Talented jumper It’s A Wonder (NZ) (Istidaad) will be chasing history next week at Te Rapa. The Harvey Wilson-trained 10-year-old will be vying to retain his crown in the Signature Homes Waikato Steeplechase (3900m). While winning back-to-back editions of a race isn’t uncommon, winning it in the same season is. As a result of COVID-19 and its impact on the racing calendar, the jumps season was truncated and delayed several months, with It’s A Wonder winning the Waikato Steeplechase in August last year. With the race back in its usual…
Month: May 2021
Spellbound heading for three from three
By Adam Hamilton High class former Kiwi mare Spellbound should stretch her unbeaten Aussie streak to three wins at Melton on Saturday night. The daughter of Art Major is the headline act of Nathan Purdon’s Victorian stable with two sparkling wins so far and looks a class above her rivals again despite a wide draw (gate six) in the Nutrien Equine Pace (2240m). Spellbound has also proven an important opportunity for former Kiwi horseman Stewie McDonald, now Purdon’s stablemate foreman after 10 years in WA, to advertise his driving skills.…
Going the distance at Lake Taupo
More than a hundred horses, including a handful of standardbreds, will compete at this weekend’s national distance riding championships. The Pro-Dosa Boost Championships are a two-day event with horse and rider completing between 20 and 160 kilometres on a looped course at Kuratau on the western side of Lake Taupo. “It’s a stunning station, and very scenic,” says Distance Racing New Zealand (DRNZ) committee member Stuart Hine, “it’s not extreme, it’s gentle and flowing.” Hine, from Taranaki, will ride his horse Bim Bom Bay, one of a few standardbreds in…
Placement helps House notch double
By Jonny Turner Michael House deflected praise after producing both Smokin Annie and Cha Cha B to win at Addington on Tuesday. Smokin Annie continued her brilliant form for the man who arguably rates as New Zealand’s most enterprising trainer when scoring a front-running win for driver Sheryl Wigg. Smokin Annie has won three times has never been further back than fifth since joining House’s stable. “It is not just my effort, it is the effort of my wonderful staff and some great drivers,” the trainer said. “I would say…
This week’s Harness Jewels flashback
Eight years ago it was a record-breaking Harness Jewels – the national 1609m mark was lowered, twice. It’s now a bit of over three weeks to the 14th edition of the Harness Jewels at Cambridge on Sunday June 6. In this week’s Harness Jewels flashback we head to Ashburton, 2013. Christen Me set a new record for the mile at 1:51.5, only for Border Control to come out and go even better. Trainer-driver Mark Purdon got the trail early and then emerged three wide around the home turn to wear…
Big changes to 3YO Ruby
Aldebaran Floss and Wanna Play With Me, who quinellaed the New Zealand Trotting Oaks at Addington, are out of the Harness Jewels. Both have been withdrawn from the 3YO Ruby. The Hayden Cullen-trained Wanna Play With Me was ranked second, while Alderbaran Floss was fifth. Wanna Play With Me has won five from 15 but in her three runs since finishing second to Aldebaran Floss in the Oaks in March has not finished higher than sixth. Aldebaran Floss trainer Murray Alfeld says his horse was “tired ….she has done a lot.” …
Arcadia Queen heading to Gold Coast for Magic Millions Sale
Arcadia Queen is expected to go for a pretty penny at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on May 25. (Racing Photos) Arcadia Queen, the recently retired three-time Group 1 winner, is set to go under the hammer at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on May 25 at the Gold Coast. The West Australian superstar racked up eight wins from 16 starts in her glittering career, which came to a premature end in April when she was forced into retirement due to injury. Holbrook Thoroughbreds are offering up the…
Amade set for light winter en route to 2021 Melbourne Cup
Amade, ridden by Ben Allen, wins the William Newton VC Handicap at Flemington. (George Salpigtidis/Racing Photos) With the first entrant confirmed into the 2021 Melbourne Cup to be confirmed on Saturday afternoon in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington, the best locally trained chance is set to be on light duties between now and the spring. The Phillip Stokes-trained Amade is on the third line of Melbourne Cup betting, with online bookmakers pricing the seven-year-old gelding as a $21 chance behind Prince Of Arran and Tiger Moth in the all-in…
Punt Drunk: Baffert pleads innocence over Medina Spirit scandal
Welcome to another Tuesday edition of #PuntDrunk, and by no means is it a run-of-the-mill edition. Our main focus today is over the United States with plenty of controversy sparking from the Kentucky Derby, while we also pay tribute to Melody Belle ahead of her swansong at Doomben on May 22. As always, be sure to keep up to date with all of our best bets and quaddie tips here on HorseBetting.com.au to help make Tuesday a profitable one. Bob Baffert, please explain… again He does it again!! Bob Baffert…
Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | May 11, 2021
Mornington is set host an eight race card this afternoon. Horse racing around the country has four meetings scheduled for this Tuesday afternoon. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you a couple of best bets and quaddie numbers at both the Mackay and Mornington meetings being held today. Tuesday Racing Tips – May 11, 2021 Mackay Racing Tips Mornington Racing Tips Horse racing is set to kick off with the first at Wellington jumping at 12:30pm AEST on a Soft 6, with the day to be closed out…