Kiwi-bred gelding Lion’s Roar (NZ) (Contributer) will be after his second Group One victory at Randwick on Saturday when he contests the Australian Derby (2400m). The John O’Shea-trained three-year-old was victorious in the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) at the Sydney track two starts back before running fourth behind compatriot Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m). The son of Contributer will be tested over 2400m for the first time this weekend and O’Shea is hoping he can draw on his family’s staying prowess in the Classic. “He is…
Month: April 2021
International achiever Starcraft set to join Hall of Fame
All members of the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame have gained induction through their own set of unique qualities, but if there’s one amongst the equine members that stands apart it is Starcraft. During the mid-2000s the big chestnut gained fame in both hemispheres, first as the champion Australian three-year-old of 2003-04, the following year as champion sprinter in New Zealand, and his defining achievement, the first New Zealand-bred horse to win at Group One level in Europe. The Waikato Stud-bred son of Soviet Star and Flying Floozie was…
Introducing Meagan
Meagan Dampier-Crossley is Harness Racing New Zealand’s latest acquisition – and she is all about traceability, which is an important part of HRNZ’s overall commitment to animal welfare. Meagan will focus on the InfoHorse section of the HRNZ website to update the status of horses when they leave the racing industry. It’s part of HRNZ’s initiative to improve the traceability of Standardbreds. Meagan has her spreadsheet at the ready and will be contacting owners, trainers and other licence-holders throughout the country. “I’m just getting my feet under the table and…
Jason Teaz’s selections – Cambridge Thursday
Form analyst Jason Teaz has a detailed look at tonight’s Cambridge meeting. Race 1 12 Rosie7 High In The Sky13 Manchester’s Eclipse8 Tramps Like Us ROSIE is a class above these. She does have to behave as bad starting habits crept into her game at the back end of her last campaign. Last start was in the Waikato Breeders Stakes in February but has had two quiet workouts to fit her for this.HIGH IN THE SKY was a big disappointment first up at Auckland March 26. Trial form had suggested…
Southern trip in the offing for progressive filly
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Progressive filly The Honey Queen will be out to continue her burgeoning form line when she contests the Nevele R Filles Series Heat 5 Mobile Pace (1700m) at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday. The daughter of Group One-winning mare Tosti has won three of her nine starts to date, and placed in two others, including a runner-up effort in the Gr.1 Northern Oaks (2700m) two starts back. She subsequently went on to post her third win at Alexandra Park last start and trainers Brian and…
Punt Drunk: Fung blows his load early on $2.1m yearling buy
Welcome back to another daily edition of #PuntDrunk, and boy, do we have a couple of eye catchers today! We saw our best bet salute yesterday in Rose Quartz at Bendigo, and she looks like one to follow moving forward considering how much she did wrong while accounting for her opposition with ease. With a huge field of 20 set to go around in this week’s Doncaster Handicap and plenty of black-type racing to sink our teeth into, we are more than ready for Saturday to come around. Destination: Randwick…
Rodd praises ‘unlucky’ Apple Tart after maiden win at Doomben
The “unlucky” Apple Tart gave connections an Easter to remember on Monday, winning a QTIS 2YO Maiden Handicap at Doomben. The Stuart Kendrick-trained filly found the front early from the inside alley under Michael Rodd and was able to control the tempo from barrier to box. “It was only an out of season maiden on a wet track, but it feels like she has some good ability,” Rodd said. SEE ALSO: LATEST AUSTRALIAN HORSE RACING NEWS It was only a field of four on Monday, but the daughter of Sebring…
New Star for Matamata breeders
Graham and Helen-Gaye Bax added another Group winner to their honour board on Monday after Amazing Star (NZ) (Darci Brahma) won the Gr.2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin. Their home-bred gelding is the third foal out of Bright Abyss (Royal Academy), a nine-time winner in America who earned more than US$355,000 in stakes. “I bought Bright Abyss off the track out of America a few years ago now,” Graham Bax said. “She was a stakes-placed Royal Academy mare and I wanted to get some new bloodlines in my broodmare…
The Box Seat – April 7
Join hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin for the latest edition of The Box Seat – April 7 as they preview Addington’s big night on Friday.
Addington Weekly – April 7
Welcome to the Addington Raceway News update for April 7 2021 with Greg O’Connor and Darrin Williams, ahead of their massive Premier meeting this Friday night.