Te Akau Racing have a rich history in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), having won the last seven editions of the race, and Sam Bergerson is hoping to extend their run in his first year at the helm of New Zealand’s leading stable, alongside co-trainer Mark Walker. “I am massively excited,” he said. “It is a huge occasion and one that Dave (Ellis, Te Akau Racing principal) and the team always look towards from the Karaka sales when they purchase these horses. “I am extremely lucky to be in…
Month: January 2024
Williams pair ready to take on hotshots
Peter and Dawn Williams will take on the Karaka Millions meeting’s two hottest favourites with their pair of runners at Ellerslie’s eagerly anticipated twilight blockbuster on Saturday. The Byerley Park trainers’ last-start Group One winner Desert Lightning will line up against $1.50 favourite Legarto in the inaugural running of the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m), while Just A Floozie brings fascinating form credentials into her clash with the undefeated $1.30 favourite Crocetti in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m). This will be the second appearance at the…
Summer plans back on track for Live Drama
Live Drama will be looking to get her summer preparation back on track at Riccarton on Saturday. The daughter of Ghibellines was late scratched in the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Trentham last month after failing to load and was required to have a barrier trial to the satisfaction of stewards, and passed with flying colours when winning her 1200m heat at Ashburton earlier this month. Trainer and part-owner Lance Robinson was pleased with Live Drama’s trial and is looking forward to kicking off her summer preparation in the…
Williams team take on the hotshots at Ellerslie
Desert Lightning winning last month’s Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Peter and Dawn Williams will take on the Karaka Millions meeting’s two hottest favourites with their pair of runners at Ellerslie’s eagerly anticipated twilight blockbuster on Saturday. The Byerley Park trainers’ last-start Group 1 winner Desert Lightning will line up against $1.50 favourite Legarto in the inaugural running of the $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m), while Just A Floozie brings fascinating form credentials into her clash with the undefeated $1.30 favourite Crocetti in…
Molly Bloom heads Wexford quartet in Karaka Millions 3YO
Molly Bloom will contest the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) on Saturday at Ellerslie. Photo: Race Images South Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott will saddle more than a quarter of the field in Saturday’s $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie, with Group 1-winning filly Molly Bloom a headline act among their talented quartet. Molly Bloom burst to stardom with an enormous finish from third-last in an 18-horse field in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November. The Ace High filly…
High Octane glides into Blue Diamond Stakes favouritism
High Octane ridden by Mark Zahra wins the Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) at Caulfield. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) After a very nice barrier trial in Sydney, there was a lot of attention going the way of the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained High Octane (+210) and the colt showed why in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (C&G), as he glided past his rivals and recorded a smart debut victory at Caulfield. The son of Deep Field settled midfield and appeared to lose his way a little bit on the home…
Richards hopes Wellington can end Lucky Sweynesse’s Hong Kong reign
Wellington with Ryan Moore in the saddle wins the 2022 Hong Kong Sprint (Group 1-1200m). Jamie Richards is optimistic Wellington can defy Lucky Sweynesse’s growing domination when the decorated pair clash in the HK$13 million Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (28 January). Wellington has had his colours lowered on six successive occasions by Lucky Sweynesse – the world’s highest-rated sprinter – since his 2022 Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) triumph and Richards concedes the seven-year-old faces a familiar challenge this weekend. Wellington has…
Pierre Ng launches three-pronged Centenary Sprint Cup assault
Pierre Ng leads the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with 45 wins. Acknowledging the magnitude of the challenge of competing against the world’s top-rated sprinter Lucky Sweynesse, Pierre Ng hopes his three starters – Duke Wai, Taj Dragon and Super Wealthy – can defy expectations in the HK$13 million Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Conceding his trio faces a monumental task to upstage Lucky Sweynesse, Ng nevertheless is keen to add even more lustre to an already phenomenal season with an unmatched 45 wins –…
Hayasugi finishes best in Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (F)
Hayasugi ridden by Jamie Kah winning the Blue Diamond Preview (F) at Caulfield. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Race experience was the key for Hayasugi (+400) in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (F), as the Clinton McDonald-trained filly proved a little too tough for her rivals at the end of the 1000m scamper at Caulfield. After jumping a little slow, Jamie Kah was able to get the daughter of Royal Meeting in the three-wide running line and allowed her to travel into the race on the home turn. Tobeornottobe…
Sha Tin Sunday racing preview & quaddie tips | January 28, 2024
What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, January 28, 2024 First Race 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Group 1 racing returns to Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon, with the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) headlining a stacked 10-race program. The rail moves out to the A+3 position for the meeting, and with no rain forecast to spoil festivities, punters should be assured a genuine Good 4 surface. The opening race is set to get underway at…