Alligator Blood, ridden by Blake Shinn, wins the Futurity Stakes at Sandown Racecourse on February 25, 2023. (Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) The Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) has attracted an outstanding 16-horse field for Saturday’s $750,000 feature at Caulfield. The Underwood Stakes is usually considered a precursor to many of the key races during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, including the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m). Pre-barrier draw, Without A Fight held clear favouritism with online bookmakers; however, it’s now the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian…
Month: September 2023
Entain and HRNZ push new 2YO initiatives
Big and exciting changes have been confirmed for the country’s juvenile trotters and pacers. The new initiative, a partnership between Harness Racing New Zealand and Entain, is all about encouraging 2YO racing, and rewarding both breeders and owners. Terms and conditions have now been agreed for a new 2YO Bonus series, as has the tentative 2YO race programme from January 1, 2024. The new bonus scheme will see payments of $12,000 for any 2YO Trotter or Pacer winning his or her first race in a 2YO only race, with $8000…
Skew Wiff to cross the Tasman
Last-start Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) winner Skew Wiff has contested her last race in New Zealand for the foreseeable future, with co-trainer Mark Walker confirming the mare will head to Te Akau’s Cranbourne base early next month. The classy four-year-old beat a star-studded line-up that included the likes of Sharp ‘N’ Smart and Legarto to take her first Group One crown at Hastings on September 9, and appeared between races at Matamata for a quiet exhibition gallop on Wednesday. Guided by regular rider Opie Bosson, Skew Wiff worked at a…
Orchestral out for a spell
One-time Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) favourite Orchestral has been ruled out of the southern Classic. The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained filly had two starts as a juvenile, for a win and placing, and was second favourite when resuming in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings earlier this month. She was a $6 favourite for the 1000 Guineas at the jump, but disappointed when running 10th, forcing her connections to reassess her spring plans and send her to the paddock. “We were scratching our…
Prowess back in action
After a couple of false starts, Group One winner Prowess had her first public hit-out the season in an exhibition gallop alongside stablemate Contemplation at Matamata on Wednesday. An abscess ruled her out of her first-up target, the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) earlier this month, while a stone bruise resulted in her withdrawal from her trial at Taupo last Friday. “She banged a hock a bit over a month ago,” said Robert Wellwood, who trains in partnership with Roger James. “It was treated aggressively as well as we could, but…
Lupo Solitario not for sale
Impressive debut winner Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) has been the subject of major buyer interest but will continue his career in New Zealand this season. The connections of the Danica Guy-trained son of Satono Aladdin have so far knocked back any attempts to purchase the gelding, who will step out in Saturday’s Ultimate Mazda 3YO (1300m) at Tauranga. “The owners have fielded some huge offers, but at this stage they have resisted selling him,” Guy said. “They are keen to race him here at three and then if he’s…
Ferrando 2yo shows early promise
Westbury Stud stallion Ferrando had his first trial winner at Cambridge on Tuesday courtesy of Grove Street (NZ) in his 800m heat, and co-trainer Graeme Rogerson is hoping the colt can take his winning form into his debut at Tauranga on Saturday. Bred and part-owned by Rogerson, Grove Street will contest the Gartshore Construction Maiden 2YO (950m) where he will be joined by stablemates Ka Pai Kiwi (NZ) (Better Than Ready), Elegant Jazz (NZ) (Russian Revolution), and Skymax (NZ), a daughter of Ferrnado. “Ferrando had his first trial winner, so…
Skew Wiff hunting Golden Eagle riches
Skew Wiff during her exhibition gallop at Matamata on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Last-start Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) victor, Skew Wiff, has taken her last race in New Zealand for the foreseeable future. Co-trainer Mark Walker confirmed that the mare is set to depart for Te Akau’s Cranbourne base early next month. Skew Wiff secured her first Group One crown at Hastings on September 9, defeating a star-studded field that included Sharp ‘N’ Smart and Legarto. She recently appeared at Matamata for a quiet exhibition gallop, guided…
Prowess to be aimed towards Champions Stakes at Flemington
Group One winner Prowess (outside) pleased with her exhibition gallop at Matamata on Wednesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Group One winner Prowess, who had faced a couple of setbacks recently, finally made her season debut in an exhibition gallop alongside stablemate Contemplation at Matamata on Wednesday. “She banged a hock a bit over a month ago,” said co-trainer Roger Wellwood. “It was treated aggressively as well as we could, but it just didn’t resolve so we had to take more drastic measures, which meant she had a bandage on…
Naturalism Stakes attracts capacity field
Goldman will be looking to book a spot in the Caulfield Cup when he lines up in the Naturalism Stakes on Saturday. (Picture: Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday has attracted a capacity field of 16 stayers vying for a spot in one of Melbourne’s premier spring races. The winner of Saturday’s Naturalism Stakes gains ballot exemption for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 21, joining Right You Are as the only horses guaranteed a start. Having already secured a spot…