There have been exciting changes made to the NZB Insurance Pearl Series for the 2022/23 season. From August 2022 bonuses will now be paid out to fillies and mares that finish first, second or third in a Pearl eligible race (previously only paid to winners) and the series will now be extended to cover previously registered mares up to and including their five-year-old season of racing. A single bonus level will be offered for all Pearl races with the winning owner receiving $10,000, and the trainer and the nominator each…
Month: April 2022
Hong Kong hopes for Mr Brightside
Trainers Ben and JD Hayes are hoping to be up in Hong Kong alongside their father David racing at Sha Tin in December. The brothers scored their biggest win in their fledgling training partnership when Kiwi-bred Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) took out the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick earlier this month, and they have put a circle around the international races later this year. The son of Bullbars has headed to the spelling paddock in preparation for what could be a busy time ahead of him. “We really foresee…
Starter payments for trainers to increase
In recognition of rising costs encountered by Victorian greyhound trainers, the GRV Board today approved an increase to Starter payments effective from 1 May. The Starter payment to trainers for participation in the racing program will double from $10 to $20 per greyhound starting at a race meeting, with the increase designed to assist trainers in managing rising costs for items such as fuel, pet food and veterinary care. Trainers currently receive a $70 travel subsidy plus a $10 starter payment for every greyhound they train that competes at a…
Pakenham racing tips & top value bets | Thursday, April 14
What Pakenham Races Where Pakenham Racecourse – 420 Nar Nar Goon–Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3813 When Thursday, April 14, 2022 First Race 5:45pm AEST Visit Ladbrokes Pakenham Racecourse hosts another twilight fixture on Thursday night with an interesting eight-race card for punters to dissect. A maiden over 1600m starts the evening at 5:45pm AEST, while the Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young stable look to play a key hand in the last race, which starts at 9:15pm. The quaddie kicks off in race five, which commences at 7:45pm. BEST BET: RUPERT’S…
The Box Seat – April 12
Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin join us for this week’s special The Race edition of the Box Seat.
Dragon Queen after Group One crown
Talented Matamata mare Dragon Queen will be given her chance against the best in the country in Saturday’s Gr.1 Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa. The field for New Zealand’s final Group One race of the 2021-22 season is shaping up to be a strong one, with horses such as Two Illicit, Imperatriz, and Coventina Bay set to be present. But Pam Gerard, who trains Dragon Queen along with Mike Moroney, said her mare wouldn’t be out of place. “Obviously it’s a bit of a…
Pike amassing Queensland raiding party
Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is gearing up for another Queensland Carnival raid this winter, which will include a few runners from outside stables. With a host of promising two and three-year-olds to step out at trials and on raceday in the coming weeks, Pike is still assessing those up to the grade. “We will probably get a bit closer in the next week to 10 days in regards to who is going but there is another couple we will take over for people,” Pike said. “Ben Foote has asked us…
Maximising return from assets vital to healthy racing future
Further rationalisation to maximise the full potential of remaining assets is paramount to the future success of the New Zealand racing industry. That’s the view of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Bruce Sharrock, brother of Group One-winning New Plymouth trainer Allan, who was promoted to the top role after serving as Chief Operating Officer. While he has only had his feet under the desk for a little over a week, Sharrock is convinced a united approach is the way forward. “At a very high level, if you look around…
The Big ‘Chill’
Evergreen veteran Chill Out Webby has gone out on top… Get this – at his 186th start! In emotional scenes, the rising six-year-old (whelped November 13, 2016) saluted at The Meadows on the weekend as a $49.80 bolter. It was his first win since August 9 last year – making it 16 (with 28 seconds and 23 thirds) in all – and his fifth win (with 11 seconds and 10 thirds) from 80 starts over 525m at The Meadows. And his part-owner/trainer, Heathcote-based Julie Chilcott, was quick to call time on…
Wyong best bets, odds & quaddie picks | April 14, 2022
What Wyong Races Where Wyong Race Club – 71-73 Howarth St, Wyong NSW 2259 When Thursday, April 14, 2022 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Ladbrokes HorseBetting’s New South Wales racing analyst presents his best bets and quaddie selections for the eight-race provincial meeting at Wyong Race Club on Thursday afternoon. While the weather may be fine, the track is rated a Heavy 8 after the region has experienced relentless rainfall over the past month. The rail at Wyong will be out 4m from the 1350m to the 1000m and just…