Month: April 2024

A decision to bypass a staying race at Flemington could provide David and Coral Feek with their first success at the highest level. Gold Wolf (NZ) (Tivaci) heads to the Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday having bypassed the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington last week. David Feek said he and his wife were not tempted by the St Leger, preferring to keep the three-year-old at 2500m for the time being. “We were happy to keep the horse to 2500 metres and the way that…

Charles Cassar is excited about unveiling his quality Kiwi recruit Spring Tide (NZ) (Darci Brahma) on Wednesday, but he is approaching his excursion to Warrnambool with caution. The seven-year-old son of Darci Brahma will make his Australian debut in the A$200,000 Listed Wangoom Handicap. Cassar has only had a few runners over the May Racing Carnival but keeps an eye on it every year and recognises what a challenge it is to win there. “I know a lot of trainers set their horses for the Carnival down there, but I…

The Kiwis hit early on the opening day of Warrnambool’s three-day May carnival, with the Mark Walker-trained Leaderboard (Street Cry) winning the two-mile maiden hurdle on Tuesday in the hands of expat Kiwi jumps jockey Aaron Kuru. The American-bred son of Street Cry was given a hurdle trial earlier this month after arriving at Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne barn and jumped well when finishing runner-up in the Maiden Hurdle (3200m) at Pakenham 11 days later. He was positioned beautifully in the one-one by Kuru for much of the race on…

Winter targets now await Group Three-winning sprinter Johny Johny (NZ) (Charm Spirit) following his pleasing trial at Te Awamutu on Tuesday. The Tim and Margaret Carter-trained six-year-old was in fine form over the same period last year, winning four consecutive races, culminating in the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa in October. The firmer tracks didn’t suit the son of Charm Spirit in his three outings over summer and he went for a spell following his last-placed finish in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day.…

Last season’s Champion South Island apprentice jockey Yogesh Atchamah moved to Christchurch at the start of the year, and he is loving every moment. Atchamah moved to the Garden City to continue his apprenticeship under Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston, and he has enjoyed several career highlights in that time. In January he scored a four-timer at Reefton, and at Wingatui on Sunday he went close to matching that achievement when posting a winning treble. The 28-year-old Mauritian kicked off the day in winning fashion aboard the Kelvin Tyler-trained Go Lotte…

A pair of Pencarrow Stud homebreds are on target for a dual classic attack during the Brisbane winter carnival. The progressive Tomodachi (NZ) (Tarzino) carries the familiar silks of farm principal Sir Peter Vela, who also bred and shares in the ownership of another last-start winner in Waikato Girl (NZ) (Savabeel). Both fillies are likely contenders for the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) with the former a daughter of Tarzino, who completed a hat-trick of wins for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Michael Freedman-prepared…