by Mike Love Eyrewell Forest trainer Trevor Grant had a very happy start to the new year when he owned, trained and drove George Eliot took out the maiden trot at Rangiora on new years day. “We had a great day all around really,” said Grant. George Eliot settled 4 back the fence for Grant, before popping out at the 1200m to sit parked. George Eliot then outmuscled her rivals, drawing away to win impressively by 4 lengths from One El. “One I got around to sit parked, which she…
Month: January 2024
Village Rebel wins Wairarapa Cup
The 20 metre handicap was no trouble for the Village Rebel in the Connie Stewart NZSIR Wairarapa Cup at Tauherenikau today. “I was absolutely thrilled for his owners Alan and Lyn Messenger, they have been big supporters of mine for years” says trainer Nicky Chilcott. “I didn’t think today would be his day with the race being only 2000 metres” says Chilcott “The Otaki Cup over 3000 metres on Thursday was our main target as he is a good stayer.” Patiently driven by Sailesh Abernethy, Village Rebel stepped away…
Hayes keen for Carbonados to make the cut
Summer racing might have seemed like the off season in the past but between the two and three-year-olds, the time is coming for new and emerging talent to raise their profiles. One of those three-year-olds is Carbonados (NZ) (Belardo) who Ben Hayes is very keen to see perform well in over 1100-metres in a A$175,000 for horses of that age at Geelong on Saturday. Purchased by Lindsay Park last year after winning impressively as a short-priced favourite on debut at New Plymouth for trainer Allan Sharrock over 1200-metres in May,…
Skyman pleases in New Zealand return
Skyman pleased in his first New Zealand public outing at Tauranga on Tuesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Well-performed former Sydney galloper Skyman stepped out for his first New Zealand outing at Tauranga on Tuesday with new trainer Stephen Marsh and his owners, the Go Racing Elton Syndicate, keen for him to display the same competitive spirit that he showcased during his numerous Australian campaigns. The eight-year-old European import won eight of his 37 starts from the Chris Waller stable, including four at Listed level, before Go Racing boss Albert…
Grande Gallo impresses at Pukekohe
Grande Gallo winning at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Stakes targets could be in the offing for promising filly Grande Gallo following her eye-catching win at Pukekohe on Monday. The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew-Scott trained three-year-old was having her first run since disappointing with her 14th placed run in the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November and relished returning to the right-handed way of going at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day. The daughter of Belardo settled off the pace for…
Orchestral hits the right note at Pukekohe
Orchestral winning at Pukekohe on Monday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Exciting filly Orchestral was on song at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day when downing a quality, including last start vanquisher Lupo Solitario. The Satono Aladdin gelding beat Orchestral by just a nose in the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) last month, but she was able to reverse that result on Monday courtesy of a quality ride from Craig Grylls. The daughter of Savabeel was once again tardily away from the barriers but recovered well to regather the field. She…
Australian Cup aim for Legarto
Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) may not be the only New Zealand mare set to sizzle at Flemington this autumn with last year’s Australian Guineas winner Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) being aimed for a return to the track for the Gr.1 Australian Cup. The four-year-old mare narrowly won an 1100-metre trial at Tauranga on Tuesday in her first public outing since her luckless Golden Eagle run in November and her trainer Ken Kelso later said he felt the mare was ready to put a good score on the board early in 2024.…
Adam I Am up for Thames Cup challenge
Promising four-year-old Adam I Am (NZ) (Almanzor) has some lofty goals ahead of him for the rest of the summer but his immediate goal is the feature event at Te Aroha on Wednesday, the Coastwood Homes Lockwood Thames Cup (1600m). Trainer Glenn Old believes the son of Almanzor and Group Two winner Our Famous Eve (NZ) (Fast ‘N’ Famous) has all the attributes to make it to the elite level and is keen for him to showcase those talents as he builds towards his main summer mission. “He is a…
Blackadder chasing Greymouth Cup win
Trainer John Blackadder is hopeful the long trek to Omoto racecourse from his Rangiora base will pay a winning dividend when he lines-up consistent mare Kahma Suitsya (NZ) (Tavistock) in the feature event there on Wednesday, the Recreation Hotel Greymouth Cup (2000m). The four-year-old daughter of Tavistock, who started her career with part-owner Shaun Phelan in the north before transferring to Blackadder last July, has finished runner-up in her last two starts with her mentor keen to see her go one better before she heads to the paddock for a…
Skyman pleases in Tauranga trial
Well performed former Sydney galloper Skyman (Mukhadram) stepped out for his first New Zealand outing at Tauranga on Tuesday with new trainer Stephen Marsh and his owners, the Go Racing Elton Syndicate, keen for him to display the same competitive spirit that he showcased during his numerous Australian campaigns. The eight-year-old European import won eight of his 37 starts from the Chris Waller stable, including four at Listed level, before Go Racing boss Albert Bosma made the decision to bring him to New Zealand to continue his career. Marsh has…