Month: May 2024

Courtney Barnes winning aboard the Stephen Marsh-trained Lovaci at Taupo on Wednesday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Courtney Barnes is on track for a career-best season in the saddle and continued her winning roll with a double at Taupo on Wednesday. Originally commencing her career in the South Island, Barnes has surpassed the 30-win mark twice before, first as an apprentice in 2012/13 and last term where she accumulated 39 and a pair of stakes winners. Heading to Taupo, Barnes was sitting on 33, and she saluted in…

Trainer Kelvin Tyler pictured with Lightning Jack. Photo: Race Images South Riverton trainer Kelvin Tyler will be represented on both islands in the coming days, starting with Wingatui on Friday where he will line-up a trio of runners. He will have a two-pronged attack in the Grand Casino 75 1600 courtesy of last start placegetters Classic Diva and Zambezi Zipper, and he is hoping the former can step up in particular on Friday. “Classic Diva has disappointed because she looks good and works really well but on raceday she just…

Belardi on his way to winning the Dylan Johnson Bloodstock (1100m) at Taupo on Wednesday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman has always thought highly of two-year-old gelding Belardi, and he was pleased to see him display his talent on raceday when taking out the Dylan Johnson Bloodstock (1100m) at Taupo on Wednesday. Bred and race by The Sunlight Trust, Belardi was sixth on debut at New Plymouth a fortnight ago with Forsman believing he didn’t appreciate the Soft 7 track conditions. “We were a…

Trainer Shaun Phelan pictured with Hit The Road Jack. Photo: Trish Dunell Capable stayer Hit The Road Jack has shifted camp to prepare for the next stage of his career. The son of Jakkalberry arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday to build toward a jumping career from the successful Warrnambool stable of Symon Wilde. The seven-year-old was formerly prepared at Cambridge by Shaun Phelan, who remains part of the ownership group of the seven-time winner. “I had been in contact with a few trainers over there and he’s gone to Symon…

Tony Cruz has seven Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup wins as a trainer. Aiming for an extraordinary eighth victory in the HK$13 million Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (26 May), Tony Cruz is concerned how La City Blanche and Five G Patch will handle potentially rain-affected conditions. With seven wins from 2013 to 2020, Cruz has dominated the final Group 1 of the Hong Kong season but his hopes of clinching another win in the race are tempered by the possibility of…

Clifford Park Racecourse is the home of the Toowoomba Turf Club (TTC) and has been in operation since 1862. Located in the south-east of Queensland, Toowoomba has been a staple amongst the provincial racing scene, consistently utilized throughout the calendar year. Clifford Park Racecourse is listed to host a staggering 45 meetings every year, usually during the twilight hours of Saturday afternoon. This gives local trainers, owners, and participants ample opportunity to see their home-bred gallopers step out under the bright lights of Clifford Park. Not only is the course…

Wagga Wagga is the largest inland city across NSW and provides quality horse racing throughout the year courtesy of the Murrumbidgee Turf Club. Since opening operation in 1849, Murrumbidgee Turf Club has been considered the major hub for racing across the Riverina region of NSW, maintaining a storied history to go along with a family friendly atmosphere for locals and tourists alike. Roughly 25 meetings throughout the calendar year are conducted at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club, including the time-honoured Wagga Gold Cup, which has been running since 1873. Not only…