Metropolitan goal for Derby winner

The Gr.1 Metropolitan (2400m) will be the short-term target for emerging stayer Major Beel (NZ) (Savabeel). Adrian Bott isn’t expecting a winning return from Major Beel in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m), but he is expecting the Gr.1 ATC Australian Derby (2400m) victor to run better than his double-figure odds suggest.  The gelding was competitive over similar journeys at his initial campaigns, albeit in much easier races, but he did claim the scalp of subsequent Stradbroke Handicap placegetter Hawaii Five Oh (I Am Invincible) first-up over 1300m in February.  “He’s probably a little bit sharper than just a…

Mr Brightside favoured to add a second P B Lawrence to his record 

Craig Williams will be shooting for a third win in the Gr.2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield when he partners Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) on Saturday.  Mr Brightside and Williams shared the spotlight 12 months ago while the jockey’s first win in the weight-for-age contest came aboard Hartnell in 2017.  The Hartnell victory taught Williams a valuable lesson, one that he rarely sidesteps in his preparations on race day.  Williams has always been charitable with his time as evidenced by his ongoing commitment to the Ukranian people in their fight with Russia.  Back in 2017, Williams was asked for his time in the lead up to the Lawrence…

Who’s Complainin giving trainer plenty to crow about

Brian Crow spent a decade away from training, but he is now having the time of his life with the horse who brought him back to the game he loves. The New Plymouth horseman began training at the turn of the century and recorded 20 wins over the next decade before giving it away. He continued to potter around with a few horses, breaking-in a couple for friends and family, but it was a Complacent gelding owned by his brother that reignited his passion and set him on a path…

McKee looking for ideal training debut

There will be a distinct Hong Kong flavour to Caitlin McKee’s training debut this weekend. McKee and her partner, jumps jockey Nick Downs, have been rehoming former Hong Kong gallopers over the last few years and recently decided to chance their arm with a couple of repatriated geldings. “We asked if there were any we could have a play with and race. It is something that I have been thinking about for a while when riding all morning, so it is nice to have something of our own,” McKee said.…

Moet Down support crew bubbling with excitement

Moet Down can count on a sizeable support crew when the Stephen Marsh-prepared filly makes her seasonal debut at Ruakaka this Saturday. The well-related daughter of Pierro will run in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) for the enthusiastic Heels & Hooves Syndicate. Moet Down is the first horse raced by the all-female group of 40-odd owners, who weren’t disappointed when she finished fourth on a wet surface in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1200m) in her only appearance as a juvenile. “She didn’t really like…

Cranbourne racing tips, best bets & quaddie | August 20, 2023

What Cranbourne Races Where Cranbourne Turf Club – 50 Grant St, Cranbourne VIC 3977 When Sunday, August 20, 2023 First Race 12:45pm AEST Visit Ladbrokes The Cranbourne Turf Club will host its first race meeting in over three months, with a very competitive eight-race card scheduled for this Sunday afternoon. With rain forecast for Saturday and Sunday, we expect the track to stay in the Soft range for the whole program. The rail will be in the true position for the entire circuit, with the opening race set to jump…

Katherine Cup Day preview & betting tips | August 19, 2023

What Katherine Cup Day Where Jim Jackson Racecourse – Katherine Showgrounds, 11 Murray St, Katherine NT 0850 When Saturday, August 19, 2023 First Race 1:42pm ACST Visit Ladbrokes One of the big sporting events in the Barkly region takes place this weekend, with the Katherine Turf Club hosting its annual Cup Day meeting. There are seven races on the program, with 45 runners accepting following the Darwin Cup Carnival. The total prizemoney is a healthy $150,000 – an increase of $17,000 from last year – with the feature race being…

Cameron Handicap

Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Cameron Handicap Group Three Betting Guide Date: Friday, September 15, 2023 Location: Newcastle Racecourse – Newcastle, New South Wales Prize Money: $250,000 Distance: 1500m The Cameron Handicap is a Group 3 race held at Newcastle racecourse and is run under handicap conditions for open class horses over 1500m. Throughout its history, the Cameron Handicap has been run over 1300m, 1350m, 1400m and 1500m; however, since 2011 the race has been run over 1500m, except for 2016 when the Newcastle track was being renovated. Since…

Seajetz hunting New Plymouth success

Seajetz will contest the ITM New Plymouth Interprovincial (1600m) on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A change of tactics with Seajetz has enabled the six-year-old to turn his recent form around and emerge as a leading contender for the big prize on offer at New Plymouth on Saturday. The Matamata galloper is coming off a last-start success in his chase for the thick end of the $80,000 stake up for grabs. Trained at Matamata by Paul Richards, Seajetz had been off the pace in the early stages of his…

Chris Gibbs hoping to cause Group 3 upset

Chevron will lineup at Ruakaka on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell A lucrative payoff awaits connections of Belardo filly Vita Amorosa if the Chris Gibbs-trained three-year-old can cause a major upset in Saturday’s Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on Saturday. Vita Amorosa was beaten 19 lengths on debut earlier this month, chasing the unbeaten Crocetti, who couldn’t have been much more impressive in winning by 4.5 lengths. Crocetti is the second favourite with online bookmakers for the first three-year-old stakes race of the season behind the Mark Walker and Sam…