By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk The Express is back, and her trainers have big plans. After a sensational three-year-old season that saw her win eight of nine starts, Aardie’s Express successfully negotiated yesterday’s trials at Rangiora, with co-trainer Amanda Telfer saying the ultimate goal is the New Zealand Cup on Tuesday, November 14. “That’s the plan, we think quite a lot of her and as long as she stays sound we think that’s realistic,” says co-trainer Amanda Telfer. Yesterday was all part of that. After having all her…
Month: July 2023
Walker closing in on history making win
Mark Walker is refusing to get complacent as he closes in on an historic first 200-win season. The Matamata trainer goes into Friday racing at Awapuni on 194 wins for the 2022-23 calendar, needing just six further victories to become the first trainer to win 200 races in a New Zealand season. “July can be a tough month so I wouldn’t say it’s a formality. If it happens, it happens. A lot will depend on how we go tomorrow (Friday), I’d say,” Walker said. “We’ve got horses that are suited…
Mascot set for Monash return
Trainer Tom Dabernig wants to ascertain whether Flying Mascot (NZ) (Tavistock) still has the zest for racing after a long stint on the sidelines. Flying Mascot has not raced since last October after scintigraphy discovered bone bruising after a long campaign stretching out over 12 months without a serious break. After a spell and a steady build-up, Flying Mascot is ready for her racetrack return in the Gr.3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Dabernig concedes the race will be short of Flying Mascot’s best, but he…
Sharrock duo set for Te Rapa
Butler (NZ) (Showcasing) is guaranteed to start a short-priced favourite in the open handicap at Te Rapa on Saturday, but trainer Allan Sharrock isn’t under-estimating the threat posed by his well-performed stablemate. The highly regarded son of Showcasing will be at cramped odds in the Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m), in which he will take on model professional Justaskme (NZ) (No Excuse Needed), with stakes targets around the corner for the pair. The winner of six of his 15 starts, Butler endured a horror four wide run when beaten last…
Clement seeking Awapuni success
Hawera trainer Anna Clement will head to Awapuni with a strong hand on Saturday and hopes her stakes-winning filly Rocababy (NZ) (El Roca) can return to her winning ways. The daughter of El Roca pleased with her first-up runner-up effort behind Fellini (NZ) (Belardo) at Awapuni in May before she pulled up lame when 13th at Wanganui last month. She recovered well and bounced back with another runner-up result at Awapuni a fortnight later, and Clement is hoping she can go one better in the BJW Motors Ltd 1400 this weekend. “She…
Rotorua win for Fay Khan It
Te Akau trainer Mark Walker continued his standout season at Rotorua on Wednesday when scoring with Fay Khan It (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) in the Have Your Function At Arawa Park 1560. From her wide alley, Fay Khan It was stoked up early by jockey Michael McNab to press on for the lead. The pair dictated terms up front on the heavy footing and maintained their advantage to the line, winning by 1-3/4 lengths over Go Butch (NZ) (Mongolian Khan). It was the Mongolian Khan mare’s second win from 10 starts…
Louie Louie claims spot in Group 3 Winter Cup
Louie Louie winning at Ashburton on Thursday. Photo: Race Images South Rangiora galloper Louie Louie will get his first shot at stakes glory following his dominant performance in the Winter Cup Trial (1400m) at Ashburton on Thursday. Eased out of the gate by jockey Lemmy Douglas, Louie Louie settled at the rear of the field in the meeting’s feature race, where the pair sat patiently throughout. Turning for home, Douglas asked his charge to improve out wide and Louie Louie responded to the urges of his rider, running home strong…
Belmont race tips, best bets & quaddie picks | July 8, 2023
What Beaufine Stakes Day Where Belmont Park Racecourse – Saintly Entrance, Burswood WA 6100 When Saturday, June 17, 2023 First Race 11:59am AWST Visit Ladbrokes Belmont Park Racecourse will host a very competitive program this Saturday afternoon, with the Listed Beaufine Stakes highlighting the nine-race card. We don’t expect the Belmont track to improve much from the current rating of a Soft 6 as there is a rain forecast for Friday and Saturday. The rail will be pushed out further to the +7m position for the entire circuit, with the…
Walker closes in on 200-win season
Leading New Zealand trainer Mark Walker. Photo: Trish Dunell Mark Walker is refusing to get complacent as he closes in on an historic first 200-win season. The Matamata trainer goes into Friday racing at Awapuni on 194 wins for the 2022-23 calendar, needing just six further victories to become the first trainer to win 200 races in a New Zealand season. “July can be a tough month so I wouldn’t say it’s a formality. If it happens, it happens. A lot will depend on how we go tomorrow (Friday), I’d…
Awapuni race tips, best bets & quaddie picks | NZ Preview, July 8
What Awapuni Races Where Awapuni Racecourse – 67 Racecourse Rd, Awapuni When Saturday, July 8, 2023 First Race 11:30am NZST Visit Ladbrokes The North Island of New Zealand is hosting another race meeting on Saturday and it’s being held at Awapuni. The nine race Awapuni race program is being run on what will be a very heavy surface with rain forecast on the day. The first race begins at 11.30am (NZST). Here are our free Awapuni tips and best bets for Saturday, July 8, 2023. Best bet at Awapuni: Old…