By Adam Hamilton Owner Hass Taiba says the New Zealand Cup is a “very real option” with gifted Aussie pacer Captain Ravishing. Initial plans were to spell the star four-year-old after his terrific first-up third in last Saturday night’s $2.1mil TAB Eureka after an interrupted preparation. “He’s come through it so well, we’ve changed plans,” Taiba said. “I think we’d be crazy not to have a go at the Victoria Cup now (October 14) and then, if he comes through that well, take him to New Zealand. “He’s still in…
Month: September 2023
Skew Wiff scores in Tarzino Trophy
Already enjoying a red-letter day at Hastings on Saturday after completing stakes victories with Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) and Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award), it got even better for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson when progressive mare Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel) got the upperhand on her last start nemesis, Dragon Leap (Pierro), to collect the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). The Waikato Stud bred and owned daughter of their mighty stallion Savabeel, had been cut down late by Dragon Leap in the Stud sponsored Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) last month, but…
Quintessa continues winning run in Gold Trail
Exciting galloper Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) provided the blue and tangerine silks of Te Akau Racing with their second stakes victory and third win in succession at Hastings on Saturday when she stormed home from near the back of a quality field to take out the Gr.3 HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Gold Trail Stakes (1200m). The daughter of former Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) winner Shamus Award had won on debut over 1200m at Pukekohe on a heavy track back in March before reappearing at Taupo last month to win fresh-up over…
Tough staying win for Donatrice
Handy staying mare Donatrice (NZ) (Contributer) has claimed an all-important metropolitan victory, when scoring in the Ladbrokes Challenger Handicap (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday. Prepared by Archie Alexander, the six-year-old daughter of Contributer came from midfield to score under Declan Bates, in a strongly-run staying contest. Sent out an $18 chance, Donatrice had previously prevailed at Geelong and has continued to improve for the Ballarat stable. “I never would have thought she would have been winning a Saturday race at Moonee Valley,” Alexander said. “Last year she was very stagnant…
Tokyo Tycoon dominant at Hawke’s Bay
Last season’s outstanding two-year-old Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) showed he is right on target for some lofty goals this season with a professional display to dispose of his three-year-old rivals in the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained galloper swept all before him at two with five straight victories culminating in the Gr.1 Sistema Sakes (1200m) before losing the race via disqualification several weeks later after returning a swab irregularity. Despite a pair of lacklustre trials to fit him for his…
New owners get immediate return with Bunker Hut
Talented four-year-old gelding Bunker Hut (NZ) (Savabeel) provided his new connections with a dream start when he powered to a first-up victory at Rosehill on Saturday. The son of Savabeel was making his first appearance since he was successful at Warwick Farm in June, but with the benefit of a recent trial he was presented in prime order for the Midway Handicap over 1200m by trainer Michael Freedman. The Waikato Stud-bred and sold Bunker Hut camped in behind the pace and, once into the clear 250m from home, he lengthened stride…
Bezique Riccarton bound after stylish win
Local galloper Bezique (NZ) (Ace High) has booked a ticket south later in the spring with a decisive, front-running victory over 1400m on his home track at Ruakaka on Saturday. The compact son of Rich Hill Stud stallion Ace High had impressed in breaking maidens at the venue last month and showed he had made good progress since then for trainers Ken Rae and his daughter Krystal Williams. Taken straight to the front by rider Jasmine Fawcett, Bezique set up his own terms as stablemate Dancing Dream (NZ) (Contributer) sat outside…
Cranbourne set to host $500k race in honour of Deane Lester
“The Lester” is set to honour popular racing identity Deane Lester, who died earlier this year. Cranbourne Turf Club is set to pay tribute to popular racing identity Deane Lester with a $500,000 slot race proposed for November. News Corp publications are reporting that the race will be called “The Lester” and have 12 slots available at $25,000 each, with some reserved for Cranbourne trainers and horses. Additionally, a wildcard slot will be added to the mix, adding an exciting twist to the event, although details remain scant about this.…
Perfect comeback by B D Joe
By Michael Guerin If trainer Steve Telfer was to have dreamed up the perfect comeback performance from B D Joe it would have looked a lot like Friday night’s Avon City Ford New Brighton Cup. Not only did the bold-going pacer justify favouritism in winning but he did so in the least stressful and harmless way possible and ticked the good manners box on the way through. “It was about the perfect return to racing,” said Telfer, who trains with his sister Amanda. “He stood up and stepped away, which…
Dubbo racing preview & quaddie picks | Sunday, 10/9/23
What Dubbo Races Where Dubbo Turf Club – Merrilea Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830 When Sunday, September 10, 2023 First Race 1:17pm AEST Visit Ladbrokes Country racing heads to Dubbo Turf Club on Sunday afternoon with eight races set for decision. The $100,000 Dubbo Gold Cup is the feature event which will grant the top-two finishers with eligibility for The Big Dance on the first Tuesday of November. The rail is in the true position throughout the circuit, and with little-to-no rain expected to hit the course across the weekend, we…