Exciting three-year-old filly Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) has gone to the paddock, with Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh happy to play the long-game rather than pushing on to a Queensland campaign. The daughter of Savabeel has won her past four starts, including a pair of Listed races at Riccarton, culminating in the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) last month. While plans to push on to Queensland had been mooted, Marsh said the lengthy travel via road to Christchurch and back warranted the filly taking a break. “She is spelling at the moment and…
Month: May 2021
Proud Nickalls homeward bound
Rangiotu trainer Stephen Nickalls was looking forward to being reunited with his family on Monday, as he returns to New Zealand following several weeks in Adelaide. The popular Central Districts horseman thoroughly enjoyed his time in the City of Churches, where his three-year-old filly Llanacord (NZ) (Contributer) turned in a pair of game performances and landed some valuable black-type. Group One placed in the New Zealand Oaks (2400m), the daughter of Contributer finished a luckless 10th in the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) before a gritty second in Saturday’s Gr.3 SA…
Quick learner makes perfect start
Apprentice jockey Yuto Kumagai has come a remarkably long way in a short time. Three years after arriving in New Zealand from Japan with little more than a dream of becoming a jockey, the 25-year-old made the first race ride of his career a winning one at Matamata on Friday. The rookie rider sat on the pace throughout the Matamata Post & Rails 1200 aboard Patch Prince, who is trained by his employers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott. The pair sprinted clear in the straight, defying $23.80 odds to win…
Ferdinand set to fly
The appearance of dual country cups winner Ferdinand Boy is set to light up Monday night racing. The Watchdog describes David Geall’s superstar as the best provincial sprinter in Australia, but he will have to content with a drop in distance and some more-than-capable opposition. But the form expert warns that with clear running Oriental Amber’s 385m track record (21.348sec) could be under threat. Check out The Watchdog’s comprehensive analysis of tonight’s Must Watch Race, along with his $10 daily spend below. MUST WATCH RACE – www.victoolshop.com Mixed 4/5 FERDINAND…
Stars to rocket up the straight
Healesville is set to host a straight track war this afternoon with the running of the Rodney Thorneycroft Memorial Final. Four heats were conducted last week, with the brilliant Blackpool Flash (19.29sec) clocking the fastest win, followed by Rocket Boy (19.32sec), Keiki (19.41sec) and Cawbourne Toe (19.59sec). The Watchdog expects prolific winners Blackpool Flash (19 from 37 – 51%) and Rocket Boy (20 from 41 – 49%) to figure prominently, but considering the eight finalists have amassed 127 wins between there are several other genuine chances including Rocket Boy’s classy…
Harness Jewels Leaderboard : May 17
The 3YO Ruby has featured the biggest movement in the Harness Jewels leaderboard this week. Wanna Play With Me and Aldebaran Floss were withdrawn last week, and have now been followed by Royal Pride and Royal Del. That means Maui, Gaz Man, Regal Attire and Paramount Princess are now into the top 12, with Regal Attire jumping up from 26th last week to 11th following his win at Addington on Friday night. Following his victory at Addington, South Coast Arden has leapt six places up to fifth in the 4YO…
Whole Lotta Rosie scores maiden victory
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Stephen Boyd left Ashburton Raceway a happy man on Sunday. The Aylesbury trainer took just the one horse to the Canterbury track and scored the perfect result when Whole Lotta Rosie recorded her maiden victory in the Neumanns Tyres Mobile Pace (1700m). Having drawn one on the second row, the four-year-old mare was able to retain her trail position behind Acento off the mobile arm. Acento quickened down the backstraight and the pair opened up several margins on the rest of the field. Down…
Road to the Jewels – Tony Barron
The next Road to the Jewels video for 2021 features Tony Barron and Lifes A Beach (3YO Diamond)
King Of Swing eyeing up Group Ones
By Adam Hamilton Dual Miracle Mile winner King Of Swing will kick-start a campaign at the rich Queensland TAB Constellations in the next couple of weeks. Driver Luke McCarthy said the champion pacer would have two Menangle runs before heading north for two Group 1 targets – the $100,000 Sunshine Sprint on July 17 and the $250,000 Blacks A Fake a week later. King Of Swing is trying to successfully defend the Blacks A Fake crown he won when last year’s race was pushed back until December because of COVID-19.…
Spellbound goes three from three
By Adam Hamilton How far can former classy Kiwi mare Spellbound go in Australia? That’s what most are asking after she stretched her unbeaten streak for Nathan Purdon to three with a tough effort after doing plenty of work at Melton on Saturday night. “She certainly got in well under the handicapping system over here, but she’s really thriving,” driver Stewie McDonald said. “She’s been running time and doing some work from bad draws. “She’s not just fast, she’s tough as well. She seems really suited over here. “She’s certainly…