Group One-producing stallion Contributer will headline Mapperley Stud’s stallion roster for the upcoming breeding season where he will stand at their Matamata property for a fee of $22,000 +GST. His first crop of three-year-olds have experienced a strong season on the track, headlined by the John O’Shea trained Lion’s Roar who was victorious in the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) and placed in the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m). In New Zealand, the son of High Chaparral was represented by exciting filly Llanacord, who won the…
Month: April 2021
Geraldine racing on a roll
It’s been a good week for racing in South Canterbury, with the Geraldine Trotting Club looking likely to hold two meetings next season. It’s been proposed that the Orari racecourse will host its traditional meeting just after New Zealand Cup week in November and then another in the autumn, possibly April. It’s a huge turnaround for the club. Just last year they were under pressure to either run a successful meeting or risk it being moved to Methven. The proposal to run two meetings comes at a same time…
Pink Diamond series – get your team ready
Greyhound racing’s new VicBred Pink Diamond series is just around the corner, with now being the perfect time for trainers to start their planning. Around $790,000 in prize money and breeder bonuses will be spread across three exciting nights of racing at five provincial venues. Night 1: Pink Diamond HeatsThursday 10 June> Warragul (twilight)> Ballarat (night) Night 2: Pink Diamond HeatsFriday 11 June> Shepparton (twilight)> Geelong (night) Night 3: Pink Diamond FinalsFriday 18 June> Bendigo (night) The Pink Diamond series is open exclusively to greyhounds bred in Victoria, and with…
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The Box Seat – April 21
Join hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin for the latest edition of The Box Seat – April 21.
Lion continues to roar at Randwick
Group One winner Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributer) will continue his autumn preparation at Randwick on Saturday. The son of Contributer has continued to please trainer John O’Shea after his third placing in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) at the Sydney track earlier this month, and he has elected to press on to the Gr.3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) with the gelding this weekend. “He is in great order,” O’Shea told SENTrack. “He has had a really easy time. He has been at the beach this morning and he will do…
Bosson to reunite with Melody Belle
Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) will end her racing career with a familiar face on her back. With the trans-Tasman travel bubble coming into effect last Monday, Kiwi hoop Opie Bosson will be able to travel to Queensland over the next month to reunite with New Zealand’s darling of the turf for her final two races. Bosson has had a strong association with the mare, having won nine of their 13 starts together. The pairing remains unbeaten in Queensland, having won the Gr.2 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm four…
Gino Severini hunting for late Easter treat
Gino Severini (Fastnet Rock) will be looking to end his season on a high when he lines-up in the Gr.2 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. The Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley-trained gelding has been in consistent form this season, placing in five of his nine starts, and winning the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie last November. His trainers have been pleased with him since his third placing in the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga last month and he will race in blinkers on Saturday…
Sargent hoping to toast Group One success at Randwick
Promising filly Gin Martini (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) was purchased at Karaka as an Oaks prospect, but she has quickly found herself tackling elite-level targets as a juvenile. The daughter of Rip Van Winkle has placed twice in her three starts to date, including running third in the Gr.3 Schweppervescence (1400m) at Rosehill earlier this month. Trainer John Sargent has elected to press on to the Gr.1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday and he believes she will be very competitive in that field. “We bought her for the…
News Briefs – April 21
Hip replacement follows crash Kevin Townley has had a hip replacement following his crash at Rangiora on Sunday. He had the operation on Monday after being flung into the air while driving Murano in the opening race which was abandoned. He remains in Christchurch hospital. And Steve Clarke, the driver of Nadira Franco who was involved in a skirmish at Addington on Friday night, is recovering at home. He suffered injuries to his arm and shoulder, and has shown some signs of concussion. No horses were seriously injured. Trackside to…