The prospect of a heavily rain affected track at Tauranga this Saturday may see the connections of Group One performer Mali Ston (NZ) (El Roca) firming up plans for an Australian campaign. The talented gelding is an acceptor in the Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m), but trainer Darryn Weatherley has cast serious doubt on the four-year-old’s attendance. “He is a very unlikely starter, I paid up with him but a Heavy 11 track has really put me off. I wouldn’t run him unless the track came back and the…
Month: March 2022
Lucky Sweynesse continues winning run
Impressive sprinter Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) lodged a third consecutive win to maintain his unbeaten record with success in the first section of the Class 3 Sheung Hei Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday. “It was a good effort,” jockey Zac Purton said. “He travelled a bit strong through the first half of the race and then when we came down near The Rock (750m), he wobbled a bit and might have lost his confidence in the track and lost his rhythm, so I had to click him up…
Link to Takanini lost with death of Ray Wallace
A link to one of New Zealand’s major training centres of last century has been lost with the recent death of former successful trainer Ray Wallace at age 92. Wallace grew up in Takanini, where his father Jack trained successfully for many years at the Auckland Racing Club’s South Auckland training facility. Ray became his father’s training partner in the early 1950s and he in turn was joined in partnership some 30 years later by his own son Bruce. In that first season as training partners, Jack and Ray Wallace…
Browne looking to remedy fast-charging Rhinoceros
Former Cambridge trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne are settling into their new quarters at Cranbourne and enjoying the transition across the Tasman and now they are hoping one of their pin-up gallopers can also acclimatise. Three-win galloper Rhinoceros (NZ) (Vadamos), who boasts wins at Sandown, Moonee Valley and Caulfield last spring, will contest Saturday’s A$150,000 Mornington Guineas (1600m) and the fierce-going galloper will have a gear change as he looks to regain winning form. The three-year-old son of Vadamos will sport ear-muffs and a nasal strip for the first time…
Traralgon reopening to remain on hold as works continue
Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club will be closed until 11 April at this stage as work continues to resolve issues with its Safe Chase lure system. As already announced there will be no racing at Traralgon this Saturday. Monday’s meeting will be moved to Sale and to be run at Level 2 prize money with preferences to maidens and Grade 6 & 7 greyhounds. Grade 5 or above will be non-penalty. GRV apologises for any inconvenience caused and will continue to keep participants updated. Replacement meetings will be announced over the…
Zed Em to commence Grand Annual campaign
Evergreen Kiwi jumper Zed Em (NZ) (Zed) will begin his Australian campaign towards the Grand Annual (5500m) at Warrnambool in May with a 2350m hit-out on the flat at the Victorian track on Friday. The 11-year-old gelding won the Grand Annual back in 2019 and has placed in the race on three other occasions, including a memorable runner-up effort behind fellow Kiwi-bred Gold Medals (NZ) (Elvstroem) last year. Trainer Patrick Payne has been pleased with the way the Zed gelding has arrived to his Plumpton stables after three unplaced runs…
Idolize an Easter ‘Golden Girl’
After Idolize set Wentworth Park alight during the Group 1 National Futurity series in January, great anticipation surrounds the brilliant Victorian speedster’s return to Sydney for Saturday night’s G1 Golden Easter Egg heats. Idolize was a flying all-the-way winner of the female-only Futurity, defeating litter sister Chic in 29.80sec to hand Devon Meadows trainer Peter Presutto an unforgettable G1 quinella. Winner of 12 of her 22 starts, Idolize, a January ’20 daughter of My Redeemer and Hightan, also won the G2 Laurels at Sandown Park last December. Since then, Idolize…
Talented Kennedy-Furlong fillies attracting interest
Hanging on to promising two-year-olds Defiant (NZ) (Tavistock) and Kikimora (NZ) (Shamexpress) might be half the battle for Riccarton trainers Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong as they prepare the duo for Saturday’s Petersens Jewellers Ladies Bracelet (1000m) on their home track. The stable has already seen the unbeaten Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) winner Grace’s Secret (NZ) (Vadamos) moved on from their stable and Kennedy revealed there had already been buying interest on both his fillies contesting Saturday’s juvenile race. “We’ve had interest in both of these fillies and at a…
Aston Rupee’s shock retirement
Owner/breeder Ray Borda says the surprise retirement of tennis star Ash Barty on Wednesday was the catalyst for his shock decision to call time on the career of the world’s fastest greyhound, record-breaking Victorian sprinter Aston Rupee. “It did influence me,” said Borda. “I was tossing up whether to keep going for the Golden Easter Egg – I was 50/50 – and then last night when I was listening to Ash Barty, I just reflected that she’s retiring while she’s ahead and it was very important to me that Aston…
Daily Mail: Will ‘Ja’ rule at Sandown Park?
Premier Racing at Sandown Park is highlighted by dual G1 winner Jarick Bale stepping up in distance to 715m in a Mixed 4/5 race which includes G1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers runner-up Orca. G3 winner and Sandown Park 595m track record holder Collinda Patty faces multiple Group finalist Riccarton Rick and the consistent Omega Gringo in a Mixed 4/5 595m event, while Australian Sprint winner Nikoli Bale and G2 Warragul Cup winner Robbie Rotten clash in a Grade 4 515m race. Promising chasers Here Comes Pie, Amlin Emperor and Deep…