Month: May 2021

Multiple Group One winner Verry Elleegant will remain in Australia, for now. Her group of owners had been discussing a possible trip to Europe to contest the Gr.1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m), however, they have elected to stay home and contest the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m). “It is highly likely we will remain domestic with her and aim at the Cox Plate, but we are just working through that with Chris (Waller, trainer) at the moment,” Part-owner Brae Sokolski told Racing.com. “The Arc was certainly high on the…

For most of the week, Lucy Tanner helps look after wind turbines that help power Palmerston North. But her major passion is racing and breeding horses, and on Saturday she had one of her biggest thrills when Belle Plaisir (NZ) (Proisir) became a black type winner. Belle Plaisir belied her generous odds of $23 in the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m), striding clear of favourite Quiz Kid to win by 1-¼ lengths. Tanner trains no more than four or five horses in general. Her main job is working as a…

Minister’s (Street Sense) victory in the S$1million Kranji Mile (1600m) on Saturday couldn’t have come at a better time for expat New Zealand trainer Donna Logan. Like many people around the world, the Singapore-based Kiwi has faced a tough time over the last year being separated from her family due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, but her spirits were lifted by Saturday’s feature win. “I am absolutely ecstatic to win a Group One in Singapore and have that association with (jockey) Harry Kasim, which we had in New Zealand where he…

New Zealand-bred gelding Courier Wonder (NZ) (Sacred Falls) extended his unbeaten record at Sha Tin on Sunday when winning the Gr.3 Sha Tin Vase (1200m). Stepping up in grade as the least experienced runner in the race, the three-year-old capped his perfect debut season with a classy victory against a collection of the circuit’s best sprinters. Under championship-leading jockey Joao Moreira, the Sacred Falls gelding broke away cleanly from gate six to settle in the box seat, before taking over at the 200m mark for a three quarter of a…

Australian jumps features are once again beckoning Tallyho Twinkletoe (NZ) (St Reims). The exciting jumper made headlines when winning the Grand National Hurdle-Steeplechase double two years ago and his connections would love to have another trip across the Tasman to watch their pride and joy. The 10-year-old gelding attempted to defend his crown last year, however, his campaign was curtailed after his fifth placing in the Grand National Hurdle, won by compatriot Ablaze. “When he won the Brendan Drechsler he got galloped on, but he was fine,” part-owner Jo Rathbone…