Taranaki trainer Allan Sharrock is hoping to end Darci La Bella’s preparation on a high when he treks south to Trentham on Saturday. The daughter of Darci Brahma has continued her rich vein of form in her five-year-old season, winning her last three starts, including the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). Her win tally now sits at 10 from 16 starts, and Sharrock believes she can extend it this weekend in the Gr.2 Bramco Granite & Marble Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m). “She is…
Year: 2022
Vale Ron Barron
By Jonny Turner Southland harness racing lost a much-respected horseman and one of its greatest contributors with the passing of successful trainer Ron Barron. The father of prominent trainers Clark, Ken and Tony Barron enjoyed a stellar career that began shortly before he produced his first winner at Gore in 1979. 1997 Southland harness horse of the year Incredible Fella and Makarewa Sun were among the best horses to wear Ron Barron’s colours. Barron won 133 races in his own right and another 38 in partnership with son Tony, who…
Silverlinings seeking gold at Addington
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk A hat-trick of wins is in the offing for grey mare Silverlings when she lines-up in the NZB Standardbred Fillies & Mares Mobile Trot (1980m) at Addington Raceway on Friday. The daughter of Majestic Son has hit a purple patch of form and TAB bookmakers have duly kept her short in the market, installing her as a $3.80 favourite for the race. Co-breeder, co-owner, and trainer Don Burrows has been pleased with his mare of late and said she is capable of extending her…
Lord Logan sheds maiden title at Cambridge
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Promising juvenile Lord Logan broke through for his maiden victory at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night and his connections are hoping there are plenty more in store. The Sweet Lou gelding finished runner-up on debut earlier in the month and was subsequently backed into $2.40 favouritism for the IRT. Your Horse. Our Passion. Mobile Pace (2200m). He was eased off the gate by driver Peter Ferguson to sit midfield behind a hot early pace before improving to sit in the one-one at the bell.…
Can Stylish Memphis steal some hearts at Alexandra Park tonight?
By Michael Guerin One of the country’s most tactical drivers believes Stylish Memphis can win tonight’s $100,000 Queen Of Hearts at Alexandra Park but not in the manner many would expect. David Butcher will partner the multiple Group 1-winning mare for only the second time in Auckland’s richest mare’s pace of the year but liked how she felt when storming into third in the lead-up race last Friday. Stylish Memphis is racing in foal so opportunities to embellish her record are running out and if she races up to the…
Broodmare paddock beckons for True Fantasy
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Multiple Group 1- winning filly True Fantasy has been retired from racing after doing “a marvellous job” and is to become a mum. “She’s only just arrived back at our place and she will definitely not race again,” says Studholme Bloodstock principal Brian West of the star three-year-old. By Bettor’s Delight out of Secret Notion, True Fantasy was bought from Studholme Bloodstock’s draft by high profile Australian owner Jean Feiss for $70,000 at the 2020 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales. The country’s most…
Karaka 2023 parade schedule
Below are some of the public parades leading into the Karaka 2023 Yearling Sales Series. Central Districts & South Island Parade Schedule (Organised by NZB) Please note the following vendors have chosen to parade at Karaka and welcome buyer inspections on-site prior to the Sale. Beckam Equine Nala Park White Robe Lodge 2023 Stuart Hale AUCKLAND/WAIKATO YEARLING Tour Sunday – January 8 7.30am Cambridge BP9.00am Cambria Park 8 – 137 Ostrich Farm Rd, Pukekohe (Breakfast)11am Westbury Stud 50 – 700 Linwood Rd, Karaka (Lunch)2pm Haunui Farm 60 – 113 Kidd…
Purple Sector hunting overdue win
Having missed out on a berth in The Ingham, Purple Sector (NZ) (Pins) will chase a consolation prize at Randwick as he bids to end a two-year absence from the winner’s stall. The gelding was first emergency for last weekend’s A$2 million race but with all 20 acceptors lining up, trainer John Thompson was forced to go to Plan B and divert to Saturday’s December Handicap (1400m) at Randwick. “I put the mock on myself because I said to the owners, ‘there’s twenty runners so there will be a scratching…
Icebath’s Group 1 breakthrough a standout for Widdup team in 2022
Brad Widdup’s trackwork rider and assistant foreman Rosie Jilla celebrates Icebath’s maiden Group 1 triumph in the Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington on October 29. (Picture: Quentinjlang.com) The reason why Brad Widdup is currently Hawkesbury’s leading trainer is simple – he knows exactly how to keep his horses happy. And this even includes the at-times moody and quirky Icebath. It was Widdup who did not hesitate in backing up the six-year-old mare from a disappointing ninth in The Invitation to run in the Empire Rose Stakes a week later. And…
Gawler races best bets & quaddie tips | Saturday, December 17
What Gawler Races Where Gawler & Barossa Jockey Club – Barnet Rd, Evanston SA 5116 When Saturday, December 17, 2022 First Race 12:17pm ACDT Visit Ladbrokes Metropolitan racing heads to Gawler & Barossa Jockey Club on Saturday afternoon in South Australia for a nine-race event. Perfect conditions are forecast for Gawler on Saturday, and despite the track coming up a Soft 5, we expect to be racing on a Good 4. The rail comes out 2m from the 800m-400m and then stays true for the remainder. A competitive day of…