Priceless (NZ) (Tavistock) has a way to go to scale the heights of her older half-sister, but co-trainer Troy Corstens is confident the three-year-old filly’s first win might not be too far away. The younger sibling to Roch ‘N’ Horse (NZ) (Per Incanto) resumes in the 1200-metre maiden that kicks off Wednesday’s Sandown program. The set-weights event will be her second start, having started her career with a seventh placing in a 1343m maiden at Geelong on January 13, but Corstens thinks she is better-equipped to make an impression at…
Month: July 2023
Roopesh Jaun brings up first winner
Apprentice jockey Roopesh Jaun scored his first win aboard Atomic at Wingatui on Sunday. Photo: Tayler Strong (Race Images) Roopesh Jaun didn’t let the inclement weather at Wingatui on Sunday curtail his enthusiasm, with the expat Mauritius jockey notching his first riding win aboard Atomic. Jaun was having just his fourth raceday ride and the 21-year-old apprentice showed wisdom beyond his years with his daring race tactics in the Heavy 10 conditions. “After watching the first race, I saw they weren’t using the inside on the rail and most of…
Kelso set to debut well-bred fillies
Trainer Ken Kelso. Photo: Trish Dunell Ken Kelso is looking forward to heading to Rotorua on Wednesday where he will kick-off the careers of a couple of well-bred fillies. Little Jeanie will make her raceday debut and Kelso is hoping she can showcase the talent that she has displayed at home. “She is a nice, well-bred filly. She is not overly big, but she has got a great temperament and is a good doer. She is going the right way at this stage,” said Kelso, who trains in partnership with…
Joyful Hunter returns to scene of triumph
Joyful Hunter wins smartly at Happy Valley. Impressive debut winner Joyful Hunter will aim to extend his unbeaten sequence to two when he lines up at Happy Valley on Thursday night for trainer Francis Lui and jockey Vincent Ho. Blitzing rivals by two lengths at the city circuit on 14 June, the Darci Brahma three-year-old turned heads with an electrifying turn of foot to score in fine style under Ho. “It’s not easy to do that at Happy Valley and he had a bad draw (10). I wasn’t surprised, he…
The Follow Files: Who were the Queensland Winter Carnival standouts?
With the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival coming to an official end last Saturday, this week’s Follow Files will focus on three horses that we will be following after performing consistently during the 10-week carnival. Top horses to follow from Queensland Winter Racing Carnival 2023 Horse to follow: Antino Highlight: Listed Wayne Wilson Handicap (1st) Prior to the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, Tony Gollan said he had high ambitions for Antino after the horse won four of his first five starts. The goal was to get his rating high enough to…
Whyte predicts bright future for Flaming Rabbit as Purton slots a treble
Defiant and brave, Flaming Rabbit wins in style. Douglas Whyte hopes Flaming Rabbit can ascend to Group company next season after the classy import eclipsed a talent-laden field to win at Sha Tin on Monday night. Earning a HK$2 million PP Bonus by posting his first Hong Kong win after three minor placings, Flaming Rabbit delivered on the ability he had displayed in three wins in Europe for German trainer Peter Schiergen with a tough front-running performance under Lyle Hewitson. Showing tremendous grit, the Time Test four-year-old had a length-and-a-quarter…
Canterbury racecourse
Canterbury Park Racecourse is one of the many tracks owned and operated by the Australian Turf Club and is considered one of the most family friendly environments in NSW horse racing. Known for the Friday night racing summer series in Sydney, the evening racing scene would be virtually non-existent without the operation of Canterbury Park Racecourse, which underwent redevelopment in 2020. Canterbury racecourse provides racegoers with free entry for these events and with plenty of activities for people of all ages – including live music, food stalls and a carnival…
Leah Hibell returns home after “amazing experience”
By Brigette Solomon Cambridge-based junior driver Leah Hibell has just returned from her first international adventure, enthused and inspired by what’s she seen. The 23-year-old was awarded a 10-day working holiday in Australia for winning the second annual Revell Douglas Memorial series earlier this year. The series for junior drivers is a tribute to well-respected trainer and administrator Revell Douglas, who drowned at Karioitahi Beach near Waiuku in January 2021. She spent her time at the stables of Brisbane trainers Chantal Turpin and Peter McMullen. Exciting and nerve wracking are words…
Fresh start for Hayden Cullen after leaving Stonewall
By Jonny Turner Hayden Cullen insists he is right up for the challenge of his latest harness racing venture. Just last weekend, Cullen and wife Amanda officially announced the start of their new training enterprise at West Melton. The Group 1 winning horseman recently left his position as a co-trainer at Stonewall Stud not knowing exactly where his career was heading. But Cullen has moved at lightning speed to set up his own operation, training and pre-training racehorses, as well as educating young stock. Starting a new chapter from the…
Rolston thriving in new Hong Kong role
Former long-serving New Zealand Bloodstock employee Danny Rolston is loving life with the Hong Kong Jockey Club. He was appointed to the role of Executive Manager Hong Kong International Sale/Owner Advisory Services last year with his chief focus on overseeing the International Sale, with the latest successful edition held at Sha Tin last Friday. “I love it here and it’s been a massive change as you could imagine, but it’s a really great place to live,” Rolston said. “I arrived in the job a week before the Sale last year…