Month: June 2023

Cambridge trainer Lauren Brennan didn’t know what to expect from her promising hurdler English Gambler at Hastings on Monday, but she needn’t have worried. The eight-year-old gelding had been pulled up last start at Trentham after tiring in the Heavy10 track conditions, and Brennan hoped it hadn’t taken too much out of the son of Casino Prince. While he didn’t open up his customary lead in the Farwell Gayle Richardson Hurdle (2500m), English Gambler still dispatched of his rivals to earn a 3-1/4 length victory. “It was very good to…

Former jumps jockey Reece Cole has enjoyed his transition into a career as a trainer and celebrated his first win in that role at Avondale last Saturday. The Matamata horseman was delighted to welcome back Shocking Penny as his first winner following her triumph in the Westbrook – Flows From The Land (2200m), with Cole saying it was a sentimental occasion given the milestone was achieved nearly to the day since the passing of his good friend and mentor Toby Autridge last year. “It is good to get it (win)…

You won’t find a more unique pairing in racing than Brian Marriott and Bellissimo. He may be a 94-year-old trainer and she may be a 10-year-old mare, but neither of them are done with winning yet. On Saturday, Bellissimo belied her age when taking out the Property Brokers 1340 at Wanganui by two-lengths, giving her nonagenarian trainer a great thrill. “It was very good. The jockey (Temyia Taiaroa) was very happy with her. When she turned the corner, she said she thought she was going to win, and she won…

Opie Bosson’s decorated riding career has been further acknowledged in the 2023 King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours list. The champion jockey has been named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his contribution to the thoroughbred industry. “I’m very proud, it’s a real honour to be recognised for the things I’ve done on the track,” Bosson said. “I was a little bit shocked to start with, but I’m actually quite over the moon to be recognised for my achievements. “I really feel like it is an…

Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) might be given the chance to extend a phenomenal season in search of a ninth victory after matching Beauty Generation’s (NZ) (Road To Rock) record for the most wins in a single Hong Kong campaign with a dominant performance in the Gr.3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The New Zealand bred posted his eighth win from 10 starts this season, and his sixth in a row, Lucky Sweynesse powered to a comfortable one-and-a-quarter length victory over Victor The Winner despite conceding…