By Michael Guerin Team Dunn losing their top chance out of the main race at Alexandra Park tonight doesn’t mean they can’t still win it. But trainer Robert Dunn says snaring the race they’ve sponsored, the Diamond Racing Stables Supporting NZHAT Mobile Pace, has become a lot more difficult and not just because they have had to scratch Triple G. The potential favourite has been taken out after developing a slight infection and his withdrawal and that of Fernleigh Cash and My Copy reduces the field to six starters over…
Month: August 2024
Black Mach gunning for three in a row at Addington tonight
By Michael Guerin Trainer Ken Barron admits he doesn’t know whether Black Mach is a victim or a villain but tonight’s $25,000 Garrards National Handicap at Addington could help clarify that. The big fella goes into what could loosely be termed the first steps on the road to the IRT New Zealand Cup, although whether any who contest tonight’s 2600m standing start end up in the great race is doubtful. But it is a solid field in a race that carries a great name and Black Mach goes into it…
Racing Victoria announces venue changes for August
Racing Victoria (RV) has announced that the meeting scheduled at Coleraine on Sunday, August 11 has been transferred to Casterton, and the meeting at Warrnambool on Thursday, August 15 has been transferred to bet365 Terang. The track at Coleraine was inspected this morning and it was concluded that the surface was not suitable to conduct a jumps meeting on Sunday. As such, it was determined the best course of action would be to transfer the seven-race card to Casterton, where the track is currently rated a Soft 6. As a…
Lisa Allpress sidelined after nasty Riccarton fall
Leading jockey Lisa Allpress. Photo: Nicole Troost Leading jockey Lisa Allpress will be on the sidelines for an indefinite period after suffering a broken vertebra following a fall at Riccarton Park on Wednesday. Her mount, Pretending, broke down after crossing the line, dislodging Allpress, with the fall resulting in her injury. She subsequently underwent surgery at Christchurch Hospital on Thursday morning and her husband, Karl Allpress, said she has come through it well. “She is in Christchurch Hospital, and she has just got out of surgery,” he said. “She broke…
Tony Pike dreaming big with dependable Rudyard
Trainer Tony Pike is looking forward to campaigning Rudyard this spring. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Rudyard made impressive progress last campaign and further improvement is expected from the dependable performer this time around. The Tony Pike-trained son of Charm Spirit made his way through the grades, placing in the inaugural $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) along the way, before bagging a pair of open handicaps at Ellerslie and Pukekohe. He finished third in a 900m open heat at Te Rapa on Tuesday ahead of loftier targets through…
Heart Of Gold runs away with Cambridge Synthetic $100,000 feature
Synthetic track specialist Heart Of Gold. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) The $100,000 TAB 2000 was tailor-made for a horse like Heart Of Gold, and the Sam Mynott-trained gelding simply dominated the feature at Cambridge Synthetic on Thursday. There are few horses around the country with a synthetic record like Heart Of Gold, with each of his six race victories coming at the Cambridge venue, initially for Darryn and Briar Weatherley before moving to Mynott’s stable over the summer period. Mynott earmarked the innovation race early in his current preparation…
Berkshire Breeze still on target for Archer Stakes tilt
Archer Stakes contender Berkshire Breeze. (Photo by Ross Holburt/Racing Photos) Despite suffering defeat at Flemington last weekend as an odds-on favourite, Berkshire Breeze will still proceed to the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) at the same track on September 14. The British import, who had won his previous three starts in impressive fashion, was beaten by two and a half lengths by Horrifying in last Saturday’s 2530-metre race. However, trainer Ciaron Maher confirmed that the Group 3 contest, which offers a ballot exemption to the Melbourne Cup for the winner,…
Waller hoping Manzoice can return to Group 1 winning form
Manzoice winning the 2022 Group 1 VRC Derby. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Trainer Chris Waller remains optimistic about Manzoice’s chances as the 2022 Victoria Derby winner prepares for his comeback in Saturday’s Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) at Randwick. “He will be the first of our spring runners,” Waller stated. “The stayers, you’ve got to get them up and going early. “They will go there (on Saturday) and then to another race in two or three weeks’ time, like a Wyong Cup, then you’re just about at the Metropolitan.” Manzoice,…
Prowess proves popular
Dual Group One winning mare Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) sold for $1,452,500 online on Thursday via Gavelhouse Plus after a protracted bidding war. The quality daughter of Proisir was trained by Roger James and Robert Wellwood for a family syndicate headed by Dean Skipper, and won eight of her 12 starts including five consecutive black-type victories as a three-year-old. Prowess was a $230,000 yearling purchase at Karaka in 2021 from the draft of breeders Hallmark Stud, and she turned that into more than $3 million when incorporating her $1,452,500 sale price…
Randwick free racing tips & quaddie | Saturday, August 10
What Missile Stakes Day 2024 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, August 10, 2024 First Race 11:30am AEST Visit Dabble The Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) headlines a bumper 10-race card at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit, and although the track was rated a Soft 6 at the time of acceptances, the sunny skies predicted in the lead-up should mean an upgrade into the Good range. The opening event is scheduled to get underway…