Feature racing returns to Sandown Park this week with three Heats of the Group 2 McKenna Memorial set to go over the ‘595’.
Month: June 2022
A ‘Great’ bet
Young Anakie husband-and-wife team Correy, 28, and Samantha Grenfell, 32 have established a strong following with the 18-35yrs punting demographic. And their devotees will have wallets lined – make that betting apps open – when ‘Team Grenfell’ lines up with a quality quintet in a $22,000 Great 8 (515m) in Premier Racing at Sandown Park on Thursday night. Correy trains Yozo Bale (Box 4) and Loxton Bale (Box 7) while Samantha prepares Xavien Bale (Box 1), Usman Bale (Box 5) and Nikoli Bale (Box 8). And when it comes to…
Dominus stamps Darwin Cup credentials with record-breaking win
Dominus was an impressive winner at Fannie Bay last time out. With the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) looming on the horizon you certainly take notice when a horse suddenly breaks the track record for the 1600m. The Chris Nash-trained Dominus had tongues wagging at Fannie Bay on Saturday when he eclipsed the record for the mile (1.34.53) by 0.31 seconds en route to victory in the Darwin Horse Floats 0-70 Handicap (1600m). The previous mark was set by the Gary Clarke-trained Lightinthenite, ridden by Paul Shiers, in the Chief Ministers…
Choisia Prince shoots for Riccarton polytrack double
A fitter Choisia Prince will spearhead a trio of Riccarton all-weather track runners for Fraser Auret on Thursday as the trainer continues to broaden his knowledge of polytrack racing. Choisia Prince couldn’t have been any more impressive when he cleared maiden grade by 6-1/2 lengths over 1400m on the polytrack at Riccarton earlier this month. However, the John Bromley-bred and raced Choisir three-year-old gelding showed he was far from the polished article as he overraced early and had to be hauled off the heels of the runner in front of…
Hawtin announces his retirement
Two-time New Zealand premiership-winning trainer Keith Hawtin bowed out a winner at Cambridge on Wednesday. Hawtin produced Heart Of Gold to win the Waipa Earthworks 1550 under jockey Lynsey Satherley then confirmed the Pam Brindley-bred and raced gelding would be his final starter. “That was my last runner. He’s the only one I’ve got still racing,” 70-year-old Hawtin said. “I’ve got a dozen at home, a couple to trial in the middle of next month but then I won’t have anything. “There’s a couple there to go to Hong Kong…
Garland to come up Roses
After meeting with disappointment in 2021, local trainer Ian Garland is confident it will be a different story when spectacularly-bred Aston Reina lines up in Friday night’s $22,295 Beanie For Brain Cancer Roses final (425m) at Bendigo. Last year, Longlea-based Garland had the $1.70 favourite for the Roses in Group-winning speedster Aston Flame, a litter sister to superstar Aston Rupee, but she could only finish eighth. One year later and Garland once again finds himself with a key player in Friday’s $15,000 to-the-winner Roses in Aston Reina, a Fernando Bale…
Peter the ‘Great’?
The Great 8 Regional Series has been applauded by all and sundry. Two more of these exciting races, both worth $7000 to the winner, will be staged at Traralgon tonight – one a Damsels Dash (395m) and the other a Special Event (450m). The sheer quality of both fields is indicative of trainer support for this GRV initiative. And they’re highlighted by Graeme Jose vs Peter Presutto in both races. Simba’s Girl (Box 1) is pitted against Idolize (Box 7) in Race 6, 8.28pm. And the other enthralling match-up is Lots Of…
Startantes offered ticket into The Invitation
Startantes has been offered an invite to The Invitation. (Photo: Darren Winningham) Fresh off her win in last Saturday’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m), Startantes has been offered the first ticket into the second running of The Invitation in the Sydney spring. The three-year-old by Star Turn was a deserving Group 1 winner to finish the 2021/22 racing season after multiple placings at the top level in Sydney, so Rob Heathcote will give her a good spell over the next few weeks. Despite suggesting that a light spring and a…
News Briefs : June 29
Four Kiwi drivers make the cut Four Kiwis have made the cut in a new Australian poll to decide the leading drivers on both sides of the Tasman over the past 18 months. Blair Orange, Tony Herlihy, Natalie Rasmussen and Zachary Butcher made the top 24, with John Dunn, Mark Purdon and David Butcher among those considered unlucky to miss out. The squad, decided by a group of media and other personalities, was revealed on SEN radio’s TrotsLife show. More honours for the Queen Bred by Southland farmer Gordon McKenzie,…
Hoysted ‘happy’ with Tumbler Ridge ahead of Glasshouse Handicap
Tumbler Ridge will be Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted’s only runner in Saturday’s Glasshouse Handicap at the Sunshine Coast. (Photo: Racing QLD/Michael McInally) Four-year-old entire Tumbler Ridge will be the flagbearer for the in-form Steve O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted stable in Saturday’s Listed feature at the Sunshine Coast. The $175,000 Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) has attracted a capacity field of 18 runners and five emergencies, but despite the big and talented field, co-trainer Matt Hoysted is hoping that Tumbler Ridge can measure up. After drawing barrier six in the 1400m event…