Matamata trainer Chad Orsmby is looking forward to lining up debutant Mana Nui (NZ) (No Nay Never) in the Gr.3 Waikato Stud Slipper (1200m) at his home track on Saturday. Orsmby admits the two-year-old colt faces a stiff task against his more practiced opponents, which includes the likes of undefeated Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) and Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) winner Avonallo (NZ) (Belardo). “It’s a bit of the unknown with him, but he has impressed us all the way along with his work,” Ormsby…
Month: February 2021
Noble in search of more success at old stomping ground
Trainer Lance Noble is shooting for back-to-back winners of the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) when he saddles Hinchinbrook filly Beldarra on Saturday. 12 months ago, Noble enjoyed one of his most satisfying wins when Vernazza (NZ) (More Than Ready) proved too good for her rivals in the Matamata feature, a town where the now Karaka-based horseman spent the best part of 30 years. While he describes Beldarra as a very different type to Vernazza, he is hoping for a similar outcome from the $13 chance…
Forbury Park set to close
Dunedin’s Forbury Park trotting venue is set to close. The Forbury Park Trotting Club has announced plans to sell the South Dunedin park and relocate to either a greenfields site in Dunedin or to Wingatui. The announcement followed the release yesterday of the Otago/Southland Tri-code Racing review, which recommended Forbury Park, which is owned and run by the Dunedin club, should close. Forbury Park Trotting Club Board chairman Craig Paddon said there would be sadness about the move, but the St Kilda club was looking to the future. “While we…
Hope cracks the ton
By Michael Guerin The first major milestone of Ben Hope’s driving career may be just the beginning. But the 21-year-old admits unless he continues to improve he would be just as happy to hand the reins on stable runners to somebody else. Hope drove his 100th winner behind one of his favourite horses in Midnight Dash at Addington on Thursday night, the pair overcoming a 30m handicap to win easily after Hope handled the four-year-old a treat. That Midnight Dash could overcome the handicap comes as no surprise as he…
Lochinvar Art out of Miracle Mile
Trainer-driver David Moran has conceded his Miracle Mile dream is over with Lochinvar Art. Moran notified NSW stewards and Club Menangle this morning (Friday) he had given up the fight to nurse Lochinvar Art through a hoof injury. “This horse has changed my life and I have to do what’s right for him. He can have a break now, I’ll get him right again and we’ll be back in a few months time,” Moran said. “The hoof wasn’t getting better, certainly not quickly enough. It wasn’t fair to keep pushing…
Whale Watch – Auckland – February 26
Craig “The Whale” Thompson looks at the best prospects from tonight’s Auckland meeting in this edition of “Whale Watch”.
Wellwood has good opinion of Western Springs
Robert Wellwood reckons he might have a star autumn two-year-old on his hands. But the Cambridge trainer won’t mind if talented Lonhro colt Western Springs (NZ) can pick up a late summer feature on the way there. Western Springs will tackle Saturday’s Gr.3 Waikato Stud Slipper (1200m) at Matamata at just his third start but he has already made a strong start to his career with a New Plymouth debut win and a fast-finishing sixth in last month’s $1 million Karaka Million (1200m) at Ellerslie. “His Karaka Million run was…
Heavyweights square off at Alexandra Park
By Michael Guerin The heavyweights of the yearling sales ring move their battle to Alexandra Park tonight and the victories could be just as shared. The major stables of Robert Dunn, Steve Telfer, Cran Dalgety and Ray Green were among the biggest spenders at the yearling sales spread over the last 12 days, while young trainer Hayden Cullen will get plenty of new firepower through buyers formerly with Mark Purdon. And those same five stables provide many of the winning chances in the richest races as Alexandra Park’s Derby meeting…
The Box Seat – Feb 26
The gavel’s come down on the Christchurch sales – we check the results, plus Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin we look ahead to Ashburton’s big day.
Selections | Auckland – Feb 26
Selections for Auckland tonight. Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race AARON WHITECommentator Race 16.15pm 6 Bohemian Rhapsody 12 Kristofferson13 Special Way 4 Lord Popinjay Race 26.45pm 4 American Dealer3 It’s All About Faith5 Krug2 Hot And Treacherous Race 37.15pm 6 Last Tango In Heaven10 Optical Illusion11 Jack Tar5 Fortunia Race 47.45pm 1 Smokinhotcheddar7 Need You Now 3 Mimi E Coco5 Plutonium Lady Race 58.10pm 7 Bettor Twist5 Darling Me2 Enjoy Me3 La Rosa Race 68.39pm 4 Emma Frost 5 Monkey Selfie10 Rain Mist And Muscle8 Silver Power Race 7 9.09pm 7 Superbass2 Tartan Robyn 10…