Month: June 2023

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Unbeaten three-year-old Press Charges (NZ) (Press Statement) has been sold and will continue his career in Hong Kong. The son of Press Statement was initially prepared and trialled for part-owner Ben Foote, who sent the gelding to Riccarton trainer Terri Rae to begin his career. Press Charges won on debut at Wingatui before he claimed the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m) earlier this year in his only other appearance. “He’s gone to Hong Kong. We have to keep moving them and I’ve got a stable full of yearlings at the moment,”…

Stakes performer Redmond (NZ) (Ghibellines) 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 at 6am this (Wednesday) morning but that has been put back…