by Don Rae Behind The Breeds is a new series where breeding enthusiast Don Rae takes a deep dive into the pedigree of some of today’s trotters and pacers. In this edition he casts his eye on North Canterbury and North Otago. The North Canterbury Owners and Breeders trials on 13 September showcased two potentially smart young trotters to swell the ranks of promising juveniles. Pasternak (2 B g Volstead – Lara Lass trained by Ross Houghton) and Lil Whip (2 B f Father Patrick – Eilish Aimee trained by…
Month: September 2023
Morphettville races preview & quaddie | Saturday, September 23
What Morphettville Races Where Morphettville Racecourse – 79 Morphett Rd, Morphettville SA 5043 When Saturday, September 23, 2023 First Race 12:22pm ACST Visit Ladbrokes The Parks track at Morphettville takes centre stage for racing fans in South Australia on Saturday afternoon with a nine-race card programmed. Despite no stakes events, there looks to be plenty of competitive racing throughout the day, with near-perfect conditions forecast. The track has come up a Good 4, with the rail out 9m from the 1000m to the winning post and then out 6m the…
Classic ambitions for staying filly Basilinna
Three-year-old filly Basilinna has stamped herself as a stayer of the future following a strong maiden victory over 1600m at Cranbourne on Thursday. Prepared by Pakenham trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne, the imposing daughter of Staphanos caught the eye on debut when strong through the line over 1400m at Sale behind talented galloper Wolfy. With Blake Shinn taking the mount on Thursday, Basilinna was sent out a $1.90 favourite, and the champion jockey rode her like the best horse in the race, creeping into the race three-deep throughout before outclassing…
Ladies Man taking next step in big spring campaign
New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock is using Saturday’s Gr.3 Hunterville Vet Club Metric Mile (1600m) as a crucial step along the road to bigger and better things for Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed). The $100,000 feature at Awapuni will be the third start of the campaign for Ladies Man, who resumed with a third placing over 1200m on August 19 before a strong-finishing second to Group One mare Mustang Valley over 1400m at New Plymouth last Saturday. “I thought he was outstanding last Saturday,” Sharrock said. “He’s progressing extremely well. Michael McNab…
Moreira gearing up for Militarize mission
With retirement plans on hold, Joao Moreira is looking to light up Golden Rose day. Less than a year after Moreira began what he thought would be a global farewell tour, retirement plans have been put on the backburner as another Australian Group One target beckons. Moreira feared his days of riding were numbered when he struggled with an ongoing hip issue last year, prompting him to hand in his Hong Kong jockeys’ license and embark on one final hurrah before hanging up his saddle. But after jetting into Sydney this…
Warsaw Sold to Hong Kong
Quality four-year-old Warsaw has been sold and will continue his career offshore. The son of Vadamos broke his maiden at his third start earlier this year from Chris Gibbs’ Ruakaka stable and then finished third in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) at his next appearance. Warsaw was spelled following an unplaced effort after an interrupted run in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and buyers came calling following his impressive resuming win over 1300m on his home track last month. “He has been sold and is just about to go…
Snow Patrol faces tough draw in Group Three
Kiwi-bred gelding Snow Patrol hasn’t been given any favours in the Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on Saturday, drawing the outside gate in the 11-horse field. Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are keeping their options open with the son of Contributer this weekend, also accepting for a three-year-old benchmark 64 (1400m) at Flemington on Sunday. “We’ll be a dual acceptor for a race at Flemington with him. That draw makes it tough for him, but we want to get a good feel for where he is at,” Kent…
Ladies Man set for Group 3 Metric Mile
Ladies Man will contest the Group 3 Metric Mile (1600m) at Awapuni on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) In preparations for the upcoming Group 3 Metric Mile (1600m) at Awapuni, New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock is strategically using the race as a stepping stone for his promising horse, Ladies Man. Ladies Man is gearing up for his third start of the campaign, having resumed with a commendable third-place finish over 1200m on August 19, followed by a strong-finishing second to Group One mare Mustang Valley over 1400m…
Premiere Stakes
Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Premiere Stakes Group Two Betting Guide Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023 Location: Randwick Racecourse – Sydney, New South Wales Prize Money: $1,000,000 Distance: 1200m The Premiere Stakes is a Group 2 race for open class horses and is run under Weight For Age conditions, boasting a prize pool of $1,000,000. Since the inaugural running of the Premiere Stakes in 1972, the race was classified as Listed until 1978, before being upgraded to Group 3 level from 1979 to 1996. From 1997 onwards, the Premiere…
Fownes has high hopes for Straight Arron ahead of Sha Tin return
Straight Arron lands the Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap. Caspar Fownes hopes Straight Arron can lay the foundations for a bountiful campaign when the emerging staying star returns at Sha Tin on Sunday. Winner of three of his past five starts, including the Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) on 7 May, Straight Arron closed last season with a close fourth in the Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) behind Russian Emperor, Romantic Warrior and Five G Patch. The gelding’s formline over extended…