By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Blair Orange has climbed four places up the leaderboard at the world drivers’ championship in Europe. Day two of the championships was held at Gelsenkirchen in Germany, with the five-time Kiwi champion driver winning one heat and finishing seventh, third, eighth and fifth in the others. That gave him a total of 65 points at the halfway point of the competition, putting him fourth overall after being eighth after the opening day’s racing. Defending champion Rick Ebbinger from the Netherlands is the driver…
Month: August 2023
Reminder of home sees Brownes move
A reminder of back home has helped convince Kiwi’s Emma-Lee and David Browne of a relocation to Pakenham for the new racing season. The New Zealand couple made their move permanent in the middle of 2022 and originally set up base at Cranbourne, but a change of lifestyle and the clubs new rise training track sealed the deal. “We went for a look around the Pakenham track and I was very taken by it, the facilities are super,” Emma-Lee Browne said, who trains in partnership with husband David. “They key…
Rae looks for Shock boost
Alex Rae had a big team jump out at Cranbourne on Monday, but none impressed more than Shock ‘Em Ova (NZ) (Shocking), who showed he’s returned in fantastic order ahead of the spring. The lightly raced five-year-old scored a jumpout victory over 1000m, finishing just ahead of Mick Price-Michael Kent Jnr stablemates Annavisto and Globe. “Shock ‘Em Ova, he’s the hope of the stable now, he’s extremely talented,” Rae said. “He’s trialled brilliantly and we’ve given him plenty of time. “He’s had five starts and never had a soundness problem…
Moody’s bold I Wish I Win plan
Peter Moody is set to use the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) as the one lead-up run to The Everest for his stable star I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel). The T.J. Smith Stakes winner was given his second jumpout of the preparation at Pakenham on Tuesday morning, with his trainer and jockey Luke Nolen ‘more than pleased’ with his efforts to win the 1000-metre course-proper heat. I Wish I Win ran a flashing second first-up at his previous preparation over 1000m in the Black Caviar Lightning and didn’t race beyond…
Egan holding high hopes for Chajaba
The breeding career of Handsome Ransom mare Hostage (NZ) could be resurrected following the deeds of her son Chajaba (NZ) (Keano). The seven-year-old gelding was a meritorious runner-up to Justaskme (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) last month for trainer Tina Egan, who co-bred and co-owns the now seven-year-old. “He went a good, cheeky race in the Opunake Cup and beat all but an absolute freakish run from the winner,” Egan said. The breed has been with Egan for a couple of generations, with the Taranaki…
Times Ticking on track for spring carnival
Wairarapa galloper Times Ticking (NZ) (Tavistock) showed he is on target for the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival following his pleasing hit-out at Awapuni’s synthetic trials on Tuesday. The eight-year-old son of Tavistock settled to the rear of the field for senior hoop Lisa Allpress in his 1000m heat, before pressing three-wide from the 600m and finished over the top of his opposition to win by a neck over Group One winners Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto) and Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante). Trainer Alby MacGregor was pleased with what he saw from…
Group race goal for Val di Zoldo
A trip to the New Zealand Cup carnival may be on the cards for Group winner Val Di Zoldo (NZ) (War Decree). The Tony Pike-trained daughter of War Decree advanced to a good level last season and showed she was making good progress toward a return to competition with a 1000m open trial win in trying conditions at Avondale on Tuesday. In the hands of Kozzi Asano, the four-year-old bounced out well to sit on the leader’s quarters before taking control 200m from home. “It was quite testing there and…
Foote team out for new season success
Ryan Foote will have a leading hope in his quest for a first winner in partnership with his father Ben, with polytrack specialist Jimmy Dean (NZ) (Tivaci) lining up at Cambridge on Wednesday. The Cambridge trainers have utilised their local polytrack with plenty of success over the winter months, and five-year-old Jimmy Dean has relished the all-weather surface, scoring four wins and four further minor placings this year. “Jimmy Dean is in a very competitive race but he’s also very competitive, he’s been working well leading up to it so…
Hawkesbury racing tips & best bets | Thursday, August 17
What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Thursday, August 17, 2023 First Race 12:15pm AEST Visit Ladbrokes The Hawkesbury Race Club will host one of its feature racedays this Thursday afternoon, with the Listed Rowley Mile headlining an eight-race card. The track is currently rated a Heavy 8, but with no rain on the forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, there is a good chance that the track could get into the Soft range by the start of the program. The rail will…
The Follow Files: Maher & Eustace runner on track for cups tilt
With spring just around the corner, more runners are returning to the racetrack to begin their campaigns. In this week’s edition of the Follow Files, we have zeroed in on the Moonee Valley meeting from last Saturday and found three runners that showed signs they are in for a big preparation. Moonee Valley Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: True entire circuit Race 1: 3YO Handicap (1000m) | Time: 0:59.78 Horse to follow: Lakota Fire (1st) The Mark & Levi Kavanagh-trained Lakota Fire brought up back-to-back wins at Moonee Valley…