Rob Camilleri sees a lot of similarities between Saturday night’s Group 1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers finalist Run Like Jess and his shock 2019 Sandown Cup winner Rajasthan. Rajasthan caused one of the greatest surprises in Sandown Cup history when landing Australia’s most prestigious distance race at $34 and Camilleri is hopeful history can repeat with bargain buy Run Like Jess, a $21 chance in Super Stayers betting. “Run Like Jess is a bit immature and does have a lot of Ragso’s traits!” Camilleri said ahead of the $142,750 final.…
Month: February 2021
Sunday Derby preferred option
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and the Auckland Racing Club (ARC) held discussions on Sunday morning regarding the impact of Saturday’s announcement that Auckland was moving back into Covid Alert Level 3 for seven days. Of primary concern is the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m), which was due to be run at Ellerslie on Saturday March 6. Under the current Alert Level 3 status in Auckland and the remainder of the country at Alert Level 2, the meeting is unable to be held at Ellerslie on Saturday. NZTR and…
Richardson still buzzing over home track success
After a night of celebrations at his favourite local restaurant, Matamata trainer Graham Richardson made an understandably slow start to his Sunday morning schedule. Richardson and a group of friends had good cause to party on Saturday evening after he and co-trainer Rogan Norvall captured the most prized trophy amongst the local training fraternity, the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) with their two-year-old filly, Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy). To add icing to the celebratory cake, the pair also scooped the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Classic…
All roads lead to Te Aroha for Coventina Bay
Taranaki trainer Robbie Patterson took time out on Sunday morning for a spot of fishing with a group of mates, safe in the knowledge he has progressive galloper Coventina Bay right where he wants her as a Group One target looms. The Shamexpress five-year-old gave punters a sparkling display of her raw speed when she came from near last on the home turn to blow her female rivals away in the Lisa Chittick Plate (1400m) at Matamata on Saturday. It was just what Patterson wanted to see after giving the…
Anderson & Love’s contrasting duo
By Jonny Turner There may not be as much between Graeme Anderson and Mike Love’s pairing of American Lightning and Tres Chic as punters are anticipating ahead of Sunday’s Waikouaiti Cup. The Westwood Beach duo will make their grass track debuts at Oamaru in what is set to be a stern staying test over 3000m. American Lightning is likely to start ahead of his stablemate in betting, but it would not surprise Anderson if the result went the other way. Though what gives American Lightning a major advantage over Tres…
March/April Racing Calendar now available!
GRV’s Racing Calendar for February/March is now available for download. Click HERE to download the calendar.
Selections | Oamaru – 28 February
Selections for today’s Waikouaiti Trotting Club meeting at Oamaru (Sunday) Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race JONNY TURNER Racing Journalist Race 112.02pm 5 Caesar’s Quest2 Dalness Arizona 3 Pete’s Dash10 Senorita Margarita Race 212.27pm 11 Bourbon On The Rocks12 Majestic Whisper7 Under And Over2 Son Of Majestic Race 312.52pm 2 Precious Sara4 Mickey Fitz 6 Spicy Girl Becqui 3 Alexy Race 41.17pm 2 Art Cracker7 Phone Tap 14 Change At The Top11 Paradise Valley Race 51.42pm 3 Maldito7 Major Dolmio 14 Buckingham6 Play By Ear Race 62.07pm 7 Sally Lindenny2 Horse Of Course 11 Awapuni 4 Maudarchy …
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 28 February 2021
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New alert levels and what it means for racing
The latest change in Alert level changes mean harness racing will continue in this country, much as it did post lockdown. From 6am Sunday the Government’s moved to place Auckland at Level 3, with the rest of the country at Level 2. At Level Three meetings can proceed but with no public or owners. Meetings run under Level 2 allow owners to attend and also give the clubs the opportunity to apply to host pods of up to 100 registered attendees. Meetings this week include Waikouaiti at Oamaru today (Sunday)…
Freedmans Land Maiden Group One Win
Richard and Michael Freedman have celebrated their first Group One win as a training partnership with Forbidden Love’s emphatic Surround Stakes victory. The milestone has continued the brothers’ outstanding start to the autumn with Stay Inside emerging as a leading Golden Slipper chance while three-year-old Prime Star has been racing well in top company. Forbidden Love ($10) has added her name to the Freedmans’ autumn arsenal, streeting a smart field of fillies in the Surround Stakes by three lengths. Vangelic ($31) grabbed second, a short neck ahead of Elizabeel ($26)…