Month: June 2023

Benaud will up in the Listed W J McKell Cup at Rosehill. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Group One performer Benaud will look to build on his stakes-level performances in Saturday’s Listed W J McKell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday. After recording his maiden win on debut in the country, a lack of progressive middle-distance races early in Benaud’s career meant trainer John O’Shea quickly stepped the gelding up to metropolitan stakes level, of which his next 17 starts have come without victory. However, the connections of Benaud have…

What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Saturday, June 17, 2023 First Race 1:42pm ACST Visit Ladbrokes The Darwin Cup Carnival is just three weeks away, and 58 horses have accepted for the seven-race meeting at Fannie Bay this Saturday. There are plenty of chances in every race, which will only add to the intrigue. The feature race is a $24,500 open handicap over 1200m with Cielo D’Oro, Great Diviner, Bat Pad, Soul Spirit and Star Magnum – who wouldn’t look…

Darwin-based jockeys Sonja Wiseman and Jarrod Todd, pictured during a race meeting at Pioneer Park in Alice Springs, have dominated the Top End and Country premiership this season. Picture: Nikki Westover Photography Leading Darwin jockeys Jarrod Todd and Sonja Wiseman will continue their battle in quest of the Top End and Country premiership at Fannie Bay on Saturday. With eight meetings remaining before the 2022/23 season ends, Todd leads the way with 30 winners with Wiseman (29) snapping at his heels. Todd, who has won the premiership for the past…

Leading jumps jockey Aaron Kuru is looking forward to a return to racing. Photo: Darryl Sherer Expat Kiwi Aaron Kuru will once again return to his homeland this weekend to bolster the jumps jockey ranks at Te Rapa on Saturday. Kuru has been experiencing good success in Australia this year, highlighted by his win aboard Britannicus in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) last month, and he is hoping to continue his good run of form at Te Rapa this weekend. He will have four rides at the Hamilton meeting, including two…

All In All will contest the New World Churton Park Parliamentary Handicap (2200m) at Awapuni on Saturday. Photo: Race Images Awapuni wasn’t originally on All In All’s itinerary, but trainer Jade Zuppicich will be heading there on Saturday with confidence in the well-related stayer. The five-year-old son of Ekraar is in good touch following his first-up victory at Hastings earlier this month. “Initially, we were looking at taking him to Wanganui next week, but when I saw the noms we thought why not run him,” Zuppicich said. “He came through…

Kelly Coe will contest the North Island Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on Saturday. Photo: Race Images PN Kelly Coe has already gained some valuable black-type this term, but trainer Ashley Meadows is hoping to capture an elusive stakes win with his mare before season’s end. The Proisir five-year-old was third in the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m) in April before runner-up in the Group 3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m) a fortnight later. She has since won her 1000m trial at Foxton last month before resuming with a third…

What Te Rapa Races Where Te Rapa Racecourse – 12 Sir Tristram Ave, Hamilton, New Zealand When Saturday, June 17, 2023 First Race 11:08am NZST Visit Ladbrokes Racing heads to Te Rapa Racecourse in the North Island of New Zealand on Saturday for a 10-race card on a track rated a Soft 7 with the rail out 7m. With showers forecast there is a chance the track could be downgraded on race-day, which kicks off at 11:08am (NZST). Best Bet at Te Rapa: Taviarma Taviarma in Race 8 from the…

Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston. Photo: Trish Dunell The race for the South Island Trainers’ Premiership is starting to heat up. Michael and Matthew Pitman headed into Riccarton’s Synthetic meeting on Thursday one win ahead of Andrew Carston, but the rivals left the meeting on level terms. The Pitmans started off the day well when favourite Russian Rosette beat the Carston-trained Peace Lover in the opening race of the meeting, however, Carston wasn’t to be outdone, recording a winning double courtesy of Oh No No No and Peut Respirer. Former Northlander…