One of the true gentlemen of the thoroughbred world is to be honoured with induction to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. Sir James Fletcher, industrialist, philanthropist, thoroughbred breeder, owner and administrator, has been acknowledged for the foresight that transcended his business career into the world of the horse. As the son of a Scottish immigrant father of the same name who founded one of New Zealand’s iconic commercial entities in the first decade of the 20th Century, it might have been said that his destiny was pre-ordained, but…
Month: March 2021
McDonald has sights on second Slipper win
Champion jockey James McDonald is hoping his induction to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame alongside his great mate and supporter Sir Peter Vela in May is cause for a double celebration. McDonald, who is hoping to return to New Zealand for the Induction Dinner in Hamilton on May 2, will shoot for his second win in the Gr.1 A$3.5 million Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill aboard the Chris Waller-trained Home Affairs, an I Am Invincible colt that Vela is a part-owner of. “Sir Peter and I have been…
Rain affected track no concern for Quick Thinker
Andrew Forsman is confident Rosehill’s rain affected track conditions should help Quick Thinker’s (So You Think) chances in Saturday’s Gr.3 N E Manion Cup (2400m). The Sydney track is currently rated a Heavy9, with fine weather prevailing in Sydney after a week-long deluge that forced the Golden Slipper meeting to be postponed a week. “I’m sure the track will still be pretty wet (on Saturday) and that should suit him,” Forsman, who trains in partnership with Murray Baker, said. “The horses have been at Warwick Farm which hasn’t been as…
Sharrock confident standout season can continue
Allan Sharrock is enjoying a standout season and with four months left to go, he said his New Plymouth stable is not finished yet. “I am thrilled, it has been a great season so far,” Sharrock said. “I have got some nice stock for the early part of winter so I can’t see it stopping at this stage. It’s going well.” The Taranaki trainer has won 38 races to date this term, just two shy of his previous best. He has also recorded six stakes victories and labelled Waisake’s (NZ)…
Opportunity to tap into Valachi Downs’ success ends Friday
Astute breeder Kevin Hickman’s foresight and the rolling hills of his Matamata-based Valachi Downs has produced many high-class gallopers including champion race mare Silent Achiever. With just two days left to bid on their Unreserved Reduction Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, buyers have the opportunity to tap into the farm’s success via 52 Lot broodmares including 38 in-foal mares and 10 with foals at foot. Bidding ends from 7pm (NZ) on Friday 26 March. Joining Silent Achiever (O’Reilly) on the farm’s lengthy honour roll having been bred and or raised at…
Singing the ‘Blues’
The Blues are 14th and Pies 13th on the AFL ladder after Round 1. But that won’t dampen the intensity of these arch-rivals tonight after they burst through their banners on the hallowed MCG turf. Will Carlton be ‘the team that never lets you down’, or will it be ‘side by side we stick together’ for Collingwood? Well, TAB has come up with an enticing $7.50 AFL/Greys offer – the ‘old dark navy Blues’ to beat the Magpies and Aston Lavinia to win a Launching Pad semi-final at Sandown Park.…
He’s a good dog, but…
Studying form is an art as much as it is a science. And that means that sometimes – quite often in fact – opinions on certain dogs and certain races will differ. Exhibit A: Kuro Kismet in tonight’s Launching Pad semi-final. Kuro Kismet ran the fastest heat last week, a scorching 29.18 gallop which impressed the TAB traders enough to make him the $5.50 favourite to win the series. It was his third consecutive best of night win at Sandown Park (his previous wins were in 29.19 and 29.30) and…
Huge test for Hope’s star trio
By Michael Guerin Greg Hopes says Friday night at Addington is when the talk stops. Hope and wife Nina take their three stable big guns to the premier meeting but as good as A G’s White Socks, Midnight Dash and Muscle Mountain are they are up against it what, on paper at least, are even better horses. A G’s White Socks faces three of the four biggest names in New Zealand pacing in Amazing Dream, Spankem and Self Assured in the $30,000 Leefield Station Wines Free-For-All while Hope’s two four-year-old…
Rasmussen back in the bike
By Michael Guerin Even after two and a half months out of the raceday sulky it was like Natalie Rasmussen hadn’t even taken a break at Addington on Wednesday. And the punter’s princess has good news for her army of followers that she intends driving at most of the major meetings between now and the Jewels. Rasmussen’s first drive since Cambridge on January 8 was a winning one with a perfect steer behind debutante Franco Mac to win the first heat of the Sires’ Stakes at the afternoon meeting. Rasmussen…
Selections | Invercargill – 25 March
Jonny Turner’s selections for today’s meeting at Invercargill Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race JONNY TURNER Racing Journalist Race 12.38pm 5 Tease My Tartan2 Whangamata4 Denn Nee’s Sister9 Port Pegasus Race 23.03pm 2 Cautious Galleon7 Ab’s Tenants10 Jaccka Wally12 Prides Bellissima Race 33.38pm 8 The Hornet11 Onesmartfella4 Better Galleon10 Black Ops Race 44.13pm 2 With Grace3 Beauty Barry1 Heritage5 Noosa Beach Race 54.38pm 6 Horse Of Course3 Steve12 Miss Bamboocha5 Insist The Win Race 65.13pm 7 A Taste Of Honey9 Invaluable10 Johnny Mac8 Melton Mafia Race 75.44pm 4 Tac Mac2…