By Jonny Turner Established Group 1 performers will take on a wave of hopefuls from the intermediate grades in the New Zealand Cup’s second qualifier of the season at Addington on Friday night. B D Joe and Republican Party are among the biggest of names out to seal their starts in the country’s greatest race with victory in the New Brighton Cup. Republican Party returns for trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety after trialling nicely in his only recent hit-out. Though the Dalgetys would have preferred to trial their four-year-old again,…
Month: September 2023
No fears as Pride deep-ends promising colt
Even with the retirement this week of outstanding sprinter Eduardo (Host), Joe Pride is assembling a strong team for the spring and untapped colt Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) might just put his hand up to join it. Despite having relatively small numbers in work, Pride consistently produces top performers with exciting sprinter Think About It (So You Think) and Everest runner-up Private Eye (Al Maher) among his headline horses. Both have been well managed and taken gradually through their grades, so Pride is the first to admit that tossing Ceolwulf into…
‘He’s got X-factor’: Waller
Chris Waller will have up to seventeen runners at Rosehill, five of them Group One winners, but it is one horse that has him especially excited. When asked to nominate the galloper he is most looking forward to seeing on Saturday, Waller didn’t hesitate to name Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park), who has the Epsom Handicap as his early-season target. “He’s got X-factor,” Waller said. “I like horses with winning strike rates. They win when they’re over short distances, long distances, wide draws and that’s Kovalica. “He’s by Ocean Park, they…
Who’s impressing at the trials?
As we build up to racing’s biggest week of the year we will take a weekly look at the trials to see who’s doing what between now and New Zealand Cup and Show Week. Today’s installment is from the trials at Rangiora on Wednesday, September 6. Darby (3f Art Major – The Fascinator) The as yet unqualified filly trained by Trent Yesberg and piloted on this occasion by Carter Dalgety quickly made the front and comfortably held her opposition at bay, running her last 800m in 57.1, 400m in 27.2.…
Darwin races preview & betting tips | Saturday, September 9
What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Saturday, September 9 First Race 2:56pm ACST Visit Ladbrokes The five-race card at Darwin this Saturday has drawn some decent fields, with 51 runners accepting. It hasn’t rained since April 27 and there is only a five per cent chance it will this weekend. In general, it will be sunny, with light winds and a top temperature of 35C. The rail will be in the true position and Fannie Bay will again be a…
Gear change for Tarzino contender
Pier (NZ) (Proisir) will be looking to get his spring campaign back on track when he heads to Hastings this weekend. The four-year-old gelding disappointed when finishing eighth when resuming in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa last month and trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley are hoping to see improvement from their gelding when he contests the Gr.1 Westbury Stud Tarzino Trophy (1400) on Saturday. “He is well in himself, his work has been good and he has got the change of gear with the visor blinkers on. We…
Sharp ‘N’ Smart raring to go ahead of Tarzino Trophy
Sharp ‘N’ Smart will contest the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell A rousing trackwork gallop at Te Rapa on Tuesday has convinced Hamilton trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson that their stable star Sharp ‘N’ Smart is at the top of his game leading into his first Group One assignment of the season. Sharp ‘N’ Smart will resume in the weight-for-age Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday, the three-time Group One winner beginning a new campaign at a distance short of his best.…
Rosehill full racing preview & quaddie tips | September 9, 2023
What Run To The Rose Day 2023 Where Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142 When Saturday, September 9, 2023 First Race 11:50am AEST Visit Ladbrokes Rosehill Gardens is the destination for racing this Saturday, with four Group events highlighting a terrific 10-race program. The Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) will provide a guide for punters looking to bet into futures markets for the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m), while the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) has traditionally been a solid reference for the…
Belmont racing tips, value bets & quaddie | September 9, 2023
What Belmont Races Where Belmont Park Racecourse – Saintly Entrance, Burswood WA 6100 When Saturday, September 9, 2023 First Race 12:49pm AWST Visit Ladbrokes The Listed Farnley Stakes headlines this Saturday’s eight-race meeting at Belmont Park in Perth. The track is currently rated a Soft 5, but with little to no rain on the forecast, we should be racing on a Good track for the whole meeting. The rail will be in the +7m position for the entire circuit, which should suit on-speed runners, and the action will kick off…
Impendabelle primed for Group 3 assignment
Impendabelle will contest the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings on Saturday. Photo: Race Images Talented filly Impendabelle is poised for her three-year-old debut at Hastings this Saturday, following an impeccable preparation. Trainer Tony Pike is set to lead a substantial team of runners, with Impendabelle taking center stage in the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) after delivering promising performances in her lead-up trials. Pike’s stable will also be well-represented in the age group feature races, as Overdrawn and Full Moon Fever prepare to compete in the…