Agey Babe (NZ) (Sacred Falls) broke maiden ranks at Pukekohe on Thursday when winning the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m). She settled back early for jockey Masa Hashizume, who waited patiently on the mare before steering her five-wide turning for home where she was able to reel in the leaders and run away to a three-quarter of a length victory over Caminata. The daughter of Sacred Falls had finished runner-up in her previous two starts and trainer Danny Walker duly took plenty of confidence into the race. “We were…
Month: May 2021
Historic change to horses’ birthdays
Harness Racing New Zealand has hailed the decision to change horses’ birthdays as “a defining moment and a catalyst for change”. Traditionally all racehorses in this country have all had their birthdays on August 1, from now on all standardbreds will have their birthdays on January 1. The change was decided at a Special General Meeting at HRNZ’s Christchurch headquarters on Thursday, May 27. Representatives of more than 40 clubs were involved, either in person or via Zoom. “There was unanimous approval for the idea right across the sport, we…
Stradbroke likely for Tofane
A Group Three placing has helped extend the racing career of Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park). Her owners were on the cusp of selling her as a broodmare proposition, but her runner-up effort in the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben last Saturday has altered that path. Trainer Mike Moroney is now leaning towards a tilt at the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) with her at Eagle Farm next month. Moroney’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull was delighted with last weekend’s run and is looking forward to her contesting the Stradbroke. “Mike and…
Allen leaving nothing to chance in Derby bid
Jockey John Allen was not going to let the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne disrupt his hopes of winning a fourth Derby on Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry). Allen left before Queensland shut their border to Victorians so as he could ride the TAB’s $2.90 favourite in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Explosive Jack has been successful in the Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m), the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) and Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) and will be aiming to…
Blackadder drawn north with Tellyawhat
An enhanced stake and a favourable heavy track has convinced North Canterbury trainer John Blackadder to trek north with impressive last-start winner Tellyawhat (NZ) (Dalghar) for Saturday’s US Navy Flag Autumn Sprint Championship Final (1200m) at Trentham. Blackadder, who will first travel to Wingatui for racing on Friday, said the Rating 74 feature at Trentham had plenty of appeal for seven-year-old Dalghar gelding Tellyawhat after his win in the same grade at Riccarton earlier this month. “He’s notably a wet tracker but he came home (his last 600m) in 32…
Anthony Butt to drive Copy That
By Adam Hamilton Champion former Kiwi driver Anthony Butt has snared the prized drive on Copy That in his upcoming Aussie raid. Owner Merv Butterworth confirmed Butt would drive the glamour four-year-old in his four planned Albion Park races, starting with the $25,000 Wondais Mate, a 1660m free-for-all on July 3. “He’s got the Jewels and then he focus switches to Brisbane,” Butterworth said. “I’m a believer in horses for courses when it comes to drivers and Anthony Butt is as good as you’d get in big Aussie races. “He’ll…
Drawn to destruct
Today at The Meadows we get to witness the promising Destruction (won 9 from 18) exit the red box for the first time in his exciting career, and The Watchdog believes the Robert Camilleri-trained 26-month-old speedster is set to show his group-class potential. Also at The Meadows this afternoon we’ll see six-time Group 1 finalist Christo Bale chase a hat-trick of wins in Race 11 at 5.39pm. Other highlights around the state today include appearance of impeccably bred 20-month-old first starter Whiz Out – a daughter of former superstar female…
COVID-19 update: Effective from 6pm on Tuesday 25 May
In line with today’s State Government announcement, new COVID-19 restrictions apply to ALL race meetings at ALL race tracks in Victoria. The wearing of face masks will now be MANDATORY in the following circumstances: at all times when inside a building, including the kennel block, Vets room and Stewards room; whilst loading a greyhound into the starting boxes; and whilst performing any role in the catching pen, including catching greyhounds. Where there is an inability to maintain a minimum of 1.5 metre social distancing in other settings, masks MUST also…
No option but the Cup
A lack of local options could prove a blessing on Thursday night when Maggie Moo Moo takes her place in the $250,000 RSN Sandown Cup.
Interstaters lead Sandown Cup charge
Australia’s – and indeed the world’s – premier distance greyhound race, the $250,000 Group 1 RSN Sandown Cup (715m) has been dominated by Victorian-trained stayers over the last decade, with Tasmanian star Chinatown Lad in 2008, the last interstater to reign supreme. That could well change on Thursday night, with West Australian frontrunner ZACK MONELLI (Box 1), albeit based with ‘caretaker’ Victorian trainer Lyn Smith, TAB’s clear-cut $2.60 favourite to claim the $175,000 winner’s purse despite a shock heat defeat. Next in betting at $3.30 is NSW dynamo STANLEY ROAD…