By Adam Hamilton Champion driver Chris Alford certainly isn’t conceding this Inter Dominion trotting final to defending champion Just Believe. Alford, who teams up with star Kiwi-owned mare Queen Elida (gate five), remains very positive despite drawing outside Just Believe (four). “He’s been fantastic Just Believe, he’s absolutely flying, and he’ll be hard to beat,” he said. “But all things being equal, I still think I’m a good chance of beating him. “The mare has got better each run through the series and ‘Lil’ (trainer Brent Lilley) says she’s been…
Year: 2023
Start key to ID for Leap To Fame
By Adam Hamilton Leap To Fame’s Inter Dominion fate could be decided in the first 200 metres. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon insists his superstar four-year-old is “the best he’s ever been” heading into Saturday’s race at Albion Park in Brisbane, but he’s wary of yet another tricky barrier draw. Leap To Fame has drawn six, but will come into five if emergency Canfindabettorman doesn’t gain a start. The problem is, his two main dangers Swayzee (three) and Nerano (one), have drawn inside him. So, Dixon knows he must have a serious…
Gold Rush pressure suits Ayrton
The barrier draw may have further complicated the richest race in Australia this Saturday for many hopefuls, but trainer Mick Price suspects the rather aptly-named Gold Rush at Ascot might pan out perfectly for his runner Ayrton. Price said on Thursday that the expected high-pressure race, named in honor of Damien Oliver’s final race ride, would likely to suit Ayrton as long as he can ultimately get a clear run when it mattered most. “Just looking at the race, it’s a very busy race,” Price said. “I think they’ll go…
Tokyo Tycoon returns to racing
Talented three-year-old Tokyo Tycoon will commence his path towards next month’s $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) when he heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Wentwood Grange 3YO (1200m). Tokyo Tycoon began his three-year-old term in brilliant style when winning the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings first-up, however, the wheels came off his preparation when he found the Heavy9 conditions too taxing at the Hawke’s Bay venue three weeks later when fifth in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). The…
Wessex to resume in Group Three
Wessex (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) is in good order to resume at Te Rapa on Saturday, although trainer Andrew Forsman believes the four-year-old will improve as she steps up in distance this preparation. The stakes-winning daughter of Turn Me Loose hasn’t raced since she finished fourth in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) during the winter and will kick off her campaign in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m). Wessex has a smart first-up record with two victories off a break and Forsman has been pleased with her progress since returning…
Samarkand continues winning run
Samarkand (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) made it two wins in a row with success in the Class 4 Ngau Chi Wan Handicap (1800m) for David Hayes and Jerry Chau in Hong Kong on Wednesday night. Carrying 127lb, the Mongolian Khan gelding again show his liking for Happy Valley with another brave performance. “He’s acclimatised now and I have a feeling he’s that style of horse who really likes the Valley and can keep going through the classes because he’s got tactical speed and that makes it easier,” Hayes said. “We’ll race…
Young trainer scores first win
Scoring your first win in front of a bustling home crowd is what dreams are made of for most aspiring trainers, and for Leah Zydenbos that became a reality at Hastings on Wednesday. The Christmas at The Races twilight meeting attracted plenty of racegoers to Hastings Racecourse and local hope Candle made sure they had something to cheer about when taking out the Bramwell Bate Lawyers Handicap (1200m) for Zydenbos and training partner Guy Lowry. The daughter of Super Easy was slow away and settled at the rear of the…
Promising two-year-old looking for breakthrough win
Highly regarded two-year-old Montana Bay (NZ) (Thunder Down Under) will deliver a memorable victory at Te Rapa on Saturday if he can go one better on his previous visit to the Hamilton course. The ICIB Brokerweb 2YO (1100m) contender is prepared by Stephen Ralph for long-standing friends and clients Stuart and Cherie Hope, who enjoyed a successful association with the juvenile’s sire. Montana Bay has drawn a handy barrier (five) after producing a game performance last time out to finish runner-up from an awkward gate. “It was a good run…
Caulfield racing preview & betting tips | Saturday, December 16
What Caulfield Races Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 22, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Saturday, December 16, 2023 First Race 12:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Victorian metro racing heads to Caulfield on Saturday afternoon for a bumper 10-race program kicking off at 12:15pm local time. With no rain predicted in the lead-up, it should serve up a pristine Good 4 surface. The rail comes out +10m for the entire circuit, so it may pay to favour horses ridden on speed. Best Bet: Traffic Warden Traffic Warden did enough on…
Bosson factor key for Our Alley Cat
Our Alley Cat will contest the Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Our Alley Cat will have several disadvantages to contend with in the Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, but trainer Vicki Prendergast hopes the score can be evened out with Opie Bosson on board. A winner of seven races, and more than $311,000 in stakes, Our Alley Cat sits on top of the book in the feature sprint with 59kg, her…