Month: June 2024

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…