Month: August 2022

Victorian Metropolitan Trainer Strike Rate Award – Jason Thompson

Editor BOAY

Champion Pearcedale trainer Jason Thompson is the winner of the 2021-22 Victorian Metropolitan Trainer Strike Rate Award. He was presented with the accolade during a 2022 Victorian Greyhound Awards spectacular, held at the Plaza Ballroom, on Friday. Thompson’s 154 city starters claimed 43 wins at a 27.92% winning strike rate. He was a clear-cut winner over Anthony Azzopardi, who had 23 wins from 92 starters at 25%, and Brooke Ennis with 13 wins from 57 starters at 22.81%. Thompson was runner-up to Kelvyn Greenough in last year’s inaugural metropolitan strike…

New Plymouth meeting abandoned

NZRacingDesk

Following an inspection of the New Plymouth track on Friday morning by race club officials, the decision was made to abandon the meeting set to take place at the course on Saturday, August 20. There was already a significant amount of surface water present after a massive amount of rain over the last 48 hours, and a forecast for ongoing rain including on race day. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing will look at the possibility of splitting or adding races over the coming weeks where required. The intention is to move…

Belluci Babe ready to put on a show at Randwick

NZRacingDesk

Trainer Bjorn Baker is looking forward to stepping out Belluci Babe in the Gr.3 Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday, where he is looking for an improved performance from the mare. Carrying the silks of breeder-owners Little Avondale Stud, the daughter of Per Incanto put in a subpar unplaced run in the Gr.2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick earlier this month and Baker believes she can bounce back this weekend. She had been in pleasing form in autumn, winning the Gr.3 Weona Girl Quality (1200m) and placing in…

First winner for What’s The Story

NZRacingDesk

Novara Park stallion What’s The Story recorded his first victory as a sire when Big Story won his Australian debut over 1400m on the Ballarat synthetic on Friday. Jockey Damian Lane settled Big Story just behind the pace and produced the three-year-old three-wide turning for home, where the gelding was able to put a distance on his rivals and score a comfortable one length victory. Lane was impressed with the New Zealand-bred youngster and believes he is in for a big future over further ground. “He is a nice horse…

The Stir Up – The VGAs Edition

Editor BOAY

GRV’s own Peter Quilty, Andrew Copley and Trent Langskaill discuss the nominees for the 2022 Victorian Greyhound of the Year.   Trent  Fellas, we have an amazing night in store with the announcement of the 2022 Victorian Greyhound of the Year. Let’s go through the contenders in alphabetical order. Peter  Aston Rupee had an outstanding season. He won two Group 1s, shattered the Sandown Park 515m track record and almost broke the long-standing 525m track record at The Meadows. Andrew  I’m fortunate enough to be on the Victorian Greyhound of…

Moonee Valley Racecourse

AAP

Established in 1883, the Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) has enjoyed a rich and vibrant history of thoroughbred horse racing at its unique amphitheatre racecourse nestled in the heart of Moonee Ponds, Victoria. Renowned for the W.S. Cox Plate, Australasia’s Weight-for-Age Championship, The Valley is also Australia’s leading night racing venue. Affectionally known as The Valley, the track has seen many modern superstars grace its track in recent times. most notably Winx managed to rewrite the history books winning a remarkable four Cox Plates in consecutive years. The Valley is…

Punt Drunk: Is the new Melbourne Cup favourite any bloody good?

AAP

On this Friday’s edition of Punt Drunk, we have a look at some of the racing which is happening at York this week. A champion galloper made it 10 wins from as many starts, while the winner of the Grand Voltigeur Stakes stormed into Melbourne Cup favouritism – but is it an overreaction? Plus, we cast our minds back to the first Winx Stakes without the great mare. THE FIRST WINX-LESS WINX STAKES On the eve of the 2022 Winx Stakes, we though we’d take a trip back in time…

Sale racing tips, top odds & quaddie picks | Sunday, August 21

AAP

What Sale Races Where Sale Turf Club – 1227 Maffra-Sale Rd, Sale VIC 3850 When Sunday, August 21, 2022 First Race 12:35pm AEST Visit Ladbrokes Sale Turf Club is scheduled to host a competitive eight-race card this Sunday afternoon on a predicted Heavy 9 track. In recent times it has been advantageous to be up on speed at Sale, and with the rail in the true position for this meeting, we expect that trend to continue once again. The day of racing is set to get underway at 12:35pm AEST,…

Phelan hoping for first solo training success

AAP

Shaun Phelan pictured with Hit The Road Jack. Photo: Trish Dunell Shaun Phelan will chase his first winner as a solo trainer at Ruakaka on Saturday when Hit The Road Jack attempts to turn the tables on a familiar rival. The Cambridge horseman is now flying solo after operating in partnership for the last five years with father Craig, who has decided to take a step back from the day to day running of the stable. “I’ve had a couple of runners so far and I’ve being doing most of…

Kajino proving to be a bargain buy for Kennedy

AAP

Kajino clears out for a comfortable victory at Te Rapa. Photo credit: Trish Dunell A tip off from leading jumps jockey Shaun Phelan has proven to be a lucrative buy for Cambridge trainer Diana Kennedy. She was looking for a horse last year and Phelan put her onto retiring trainer Ernie Griffiths who was keen to part ways with his Raise The Flag maiden, Kajino. After viewing some of his race replays, Kennedy thought he was worth a punt and he has now developed into one of the country’s most…