Expat New Zealand trainer Paul O’Sullivan was in a positive frame of mind after Hong Kong’s 2020-21 racing season drew to a close on Wednesday night. Now a veteran of almost two decades among Hong Kong’s training ranks, O’Sullivan was more than satisfied with his stable’s final result of 26 winners and 52 placegetters from 377 runners. He also marvelled at the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s ability to continue racing – albeit largely without crowds – in the face of unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s definitely been…
Month: July 2021
New $2 million race for Sydney Spring Carnival
Racing NSW has announced that a new race, A$2 million The Invitation (1400m), will be run in October 2021, headlining several enhancements to the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival. The Invitation will be run for fillies and mares over a distance of 1400m at Royal Randwick on Saturday, 23 October 2021. The field for The Invitation will exclusively comprise 12 starters invited by a panel convened by Racing NSW. Invitations will be extended to fillies and mares from across Australia and New Zealand, and the race will be run under a set-weight…
Bergerson appointed assistant trainer at Te Akau
Former Sunline Trust Scholarship recipient Sam Begerson has been appointed assistant trainer to Jamie Richards at Te Akau Racing. Te Akau Principal David Ellis has been impressed with the 27-year-old since he has joined the racing arm of the operation, and he is pleased to offer the young horseman the new opportunity. “Sam is an outstanding young man, a fine example of passion and professionalism, and comes from a family with a strong and generational background in working with horses,” Ellis said. “Horses are the cornerstone of our business and…
First TAB New Zealand Board appointments announced
Racing Minister Grant Robertson has announced the first members of the TAB NZ Board. “This Board will progress from the excellent work done by the interim board, put in place in August 2020,” Robertson said. “The TAB Board was created under the Racing Act passed in 2020. The Act outlines a process for appointing the board through the establishment of a selection panel to make recommendations to the Minister of Racing. “This includes three people nominated by the racing codes and up to four other members who have a range…
Back home, Collett turns focus to riding domestic winners
Samantha Collett is back with her feet on New Zealand soil, keen to further the experiences she has had riding abroad. Collett, who flew back home on Thursday night, will be straight back into action with seven rides at Ruakaka on Saturday, having ridden out of Queensland since the beginning of June. One of the main attractions of riding in Queensland was continuing her association with the Robbie Patterson-trained Coventina Bay and though she wasn’t able to replicate her best New Zealand form, Collett saw upside in her performances. “Things…
Hall of Fame trainer Laurie Laxon passes away
Hall of Fame trainer Laurie Laxon, whose list of achievements included a Melbourne Cup victory and multiple Singapore training premierships, has passed away. Laxon had lived in retirement in the Coromandel seaside town of Whitianga since returning from Singapore in 2017, the year after his induction to the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. He had ruled supreme in Singapore training ranks after relocating there in 1999, claiming nine premierships and becoming the first to win 100 races in a season, and the first (and still only) trainer to…
Ben Hope – a trotter, Latrell Mitchell and South Sydney
Latrell is making waves in South Sydney – and it’s not just the league player. Young Canterbury driver Ben Hope bred and races a two-year-old trotter named after the Rabbitohs and New South Wales superstar, Latrell Mitchell. The Dream Vacation gelding has had two public hit-outs for a win and a third and is now being spelled ahead of a raceday debut in the summer. And the horse called Latrell has come to the attention of those at Rabbitohs’ HQ at Redfern. This week Hope was featured on Rabbitohs TV…
Daily Mail: Christo’s crown under threat?
After defending his G2 McKenna Memorial title at Sandown Park last week, middle distance superstar Christo Bale will headline Friday night’s Geelong meeting in a ‘must watch’ clash with up-and-comer Mepunga Ruby (7 from 11). Both are in ‘white hot’ form, with Christo Bale (28 from 65) having won 8 of his past 10, while the lightly-raced Mepunga Ruby has won 5 on end. There’ll also be no place to hide when prolific speedster Fortuna Bale (27 from 62 – 6 from 12 Box 1) takes on former Ballarat 450m…
Traralgon ‘Participant Day’ postponed
Following the State Government’s announcement of a five day lockdown in Victoria – effective from 11.59pm on Thursday 15 July – Monday’s scheduled ‘Participant Day’ at Traralgon has been postponed. A replacement date will be determined when safe to do so. GRV and Traralgon GRC look forward to being able to invite participants to view the new track in the near future.
Whale Watch – Auckland – Tonight – July 16
The Whale takes us through tonight’s meeting at Alexandra Park – 16 July