Rogerson feeling positive ahead of JJ Atikins

Graeme Rogerson is confident of a bold showing from Solidify (NZ) (Redwood) at Eagle Farm on Saturday and he’s also looking forward to the longer-term benefits from the Queensland venture. The Tuhikaramea conditioner co-trains the son of Redwood with wife Debbie and also shares in the ownership group of the Gr.1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) contender. Solidify won two of his three New Zealand starts, including the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa before he departed for Brisbane. The two-year-old was unplaced in the Gr.2 BRC Sires’…

Punt Drunk: Vale Fields Of Omagh

What a big week it has been in racing and as always the boffins at Punt Drunk are here to go through some of the news to have impacted the racing world throughout the week. The saddest news came late on Thursday when it was announced two-time Cox Plate winner Fields Of Omagh passed away. Throw in some controversial news for one of Sky Racing’s most popular presenters, a caller’s nightmare in New Zealand and Jason Holder pulling off a remarkable victory. Buckle up champions! RIP Fields Of Omagh Punt…

Swan Hill Cup Day preview & quaddie tips | Sunday 11/6/2023

What Swan Hill Cup Day 2023 Where Swan Hill Jockey Club – 17 Gray St, Swan Hill VIC 3585 When Sunday, June 11, 2023 First Race 11:40am AEST Visit Ladbrokes The Swan Hill Racing Carnival comes to a close for another year with a nine-part program for Swan Hill Cup Day. Despite no rain being forecast over the weekend, we do not expect to be racing on a track any firmer than a Soft 6, with the track being rated a Heavy 8 prior to the three-day meeting commencing. The…

Solidify raring to go ahead of JJ Atkins

Solidify will contest the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Graeme Rogerson is confident of a bold showing from Solidify at Eagle Farm on Saturday and he’s also looking forward to the longer-term benefits from the Queensland venture. The Tuhikaramea conditioner co-trains the son of Redwood with wife Debbie and also shares in the ownership group of the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) contender. Solidify won two of his three New Zealand starts, including the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1200m) at…

Tuchel bids for successive wins in Sha Tin Saturday finale

Tuchel is chasing a sixth win at Sha Tin. Zac Purton is confident Tuchel’s racing pattern and class will allow the rising star to enhance an already impressive record when the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) runner-up goes around at Sha Tin on Saturday (10 June). With four wins at 1400m and a last-start victory over 1600m at Sha Tin, Tuchel has been tried only twice at 1800m or beyond, finishing fourth in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) before finishing a short-head second in the Hong Kong Derby behind Voyage…

Lehmann back in Darwin searching for more Cup Carnival success

SA trainer Heather Lehmann after winning the 2021 NT Derby in Darwin with Sanblas. Murray Bridge trainer Heather Lehmann and husband Graham have returned to the Top End as the 2023 Darwin Cup Carnival approaches. And, as usual, they will mix business with pleasure. Apart from racing horses at Fannie Bay, the Lehmanns will also kick back and relax in the tropics. “Glad to be back, we brought six horses up and there’s possibly two more coming up,” Heather Lehmann said while fishing on Darwin Harbour on Thursday. “I ring…

Ruakaka racing tips & best value bets | Saturday, June 10

What Ruakaka Races Where Ruakaka Racecourse – Peter Snell Rd, Ruakaka, New Zealand When Saturday, June 10, 2023 First Race 12:05pm NZST Visit Ladbrokes Ruakaka, in the North Island of New Zealand, will host eight races this Saturday on what is likely to remain a Soft surface with fine weather forecast between now and then. The first race begins at 12:05pm (NZST). BEST BET AT RUAKAKA: DEVASTATE The One Tree Point Motel is one of the feature races at Ruakaka on Saturday, and Devastate should be back in the mix…

Awapuni racing preview & best bets | Saturday, June 10

What Awapuni Races Where Awapuni Racing Centre – 67 Racecourse Rd, Palmerston North, New Zealand When Saturday, June 10, 2023 First Race 12:18pm NZST Visit Ladbrokes Awapuni hosts the Central Districts meeting in New Zealand on Saturday with seven races carded on what will likely be a Heavy track. The first race starts at 12:18pm local time. Best Bet: Butler The open sprint comes up early in the day at Awapuni, and Butler looks well placed to get the job done second-up. He travelled north to Pukekohe fresh and after…

Stewart looking for Waimate Cup threepeat

Timaru trainer Leonard Stewart has his sights set on a third straight Dunstan Feeds Waimate Cup (1600m) on his home track on Sunday. The 90-year-old horseman produced Take The Deel (Dundeel) to win the 2021 edition and Vague (NZ) (Tobique) to win the Phar Lap Raceway feature last year. He goes into Sunday’s race with three runners – Take The Deel, Sympathique (NZ) (Postponed) and Zadane (NZ) (Tavistock) – as he seeks to complete his hat-trick.  “We’re going to try anyway,” Stewart said. “Both Take The Deel and Vague were…

‘Rebel’ with a $150,000 cause

Highly underrated Victorian powerhouse Dundee Rebel played ‘renegade’ in the $215,625 Group 2 Sportsbet Flying Amy Classic final (520m) at Albion Park on Thursday night. Dundee Rebel produced a massive upset, saluting at $21 in the $150,000 to-the-winner event. Bred, owned and trained by 75-year-old Pakenham South stalwart Geoff Scott-Smith, Dundee Rebel was the much less fancied of the three ‘southerners’ in the race. Jason Thompson’s rising stars, Alpha Zulu ($3.20) and Umberto ($4.40), were also flying the Vic flag. But Dundee Rebel (Dec ’20 Feral Franky x Dundee Calypso) was…