After six runs following a near 12-month break from racing, Defibrillate is ready to take the step up to the 2400m of the Mornington Cup. The attraction of a ticket into the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) is the furthest thing from the mind of trainer Patrick Payne who will start Defibrillate in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on Saturday. Success in the Mornington Cup gains the winner a ballot exemption for this year’s Caulfield Cup in October, but Payne is looking no further than Saturday’s contest. “If it pans out that way, great, but he pulled-up…
Month: March 2021
Calder has solid Tauranga book
Jockey Andrew Calder is confident punters can get off to a good start at Tauranga on Saturday where he partners $2.10 favourite No Filter in the opening event for his father-in-law Richard Collett. “He’s a horse that took on the older horses last start and did it really nicely,” Calder said of the lightly-raced three-year-old. “I think the ace draw (barrier 1) tomorrow at Tauranga, particularly being in the first race, where there can be an on-speed bias, he should put himself in a perfect spot and it is a…
Derby test for Sky Darci
New Zealand-bred gelding Sky Darci will be out to continue New Zealand’s strong association with the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on Sunday. New Zealand-bred or sourced horses having won four of the last five editions of the race and Sky Darci has a chance to add to that tally this weekend. The son of Darci Brahma is the highest rated horse in the Derby and the five-time winner in Hong Kong has drawn the ace barrier for Sunday’s race. “I’m very pleased with that draw, he needs a soft gate…
Zee Falls on trial for Australian campaign
Stakes-winning filly Zee Falls could be in line for a trip to Sydney if she performs well in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday. With Sydney currently under a deluge of rain, trainer Stephen Marsh said she will thrive in those conditions, with her victory in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) coming on a Heavy10 track. “It is very wet over there at the moment and she doesn’t mind a wet track,” Marsh said. “We will just see how she goes on…
Pike’s Puysegur purring ahead of Lightning
Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is gearing up for a busy weekend of racing, where he will saddle runners at Trentham and Tauranga on Saturday, and as many as five starters at Te Aroha on Sunday. Among his leading chances is well-bred mare Puysegur, with the three-quarter sister to Hong Kong star DB Pin and eight-time Group One winner Avantage, chasing valuable black-type in the Listed Hardy Trade Supply Company Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham. The last-start Hastings winner will carry 53kgs in the open handicap which is headed by multiple…
Iconic IRT Harness Jewels return to Cambridge Raceway
Media Release on behalf of Cambridge Raceway The IRT Harness Jewels will return to Cambridge Raceway on Queen’s Birthday weekend with the feature race meeting taking place on Sunday June 6, 2021. This season defining event, crowning harness racing’s champions, features the best age group races for pacers and trotters, with nine Group One races over 1609m worth a staggering $900,000 in total stakes money. “We’re really excited to have this iconic race meeting back in Cambridge,” Cambridge Raceway CEO Dave Branch said. “It’s a brilliant showcase of our industry…
Cullen not expecting to dominate
By Michael Guerin They are harness racing’s hottest new colours but it may not be a case of them being fast-tracked to the winner’s circle at Addington tonight. Because while the new silks for trainer Hayden Cullen have debuted this week the big guns who will wear them don’t roll out until next week. Cullen is the young trainer who has taken over almost all of the big name horses trained by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen when they started a training sabbatical this year but one point of controversy…
‘PRINCE’ CHARMING?
The Watchdog has selected an emerging talent to win on debut over 500m at Bendigo – albeit with slight reservation. He’s better known for his Healesville straight track exploits and has won 11 races from 15 starts, including his past four. But the form expert remains a little concerned about the final 40 metres. Will the ‘Prince’ charm punters? Clicking on today’s ‘Daily Mail’ for more.
Whale Watch – Addington
Craig “The Whale” Thompson assesses his best for Addington tonight
Selections | Addington – March 19
Commentator Matt Cross looks at today’s meeting at Addington. Race MATT CROSS Commentator Race 15.04pm 2 Missucci11 Yuri7 Idle Stuartia4 Sods Law Race 25.28pm 8 Dream On Me1 Manhatten5 Angel Of Montana10 Endless Dreams Race 35.53pm 4 Surfers Delight8 Samhara3 Hattie11 Chevron Art Race 46.18pm 6 Highgrove4 Wy Fi2 La Dama5 Ellaria Sand Race 56.43pm 9 Ragazzo Mach6 Pace N Pride4 Dashing Major7 Got You Covered Race 67.08pm 1 Steel The Show5 Henry Hubert6 A G’s White Socks2 Tango Tara Race 77.33pm…