Month: January 2022

Odds-on favourite Attila (NZ) (Showcasing) quickly put behind the disappointment of a delayed racing debut from the tail-end of last year with a flying start at the Singapore season opener six weeks later. Trainer Shane Baertschiger had the Showcasing four-year-old primed and ready for his baptism of fire in a Novice race on Singapore Gold Cup day last November, but his waywardness got the better of him on the way to the starting gates when he stumbled and fell and was subsequently scratched. Jockey Manoel Nunes was unhurt, but the…

A decision to send maiden galloper Tigertiger (NZ) (Zed) to the Mornington stable of Robert Blacker is paying dividends for his Foxton-based owner and breeder Ian Shaw after the son of Zed picked up his fifth win from just 10 Australian starts in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday. Shaw bred Tigertiger from his Gr.2 New Zealand Cup (3200m) winner Hoorang (NZ) (Zerpour), who also numbered the Listed Marton Cup (2200m) amongst her nine career victories. Shaw had plenty of belief in Tigertiger as a youngster but…

Packing Victory’s (NZ) (Reliable Man) emergence as a leading contender for the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on January 30 continued with a triumph in the Class 2 Cherry Handicap (1400m) for jockey Alexis Badel and trainer Danny Shum at Sha Tin on Saturday. Posting his fourth win from six starts, the Reliable Man gelding earned a HK$1 million High Achievement Bonus for his owner. “It was a very nice win, he’s got a big stride – nice action – he’s got early speed, he’s got many qualities,” Badel said.…

A tilt at the Doubletree By Hilton Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie is now a distinct possibility for impressive debut winner Diss Is Dramatic (NZ) (Dissident), who cruised to victory at Tauherenikau on Sunday in the Valley Plumbing (1000m). The Lisa Latta-trained daughter of Dissident turned on the afterburners late in the piece to win at the first time of asking in the colours of prominent syndicators Go Racing. Despite two good performances at the trials, the two-year-old filly was friendless in betting and paid $18.20, with stablemate Knickerless…

A barnstorming finish from near last on the home turn by promising galloper Phyllite (NZ) (Gallant Guru) brought up a special milestone for training partners, Brian and Shane Anderton at Riverton on Saturday. The win became the 1000th for the father and son combination since they began their partnership back in the 1993/94 racing season. Over the following twenty-nine years there have been plenty of highs and lows for the pair but the emphasis on hard work and attention to detail instilled in him by his father is something that…