For the second year running, Hermitage Thoroughbreds has a three-year-old with a huge chance to win the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m). Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock) confirmed his spot at the head of the male classic crop with a tough victory in the Gr.2 AJC Avondale Guineas (2100m), hitting the line strongly to defeat Jason Belltree (NZ) (Ferlax) and On Display (NZ) (Showcasing). In doing so, Rocket Spade followed the path of Dragon Leap (Pierro), who like Rocket Spade had also won the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) on New…
Month: February 2021
Sound reinforces Auckland Cup credentials
The Ballymore stables of Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard have plenty to look forward to over the Auckland Cup Carnival, following the performances of proven stayer Sound (Lando) and progressive mare Tia d’Or (NZ) (Tavistock) von Saturday. Eight-year-old entire Sound finished second in the Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m) behind Robusto (NZ) (Zed), carrying topweight of 59kgs, cementing his $3.50 favouritism for the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) on March 13. “It was only his second run back after Mike (Moroney) gave him a race over 1800m in January…
Yearling sales resume Monday
After last week’s Covid interruptions the NZB Standardbred’s 2021 National Yearling Sale resumes in Christchurch this afternoon. The sale will be broadcast live to viewers on Freeview Channel 200, streamed on nzbstandardbred.co.nz and on NZB Standardbred’s facebook page. Diamond Racing, Woodlands Stud and Southern Bred Southern Reared will support the coverage of the NZB Standardbred yearling sale sessions. There will also be Preview and Review shows, as well as key sale highlights and interviews, viewers can be assured they will not miss any of the live sale action. Christchurch :…
Pearson drives first winner in 15 years
By Jonny Turner Lauren Pearson showed she had lost none of her skill in the sulky when winning her first race in more than fifteen years with Fanny Hill at Winton on Sunday. Having a partner who is one of Southland’s best drivers in Brent Barclay has meant Pearson has not had any more than seven drives in each season since she won with Lady Of The House at Wyndham in February of 2006. Clearly Pearson’s focus has been on training in that time going by the excellent strike rate…
Aussie News : Kate Gath’s big decision
By Adam Hamilton Driver of the moment Kate Gath has one of the biggest decisions of her career to make in the next couple of days. Gath has great reasons to drive at feature meetings at both Menangle at Melton next Saturday night. At Menangle she would do the bulk of the stable driving for the powerhouse Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin, including nominal NSW Oaks favourite Tough Tilly, leading Ladyship Mile hope Maajida, Miracle Mile hopeful Out To Play and well-fancied NSW Derby contender Idyllic in a qualifying heat.…
Angel Of Montana sprouts wings at Rangiora
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk You could be forgiven for thinking Angel Of Montana sprouted wings down the home straight at Rangiora on Saturday. The Bettor’s Delight filly flew home late from the rear of the field to nab Haiti Franco on the line to win by a half head. It was Stephen Anderson’s first training win and he was delighted with the result. “I was pleased to get it off my back. I am very happy about it,” he said. “She was very good today, particularly after drawing…
Golden Sixty extends unbeaten sequence to 13 with Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup triumph
New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale graduate Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro) extended his unbeaten run to 13 straight wins with victory in the Gr.1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. However, Hong Kong’s highest rated horse was forced to spare no effort as he scrambled to add a third consecutive Group One to his glittering record which now stands at 16 wins from 17 starts, four shy of Silent Witness’ record 17 consecutive wins. Dropped out to his customary position at the rear of the field, the Medaglia d’Oro gelding began his surge in…
Christo’s testing Cup comeback
Trainer Mark Delbridge isn’t about to die wondering with Christo Bale, with the versatile star to return from an injury break in Saturday night’s heats of the TAB Australian Cup (525m) at The Meadows. Christo Bale, $4 second elect with TAB in heat seven, is better known for his middle-distance exploits, winning the Group 2 McKenna Memorial (595m), finishing second in the Group 1 Hume Cup (600m) and running fourth in the Group 1 Sale Cup (650m). But the powerhouse galloper is by no means out of place in elite…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 22 February 2021
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Punt Drunk : Dead Heat, A Star On The Rise & Adelaide Cup Winner?
Punt Drunk Daily – 21/2/21 Blue Diamond Stakes Day Review Special Boy oh boy wowee, what a day of racing that was! Anthony Freedman got his second Blue Diamond but this time as a co-trainer with Sam Freedman who became a Group 1 winning trainer for the first time when Artorius stormed home to claim the 2YO feature at Caulfield. Our girl Enthaar had run rapid sectionals between the 1000m-600m but was left vulnerable for the taking over the last 100m. She was ultimately swamped and weakened out, but the…