collected four wins during the time-honoured raceday. The pair wasted no time in striking again on Friday, with Imperatriz winning the…
Avantage all class in Railway victory
The Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) was the pinnacle event on a day awash with black type features at Ellerslie on Friday and it more than lived up to its billing as the heavyweights of New Zealand sprinting took their shot at Group One glory. When the dust settled it was the red-hot team of Jamie Richards and Opie Bosson who combined with exceptional mare Avantage (Fastnet Rock) to take the spoils with a quality performance befitting the status of the race. Up against a field that contained last year’s winner…
Rocket Spade delivers Guineas repeat
Owners Hermitage Thoroughbreds and trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have gone back-to-back, scoring their second consecutive victory in the Gr.2 SkyCity Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on Friday. The combination captured last year’s edition of the three-year-old feature with Dragon Leap, and have struck Guineas gold again 12 months later with Rocket Spade. Making his first start since a close fifth behind Aegon in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in early November, Rocket Spade raced keenly but took up a comfortable position in seventh, one…
Surgenor comes up roses at Ellerslie
A wide draw and a step up in class couldn’t hold down underrated mare Showoroses (NZ) (Showcasing) as she led from go to whoa to take out the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie. The Joanne Surgenor-trained four-year-old had employed similar tactics against her own sex when taking out the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa last month. Friday’s contest pitted her against the best of the boys as well, with rider Vinnie Colgan once again seizing the initiative after Showoroses worked her way to the lead…
Sponsor takes major prize in Royal Stakes
Valachi Downs principal Kevin Hickman picked up the thick end of the prizemoney from the race that he sponsored at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day when promising three-year-old Needle And Thread (Makfi) led all the way to win the Gr.2 Valachi Downs Royal Stakes (2000m). Hickman bred and races the Makfi filly, who had put a flashing light on her head for the race when battling on strongly for fourth in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at the venue on Boxing Day. Rider Craig Grylls took the bull by…
Delbridge up for the challenge at The Bool
Mark Delbridge heads into tonight’s Seaside Distance Challenge heats with two top contenders in Christo Bale and Ellias Bale. Both of which he believes are boxes well. Ellias Bale, who is proving to be the enigma of the kennels, has drawn box seven in the opening heat (race six at 8.11pm). “He is boxed beautifully in seven and his past two runs have been good,” Delbridge said. Ellias Bale comes into tonight’s Seaside Distance heat following two impressive victories, one at Warragul over the 680m and the other over the…
Selections | Omakau – January 2
Selections for Omakau Jan 2 Race GARRICK KNIGHT Raceform Race 112.23pm 12 Ivana Legacy6 Le Tissier3 Changearound2 Myrcella Race 212.53pm 8 Donald Trump3 Riley Moment6 Charolais11 Superfast Gorsey Race 31.28pm 10 Lifes A Beach2 Haiti Franco14 Simply Delicious8 Seventh Heaven Race 42.03pm 1 Leithen Burn3 Shards Fury6 Swedish Franco10 Schiavone Race 52.40pm 6 Love on The Rocks3 Johnny Mac5 I’m Tough7 Santanna Mach Race 63.17pm 1 Croesus5 Magic Mike11 Tartan Roxy8 Makwala Race 73.52pm 5 Funky Monkey13 Playboy’s Brother7 Willangus…
Selections Tauherenikau Jan 2
Selections for Tauherenikau Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race JASON TEAZCommentator Race 111.05am 4 Ideal Zen9 Ideal Madeira10 Lavish Art8 Sheza Rose Race 211.34am 6 Crimson Rain9 Smoke N Heaven2 Richmond Tiger4 Ascona Race 312.03pm 2 Pocket Book5 Panspacificjet3 Jungle Jim 6 The Blue Beat Race 412.33pm 4 Emmi Rose5 Cha Cha B8 Edamfast10 Jimmy Richter Race 51.03pm 11 J Bee8 Mogul7 Especial4 Lynton Creek
Big Fish Little Fish – Omakau – Jan 2
With the Omakau meeting on January 2, hosts Craig Thompson and Michael Guerin talk Ricky May and a whole lot more in this edition of Big Fish Little Fish.