On Line (NZ) (O’Reilly) enhanced his prospects of gaining a start in the S$1million Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) when he scored over 1600m at Kranji on Saturday. Around 20th in the order of entry on 70 points for the Cup before the running of the $70,000 Class 3 race over the Polytrack mile, On Line was in need of a win to still be in with a chance of gaining a chance. The O’Reilly six-year-old pulled it off but only by the skin of his teeth. Last for most of…
Month: October 2021
Thoroughbred breeding industry rally to support Kaye Sanders
Kaye Sanders has dedicated her life to horses and now the thoroughbred breeding industry she has poured her heart and soul into is rallying to support her in her time of need. On September 13 Kaye suffered a brain aneurysm and, due to complications during surgery, a stroke the following day requiring further surgery to alleviate swelling on the brain. Kaye required a three week stay in ICU and was then transferred to the Neurology ward at the Christchurch Hospital. She is currently at Burwood Hospital where she will embark…
Fabulous five for Marsh
Victories by Oseleta (Deep Field) at Awapuni and Global Currency (NZ) (Tavistock) at Tauranga on Saturday capped off a wonderful 24-hour period for trainer Stephen Marsh who had also taken out the first three races on the card at Hawera on Friday. The five-strong haul pushed Marsh into second place on the National Trainers’ premiership with 21 wins for the season, behind last year’s runaway winner Jamie Richards, who leads with 26 wins to date. For Marsh it was the boost he was looking for as New Zealand racing heads…
Allen thinks Jack can hit back
James McDonald with four winners and Damien Oliver with more records courtesy of two more Group One wins were the standout performers on Victoria Derby day. But another jockey can lay claim to creating a record of significance on the day also. John Allen’s Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) victory aboard the impressive Hitotsu (Maurice) registered his fourth Derby victory for 2021 following triple success in Tasmania, Adelaide and Sydney on Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry), who also finished third in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) for the rider. The victory continued…
Ocean Billy takes Rotorua to the Melbourne Cup
The significance of having a runner in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) has yet to fully dawn on Bill Pomare, but he has a fair idea of when that might happen. The popular Rotorua horseman shares ownership of Ocean Billy (NZ) (Ocean Park) with his wife Suzi and friend Peter Ludgate. Just before 5pm NZ Time on Tuesday afternoon, surrounded by family, friends and local media, Pomare will watch on a big-screen TV as jockey Damien Thornton walks into the Flemington mounting yard wearing his green, red and black colours.…
Bishara verry excited as Melbourne Cup looms
Twelve months on from having his first runner in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), Nick Bishara is just as excited as he was last year before the running of the race that stops a nation. Bishara, who prepared nine-time Group One winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) for her first three starts in New Zealand and retained a share in the champion mare when she was sold and sent to Australia in September 2018, believes this could be her year after the daughter of Zed finished an unlucky seventh in 2020.…
Tralee Rose to further enhance Hogan’s Melbourne Cup legacy
Nearly 40 years on from breeding his first Melbourne Cup winner, legendary horse breeder Sir Patrick Hogan will once again hope to taste success in that capacity when quality staying mare Tralee Rose (NZ) (Tavistock) takes her place in Tuesday’s Flemington two-mile feature. Hogan, who bred the mare with wife Lady Justine, will be cheering on the Symon Wilde-trained five-year-old daughter of Tavistock, who booked her passage care of a strong staying performance to win the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) just over a fortnight ago. Tralee Rose was among the…
The Chosen One ready for famous Flemington two-miler
Securing an ideal inside barrier draw has put the final piece in the puzzle for the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) ahead of Tuesday’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). The proven stayer, who finished fourth to European raider Twilight Payment (Teofilo) in the 2020 edition of the race that stops a nation, passed a final vet check on Friday morning and will take his place in the field from barrier 5, carrying 54kgs and with regular rider Damian Lane aboard. Despite disappointing in the Gr.1 Caulfield…
Hume Cup: Armchair Guide
Gypsy Wyong (Box 1) will be chasing her second feature distance event at The Meadows at Monday night’s always hugely anticipated Melbourne Cup Eve meeting when she starts a warm favourite in the $108,000 Group 1 TAB Hume Cup final (600m). Trained by Andrea Dailly, Gypsy Wyong is TAB’s $2.70 favourite, ahead of Bounce Back (Box 7), trained by the high-flying David Geall, at $4.40, and Jeff Britton’s Mepunga Warrior (Box 6) at $4.80. Gypsy Wyong completed a ‘bookend’ Hume Cup heat double for ‘Team Dailly’ in the last of…
Can Pondus win the 2021 Melbourne Cup?
Pondus has been a long range Melbourne Cup horse for the best part of 15-months. Having not made the final field in the 2020 Cup, he has made the 2021 final field and if he brings his best to Flemington, he is sure to run a nice race. With form behind the likes of Japan and Addeybb in his career, he clearly has the class, but the question remains whether he is still at that level or has dropped off a peg or two. When will Pondus run in the…