By Adam Hamilton Former exciting Kiwi trotting mare Vacation Hill can take another major step towards the upcoming Victorian Inter Dominion series with victory at Melton this weekend. Trainer Andy Gath expects the five-year-old to lead and go very close to winning the second heat of a series named after his former great Kiwi trotter Tornado Valley. The 2240m mobile is due to go just after midnight (12.07am Sunday). “She’s come back well. I’m sure she’ll lead and she’s a different trotter in front,” Gath said. “People ask if she’s…
Month: August 2022
Mare an ode to late father
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk It will be a sentimental moment for Auckland horseman Roydon Downey when Sans Au Revoir makes her debut at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday. The daughter of Love You was the last horse bred by his late father Errol, who was tragically killed in a car accident. In tribute to his father, Downey named the resulting foal Sans Au Revoir, translated to ‘Without Goodbye’. “She was the last horse he bred before he passed away, that is why she is named the way she is,”…
All eyes on star trialist at Winton today
By Jonny Turner All eyes will be on hot favourite Raupunga Lad when he debuts at Winton on Thursday. After tearing up the trials track, the three-year-old will step out for the first time in race 6 for trainer Brent McIntyre and driver Craig Ferguson. After looking smart in his trials in February and March, McIntyre has been forced to take a patient approach with the three-year-old which he hopes will pay off on Thursday. “He would have been racing sooner but he got a bit crook so we chucked…
Big night looms for Steph Burley at Cambridge
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A winner as both a trainer and driver across the Tasman, Steph Burley will drive in this country for the first time at Cambridge tonight. The 26-year-old Aucklander will take the reins behind the John Dickie-trained and owned three-year-old filly Bettor Than Bronze in Race 6, the Gilmours Mobile Pace (7.48pm). Both driver and horse will be making their New Zealand race day debut. “I had no real intention of driving here but I’ve been driving her at home so when John (Dickie) asked…
Haunui offer breeders a booking bonus
This year Haunui Farm are rewarding breeders who choose to support their stallions. Those who book their mares to Belardo or Ribchester will have the opportunity to win an agistment package. Every mare booked is an entry in the draw and those already booked are automatically entered. To be eligible Bookings must be made by 11th September and the winner will be drawn at the farm’s stallion parade on Sunday 11th September. The prize consists of a 100 Day Dry Mare package valued at $4,312.50 inc GST or 120 Day…
TAB NZ to remove all deductions this spring
TAB NZ have announced they are removing all deductions on fixed odds final field win and place bets right through to the end of New Zealand Cup Week in November. The initiative, which began this week, means racing punters won’t get their dividend reduced if their selected horse wins or places, regardless of whether one or several other runners in the field are scratched. “What you see is what you’ll get,” TAB NZ chief betting officer Simon Thomas said. “It doesn’t matter if there’s one, two, or even six scratchings from when the…
Emperor impressive at Sandown
The Mike Moroney-trained Japanese Emperor (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) made the perfect start to his career at Sandown on Wednesday, coming with a late charge to score going away in a three-year-old event over 1200m. A son of Rich Hill Stud stallion Satono Aladdin, Japanese Emperor was sent out a $16 chance and was forced to go back from a wide draw. After shouldering into the clear 350m from home, the gelding let down impressively to win by two lengths under Jamie Mott. Japanese Emperor was offered by Rich Hill Stud…
Six-timer for Walker
Matamata trainer Mark Walker unleashed some of the stable’s talent at Taupo on Wednesday when sending out six winners on the nine-race card. Among them were a pair of Waikato Stud-bred and raced mares who raced up to their illustrious pedigrees with Savabeel mare Savito (NZ), a daughter of multiple Group One winner Suavito (NZ) (Thorn Park), breaking through for a deserved success off the back of three minor placings, while stakes placed Outfit (NZ) (Tivaci) opened her preparation in style. Outfit began her quest for further stakes honours in…
Clark may have another quality filly on his hands
Adrian Clark may have another quality filly on his hands in the form of Wrote three-year-old Best Seller (NZ). The Challenge Syndications principal experienced the highs of racing with Jennifer Eccles (NZ) a few seasons ago, with the daughter of Rip Van Winkle winning the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m), Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Gr.2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) and Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) on her way to being crowned New Zealand Three-Year-Old Filly of her year. She was purchased by Clark off gavelhouse.com for just…
Australian options aplenty for Team Rogerson’s 3YO
A variety of Australian features remain in the mix for highly regarded three-year-old Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood), who has already made an impact across the Tasman. The son of Redwood performed with merit during last season’s Queensland winter carnival and co-trainer Graeme Rogerson has yet to lock in a spring program to take care of unfinished business in Australia. Sharp ‘N’ Smart was narrowly beaten into second in the Listed The Phoenix (1500m) before he returned to Eagle Farm to finish fourth, and less than one length off the…