The Watchdog expects G1-class sprinter Playlist to be in ‘perfect tune’ at Sandown Park. Winner of the G1 Vic Peters Classic and a G1 Maturity Classic finalist, he was ‘on song’ for new trainer Anthony Azzopardi with a slick 29.82sec (Best) win at The Meadows on April 14. “On that occasion, he displayed sizzling speed once they left the mat and really powered to the line and revealed he’s full of confidence,” The Watchdog said. The expert form analyst adds kennelmate Rebel Riot, who has won his past two starts…
Month: April 2021
Lest We Forget
On behalf of the Victorian greyhound racing community, we thank Australia’s servicemen and servicewomen, both former and present, who have given so much to our nation. Anzac Day is our solemn day of remembrance of those Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers who have fought and died for their country, and the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.
‘EQUALIZING’ EFFECT!
It’s said racing is a great ‘equaliser’… But that should be a misnomer at The Meadows. The Watchdog believes superstar Equalizer – who is back to his brilliant best – has ‘no equal’ in a Free For All (525m). In the all-powerful Jason Thompson kennel, he’s a dual G1 finalist and twice a runner-up in G2 country cups. And he’s notched five wins from nine starts, with a 29.71sec PB, over 525m at The Meadows. “He ventured to Ballarat and posted a near-record 30.34sec when winning over 545m and followed…
Win five for rugged Rachmaninov
By Jonny Turner As he has done throughout his career, Rachmaninov put his head down and determinedly chased down career win number five at Rangiora on Sunday. The hardy seven-year-old scored in his 125th start for his co-breeder-co-owner-trainer and driver Trevor Grant when reeling in the leader Red Harbour in the final 100m of race 6. Grant landed a perfect run in the one-one for Rachmaninov and when he called upon him before the home turn he knew exactly what he was going to get. “That is just what…
Weblec’s a ‘jet’ in Geelong Gold Cup
Local star Weblec Jet was ‘jet-propelled’ in tonight’s Group 2 Geelong Gold Cup final (520m). In a race where all eight finalists were from the Geelong region, Weblec Jet, trained at Anakie by Jeff Britton, clocked a near-record 29.54sec. His time was only .02sec off the 29.52sec track record, set by Fernando Express – trained by Britton’s older brother, Rob – on July 27, 2018. Jumping brilliantly from Box 4, Weblec Jet ($3.00F) left his rivals in a ‘jet stream’ defeating ‘country cups king’ Yozo Bale ($4.00) by 4 lengths,…
Tigers and Titan ‘strong and bold’?
TAB has tantalised Tiges’ fans with a ‘titan’ AFL/Greys offer. And they’ll be ‘risking head and shin’ to get on at odds of $5.50! The betting giant’s proposition is Richmond to defeat the rampaging Melbourne at the MCG (7.25pm) on Saturday night, along with rising star Aston Titan (Race 7, Box 1 – 8.50pm) winning at The Meadows. The Tigers – who gave the Saints an 86pts drubbing last week – are 5th on the AFL ladder with three wins from five games, while the Demons – who accounted for…
Critical date fast approaching for Racing Club merger
Full details on the proposed merger between the Auckland Racing Club (ARC) and the Counties Racing Club (CRC) will be the topic on the table at a meeting for members of the two clubs, scheduled for May 10. Interest in the project, that may also include Auckland’s other thoroughbred racing organisation, the Avondale Jockey Club (AJC), has been intense since the concept to enable the development of a world-class venue at Ellerslie, that would showcase racing in the Auckland region at its finest, was first revealed late last year. While…
Verstappen motors to victory on debut
Royally bred juvenile Verstappen (NZ) (Savabeel) made the perfect start to her racing career when she came from well back to win on debut over 1200m at Avondale on Monday. The Peter and Dawn Williams-trained Savabeel filly showed plenty of determination in the home straight to collar race favourite Funny Girl (NZ) (Showcasing) in the closing 100m after being second last in the eleven-horse field with just 600m to run. Rider Sam Spratt didn’t panic and tracked Funny Girl into the race before out finishing her to win by half…
Tokorangi ready for Oaks tilt
Quality filly Tokorangi (NZ) (Redwood) has settled in well to her new surroundings in Melbourne as she prepares to make her Australian debut on Saturday in the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville. The three-year-old daughter of Redwood made her way to Mike Moroney’s Flemington base ten days ago, with Moroney’s New Zealand training partner Pam Gerard confident she had thrived since finishing an unlucky seventh in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie last month. “We gave her a freshen up after her Derby run and she has…
Rambo ready for raid
If TAB betting is any guide middle-distance sensation Zipping Rambo will rebound from a shock last start defeat when he returns to The Meadows on Saturday night. Beaten at $1.30 last weekend, Zipping Rambo, which is trained by Mark Delbridge at Balliang, will get every opportunity to bounce back in the fourth event (7.43pm) over 600m, where he’s been marked at $1.45 from box two against just five rivals. Two starts back at Sandown Park, Zipping Rambo clocked a jaw-dropping 33.66sec, just .03 (half-length) outside former superstar Dyna Double One’s…