Month: June 2021

Tony Pike has been left scratching his head after Not An Option’s (Not A Single Doubt) subpar performance in the Gr.3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday. The colt beat just one runner home in the 1400m test and Pike was duly disappointed with the result. “It was pretty disappointing, especially after his good fresh-up effort,” he said. “We are scratching our heads a wee bit. “He jumped a lot better on Saturday and got a lovely trip behind Ayrton, he (Nash Rawiller, jockey) said he was…

The Mike Moroney-trained Bermadez (NZ) (Tavistock) will attempt to keep his unbeaten record intact when he runs for the third time at Sandown on Wednesday. The four-year-old son of Tavistock has had his career halted through shoulder problems which Moroney hopes are now behind him. “He’s had a couple of problems, one as a younger horse and then on the opposite side after he won his only start,” Moroney said. “You just never know if they will return again, but we’ve put it down to immaturity and at this stage…

Triple Derby winner Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) could have a big spring instore after his pleasing three-year-old season. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained colt won the Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m), Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m), Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m), and placed in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) behind fellow Kiwi-bred Kukeracha (NZ) (Night of Thunder). The son of Jakkalberry will now head for a well-deserved break before being prepared for Cups targets in the spring. “Saturday was always going to be it, win, lose or draw. It (the…

Central Districts trainer Chrissy Bambry is keen to land some early black-type with promising juvenile Bellacontte (NZ) (Burgundy), who will contest the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui on Saturday. The daughter of Burgundy finished third on debut at Awapuni late last month, but ran home strongly behind Shamus despite showing signs of greenness and Bambry expects the multiple trial winner to benefit from that experience. “I think she will improve quite a bit,” she said. “It has come up quite a strong field but you expect that in a…

21-year-old New Zealander Charlie King has gained a place on the prestigious Godolphin Flying Start, a two-year Thoroughbred Industry Management and Leadership Programme, which commences in Ireland in August. The son of Nick and Anne-Marie King grew up on Brighthill Farm and is a recent graduate of a Bachelor of Commerce at Victoria University, and is currently working for Te Akau Racing. The class of 2021 – 2023 comprises of eight men and four women from Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, the UK and the USA. The outstanding scholarship enables…

Promising juvenile Tutukaka (NZ) (Tavistock) will be out to break maiden ranks when he contests the Listed The Phoenix (1500m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The Tavistock gelding has finished runner-up in his two prior starts, including over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast last month. “That was a really good run first-up,” trainer Tony Pike said. “That was only his second start and he is a horse that is looking for further, and raceday experience is going to be a huge help to him. “He galloped really well in company…