Day: 21 June 2023

Vale Tony Dickinson

NZHarnessNews

Tony Dickinson, the key figure behind the “Alta” racehorses, is being remembered as a man who “loved breeding and had invaluable knowledge”. Originally from Wainuiomata, Dickinson began breeding horses after he and wife Val moved to a lifestyle block at Waiau Pa, south of Auckland, in the 1970s. They set up Alta Dream Lodge. Dickinson had earlier been involved in an aluminum joinery business. Harness Racing New Zealand records indicate he bred 89 horses, 61 of which were winners. Among his most successful were Alta Serena who had 18 wins…

Amateurs championship kicks off at Cambridge

NZHarnessNews

by Brigette Solomon It’s the amateur drivers’ time to shine at Cambridge Raceway, and Michelle Northcott for one can’t wait. Race 4 on Thursday will see the start of the 2023 New Zealand Amateur Drivers Championship, where five amateur drivers from each of the North and South Islands will battle it out over three race meetings. Hamilton based Northcott is competing in the series for the fourth time. “The champs is a whole other opportunity for us that we would likely never get if we were trying to make it…

Rockhampton tips, top odds & quaddie | June 23, 2023

AAP

What Rockhampton Races Where Rockhampton Racecourse – Reaney St, North Rockhampton QLD 4701 When Friday, June 23, 2023 First Race 12:57pm AEST Visit Ladbrokes Racing heads to Rockhampton Racecourse this Friday afternoon for a competitive seven-race card kicking off at 12:57pm AEST. With no rain on the forecast for Thursday and Friday, we expect the current Good 4 tracks rating to hold, while the rail goes back into the true position. Best Bet at Rockhampton: Bright Tiara Life under the care of Jared Wehlow couldn’t have started off any better…

Tapper joins Forsman’s Macedon Lodge team

AAP

Redmond pictured with former trainer and part-owner Bruce Tapper. Photo: Race Images South Stakes performer Redmond will add further firepower to Andrew Forsman’s Macedon Lodge team this week, but whether he will arrive in time to race at Caulfield on Saturday is still up in the air. The three-year-old gelding is still in New Zealand awaiting his flight across the Tasman and a decision won’t be made on his weekend plans until he reaches Australian shores in the early hours of Thursday morning. “He was booked to go over there…

Caulfield racing preview, best bets & quaddie | Saturday, June 24

AAP

What Caulfield Races Where Caulfield Racecourse – 22 Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Saturday, June 24, 2023 First Race 11:50am AEST Visit Ladbrokes On Saturday, for the first time this year, racing heads to Caulfield, where a nine-race program is scheduled. With persistent rain expected in Melbourne in the lead-up, expect the track to be no better than the current Soft 5 rating. The rail sticks to the true position for the meeting, which is set to get underway at 11:50am AEST. Best Bet at Caulfield: Deepstrike Deepstrike…

Diomedes rounds out campaign with a win

NZRacingDesk

Diomedes (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) ended his season on a winning note at Pukekohe on Wednesday, capping what has been a fruitful preparation. In testing Heavy10 conditions, the Echoes Of Heaven gelding showed his tenacity in the closing stages to hold on to win by a head over Theoden. “It was very tough. It didn’t look very easy going out there and he had to dig deep,” trainer Kurtis Pertab said. “He just doesn’t lay down and tries his hardest every time. He has got a great attitude and is…

O’Shea duo on track for Civic assignment

NZRacingDesk

An adjustment in tactics brought out the best in Cotehele (NZ) (Tavistock) last start and trainer John O’Shea said he would stick to that formula ahead of the gelding’s bid for successive wins in the Listed Civic Stakes. The four-year-old had disappointed slightly in finishing just behind the placegetters at his first two runs from a spell after racing handy to the speed. O’Shea instructed Tom Sherry to ride him more quietly at Rosehill last start and Cotehele responded, producing a devastating finishing burst to score. “We will ride him…

Prize money bolstered in Western Australia

NZRacingDesk

Western Australian racing is riding high with increased funding, investment in race clubs and prize money doubled for the historic Gr.2 Perth Cup (2400m). The traditional New Year’s Day race will soar in value from $500,000 to $1 million to get 2024 off to a flying start. Racing and Wagering Western Australia Chief Executive Officer Ian Edwards announced a funding uplift of close to $11 million across the thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing codes. $5.7 million has been added to thoroughbred prize money and a further $1 million added to…

Stakes winner heading to Sydney

NZRacingDesk

Samantha Logan always knew Saltcoats (NZ) (Ardrossan) would be in her care for just a short time, so she made sure to enjoy every moment. The son of Ardrossan had three starts for the Cambridge conditioner and recorded one of her career highlights when taking out the Listed Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe last month. The victory added to his placing in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1200m) and Logan is now looking forward to watching him continue his racing career in Sydney, where he has…

Wessex chasing further black-type

NZRacingDesk

Quality filly Wessex (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) will again take on older opposition on Saturday in a bid to add to her black-type record and she is in prime order for youth to again triumph over experience. The free-going three-year-old is at the top of her game and promises to give her rivals another serious run for their money in the Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (1400m). The Andrew Forsman-trained Wessex has been given the nod as the team’s best chance of success in the feature event, although stablemate Oneroa’s (Shooting…