Month: September 2021

Daily Mail: Ruby set to shine at Sandown Park

Editor BOAY

A terrific line-up of stayers including G3 winner Mepunga Ruby (12 from 19 – 41.44sec PB) feature in today’s 715m Free For All at Sandown Park. The Watchdog’s top selection faces potential topliner Gypsy Wyong (12 from 20), victorious in the $35,500 G3 Top Cat Video Cup final at The Meadows almost two weeks ago. Dual Group finalist Knicks Bale (3 from 4 Trk/Dst) and G1 winner Here’s Tears (41.16sec PB) are also big threats. G1 runner-up Fernando Mick (2 from 5 Trk/Dst) v G2 winner Jax Bale (29.14sec PB)…

Remembering the legendary Bill Collins

Editor BOAY

Bill Collins OAM: 23 September 1928 – 14 June 1997 With many of this year’s big Group 1 races fast approaching – across all codes of Australian racing – including the G1 TAB Melbourne Cup for greyhounds at Sandown Park, it’s an ‘odds on’ chance that free-to-air television networks will at some point replay an ‘underestimation’ by one of the world’s greatest race callers, the late Bill Collins. “Kingston Town can’t win!” is something that is played year-in, year-out. It’s a tired, and with time, increasingly disrespectful acknowledgment, of a…

Barclay’s team to make an impact

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner Kirstin Barclay is set to make an impact at Winton on Thursday with a team of eachway chances. Barclay brings five runners to the eight-race card including Macandrew Aviator and Tommy Waterhouse who step out in race 7. Macandrew Aviator created a good impression in his eight starts last season and has had two workouts to prepare for his return. After winning the first and running a strong second behind Memphis Tennessee in the next, the four-year-old looks primed for a big fresh up performance for driver…

Butcher itching to get back in the sulky

NZHarnessNews

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Leading northern reinsman Zachary Butcher is chomping at the bit to get back in the sulky at Alexandra Park on Friday night after more than a month away from the track as a result of Auckland’s COVID-19 enforced lockdown. While he admitted it was nice to watch the first couple of meetings at Cambridge from the comfort of his couch, that experience has soon worn thin. “I cannot wait (to get back driving), it has been pretty boring,” Butcher said. “I enjoyed the first…

Earthquakes and greyhounds

Editor BOAY

Following today’s earthquake, GRV advises people to please check on greyhounds in their care. Make sure you check kennel buildings, fences and gates for damage, cracks, gate latches that have opened and gaps where greyhounds could escape or get injured. Also check water bowls, water pipes and drainage for leakage. There may be additional tremors, so please continue to check after each one. If a greyhound is injured, please seek veterinary care.

Selections | Winton Today – Thursday

NZHarnessNews

Racing journalist Jonny Turner gives his selections for Winton today – Thursday Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race JONNY TURNERRacing Journalist Race 112.39pm 7 Charlie P10 Jordan Anne12 Millie’s Gift11 Kiwi Heir Race 21.14pm 5 Wolfenstein7 I’m Watching You 3 Betstars Blue Jeans1 Alexis Rocket Race 31.48pm 3 Nyla1 Tisbury Rocks9 Schiavone 6 Cool Idea Race 42.22pm 3 Leconte 10 Chezz Dale2 Beez Neez8 The High Commander Race 52.57pm 9 Lauries Legacy 1 Unique Marshall 2 Sage Trouble3 Maudarchy  Race 63.30pm 3 Major Sweetart5 American Eyretime5 Tartan Roxy4 Art Courage  Race 73.58pm 8 Tommy…

Online world record set as Avantage commands $4.1 million

NZRacingDesk

Nine-time Group One winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock) has fetched a whopping $4.1 million when sold to Tom Magnier of global breeding giant Coolmore via New Zealand Bloodstock’s online platform Gavelhouse Plus. The stunning figure establishes a new world record for any horse sold online, a growing trend in the bloodstock industry. The daughter of Fastnet Rock is the third highest-priced mare ever sold via auction in the Southern Hemisphere behind Milanova (Danehill), who fetched A$5 million in 2008, and the A$4.2 million outlaid for Sunlight (Zoustar) last year, with all…

Sword Of State faces weighty task

NZRacingDesk

Regarded by Jamie Richards as one of the best juveniles he has trained, Sword Of State (Snitzel) will make a belated Sydney debut when he returns for the first time as a three-year-old in the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill. A Group One winner in New Zealand, Sword Of State was due to kick off his campaign in the San Domenico Stakes but was scratched after he returned poor blood results. The stable is confident it has got on top of the issue, but Richards has warned the winner…

Vadamos filly strong on debut

NZRacingDesk

Three-year-old filly Magic Show (NZ) (Vadamos) justified favouritism when winning over 970m in maiden company at Cambridge on Wednesday. The daughter of Vadamos had won three trials leading into her debut and came from behind the leaders to score going away under jockey Sam Spratt. The Tony Pike-trained filly was bred by Steve Hawkes, who shares in the ownership with a syndicate. “She has shown us plenty of ability all the way through, with three trials for three wins,” Pike said. “She has just wanted to go a touch keen…

Guineas aspirations for The Perfect Pink

NZRacingDesk

The Jamie Richards-trained The Perfect Pink (NZ) (Savabeel) picked up her maiden victory at just the third time of asking when winning the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1300m) at Cambridge on Wednesday. The filly got the perfect trip in the one-one before jockey Michael McNab asked her to improve three-wide turning for home where she was able to run away to a 2-1/4 length victory. “We’ve always had a bit of time for her and it was a nice effort,” Richards said. “She’s been immature and needed a patient…