Friday is something of a D-day for three of Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) contenders. Marsh has four fillies still in Oaks contention, with progressive Vadamos filly Superette (NZ) headed to the Gr.2 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings on March 2. The other three will travel to New Plymouth to race on Friday, with Miss Ella (NZ) (Iffraaj) and Eva Chiara (NZ) (Savabeel) contesting the Listed Grangewilliam Stud “Derryn” Oaks Prelude (1800m) and Divine Sava (NZ) (Savabeel) also racing over…
Month: February 2022
Week could get even better for Browne stable
It’s already been a memorable week for David and Emma-Lee Browne and it may well end on another top note for the husband-and-wife training duo. They are in the process of moving their operation from Cambridge to Victoria with David arriving at Cranbourne this week with Elephant (NZ) (Shocking) and Rhinoceros (NZ) (Vadamos), who will step out at Flemington on Saturday. Bold showings from the pair would crown a satisfying few days with Elephant on Wednesday earning a guaranteed berth in the A$5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) on March 19…
‘Orson’ boost to Michael’s spirits
Michael Hogarth wasn’t sure about making the three-hour trip from Mildura to Horsham on Tuesday to watch his namesake, talented sprinter Orson Mick, which is part-owned by his brother David. It was hardly surprising an afternoon at the greyhounds mightn’t have been that appealing, considering the enormous physical and emotional strain the 57-year-old has been dealing with. Michael suffers from Motor Neurone Disease (MND) – the insidious illness labelled ‘The Beast’ by its fierce enemy Neale Daniher. Facing up to the daily challenges presented by MND is difficult enough. “MND…
‘Grin’ Reaper
Slingshot Reaper was headed for a new home – GRV’s Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP). But now he’s staying put! And that’s all thanks to returning from a seven-week hiatus like a ‘slingshot’. After finishing last at Shepparton on December 13, he resumed at Healesville on January 30 and clocked a smart 16.59sec over 300m. Better was to come two weeks later when Slingshot Reaper ($13.90) defeated country champ Benchester ($2.70F) by 2.6L in a flying 16.34sec – only 2L off the 16.22sec track record set by Matt’s Entity on August…
Black Caviar Lightning 2022 Field: Nature Strip Returns
Chris Waller’s The Everest hero Nature Strip makes his much-awaited return to racing at Flemington on Saturday in a stellar edition of the Group 1 $1 million Black Caviar Lightning (1000m). Nature Strip is short-priced favourite to return with a 2022 Black Caviar Lightning win at HQ this weekend. Photo: Steve Hart. Looking to became the event’s first multiple winner since the three-peat of the race’s now namesake Black Caviar (2011-13), Nature Strip is at short odds to successfully defend his title first-up in Saturday’s Flemington feature sprint. Last seen…
Donnelly’s success on and off the track
Things are happening in fours for Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly right now. Last Friday she had four winners at a race meeting – for just the second time in her career – and this week she’s bought at least three, and probably, four yearlings at the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales. Already secured are three colts, to Rock N Roll Heaven, Art Major and Bettor’s Delight, with negotiations well advanced for a fourth purchase as well. “The Miss Elsie one is the stand out,” she says. Lot 360 (Art Major –…
Whale Watch – Manawatu – Tonight
Craig “The Whale” Thompson shares his thoughts on tonight’s meeting at Manawatu.
Record results at NZB Yearling sales
The just completed NZB Standardbred Yearling sales was a record-breaker on several fronts. The aggregate for the four days – Karaka on February 13 and Christchurch Feb 14-16 – was the best ever, just shy of $15m. The $14,753,000 was more than $1.4m more than last year’s total. The average of $49,507 was also a record for the sales, up on last year’s $45,198, as was the median of $38,750, up from $30,000. “We are incredibly heartened by what the industry has achieved over the four days of selling,” says…
Tylers go two-handed into Southland Guineas
Two bargain buys will represent Southland trainers Kelvin and Aimee Tyler in the richest three-year-old race in their region on Saturday. The father-and-daughter partnership will saddle $3000 yearling purchase Carlos (NZ) (Highly Recommended) and $800 buy Master Marko (NZ) (Contributer) in the ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1600m) at Invercargill, hopeful either can make a mockery of their budget costs. The Tylers produced Lightning Jack (NZ) (Per Incanto) to win the race in 2020 and while Kelvin Tyler concedes neither rank in his class, he’s optimistic he can still…
Time to shine for Bambry filly
Three-year-old filly Third Time Round (NZ) has yet to break maiden ranks from six starts, but the Chrissy Bambry-trained daughter of Tivaci shapes as a strong contender in Friday’s Listed Grangewilliam Stud “Derryn” Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth. Third Time Round was a last-start fourth behind top filly La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and finished fifth to Shamus (NZ) (Shamexpress) in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) at the start prior. Those form-lines look solid enough to put her in the frame for Friday’s…