Month: February 2023

Eddie’s field of dreams

Editor BOAY

Eddie Caruana has seen it all in more than two decades as Chair of the Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association (MGRA). A line from baseball movie Field Of Dreams – “build it and they will come” – is an apt description of Caruana’s tenure. Under the universally respected 75-year-old administrator’s guidance, The Meadows has grown into a world-class venue, home to an incredible 10 Group 1 races, as well as The Phoenix, now the world’s richest greyhound event, growing to $1.65 million total prizemoney in just its second year in 2022.…

Matamata racing preview & quaddie tips | February 25, 2023

AAP

What Matamata Races Where Matamata Racecourse – State Highway 27, Matamata, NZ When Saturday, February 25, 2023 First Race 11:28am NZDT Visit Ladbrokes The Matamata Racing Club host a nine-race programme on Saturday at Matamata. The feature races on the card are the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (race 7), the Group 3 Matamata Slipper (race 4) and the Listed Kamai Stakes (race 9). The track is expected to be a Soft 6 with some rain forecast on the day, with the meeting commencing at 12:28pm NZDT. Matamata Breeders’ Stakes…

2023 Futurity Stakes Field & Betting Update: Six Remain

AAP

Just six autumn hopefuls remain in the mix for Saturday’s Group 1 $750,000 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Sandown with two early scratchings from the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes Day support act. Alligator Blood kicks off his autumn as a genuine winning chance in a small 2023 Futurity Stakes field at Sandown. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. The weight-for-age 2023 Futurity Stakes is set to run as Sandown Race 8 at 5:00pm (AEDT) and it is a small field left to contest the Group 1. Annabel Neasham opted to withdraw one of…

Ballarat best bets & quaddie tips | February 26, 2023

AAP

What Moonee Valley Races Where Ballarat Turf Club – 240 Kennedys Rd, Miners Rest VIC 3352 When Sunday, February 26, 2023 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Ladbrokes Racing heads to the Ballarat Turf Club for the second time in seven days on Sunday afternoon, with an eight-race program set for decision. We should gain perfect conditions for racing on the weekend, and with the track coming up a Good 4 and the rail coming out 5m the entire circuit, every runner should get their chance when presented. We kick off…

Punt Drunk: Shalatin heads to Singapore!

AAP

It has been an intriguing week in the racing world and we have an absolute stacked Saturday of racing at Sandown and Rosehill to sink our teeth into, would we want it any other way? We have five Group 1’s, Anamoe, the return of Melbourne Cup champion Gold Trip and plenty of winners to find. The team at Punt Drunk are up and about for yet another weekend on the Rex Hunt! Shalatin bids farewell to Australia Before we dip into the Group 1’s, arguably the biggest news story of…

Whites set for successful day at Cromwell

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner Mid Canterbury trainers Brent and Tim White are more than making up the numbers at Cromwell on Friday. The father and son trainers are bringing a team of horses south which have bolstered the fields for the first running of a two-day meeting at Cromwell by the Wyndham Harness Racing Club. Most importantly for punters, the White team is packed full of winning chances. Among them is Better’s Tart who will be out to add to her outstanding record south of the Waitaki when starting in Friday’s…

Chipping Norton Stakes 2023 Field & Odds: Anamoe Short Favourite

AAP

The star James Cummings-trained four-year-old Anamoe is the horse to beat second-up on Saturday with the seven-time Group 1 winner chasing more elite level glory in the Group 1 $600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m). Anamoe is odds-on favourite to win the 2023 Chipping Norton Stakes second-up on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart. The reigning Cox Plate hero was good first-up easily accounting for a similar field of rivals in Sydney to take out the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) fresh. Fitter for the run with plenty of improvement still to come…

Sheeza Belter looking to bounce back in Surround Stakes

AAP

Sheeza Belter under William Pike claims the Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes. Sheeza Belter threw heavy punches early and faded late last start, but part-owner Justin Warwick has promised she won’t make that same mistake in the Surround Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. The star filly ended up a disappointing seventh in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes over 1200m on February 11. As a result, she has drifted out to $18 with online bookmakers for the upcoming Group 1 feature over 1400m, with In Secret the $2.20 favourite for…

Paddock beckons Pier

AAP

Group One winner Pier will head to the spelling paddock. Photo credit: Trish Dunell Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Pier will return to New Zealand on Sunday after finishing eighth in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) won by Osipenko at Rosehill last Saturday. Prepared by Darryn and Briar Weatherley, Pier was to be aimed at the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) but pulled up sore following his first Australian assignment and will head to the paddock. “Whether it happened in the gates or not, I’m not…

Elliot favoured for home Group One

AAP

Ryan Elliot salutes after Levante takes her second consecutive Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham. Photo Credit: Race Images- Peter Rubery Northern hoop Ryan Elliot will head home to Horowhenua this weekend where he is favoured to bring home the lion’s share of the $300,000 purse in the Group 1 WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki on Saturday. Elliot will partner multiple Group One winner Levante who has been installed a +150 favourite with online bookmakers to secure her fourth success at elite level. The pair have posted some pleasing results…