Month: June 2023

Vale Ken Dixon

NZHarnessNews

After being involved in training for more than 50 years, Ken Dixon has died in Christchurch after a battle with cancer. Responsible for the development of top class horses including Makati Galahad and Whale Of A Tale, Dixon was originally a Winton sheep farmer and very much a hobby trainer before retiring and moving north to Prebbleton just outside Christchurch around 17 years ago. After starting out in the 1970s he had 57 training successes, and drove 27 winners. His last winner was Sheer Class at Invercargill in 2017 when…

Marsh duo face off at Ruakaka

NZRacingDesk

Stakes placed mares Jodelin Gal (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and Miss Cartier (NZ) (El Roca) will have points to prove when they go head-to-head in the open sprint at Ruakaka on Saturday. The stablemates will step out in the Northpine Waipu Cup (1400m) and in the case of the former it’s a chance to return to her best form while Miss Cartier will strive to replicate her latest all-weather display on the grass. Jodelin Gal was unplaced in her first appearance for Marsh at Hastings last month and improvement is expected…

Carston making most of synthetic track

NZRacingDesk

Riccarton’s all-weather track has provided Megalomaniac (NZ) (Pure Champion) with a lifeline he has grasped with all four hooves. Trainer Andrew Carston admits he’s baffled by how different a horse the Pure Champion five-year-old is racing on the synthetic track compared to his modest grass form. Megalomaniac began his career with Southland trainer Bill McNamara but only beat one horse home in his first three starts and when he finally did get the better of that solitary rival, he was still beaten 46 lengths. His form took a turn for…

Weatherley has spring plans in full swing

NZRacingDesk

Darryn Weatherley is eyeing an Australian spring raid with a couple of his stable’s leading lights, including Group One winner Pier (NZ) (Pier). The son of Proisir had a pleasing three-year-old season in his homeland, winning three and placing in two of his five starts, including victories in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1600m). He was proving to be an exciting prospect for Sydney’s Autumn Carnival, however, his Australian campaign was curtailed by injury following his eighth placed run in the Gr.2 Hobartville…

Packing Hurricane’s out to take Happy Valley by storm

AAP

Packing Hurricane (right) salutes under jockey Harry Bentley. Improving stayer Packing Hurricane shoots for a fourth consecutive win when he lines up in Wednesday evening’s Class 3 Aster Handicap (2200m) at Happy Valley. Ridden to victory in his last two starts by jockey Harry Bentley, the Caspar Fownes-trained Packing Hurricane has been a revelation of late with a hat-trick of wins over 2000m. He heads to Happy Valley for the first time after exclusively racing at Sha Tin in eight previous outings. “He is not a big horse physically, but…

Megalomaniac thriving for Andrew Carston

AAP

Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston. Photo: Trish Dunell Riccarton’s all-weather track has provided Megalomaniac with a lifeline he has grasped with all four hooves. Trainer Andrew Carston admits he’s baffled by how different a horse the Pure Champion five-year-old is racing on the synthetic track compared to his modest grass form. Megalomaniac began his career with Southland trainer Bill McNamara but only beat one horse home in his first three starts and when he finally did get the better of that solitary rival, he was still beaten 46 lengths. His form…

Marsh armed with strong hand in Ruakaka sprint

AAP

Jodelin Gal will contest the Northpine Waipu Cup (1400m) at Ruakaka on Saturday. Photo: Race Images Stakes placed mares Jodelin Gal and Miss Cartier will have points to prove when they go head-to-head in the open sprint at Ruakaka on Saturday. The stablemates will step out in the Northpine Waipu Cup (1400m) and in the case of the former it’s a chance to return to her best form while Miss Cartier will strive to replicate her latest all-weather display on the grass. Jodelin Gal was unplaced in her first appearance…

Pier with Australian Group 1’s on agenda

AAP

An Australian spring campaign could be on the cards for Group One winner Pier. Photo credit: Trish Dunell Darryn Weatherley is eyeing an Australian spring raid with a couple of his stable’s leading lights, including Group One winner Pier. The son of Proisir had a pleasing three-year-old season in his homeland, winning three and placing in two of his five starts, including victories in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). He was proving to be an exciting prospect for Sydney’s Autumn…

Horse Racing Carnivals in Australia

AAP

One of the highlights of the sporting and social calendars in Australia are horse racing carnivals. They have a wide variety of races, both in metropolitan regions and several country carnivals. Without a doubt, the Melbourne Cup Carnival is the most prolific horse racing carnival in Australia, with the Sydney Autumn Carnival quickly gaining momentum in its push to become the best horse racing carnival in Australia. Horse racing carnivals are held annually at a certain racetrack and are often attended by thousands, if not tens of thousands of spectators…

Bendigo racing preview & quaddie tips | Thursday, June 29

AAP

What Bendigo Races Where Bendigo Jockey Club – Heinz St, White Hills VIC 3550 When Thursday, June 29, 2023 First Race 12:25pm AEST Visit Ladbrokes A bumper nine-race program is set down for decision at Bendigo Jockey Club on Thursday afternoon. The track has come up a Heavy 9, while the rail returns to the true position having been out 8m when we last raced at Bendigo on June 18. Racing from the ‘Nursery of Champions’ is set to commence at 12:25pm AEST. Best Bet at Bendigo – Von Hauke…