Month: July 2021

Having enjoyed a short break, Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj) is all set to resume training with the Golden Eagle at Rosehill to be his main spring target.  Having had a two-start campaign in Brisbane and enjoying some winter warmth up north, Ayrton is set to return to the Caulfield stables of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr on Tuesday.  “I don’t think I’ve even told the ownership group that yet,” Price said.  Ayrton has won four of his five starts with Price previously saying the gelding, who turns four on August 1, is potentially the best galloper he has…

A year ago, New Zealand punters had only just been introduced to Dean Parker, but in a little more than 12 months, the 18-year-old Northlander has burst into the New Zealand riding ranks, to the point where he’s now second on the jumps jockey premiership. He emphasised his ability by guiding He’s Ric to a comfortable victory in the Three Wise Birds Maiden Hurdle (2500m) at Hastings on Saturday for Whanganui trainer Kevin Myers, who has been a key supporter of Parker. “He’s come a long way. When I first…

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has announced there will be a 20 percent boost to stakes between August 28, 2021, and April 2, 2022. The boost in funding includes stakes lifts across the board, including increases in minimum prizemoney levels for Industry and feature days. The prizemoney increases, which are designed to be sustainable and reward participants at all levels, are achievable following a strong wagering performance and changes to the TAB NZ operating model.  “We are operating in a different environment to what we did under the old Racing…

Acutus (Sepoy) is loving the warmer climes of Ruakaka over winter. The Bob and Jenny Vance-trained six-year-old picked up his fifth career victory at the Northland track with his all the way win in the Northpine Waipu Cup (1400m), and he is set to be a frequent visitor to the track over the coming months. “Drawing one and getting to the front was quite a big advantage, and he finished off the race really well,” Bob Vance said. While he prefers the better tracks associated with summer racing, when Vance…

Progressive four-year-old Makzabeel (NZ) (Makfi) is putting together a nice record and was a dominant winner of the Northbeam Timber Beams and Posts Rating 74 (2100m) at Ruakaka on Saturday, making it back-to-back victories at the northern venue. The son of Makfi has now won four of his 10 starts, with a further three placings and trainer Tony Pike is giving plenty of thought as to how he best places the improving stayer, who is raced by Auckland lawyer Bruce Dell. “I just had a good talk to Bruce Dell,…

Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress) was meant to be enjoying a well-deserved spell in the Queensland sun at the moment, however, the weather in the Sunshine State had other plans over the weekend. The Robbie Patterson-trained mare was set to have her final start of the season in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday, but the meeting was abandoned following heavy rain. The daughter of Shamexpress had won her 1200m trial on the track last month and Patterson was looking forward to lining her up on…