Craig “The Whale” Thompson shares his thoughts on tonight’s feature trot, the ANZAC Cup at Alexandra Park.
Month: April 2021
Williamson after NZ Group One
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Brad Williamson has spent a lot of time away from home this year campaigning Majestic Man and he is set to do the same this Friday when he travels north to Alexandra Park to partner the talented trotter in the Gr.1 HR Fisken & Sons 2021 Anzac Cup (2200m). The pair have recently returned from a career-defining trip to Australia, where Majestic Man won three Group Ones, including the Dullard Trotters Cup (2240m), Australian Trotting Grand Prix (2240m), and Aquagait Equine Centre Trotters Mile…
Group One test for Cover Girl
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Cover Girl will get her chance to grab headlines at Alexandra Park on Friday when she lines-up in the Gr.1 Woodlands Stud Caduceus Club Fillies Classic (2200m). The promising filly impressed on debut at the Auckland track last week when closing late to secure a runner-up result behind Suntan. TAB bookmakers took notice and have subsequently installed her as a $2.90 favourite for Friday’s juvenile feature. Trainer and driver Bob Butt was pleased with how she handled Alexandra Park and said she has thrived…
Southland Oaks & Supremacy final spots on the line
By Jonny Turner Nothing short of a win will be good enough for Boudica if she is to beat the odds and qualify for the Southland Oaks Final at Winton on Friday The Clark Barron trained filly needs to win and for several other results to go her way if she is to go from 22nd into the final top 12 on the leader board on the last day of qualifying for the Group Two Diamonds Day feature. The first part of that mission looks achievable with Boudica rated a…
Game Folklore keeps Cox’s run going
By Jonny Turner Folklore, the little mare that could, helped Jonny Cox continue a brilliant week in the sulky at Addington on Thursday night. Cox followed on from his win in last weekend’s Group Three Rangiora Classic with Self Assured by scoring with both Folklore and Stag Party. Folklore notched back-to-back Addington victories with her signature style – sitting off the speed and sticking her neck out and running home with purpose. “She tries really hard, I would love to have a stable full of horses that try as hard…
Club News : D Day for Invercargill
Diamonds Day, a premier race day which sees the finals of several of the south’s top harness race series, will take place at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill on Sunday 2 May. The Invercargill Harness Racing Club will host the event with feature races including major Group 2 races, the $40,000 Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Final, the $40,000 Macca Lodge/Nevele R Stud Southland Oaks Final and the Diamond Creek Farm 2-year-old Classic also with a stake of $40,000 plus the $20,000 Regent Car Court Southern Cups Final. Racing starts at…
Savatiano Can Unmask Favourite in 2021 All Aged Stakes Betting
The powerhouse Godolphin stable saddle-up three livewire chances in a quality All Aged Stakes 2021 field this Saturday in Sydney including Savatiano who is second elect in markets led by the Hawkes Racing-trained Masked Crusader. Savatiano looks a genuine chance to win the 2021 All Aged Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart. One of the final two elite level races of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival along with Saturday’s Group 1 $500,000 Champagne Stakes (1600m) for two-year-olds, the Group 1 $600,000 Schweppes All Aged Stakes (1400m) features…
Sargent To Mix Drinks With Gin Martini in 2021 Champagne Stakes Field
Trainer John Sargent remains quietly confident in the chances of his progressive filly Gin Martini who looks suited to the step-up to a mile as she chases her maiden victory in the Champagne Stakes 2021. Converge is one of the best fancied two-year-olds in Saturday’s 2021 Champagne Stakes field. Photo: Steve Hart. The final two elite level races of the autumn in Sydney take place at Royal Randwick on Saturday including a field of 14 two-year-olds in the Group 1 $500,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m). Last year’s event…
Temporary boost for Preference to Maiden, Grade 7 & Grade 6 race meetings
GRV is pleased to announce that all Preference to Maiden, Grade 7 & Grade 6 race meetings conducted during May and June this year have been increased to full provincial stakes prize money. A total of 11 Preference to Maiden, Grade 7 & Grade 6 meetings will be held at the following venues throughout the designated two-month period. They are as follows: Warragul – Saturday 1 May (Twilight) Geelong – Tuesday 4 May (Twilight) Cranbourne – Saturday 8 May (Morning) Bendigo – Wednesday 12 May (Twilight) Shepparton – Thursday 20 May (Day) Warragul…
No hard feelings for centurion Grudge
The very meaning of the word grudge implies feelings of ill will, or resentment, and is a rather peculiar name, for a racing greyhound. However, the Theo Van Taarling-prepared racer who is known to punters as Grudge is an extremely lovable, honest hound who certainly does not exhibit any unsociable characteristics. Grudge (Black Magic Opal x Captivating) does have a much more cordial kennel name, that being simply Bob, and his recent victory, at start number 100, gave greyhound trainer Van Taarling and his family a huge thrill, along with…