Month: February 2023

Tuchel’s ready for Hong Kong Classic Cup

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Tuchel is a four-time winner from nine starts. Zac Purton will chase consecutive wins in the $12 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, February 26 when he hops aboard Tuchel. Trained by John Size, Tuchel has continued to raise the bar and last start he finished second in the first leg of the three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series – the $12 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) – behind Voyage Bubble. No trainer has more wins in the Hong Kong Classic Cup since 2006 than Size…

Saudi adventure awaits Spratt

NZRacingDesk

Sam Spratt is gearing up for what will be an exciting week abroad when she heads to Saudi Arabia next week to compete in the international jockeys’ challenge. While racing on the international stage is nothing new to Spratt, she is looking forward to experiencing a new culture in a developing racing jurisdiction. “They called me three or four months ago and asked me if I wanted to go and I jumped at the opportunity,” Spratt said. “I rode over in England and Australia. Saudi Arabia is a different culture,…

Pike duo on song for Wairoa Cup

NZRacingDesk

With Hawke’s Bay ravaged by Cyclone Gabrielle, the decision has been made to abandon Wairoa’s meeting at Hastings on Sunday with the AFFCO NZ LTD Wairoa Cup (1900m) transferred to New Plymouth Raceway’s meeting on Friday. Former Hawke’s Bay local Tony Pike will have two runners in the feature, including Rapid Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls) and River Run (NZ) (Pour Moi). Rapid Falls has enjoyed a freshen-up since finishing seventh in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m), while Pike said River Run has taken plenty of benefit from his…

Derby hope confirmed Pukekohe runner

NZRacingDesk

Group One performer Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride of Dubai) is unlikely to get his preferred footing at Pukekohe in Saturday’s Gr.2 AJC Avondale Guineas (2000m), but will start regardless with his future grand final in mind. The talented three-year-old’s preparation revolves around the Gr.1 Auckland Thoroughbred Racing New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Te Rapa on March 4 and this weekend’s assignment is crucial to his progress toward the Blue Riband event. “He has to run whether it’s wet or fine, if he’s going to the Derby he has to have…

Golden Sixty goes for Gold again in Triple Crown’s second leg

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Golden Sixty heads out for a barrier trial at Sha Tin. Hong Kong’s Triple Crown trail heads to Sunday week’s Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) following Golden Sixty’s assertive win in the Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) at the end of last month over Romantic Warrior and California Spangle. Gearing up to contest his third Hong Kong Gold Cup – the second leg of Hong Kong’s Triple Crown – and bidding to win the race for a second time, Golden Sixty stepped out for a routine tune-up at…

Coolangatta heads Lightning triple threat for Maher & Eustace

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Coolangatta (inside) holds out stablemate Bella Nipotina to win the 2022 Moir Stakes. (Racing Photos) Taking on Nature Strip is one of the ultimate challenges in racing, but Ciaron Maher and David Eustace believe they have three genuine challengers for the Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington on Saturday. Bella Nipotina, Coolangatta and Marabi are all first-up and ready to pick up where they left off from their last preparations. Coolangatta is the second favourite behind the $1.90 superstar for Chris Waller, with online bookmakers offering $7 for the filly. The…

Black Caviar Lightning attracts star-studded field

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Home Affairs ridden by James McDonald wins the 2022 Black Caviar Lightning. (Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington has attracted a star-studded field of 11 sprinters vying for the $1 million on offer. Headlining the field is nine-time Group 1 winner Nature Strip, who is set to kick off his autumn campaign once again in the 1000m scamper. The world’s top sprinter will be looking to go one better than his narrow defeat to Home Affairs in the 2022 edition of the race. He…

Otaki-Maori WFA

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OddsBookmakersNews & Betting TipsFieldPast Winners WFA Classic Group One Betting Guide Date: Saturday, February 25, 2023 Location: Otaki Racecourse Prize Money: $300,000 Distance: 1600m Otaki-Maori Classic is a Group 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for sprinters at Otaki Racecourse run over 1600m each February. Some of New Zealand’s greatest milers have taking out the event, with the likes of Avantage (2020, 2021), Melody Belle (2019), Darci Brahman (2006) and Rough Habit (1991) tasting success in the WFA Classic. Darci’s Brahma’s win in the race was his last…

All Aged Stakes receives significant prizemoney increase

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Cascadian on his way to winning the 2022 All Aged Stakes. (Photo: Steve Hart) On Wednesday morning, Racing NSW announced an increase in prizemoney for the Group 1 All Aged Stakes to $1.5 million from $600,000. The 1600m feature is set to be run on April 15 at Royal Randwick, and this boost in prizemoney is sure to attract runners coming out of races on Day 1 of The Championships. Some genuine stars of the track have graced the race’s honour roll over the years, including the likes of Sunline,…