Unusual Culture (NZ) (Unusual Suspect) continued her march through the grades after the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained mare scored her fourth win of the preparation at Flemington on Saturday when taking out the David Bourke (1620m). The Kiwi import was sent out an $8 chance after drawing out (9) but ended up in a perfect one-one spot before letting down powerfully in the straight, holding off favourite Brayden Star (Twilight Son) ($3) to prevail by three-quarters of a length. Stable representative Jack Turnbull was delighted with the professional performance and…
Month: June 2023
Firmer track key to Not An Option
Not An Option relished the Good 4 surface presented at Flemington on Saturday, with a strong win in the Brian Beattie Handicap (1420m). It was the sixth career victory for the Mike Moroney-trained gelding who sports the colours of Brendan and Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud, who race the five-year-old along with a host of prominent trans-Tasman owners. Given a peach of a ride by Patrick Moloney, Not An Option stalked the speed set by the Ben and JD Hayes-trained stablemates Monarch Of Egypt and Crosshaven before presenting at the…
Latta brings up a treble on hometrack
Local trainer Lisa Latta was to the fore on her home track at Awapuni on Saturday with a winning treble that included capturing one of the feature races on the card, the King Of Comedy @ Novara Park North Island Challenge Stakes (1400m) with Belardo Boy (NZ) (Belardo). The powerfully built four-year-old had disappointed when finishing last at his previous start but Latta was prepared to forgive that effort. “He just pulled his head off last time as he was a little too fresh and unfortunately Lily (Sutherland) just couldn’t hold him,” Latta…
Proven team take out two jumps race features
The powerful combination of trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal and rider Aaron Kuru swept all before them at Te Rapa on Saturday as they took out the two premier jumping events with The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) and Nedwin (NZ) (Niagara). The Cossack, who has turned his hand to the bigger steeplechase fences this season after carrying all before him in the hurdling caper, started a $1.20 favourite in the Signature Homes Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) and never gave his myriad of supporters a moment of concern. Kuru had an armchair ride…
Poser continues winning run
Last start Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) winner Poser (NZ) (Ocean Park) continued on her winning path on Saturday, when she proved too tough in testing conditions to score narrowly but well at Te Rapa. Trainer Kurtis Pertab elected to bypass a run at Ruakaka last weekend due to the firm nature of the track that day as he found conditions to suit for his five-year-old daughter of Ocean Park who was dropping back noticeably in company to contest the rating 75 event. Forced to carry topweight of 60.5kgs, Poser travelled comfortably…
Regal Lion causes boilover in Ipswich Cup
Ben Thompson lifted the Annabel Neasham-trained Regal Lion to victory in the Listed Ipswich Cup. Photo: Racing Queensland Regal Lion has taken out the feature race at Ipswich, with Ben Thompson guiding the Annabel Neasham gelding to victory in the $200,000 Listed Ipswich Cup on Saturday afternoon. The son of Jakkalberry brought up his third win at his 21st start, after being sent out as an outsider in the market at $26 with most online bookmakers. Numerian and Zadig took up the running and ensured that the Cup was run…
Belardo Boy bounces back at Awapuni
Belardo Boy dashes to victory at Awapuni on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Local trainer Lisa Latta was to the fore on her home track at Awapuni on Saturday with a winning treble that included capturing one of the feature races on the card, the North Island Challenge Stakes (1400m) with Belardo Boy. The powerfully built four-year-old had disappointed when finishing last at his previous start but Latta was prepared to forgive that effort. “He just pulled his head off last time as he was a little too fresh…
Aaron Kuru sweeps jumps features at Te Rapa
A delighted Aaron Kuru aboard Nedwin after their victory in the Waikato Hurdle (3200m). Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) The powerful combination of trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal and rider Aaron Kuru swept all before them at Te Rapa on Saturday as they took out the two premier jumping events with The Cossack and Nedwin. The Cossack, who has turned his hand to the bigger steeplechase fences this season after carrying all before him in the hurdling caper, started a $1.20 favourite with online bookmakers in the Waikato Steeplechase…
Poser relishes conditions at Te Rapa
Poser romps to victory in the Greene Brothers (2100m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Image: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Last start Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) winner Poser continued on her winning path on Saturday, when she proved too tough in testing conditions to score narrowly but well at Te Rapa. Trainer Kurtis Pertab elected to bypass a run at Ruakaka last weekend due to the firm nature of the track that day as he found conditions to suit for his five-year-old daughter of Ocean Park who was dropping back noticeably…
Bella just keeps on winning
by Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk When it comes to winning races this year Bella Button is in royal company. Last night she made it six wins in 2023 after another finely-judged drive by Gemma Thornley in the Hydroflow Distributors Ltd Handicap Trot at Addington. That makes her the equal most successful horse in this country this year wins-wise with two others, none other than the unbeaten Millwood Nike and superstar trotter Muscle Mountain. Millwood Nike has won six from six this year and 14 from 14 overall,…