Month: March 2023

Sad weeks ends on good note for Clarke with Fannie Bay treble

AAP

Roma-based rider Sophie Wilcock, representing Queensland, booted home Doc O’Connor for successful NT trainer Gary Clarke during the opening heats of the 2023 National Apprentice Race Series hosted by the Darwin Turf Club at Fannie Bay on Saturday. It was desperately sad for the Gary Clarke stable last weekend when former champion Darwin sprinter The Captain, who had only retired in early January, passed away. The 10-year-old gelding had a rating that continually hovered round 100 and he would regularly carry big weights, but that didn’t stop him from winning…

20 awards done, Horse of the Year to come

NZHarnessNews

It’s the dinner break at tonight’s annual Harness Racing New Zealand awards at Addington Raceway in Christchurch, and it’s been full steam ahead with 20 awards presented so far. Nearly 300 of the sport’s highest achievers, including drivers, trainers, owners, and breeders, are at the function which is being MC’d by Box Seat host and well-known racing identity Greg O’Connor and Trackside presenter Nicole Sims. All the age group awards have been presented so far, and two new awards have also been presented – the Gavelhouse Newcomer to Training and…

Sherlock scores brave Group 2 victory

NZHarnessNews

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk The Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained Sherlock was backed into $1.50 favouritism for Friday’s Group 1 Alabar 3YO Classic (2200m) at Alexandra Park and he had to call on all his qualities to reward his backers. From his front row draw, driver Blair Orange elected to burn off the gate with Sherlock, however, his inside rivals had the same idea and he was posted three wide for the first 400m. When Sherlock was about to enter the parked position, Son Of Mac was navigated out…

Successful day for McIntyre and Ferguson at Winton

NZHarnessNews

by Jonny Turner Tayla Me is bred to be good and she lived up to her pedigree with an impressive display at Winton yesterday. The mare had little peace after finding the lead in the latest heat of the Southern Belle Speed Series, but it didn’t show when she powered to victory. A descendant of the super producer Scuse Me, Tayla Me was purchased by Manawatu owner Craig Crosse as a potential broodmare prospect. Trainer Brent McIntyre admitted after the mare’s impressive win that any breeding plans will be a…

Drama in the last as Jal Lei wins in the Stewards’ room

AAP

Jai Lei won the Group 3 Weona Girl Quality in the stewards room. Jump The Broom may have finished first past the post; however, with plenty of interference with 100m to go, it was Jal Lei who took out the Wenona Girl Quality. The leader throughout the 1200m contest, Jump The Broom, veered off his running line under Zac Lloyd and cause significant interference on the originally third placed Tycoon Evie, almost causing Zac Purton to be dislodged. In the process of trying to regain control of his mount, Purton…

Last-gasp Guineas triumph for Legarto

NZRacingDesk

Exceptional filly Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) overcame a nightmare run down the Flemington straight to deliver a first New Zealand triumph in Saturday’s A$1 million Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m). No New Zealand-trained horse had won Melbourne’s autumn three-year-old feature since its inception in 1986, but the outstanding daughter of Proisir rose to the occasion with an unforgettable performance. In her first start since losing her unbeaten record with a luckless fourth in the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe on January 21, Legarto was eased back in the early stages…

Thalassophile too strong in Group 3 Aspiration Quality

AAP

Thalassophile prevailed in a driving finish in the Group 3 Aspiration Quality at Randwick. Thalassophile has improved on her BM 78 success to find victory again, this time in the Group 3 Aspiration Quality for the fillies & mares in the penultimate race at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. It was a four way go on the line as punters didn’t know where to look in the shadows of the post, with the Chris Waller-trained Thalassophile getting the head down on the line, after taking the gap between short-priced favourite Roots…

Sundees Son retires on history-making high

NZHarnessNews

Just a day after officially retiring, superstar trotter Sundees Son has been crowned harness racing’s Horse of the Year. The winner of 34 races and over $1.4m, Sundees Son’s racing career is over after X rays and a scan showed some bone bruising. He leaves the sport as one of its greats. Yesterday’s announcement that the eight-year-old has run his last race made winning tonight’s award all the more poignant for owners Colin and Nancy Hair. Sundees Son becomes the first trotter to win the Horse of the Year title…

Doncaster Target For 2023 Randwick Guineas Winner Communist

AAP

Trainer Michael Freedman has suggested his upset Randwick Guineas 2023 winner Communist could sneak in as a genuine light-weight chance in April’s Group 1 $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m). The $4 million Doncaster Mile in April is a potential autumn option for upset 2023 Randwick Guineas winner Communist. Photo: Steve Hart. The nicely-bred son of Russian Revolution continued his good mile form at Royal Randwick peaking third-up off a brilliant ride by Hong Kong’s Zac Purton to salute at $16 in this year’s Group 1 $1 million Randwick Guineas (1600m).…