Month: February 2022

Kirstin Barclay rapt to hit 300 milestone

NZHarnessNews

by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  Just to be in the same conversation as Nicky Chilcott, Natalie Rasmusen and Sam Ottley makes Kirstin Barclay “very proud”. The Southland-based trainer-driver registered driving success number 300 when Still Rockin won at Gore on Sunday.  Chilcott (660 wins), Ottley (586) and Rasmussen (331 in NZ since 2011) are the most successful female drivers in this country and Barclay is delighted to have joined them. “I was pretty rapt,” said Barclay, “I don’t get a lot of outside drives and to get there…

Contrasting draws for Kiwi mares in Sydney

NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton  Star Kiwi mare Stylish Memphis has snared pole position for her Ladyship Mile defence at Menangle on Saturday night. The name of the race has changed – it’s now called the Queen Elizabeth II – but just like last year, Stylish Memphis is the one to beat. What’s interesting is how trainer-driver Jack Trainor plays it early. Yes, Stylish Memphis has some early speed, but probably not enough to hold-out the slickest beginners and she’s always been best when driven more conservatively early. Slick beginners like Wainui…

Bowditch Struck by Thunder’s gallop

NZRacingDesk

The thumbs up from Joe Bowditch has Mick Price confident he has I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking) in a position that he can be a winning chance in Saturday’s Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) before peaking for the All-Star Mile. The Cranbourne trainer called on Bowditch to partner the Golden Eagle winner in a 1200-metre track gallop last Saturday morning, in which he sat off a partner before sweeping past it late, and Price was buoyed by the Group 1-winning rider’s feedback. “We said to Joe, ‘come down and ride one, we…

Different path for Field Of Gold

NZRacingDesk

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike has changed tack with Group Two winner Field Of Gold (Starspangledbanner) following his fifth place finish in Saturday’s Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) won by impressive filly La Crique. The son of Starspangledbanner was beaten less than six lengths after setting the tempo for much of the contest, but a regression in trip is now more likely than a tilt at the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) on March 5. “Field of Gold was solid, but I doubt he will stay the Derby trip,” Pike said.…

Colgan to reunite with Derby Favourite

NZRacingDesk

The irony has not been lost on the connections of La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) with her imminent reunion with jockey Vinnie Colgan. The veteran hoop rode the Vadamos filly in three of her first four starts but he was replaced by Craig Crylls after he was suspended from riding. Grylls has enjoyed a fruitful association with the classy three-year-old, winning all three of their starts, including the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) on Saturday. However, Grylls picked up a careless riding charge for his…

Richards a force to be reckoned with in features

NZRacingDesk

Jamie Richards will be attacking this weekend’s main events in equal measures of quality and quantity with a trio chasing top-flight honours at Otaki and three youngsters lined up for the Matamata conditioner’s home track juvenile feature. Te Akau’s head trainer will be represented by Amarelinha, Brando and Markus Aurelius in Saturday’s Gr.1 El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic (1600m) while Hanalei, I Choose You and Maven Belle will go head-to-head in the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). Amarelinha will trek south to make her second appearance…

Team Teal has best return so far

NZHarnessNews

The annual Teal Pants campaign has received a major boost, with a bumper day on the grass at Gore. And it was a real team effort yesterday, with six wins from five female drivers (and their teal pants). It was Team Teal’s best day so far this campaign. Sarah O’Reilly had two wins (Fast Whispering and Timzee), with sisters Sheree Tomlinson (Jafa Express) and Kerryn Tomlinson (Domination’s Call), and Teal Pants ambassadors Sam Ottley (Lou’s Deal) and Kirstin Barclay (Still Rockin) all chipping in. Ottley also had two wins on…

New Zealand Oaks

AAP

OddsBookmakersTipsPast Winners New Zealand Oaks Group One Betting Guide Date: Saturday, March 19, 2022 Location: Trentham Racecourse Prize Money: NZ$400,000 Distance: 2400m The Group 1 New Zealand Oaks is a 2400m staying event for three-year-old fillies held on the third Saturday in March at Trentham Racecourse. Run under set weight conditions, the NZ$400,000 race consistently attracts a strong field and often serves as a good form reference for feature events later in the year. Having been run at Riccarton until 1972 and over only 2000m until 1974, the New Zealand…

Punt Drunk: J-Mac laughs last as Home Affairs edges Nature Strip

AAP

Today’s edition of Punt Drunk focuses on post-race jockey antics today. Whether it’s saluting the crowd after a major race victory, or a cheeky look over the shoulder at the runner-up, this weekend of racing had it all. Once again, James McDonald proved he knows best as he won yet another Group 1, Jason Collett gave William Pike a reminder of where he was, and Justin Huxtable got a bit carried away at Kangaroo Island. J-MAC KNOWS BEST It was controversial when Chris Waller announced that James McDonald would be…

Kembla Grange tips, odds & quaddie | Tuesday, February 22

AAP

What Kembla Grange Races Where Kembla Grange Racecourse – Princes Hwy, Kembla Grange NSW 2526 When Tuesday, February 22, 2022 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Watch Live Streaming Live at Sportsbet HorseBetting’s New South Wales form analyst has taken a look at the seven-race card at Kembla Grange on Tuesday afternoon and brings you his best bets and quaddie numbers, along with odds from Australia’s top betting sites. The track is currently a Good 4, while the rail is out 6m for the entire course, so horses that race handy to…