By Adam Hamilton Nathan Purdon’s attack on Queensland’s winter riches has slipped under the radar a bit, but he’s hoping to turn that around at Redcliffe on Saturday night. Purdon has runners in both the Oaks and Derby and is especially keen on his prospects with Major Hot in the $53,000 Group 3 Derby. The Art Major gelding, who opened his Queensland campaign with an Albion Park win on June 15, has been backed from $4.40 into $3.60 despite needing luck from an inside back row draw (gate seven). “He’s…
Day: 27 June 2024
Mont Ventoux gets maiden win
Capable flat performer Mont Ventoux scored a deserved maiden success over the fences in the Majestic Horse Floats Hurdles (3100m) at Te Aroha on Thursday. Mont Ventoux collected seven victories during his flat-racing career including three at open grade, and since transitioning into the jumps role he had been the perennial bridesmaid with seven placings from nine attempts. His consistent record for trainer Rudy Liefting placed the eight-year-old a seemingly-unbeatable favourite in Thursday’s contest at $1.20, and his experience was evident in the early stages as he out-jumped the remainder…
Kozaczek rewarded with first New Zealand win
Lofty British jumps jockey Jay Kozaczek made the perfect start to his riding venture in New Zealand at Te Aroha on Thursday when guiding Sound of Silence to victory in the Agrisea NZ Steeplechase (3500m) for Dave Blackie, who also celebrated his first training success. Kozaczek kept a cool head aboard Sound of Silence for the majority of the journey, sitting at the rear of the field before pushing the go button after the third to last fence. Sound Of Silence was able to quickly reel in runaway leader Pontardawe…
Helena Baby continues to shine in new role
Proven flat performer Helena Baby continued his flawless transition to jumping with another easy victory in Thursday’s $30,000 The Bottle-O Te Aroha Hurdles (3100m). The grey son of Guillotine boasts seven wins on the flat, headed by the 2019 and 2022 editions of the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m). He was also a multiple placegetter in Hong Kong and finished third behind Melody Belle and Wyndspelle in the 2019 running of the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). Trainer and part-owner John Bell gave the nine-year-old his first start over hurdles in a…
Chase looking to continue winning ways
Group One performer Chase will be out to make it back-to-back wins when he heads to Hastings on Saturday to tackle the Vintech Pacific Poverty Bay Cup (1600m). The seven-year-old gelding was back in winning form last start at Otaki in the hands of Kate Hercock, who will reunite with the son of Zed this weekend where he has been lumbered with top weight of 60kg on what was rated a Heavy10 track on Thursday morning. “Kate gets on well with him and always has done,” trainer and part-owner Stephen…
Mathews pair eyeing rich synthetic target
A $100,000 carrot at Cambridge’s synthetic meeting in August is firmly in the sights of trainer Howie Mathews with a pair of his gallopers, but he is being forced to take an unsuitable path to the lucrative target. With no suitable races at Awapuni’s polytrack, the Otaki horseman has opted to test both Weneedashock and Free Spirit on Heavy10 footing at their home track on Friday in the TAB Raukawa Cup (2100m). “The reason that I have got them in work and racing at this time of year is the…
Oulaghan duo chasing jumping features
Star hurdler Berry The Cash (NZ) (Jakkalberry) will chase his first title at Hastings on Saturday, while stablemate West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) is out to defend his crown in the AHD – Animal Health Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m). A dual Grand National Steeplechase (5500m) and Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) winner, West Coast has led the charge for trainer Mark Oulaghan in recent seasons and returned in the same unstoppable fashion with a Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m) victory last month. The son of Mettre En Jeu has become accustomed to…
Consistency pays off for Mont Ventoux
Mont Ventoux on his way to winning at Te Aroha on Thursday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Capable flat performer Mont Ventoux scored a deserved maiden success over the fences in the Majestic Horse Floats Hurdles (3100m) at Te Aroha on Thursday. Mont Ventoux collected seven victories during his flat-racing career including three at open grade, and since transitioning into the jumps role he had been the perennial bridesmaid with seven placings from nine attempts. His consistent record for trainer Rudy Liefting placed the eight-year-old a seemingly-unbeatable favourite in Thursday’s…
Kozaczek scores first New Zealand win
Jay Kozaczek on his way to recording his first win in New Zealand aboard Sound Of Silence at Te Aroha on Thursday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Lofty British jumps jockey Jay Kozaczek made the perfect start to his riding venture in New Zealand at Te Aroha on Thursday when guiding Sound of Silence to victory in the Agrisea NZ Steeplechase (3500m) for Dave Blackie, who also celebrated his first training success. Kozaczek kept a cool head aboard Sound of Silence for the majority of the journey, sitting at the…
Tamworth Friday races free tips & quaddie | June 28, 2024
What Tamworth Races Where Tamworth Jockey Club – 28 Britten Rd, Taminda NSW 2340 When Friday, June 28, 2024 First Race 12pm AEST Visit Dabble Country racing heads to the New England region of NSW on Friday afternoon as Tamworth Jockey Club gets set to host a competitive eight-race program. The rail is in the true position the entire way around, and with minimal rain forecast in the lead-up, the current Soft 5 rating should hold for race-day. All the action is scheduled to kick off at 12pm local time.…
