Hi Yo Sass Bomb has become a horse of a lifetime for New Plymouth trainer Kim Reid, and she is hoping to further her dream ride with her pride and joy at Ellerslie on Saturday. The daughter of Complacent fulfilled her long-held stakes potential at Trentham earlier this month when taking out the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m), giving Reid the green light to press on for her first tilt at elite-level this weekend in the Gr.1 NZEA New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “I have always believed in that horse,…
Month: March 2024
Legarto on target for Australian Cup
Ken Kelso is hoping lightning might strike twice when Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) makes her second start at Flemington in Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m). The top-class daughter of Proisir produced arguably the best performance of her glittering career when she ventured to Melbourne 12 months ago and became the first New Zealand-trained winner of the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Held up until after the 200m mark, she quickly moved through her gears for jockey Mick Dee and launched a stunning late burst down the Flemington straight to snatch victory in…
Rain poses challenge for Adiktiv Passion
A rain-affected Riverton track poses both positives and negatives for Leda Beck, as she prepares one of the leading contenders for the Bupa Care Services Francolin Stakes (1400m). Beck’s consistent mare Adiktiv Passion (NZ) (Ghibellines) carries sterling form into the fillies and mares feature, with three wins in her last five outings, including a one-length victory over subsequent Gr.3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) winner Burgie on March 10. Adiktiv Passion has struck nothing worse than a Soft7 in her current campaign, and her Winton-based trainer is wary of…
Marsh duo up for Pearl bonus
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is giving two sets of connections the opportunity to claim a lucrative payday in Saturday’s Entain-NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (1400m) at Ellerslie. In addition to its $40,000 stake, the Rating 72 race for fillies and mares also carries Pearl Series bonuses of $70,000 for the owner of the winner, with $20,000 for second and $10,000 for third. Marsh will saddle two runners in the nine-horse field, with C’est Moi (NZ) (Vadamos) joined by lightly raced three-year-old Imperial Empress (NZ) (Satono Aladdin). C’est Moi races in…
Esti Feny out to cause Australian Cup upset
Australian Cup contender Esti Feny. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Esti Feny, coming off a commendable third-place finish in the Australian Cup Prelude (1800m) at surprising odds of +4000, is gearing up to take on his more esteemed counterparts in the headline event at Flemington this Saturday. Trained by Matthew Smith, the Hungarian-bred import enters the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) as the outsider at +12500 with horse racing bookies. Despite the odds stacked against him, Smith remains optimistic, drawing inspiration from the potential for another underdog victory in the…
Daqiansweet Junior hunting Melbourne Cup golden ticket
Daqiansweet Junior will lineup in the Roy Higgins Quality. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Daqiansweet Junior is set to make a bid for a third appearance in the prestigious Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), should he emerge victorious in Saturday’s Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington. Trained by Phillip Stokes, this progeny of Sweet Orange, a descendant of War Front, showcased his mettle by securing sixth place in the 2022 Melbourne Cup, followed by an admirable fifth-place finish in last year’s edition. His sights are now set on securing…
Group 1 winner Think It Over retired
Three-time Group 1 winner Think It Over has been retired. (Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Think It Over, a distinguished three-time Group 1 victor, has officially bid farewell to the racing world. Following an awe-inspiring return from a perilous tendon injury, culminating in a resounding triumph in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) merely weeks ago, Think It Over’s illustrious career has come to a close. Citing the results of thorough veterinary evaluations, connections have made the poignant decision to retire the now eight-year-old gelding. Born from the esteemed lineage of…
Luke Nolen to return to the saddle at Cranbourne
Luke Nolen will make his return at Cranbourne. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) After a hiatus spanning over two months, renowned jockey Luke Nolen is poised to make a comeback to the racing circuit on Friday night at Cranbourne. The esteemed rider, celebrated for his Group 1 triumphs, will grace the track once more as he partners with Linas Reel, trained by the esteemed duo of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, in the sixth race of the evening – the inaugural Southside Challenge. Nolen’s return to the saddle marks a…
Horse Racing History: Today in Racing 30th March
This day 30th March in horse racing news history From the extensive Horse Betting news archives we present the all the thoroughbred racing action in Australian and overseas racing news in history. Delve in and enjoy our walk back in horse racing time. Australia horse racing news 12 months ago I’m Thunderstruck put down after shocking accident Two-time Group 1 winner – I’m Thunderstruck – has sadly been put down on veterinary advice after suffering an injury … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Randwick race-by-race preview &…
Pearl Of Alsace on the hunt for Group 1 success
Pearl Of Alsace will contest the Group 1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray have always had plenty of time for Pearl Of Alsace and they are hoping she can fulfil her Group One potential at Ellerslie this weekend. Bred and raced by Sir Peter Vela, the daughter of Tavistock has come a long way in just 12 starts, winning her first five outings, including the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m), and subsequently…