Month: September 2023

Expert Witness back in action after missing Darwin Cup Carnival

AAP

The Tayarn Halter-trained Expert Witness on the outside holds off the fast-finishing Poupee from the Tom Logan stable in an exciting finish at Darwin’s Fannie Bay. (Photo: Caroline Camilleri – Darwin Photography Professionals) He missed the big races during the Darwin Cup Carnival because of injury, but the Tayarn Halter-trained sprinter Expert Witness returns to action on Saturday. The five-year-old gelding, who has been a revelation in the NT following his arrival from Queensland, will line up in a highly competitive Benchmark 76 over 1000m at Fannie Bay. In 14…

Illicit Dreams to kick off Guineas prep at Riccarton

AAP

Illicit Dreams will lineup at Riccarton on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Stakes winner Illicit Dreams will kick-off her preparation toward the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November when she heads to Riccarton on Saturday. The daughter of Vancouver had a pleasing juvenile season for trainers Ken Rae and Krystal Williams, winning two of her five starts, including the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) in May, and her conditioners are hoping she can pick up where she left off this weekend. Originally earmarked to contest the Group 3…

Phelan looking to strike in opening juvenile contest

AAP

Enchanted Elle will head to Hawera on Sunday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Take The Crown has done everything asked of him by trainer Shaun Phelan ahead of his debut at Wanganui on Saturday in the opening juvenile contest of the season. The youngster has won both of his lead-up trials and the booking of rider Lisa Allpress is another major plus. “I looked at last year’s result and saw that she won it (aboard Rubicon Crossing) so I thought I would get in early and get her on, she’s…

Quirky Habits looking to avenge last start defeat

AAP

Quirky Habits will contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m) on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Shaun and Emma Clotworthy are hoping the addition of headgear may enable Quirky Habits to avenge a last start defeat when he runs in Saturday’s Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m). The Byerley Park-trained son of Belardo was narrowly beaten when runner-up behind Itza Charmdeel, a race rival again, when they met in the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Otaki at the end of last season. “He hasn’t done anything wrong and…

Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | September 1, 2023

AAP

Horse Racing on Friday, September 1 will feature five meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meetings at Birdsville, Pakenham & Wyong. Friday Racing Tips – September 1, 2023 Birdsville Racing Tips Pakenham Racing Tips Wyong Racing Tips As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing…

The Falcon and Laver give Dunns strong hand at Addington

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin Spring may finally be here but harness trainer Geoff Dunn says it comes with some unwelcome issues. Like the one that saw his talented pacer The Falcon flop so dramatically at Addington last week. Dunn and his son James train two of the rugged open class performers in Canterbury pacing, the other being Laver, and thought they were set to win The Falcon’s comeback race last week until he stopped like he had hit quicksand. “We got him home and found he was all full gunk and…

Classic ambitions for Kosgei

NZRacingDesk

Cranbourne trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young unearthed a Derby prospect at Bendigo on Thursday when Kosgei (The Autumn Sun) scored on debut over 1400m. A three-year-old son of The Autumn Sun, Kosgei is a half-brother to Tavago (NZ) (Tavistock) whom the stable prepared to win the 2016 Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m). “He’s shown us a bit, ultimately he’s going to get out over a trip – he’s a half-brother to Tavago, who we had earlier on – but he’s a bigger, stronger version. “He’d trialled up nicely and he…

Palmetto set for return

NZRacingDesk

John Sargent is looking forward to Kiwi import Palmetto (NZ) (Ghibellines) making his spring return at Randwick this weekend. After making a successful leap from benchmark company to win the A$500,000 The Coast last preparation, Palmetto resumes in Saturday’s Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) where Sargent anticipates a bold return from the five-year-old son of Ghibellines. “He’s come back really well. I think he should hopefully go to another level this time,” Sargent said. “He has matured every time he’s come in and from the five draw, he’s going to be…