Month: April 2024

Guy Lowry has worked with enough good racehorses to know that very few of them are the perfect physical specimens. Not only does the Group One-winning Kiwi horseman have an eye for a quality thoroughbred, but he’s got a knack of seeing past would-be issues that often scare others away. In recent years, he’s made a fruitful habit out of taking a punt on young horses with minor ailments, including ATC Derby contender Immediacy (NZ) (Immediacy). Lowry paid a modest $15,000 for the son of Tarzino out of Book 2…

Detonator Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) might be one of Ciaron Maher’s less-heralded contenders in Saturday’s Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), but a few things look like going the consistent gelding’s way. Heavy rain might scare off many of his rivals, but Detonator Jack’s one win and one second placing from just two goes on a Heavy surface is positive reading for connections. “He’s in great order, it’s very exciting to get into the Doncaster,” owner Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock’s Darren Dance said. “We’ve always believed he goes as good on wet as he…

A chat with champion trainer Peter Moody has superstar jockey James McDonald confident I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) will be ready to fly in Saturday’s Gr.1 T.J. Smith Stakes at Randwick. The elite sprinter will be first-up in the race over 1200m on what could be a Heavy track, but McDonald is confident I Wish I Win will be ready to go. I Wish I Win will jump from barrier four in the $3 million sprint and is currently a $3.60 chance with bookies. McDonald said the likelihood of…

Canterbury sprinter Our Echo (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) will make the trip across the Cook Strait once more this week to take his place in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) at Trentham on Saturday. The seven-year-old gelding has recorded two of his six wins at the Upper Hutt track, including his last start heroics in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m). That result may have come as a bit of a surprise to punters, but not trainer and part-owner Danny Frye, who has had a high opinion…

Tony Pike is confident of another bold showing on Saturday from Archaic Smile (Saxon Warrior) at Trentham where she has already enjoyed black-type success. The Cambridge trainer can’t fault his daughter of Saxon Warrior who will attempt to turn the tables on Velocious (Written Tycoon) in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). Archaic Smile finished a gallant second behind this season’s leading juvenile in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie and Pike is sure his charge will again press the issue at the weekend. “She has…

Jo Rathbone is hoping to reap the benefits of a patient season with Torque Time (NZ) (Guillotine) as the promising steeplechaser commences his campaign at Wanganui on Friday. A son of Guillotine, Torque Time joined Rathbone’s stable in late-2022, and was a model of consistency through his first jumping season, only twice finishing out of the placings in seven jumping starts. Despite the eight-year-old’s strong form, Rathbone resisted the temptation of more lucrative targets including the Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) but has the majors firmly in sight this year after…

Last start Group One winner Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto) looks to have run her last race, with the Lisa Latta-trained mare entered for next month’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Broodmare sale. The daughter of Per Incanto was bred by David Woodhouse, who races the mare in partnership with John Clark and the Rusties Syndicate, for whom she has won 11 of her 36 starts and nearly $1 million in prizemoney. Belclare had a fitting send-off at Ellerslie last Saturday when defending her crown in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’…

In the midst of a strong season with 35 wins, David Hayes is looking forward to soon unveiling the Group One-winning Little Brose (Per Incanto), who is expected to undertake one more barrier trial next Tuesday (9 April) at Sha Tin before featuring on race day. Winner of last year’s Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) as a two-year-old in Melbourne, Little Brose arrived in Hong Kong last December and has had three barrier trials ahead of his upcoming debut. “He’s going alright. He’s lazy at trackwork just like he was…

Exciting youngster Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) will be hoping to end his juvenile season this Saturday the way he started it, winning at Trentham. The son of Savabeel was an emphatic four-length winner at the Upper Hutt track when on debut in October and trainers Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard would be delighted if he could bookend the season with a winning result in Saturday’s Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). Bred by Waikato Stud, Savaglee was purchased by The Oaks Stud at last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National…