Kiwi-bred mare Kurabui kept her undefeated record intact at Pakenham on Wednesday when winning over 1400m under the guidance of leading Melbourne jockey Jamie Kah. It was the third victory for the half-sister to talented stayer Surprise Baby, and trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr believe she has a bright future. “She is a beautiful mare. You love it when they come back first-up, up a grade, and win like that over a short trip,” Kent told Racing.com. “She is bound to go further. It was obviously a beautiful…
Month: May 2021
Plenty of investment opportunities at NZB weanling sale
New Zealand Bloodstock’s dedicated National Weanling Sale, set to be held this Friday 14 May, is a prime opportunity for astute judges to purchase their next lucrative pinhooking investment. Over the last few editions of NZB weanling sessions, pinhooked purchases have fetched significantly higher prices upon their return to the sale ring just a few months later at the National Yearling Sales Series. NZB’s Bloodstock Sales Manager Danny Rolston recognises the prospects for pinhookers who purchase through NZB sales. “There are numerous opportunities for buyers wishing to pinhook at all…
Northern spoils beckon Connors pair
Wanganui trainer Raymond Connors is looking forward to heading north to Hamilton next week with a couple of contenders for the Signature Homes Waikato Steeplechase (3900m). His charge will be led by Mesmerize, who opened his account this year with a gutsy win over the Kevin Myers-trained Zentangle in the Ken Duncan Racing Steeplechase (3800m) on his home track on Thursday. Connors took plenty of confidence out of the result, with Zentangle having beaten a small but select field in a 3900m steeplechase at Te Rapa last weekend. “I thought…
Parental prediction rings true with Forsmans
Te Awamutu couple Steve and Lynne Forsman can afford to laugh as they recall a conversation they had a decade ago. At the time their son Andrew had decided to make a career change from his role in Trackside TV production to foreman for leading Cambridge trainer Murray Baker, with the prospect of becoming a trainer himself. “Lynne wasn’t that happy, she felt he could be successful doing something else,” Steve said. “But I said ‘Leave him alone, the main thing is he’s learning how to work hard, and who…
Schofer’s success could end Sharrock boycott
Out of principle, Allan Sharrock hasn’t attended a horse of the year awards since 2006 but a promise to his stable apprentice Hazel Schofer could soon see him heading to the drycleaners with his tuxedo. Sharrock made his stand against attending the awards after his star galloper Wahid was initially denied three-year-old of the year honours despite receiving more votes than Darci Brahma before he was later promoted to joint winner after an investigation into the fiasco. But earlier this season Sharrock promised Schofer that if she could win the…
Ward’s filly’s time to shine
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Time Up The Hill came close to beating the boys last week, but she has her chance of adding a Classic title to her name against her own sex at Alexandra Park on Thursday. The Muscle Hill filly came up just a nose short of beating exciting gelding Five Wise Men in the Gr.1 Northern Trotting Derby (2700m), and trainer Michael Ward thought she may have got up in the last few strides. “From where we were, Craig Edmonds (trainer of Five Wise Men)…
Change of roles for Hollis
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Logan Hollis is a familiar face at New Zealand Bloodstock Standardbred’s Karaka sales complex and on Thursday night he will attempt to win one their sales series races. Hollis was this year’s leading consignor by average at NZB Standardbred’s National Yearling Sale at Auckland, but on Thursday he will take on the roles of part-owner, trainer and driver when he lines-up The Iron Lady in the Listed NZB Standardbred Harness Million 2 Final Mobile Pace (1700m). The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere was passed in at…
The Box Seat – May 13
Join hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin for the latest edition of The Box Seat – May 13
Bluey’s back for Harrison-Dawson
Brilliant frontrunner Fernando Bluey will put his unblemished Sandown Park record on the line when he resumes from injury in Thursday night’s heats of the Group 1 Harrison-Dawson (515m). Trained by Pearcedale teenager Kayla Cottrell, Fernando Bluey hasn’t raced since the semi-finals of the G1 Golden Easter Egg on April 3, where he started $1.70 after an airborne 29.47sec heat victory but uncharacteristically missed the start. “He knuckled at the start – which was a shame because he never misses it – and then was checked at the first turn,”…
Jason Teaz’s tips for Auckland tonight
Form analyst Jason Teaz casts his eye on tonight’s (Thursday) fields at Auckland. First race 5.44pm. Race 1 3 Alta Wiseguy2 Last Tango In Heaven7 Cya Art6 Oroua ALTA WISEGUY was phenomenal winning here two weeks ago, ran home in 54.8 over top of Last Tango In Heaven who shouldn’t have got beaten. Hard to beat again.LAST TANGO IN HEAVEN tried the walk tactics and got rolled. Should’ve gone quicker. Expect a better tempo tonight as he looks the likely leader again.CYA ART remains consistent. Was an average run for…