Baster’s ASM aim with Callsign Mav

If anybody knows how to put together a campaign to get their horse into The All-Star Mile, it should be former jockey Stephen Baster. The 14-time Group 1-winning rider is now a real estate agent but is also a part-owner of Kiwi galloper Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante), who was among Monday’s 77 nominations for the A$5 million race to be run at Flemington in March. “I think they leave room for the fastest ones at the end don’t they (wildcards), so I’d prefer that,” he said with a laugh. “Most…

Traralgon’s history-making return

Greyhound racing made a hugely-anticipated return to Traralgon on Saturday night, with the club staging the first official meeting on its state-of-the-art $6m ‘J-curve’ track. Ten races were held over 395m and two over 500m, with the 350m and 450m starts currently inactive. Highlights of the historic opening meeting were: Adrian Smit trained the first winner on the new track, with Aston Miguel winning the opening event in 22.43sec. Ivy Isobel, trained by Brett Mackie, claimed Best Of Night honours over 395m, clocking 22.10sec to bring Hill Top Jonah’s six-race…

Red Ocean bounces back to best form

Trainer Shane Baertschiger is plotting a path towards the Singapore Derby (1800m) for Red Ocean (NZ) (Ocean Park) following the bold frontrunner’s quick return to winning ways in the $70,000 Kranji Stakes C race over 1600m on Saturday. The Singapore feature over 1800m, to be staged this year on July 17, was a bit of a no-brainer as the ultimate goal for the Ocean Park four-year-old after his three all-the-way wins over 1400m last year, especially the last one in Class 4 company on November 6, visually the more impressive…

Te Rapa trial to determine next steps for Baker and Forsman pair

A 1200m open trial before racing commences at Te Rapa this Wednesday will play a pivotal role in the next steps for two of the top performers from the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman stable. Former Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls) and Group One-performed stayer The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) will both line up in the event, with Baker keen to assess their runs before deciding on their next assignments. Aegon is coming into the trial off the back of unlucky runs in both…

Holiday for Pareanui Bay

Despite a dogged effort when second behind the unbeaten Shamus (NZ) (Shamexpress) in Saturday’s Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1600m) at Trentham, the immediate future for promising three-year-old Pareanui Bay (NZ) (Lonhro) is in the spelling paddock for the next month. Unbeaten in his first three starts, including the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa, Pareanui Bay finished second to On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day before his effort at Trentham, with trainer Tony Pike believing…

Hanalei a highlight for Richards family

Promising filly Hanalei (NZ) (Darci Brahma) provided co-owner and breeder Paul Richards with one of the biggest thrills of a more than forty-year career in the thoroughbred racing game when she took out the Listed IRT Wellesley Stakes (1100m) at Trentham on Saturday under the training of son Jamie. Richards who bred and races the Darci Brahma filly with his wife Leanne and close friends Bill and Sandra Duell, had been excited when her half-brother Cote De Beaune (NZ) (Burgundy) had maintained his unbeaten record for the Te Akau Grand…

Racing Victoria CEO Giles Thompson announced his resignation

After five years in the job, Racing Victoria CEO Giles Thompson announced his resignation on Friday afternoon. Thompson said he was “proud” and that the “time was right” to finish up his role, however he will still be in the position until June 30, when his eventual successor will take over. “It has been my privilege to lead this industry for more than five years during what has been an incredible period of growth. I am particularly proud of the record $280m of prizemoney and bonuses now on offer for…

Kementari only colt goes to Cummings at Magic Millions Sales

Kementari’s only colt has sold at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Sales, with Anthony Cummings purchasing the yearling for $200,000. The colt is one of just two Kementari yearlings, after the likely stallion failed at stud, which saw the son of Lonhro gelded and re-prepared as a racehorse. Lot 695 was the second of the two Kementari progeny to go through the sales ring at the Gold Coast, with his sister, a filly out of Mithila, sold for $325,000 earlier in the week. “He’s a really promising individual, a good…

Muswellbrook tips, odds & value bets | Monday, January 17

What Muswellbrook Races Where Muswellbrook Race Club – Skellatar Park, 15 Racecourse Rd, Muswellbrook NSW 2333 When Monday, January 17, 2022 First Race 1:55pm AEDT Watch Live Streaming Live at Sportsbet Muswellbrook Race Club is scheduled to host a seven-race card on Monday afternoon and Horsebetting’s country NSW betting expert presents his best bets, top odds and free quaddie picks. The track has come up a Good 4, with the rail in the true position throughout, for the meeting commencing at 1:55pm AEDT. Muswellbrook Best Bet – Miss Powerbelle Aleacia…

2022 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas Results: Late Favourite King of Sparta Salutes

History repeated itself at the Gold Coast on Saturday as trainer’s Peter and Paul Snowden took out the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas for the second year in a row. A year on from Aim’s upset victory, it was King of Sparta greeting the judge first thanks to a well-timed ride from Nash Rawiller. The market indicated that the son of I Am Invincible was the one punter’s wanted to be with, the three-year-old firming from $6.00 into the $4.00 favourite right before the jump. It was an easy watch for…