By Michael Guerin Colin DeFilippi would love to give Katie Cox a small Christmas present at Ashburton today. DeFilippi and his wife Julie are looking after talented two-year-old pacer It’s Tough for regular trainer Cox as she undergoes treatment for cancer. Cox’s battle is well known in harness racing and the DeFilippis have three of her horses to in work until Cox is back ready to resume training. “Katie used to work for us and we loved having her here,” says Colin. “We were admant she should go to university…
Year: 2023
Elegant Lady notches up three in a row
Cementing a hat-trick, Elegant Lady (NZ) (Highly Recommended) won the Cochranes of Canterbury (2200m) on Wednesday at Ashburton. After capping a hat-trick of seconds with victory on New Zealand Cup Day, Elegant Lady won at Riccarton on the synthetic earlier this month and then scored again in the same grade. Carrying virtually the same weight (56kg) with Lily Sutherland aboard, Elegant Lady received a smooth passage three back outer, ranged into contention on straightening and had things parcelled up inside the final 200m. “It was another really good win by…
Debut winner a family affair for Sargents
John Sargent had extra reason to celebrate at Warwick Farm when debutante Photographics (NZ) (Per Incanto) gave him a rare pre-Christmas two-year-old winner. Not only is the victory timely, it is also a family affair as the filly is leased by Sargent and his wife, along with their children Lucy and Jack. “I put my kids in this horse and they need the money so I was under a bit of pressure to get the horse out and racing,” Sargent said. “At least they’ve got some back now. “We’ve usually…
Industry Update – What the Board are Talking About
Industry Update – What the Board are Talking About from Mauro Barsi, Chief Operating Officer December 2023 I begin this report by wishing our CEO, Gary Woodham, the best for a swift and full recovery from his recent medical event. We know that he is on leave until at least February next year and remain excited about seeing him back in the office and on track again soon. Code FundingCode Funding is up for renegotiation and we have had our first meeting already. We are particularly focussed on ensuring that…
Club News – Kapiti
Media Release : Kapiti Coast Harness Racing Club Race Day Thursday 4th January 2024 The Kapiti Coast Harness Racing Club holds its annual harness race meeting at the Otaki Racecourse on Thursday 4th January 2024 in conjunction with the Otaki Maori Racing Club as a dual code race meeting. This is the fourth occasion on which this has occurred in recent years. Gates open at 10:30 a.m., and the first race is at 11:27 a.m. It is anticipated that there will be six harness races on the programme, with a…
The Good Shepherd heads trainers Gore contenders
Riverton trainer Stephen Blair-Edie is hoping Christmas comes early when he takes his quintet of runners to Gore on Sunday. The Good Shepherd (NZ) (Power) will spearhead his charge on the Christmas Eve meeting in the Dynes Transport Limited Tapanui Cup (1335m). The six-year-old gelding takes two placings into the meeting and his handler is hoping he can improve on those results this weekend following a short freshen-up. “He takes some good form into the race, and a bit of weight unfortunately,” said Blair-Edie, referring to his 60kg impost. “Two…
Pottinger riding towards Olympic goal
As one door closes, another opens, and that is the case for leading New Zealand eventer Amanda Pottinger. The Kiwi horsewoman recently called time on the eventing career of her star thoroughbred Just Kidding, who took Pottinger to the lofty heights of competing at some of the most iconic competitions in the world, including the Badminton Horse Trials and the 2022 World Championships in Pratoni, Italy. By Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus, Just Kidding was initially destined for a career on the racetrack and was sold out of Curraghmore’s 2008…
Kelso team looking for hometrack success on Friday
Regally-bred filly My Annie Belle (NZ) (Snitzel) is set to make her much anticipated debut at Matamata on Friday in the Cunningham Decorating Services (1200m). The three-year-old daughter of Snitzel is a half-sister to 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) and stakes winner Tutukaka (NZ) (Tavistock), and breeder-owner Marie Leicester is hoping she can leave her mark on the track under the guidance of trainers Ken and Bev Kelso. She has had two trials to date, including finishing fourth in her 900m heat at Taupo last month, and…
Sagunto out to retain Manawatu Cup crown
Free-going stayer Sagunto (NZ) (O’Reilly) has been a loyal servant of Peter and Shaun McKay’s stable and he will spearhead the father and son’s team at Trentham on Saturday. The eight-year-old will defend his title in the Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m), in which barnmate Langkawi (NZ) (Helmet) also looms as a serious chance for the Matamata trainers. Eight-time winner Sagunto will follow an identical path to last year, having finished fourth in an open handicap at Pukekohe ahead of another southern sojourn. “He’s definitely better for that run…
Asterix to launch summer campaign at Te Rapa
A huge festive period of racing awaits Wexford Stables, and Christmas has come early for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott with the exciting return of Asterix (NZ) (Tavistock) headlining their team on Saturday at Te Rapa. The son of Tavistock made waves in claiming the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in his fourth raceday appearance last March, and despite battling hoof and lameness issues since, has recorded another Open-class victory and a fourth behind Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher Stakes (2050m). Coming off a 266 raceday hiatus since…