Since 2008 Derek Jones has been training winners, either on his own account or in partnership with wife Adele. There have been 34 in all (think horses Sunny Kash & Kiss the Girls 6 wins apiece), along with Majestic Lavros (for 2 of his 9 wins) and LuLu Le Mans (for 3 of her 10 wins), but before Sunday he’d never ever trained a quinella. Then at Rangiora Eurostyle and Muscle Sass went one-two in the North Canterbury Trotting Trials at Rangiora Trot. “You can never be confident in a…
Month: August 2023
Canterbury Classic not certain for Self Assured and Akuta
By Michael Guerin Two of the hotshots of New Zealand pacing are facing a race against time to be ready for their first assignments of their new campaigns, the Canterbury Classic in exactly a month. And that could leave both Self Assured and Akuta potentially heading to grass track racing to begin their road to the New Zealand Cup. Co-trainer Mark Purdon has had a bigger role to play in his partnership with son Nathan over the last week as Nathan spends a few weeks campaigning horses in Victoria. That…
I Wish I Win set to resume in Group One
New Zealand-bred sprinter I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) will begin his march toward the A$20 million The Everest (1200m) when he heads to Caulfield on Saturday. The Savabeel gelding will contest the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) and trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman are looking forward to seeing what he can do fresh-up in the A$750,000 event. “He’s such a laidback customer, but even over the last week I can tell the difference in him,” Coleman said. “He’s starting to have a play and a bit of a squeal…
Pearl Of Alsace making return trip to Ruakaka
Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock) stamped herself as one of the country’s most progressive mares last season and she is thriving ahead of her reappearance. The Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained daughter of Tavistock will open her five-year-old campaign in the open sprint at the Whangarei meeting on Saturday week. “She had a quiet trial at Avondale, we were quite keen to give her one right-handed,” Ritchie said. “She was well held and balanced up around the corner and we’re pretty happy with her, she’s come on quite a bit…
Elsdon park to sponsor $1m race
Elsdon Park have pledged their support to the TAB Karaka Million night, with the Matamata farm announced as the inaugural sponsor of the newly established $1 million open 4YO race. To be known as the Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic, the race will be run over 1600m for $1 million under set-weight conditions on TAB Karaka Millions night (27th January 2024). “Elsdon Park is a significant player in the thoroughbred breeding industry, making them a natural fit for that night in particular which showcases the best of New Zealand racing to…
Isdale eyeing Riccarton targets
Clinton Isdale was delighted to see the form of his talented sprinter Is That So (NZ) (Sufficient) stack up nicely over the weekend and hopes to see the best of the seven-year-old on Saturday at Wanganui. Is That So commenced his career as a five-year-old in December 2021, and has been lightly raced since with his 12 starts including four wins and four further minor placings, most recently running second to Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) winner Dragon Leap (Pierro) over 1100m at Ruakaka. The son of Sufficient will contest the…
Entain-NZB Insurance Pearl Series Nominations closing Thursday
Dear Members, This is your LAST CHANCE to enter your 2021-born filly in the lucrative Entain-NZB Insurance Pearl Series. The Entain-NZB Insurance Pearl Series bonuses have been DOUBLED! Winning one of these bonus races, means the winning filly/mare will take home $22,000 for her connections – surplus to her winning stake! Two bonuses have already been struck meaning an extra $44,000 has been paid out to the winning connections. Nominations close Thursday August 31 with no further opportunity to enter. Head to https://pearlseries.nzthoroughbred.co.nz/ to enter your 2021-born filly and add…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 28 August 2023
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Globe shines ahead of Feehan
The unbeaten Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit) continues to shine ahead of his return to racing next month with rider Jamie Kah enthusiastic about his spring prospects. “He feels super,” she reported from Cranbourne on Monday. “I galloped him on Tuesday and I jumped him out today. “He feels like he’s had four trials already, he’s really fit. His breathing was great and I‘m really looking forward to riding him this spring.” The Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley on September 9 is earmarked for the return of Globe after…
Warwick Farm racing tips & odds | Wednesday, August 30
What Warwick Farm Races Where Warwick Farm Racecourse – 2 Hume Hwy, Warwick Farm NSW 2170 When Wednesday, August 30, 2023 First Race 1:25pm AEST Visit Ladbrokes Warwick Farm is the destination for NSW racing on Wednesday afternoon, with seven races for punters to sink their teeth into. The rail moves back to the true position for the entire circuit, and with only a small chance of rain predicted for the second half of the program, the course should be rated a Good 4 when racing commences at 1:25pm AEST.…