Changes have been agreed to for the 2024 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale at Karaka and Christchurch. The trotting-only yearling sale will not be held in Christchurch next year. Instead the trotters will be combined with the pacing yearlings, as is the case in Auckland. A Parade and Inspection day will also now be held at both venues on the day before the sales start. These have been a regular part of previous sales but did not feature this month. “We have the overarching structure in place (for 2024 and…
Month: February 2023
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 27 February 2023
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All go for Legarto for Melbourne
Fresh from a top-level victory last weekend, Ken and Bev Kelso are looking forward to the challenge of another in Melbourne. The Kelsos’ outstanding three-year-old filly Legarto gets on the plane to Melbourne this week, her target the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington. Ken Kelso missed watching his star older mare Levante win the Gr.1 El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki on Saturday, instead staying at home to oversee Legarto gallop between races at Matamata in preparation for her Australian sojourn. “She galloped on Saturday, and I’m…
Sandown Lakeside best bets & quaddie tips | March 1, 2023
What Sandown Races Where Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 When Wednesday, March 1, 2023 First Race 3:05pm AEDT Visit Ladbrokes Racing will return to Sandown Racecourse this Wednesday with a very competitive eight-race program on the Lakeside course. The track is currently rated a Good 4, and with little to no rain forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, we expect to be racing on a perfect surface for the majority of the day. After racing on the Lakeside track on Saturday, the rail will be pushed out…
Honolua Bay $2.80 favourite for Miracle Mile
By Adam Hamilton Hunter Cup winner Honolua Bay is favourite to “do a King Of Swing” and complete the double by winning Saturday night’s $1 million Miracle Mile at Menangle. King Of Swing, winner of the past three Miracle Miles, did the Hunter Cup/Miracle Mile double in 2020 and last year. Honolua Bay’s odds were slashed from $3.50 into $2.80 after drawing ideally in gate four. He will come into three if the emergencies don’t get in. It came just hours after he produced a mesmerizing last-to-first performance in a…
Wins keep coming for Team Teal
With just over two weeks to go, the annual Teal Pants campaign has topped $20,000. The annual campaign is all about increasing awareness about ovarian cancer, and raising funds towards research. Between February 1 and mid March money is raised for the cause every time a female driver, wearing the teal pants, wins a race. The money comes from contributions from Harness Racing New Zealand ($100), the clubs ($100), individual sponsors, public donations and more. So far 16 female drivers have won a total of 52 races, with Sarah O’Reilly…
Pennyweka primed for Lowland Stakes
Pennyweka will cross the Tararua Ranges on Wednesday in the hope of snaring Group glory at Awapuni. The Wairarapa filly has shown plenty of promise in her seven starts to date, including placing in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) and runner-up in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham last month. The daughter of Satono Aladdin will be looking to go one better in the Gr.2 Little Avondale Stud Lowland Stakes (2100m) this week and trainer Jim Wallace said all the signs are positive in the lead-up to the…
Derby trip a plus for Dynastic
Mark Walker is under no illusion about the enormity of the task ahead of Dynastic in this weekend’s Gr.1 Auckland Thoroughbred Racing New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Te Rapa. The Matamata trainer was delighted with the winning effort of the three-year-old against older opposition on his home track on Saturday and the son of Almanzor has bounced through the run in top shape. While Walker isn’t worried about the quick back-up or the Derby trip, it’s the presence of the Team Rogerson-prepared favourite and multiple Group One winner Sharp ‘N’…
Golden Sixty proves too good again
Champion galloper Golden Sixty (Medaglia d’Oro) overhauled Romantic Warrior in a gripping duel in the HK$12 million Gr.1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Jockey Vincent Ho stalked the pace aboard Golden Sixty before stoking Hong Kong’s champion up at the turn for home – trailing Karis Teetan as he did the same atop Romantic Warrior. The pair tore clear in the straight with Golden Sixty reeling in his rival by a head. Ensuring a Triple Crown tilt remains an option, Trainer Francis Lui declared that…
In case you missed it – Kelsey Bale, Wheel And Go and Xylan Bale
Form expert Dale Code has picked out a selection of runs from around Victoria that have caught the eye over the past fortnight. #1 KELSEY BALE (Box 4)Breeding: Jun ’20 Feral Franky x Ethla AllenTrainer: Daniel Gibbons, AvalonRecord: 54 starts 17-14-7 Dale says: Kelsey Bale almost produced a carbon copy of her win in the Group 3 Silver Bullet, which I consider the best win you could ever wish to see, in the Sportsbet Australian Cup Consolation. Considering the calibre of greyhounds she was giving a healthy start to in Amron Boy…