Saturday night’s Free For All at The Meadows is the ‘Must Watch’ race of the day, with Weblec Ace in the box seat to claim victory in the 525m event. A two-time Group 3 winner and finalist in the G1 Rookie Rebel and G2 Geelong Cup, Jeff Britton’s speedster is the most accomplished greyhound in the race. “Weblec Ace has won eight of 15 this track/distance and he has been taking on elite company for quite some time now, so although he meets a few good ones tonight he should…
Month: May 2021
Latta trains 1000th New Zealand winner
A barnstorming late run by three-year-old filly Platinum Star (NZ) (Burgundy) that carried her to a maiden victory at Woodville on Sunday also brought up a special milestone for trainer Lisa Latta. The victory was Latta’s 1000th New Zealand career winner after she was encouraged to step out as a trainer in her own right following the death of her boss and mentor Malcolm Smith in 1998. Latta trained five winners in her first solo season and has built an enviable record over the past 24 years through the deeds…
Newman on a mission after winning double
Apprentice jockey Tegan Newman is well on her way to achieving the ‘crazy’ goal she set herself when she returned to the saddle last year after recovering from a major injury. The personable twenty-five-year-old was off the racing scene for four months after suffering serious back and chest injuries in a trackwork incident. Since making her return Newman has gained steady momentum with a winning double aboard the Fred and Lindsay Cornege-trained Rose ‘N’ Power (NZ) (Power) and the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Crafty Jess (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) at Te…
Miss Ricky Bobby back to winning form at Woodville
A change of environment worked the oracle for talented mare Miss Ricky Bobby (NZ) (High Chaparral) as she produced a strong front-running performance to take out the opening event at Woodville on Sunday. The five-year-old daughter of High Chaparral was making her debut from the Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard stable and never gave her rivals a look in under the urgings of Lisa Allpress. Unsighted since her last run at Pukekohe back in October last year when prepared by Nigel Tiley, Miss Ricky Bobby set a steady tempo out…
Another explosive weekend for passionate Kiwi breeder
Thoroughbred owner and breeder Luigi Muollo was celebrating another milestone on Saturday evening after star staying three-year-old colt Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) added another Derby trophy to his growing collection. The son of Muollo’s ill-fated stallion Jakkalberry raced away with Saturday’s Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m), his third Derby win this season after earlier taking out the Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m) along with the Gr.1 ATC Derby (2400m) at his previous start. Jakkalberry became the foundation stallion at Novara Park when Muollo established the Cambridge-based operation in 2015 and sadly…
Koblenz as good as country cups ‘cousin’: Geall
David Geall has given punters a leg-up for Saturday night’s Super VicGreys final (525m) at The Meadows, rating lightly raced youngster Koblenz the equal of his Shepparton and Ballarat Cup-winning ‘cousin’ Ferdinand Boy. The winner of seven of his 12 starts, including six of his last eight, Koblenz represents the ultimate in breeding, being a son of champion sprinter/sire Fernando Bale and Geall’s former superstar Up Hill Jill, a two-time Group 1 winner of the Topgun and Golden Easter Egg. “We’ve always said ‘Jill’ doesn’t owe us anything,” said Geall,…
Ideal win helps Faithful’s strike-rate
By Jonny Turner One of the biggest challenges of Chelsea Faithful’s training career awaits after she produced Ideal BB for a fresh up win at Ascot Park on Saturday. The Winton horsewoman strengthened her already impressive season’s strike rate when the four-year-old burst home from off the speed for a stylish win in race 5. In doing so the pacer continued the successful combination between Faithful and Dunedin owner Dr Onn Chin. Ideal B B caught the eye going into her first start in almost a year with a good…
Jonny Turner’s Sunday Selections
Racing journalist Jonny Turner has searched Sunday’s Rangiora card in the hope of finding three solid betting options for punters. And he caught up with the driver of each horse to get their thoughts on how their charge is placed going into their assignment. Race 1: Toro Stride (6)Trainer: Phil WilliamsonDriver: Matthew Williamson Toro Stride went into his debut clash with Highgrove at Ashburton with plenty of hype around him and deservedly so.With a blueblood pedigree, a sales topping price tag and being from top line trotting stable the two-year-old…
Selections | Rangiora – 9th May
Commentator Matt Cross gives his tips for today’s meeting. Race MATT CROSS Commentator Race 112.05pm 6 Toro Stride7 Mr Love5 Kowhai Sunset2 Night Watch Race 212.30pm 2 Anna Love9 Big Mama Morris7 Mach’s Eliminator11 Arden Country Race 312.55pm 6 Quick Shot7 Franco Jorik9 Red Harbour2 Creme De La Creme Race 41.20pm 7 Adhara4 Coopers Hawk2 Cristiano Buccini9 Opawa Louie Race 51.50pm 4 Mossdale Mac10 Yankee Jay6 Don’t Write Me Off8 Heaven Helpus Race 62.15pm 2 Good…
Aston Ulysses going for Wenty Gold
Chasing his first Group victory, Paul Abela expects to see a vastly improved showing from promising stayer Aston Ulysses in Saturday night’s Group 3 Wentworth Park Gold Cup final (720m). With an eye on the upcoming G1 Sandown Cup, Abela sent Aston Ulysses to Sydney for last weekend’s Gold Cup heats to test the water in elite company and the long-distance novice was well-fancied at $2.80 when third to favourite Prim And Proper. With Aston Ulysses adapting to a new environment with caretaker trainer, two-time Million Dollar Chase winner Peter…