Simons collects special victory in Amateur Final

Marieke Simons had an afternoon to remember at Woodville on Sunday, riding her first winner as an amateur aboard a horse she trains and co-owns in Ride The Tide (NZ) (Darci Brahma). The Awapuni horsewoman had competed on 11 previous occasions in amateur races dating back to the 2013/14 season, and after five years away from race-day riding, she made her return in this season’s Flair Amateurs Series Final (2200m). The country’s top amateur jockey Scotty Macnab had his sixth series title all parcelled up prior to the Final, while…

Forsman hunts for Caulfield Cup rider

Andrew Forsman has suggested Gr.3 MRC Foundation Cup winner Positivity (NZ) (Almanzor) will take her chance in the Caulfield Cup, but he is still on the hunt for a jockey to ride at 50 kilograms. Forsman had initially been reluctant to throw his SA Fillies Classic winner in the deep end this spring prior to her win last weekend in a driving finish over Future History. “We are very tempted,” Forsman said of the Caulfield Cup. “I suppose when you have 50 kilos in a $5 million race you have…

Rubylot leads charge of Four-Year-Old Classic Series contenders

Rubylot surges to his fourth win. David Hayes will aim Rubylot at the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) in January after the talented gelding claimed the Class 3 Yan Chai Trophy Handicap (1200m) with a devastating sprint at Sha Tin on Saturday. Ridden by Brenton Avdulla in place of Hugh Bowman, who was indisposed, Rubylot posted his fourth win from 13 starts and is, according to Hayes, the most improved horse in the dual Hong Kong champion trainer’s stable. Sixth on the home turn, Rubylot (132lb) accelerated brilliantly…

Four drives and some good chances for Kimberly Butt at Timaru today

By Mike Love Carrera Bravo headlines Kimberly Butt’s four drives at Phar Lap Raceway in Timaru today. But there is a word of warning. Carrera Bravo ($3.20FF) is in Race 2, the Happy Birthday Marion Begg Mobile Pace for Butt and her Ashburton-based employers Brent and Tim White. “He should be a pretty good chance again. He should be running on at the end.” The three-year-old Downbytheseaside gelding has placed twice from as many starts, with the start crucial to his chances. “He’s got a few tricks up his sleeve,…

Today’s free horse racing tips & best bets | Sunday, September 29

There are eight horse racing meetings set for Australia on Sunday, September 29. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Dubbo, Mornington & Alice Springs. Sunday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – September 29, 2024 Dubbo Racing Tips Mornington Racing Tips Alice Springs Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the…

Horse Racing History: This Day In Racing 2nd January

Today 2nd January in horse racing news history From the extensive Horse Betting news archives we present the all the thoroughbred racing action in Australian and overseas racing news in history. Delve in and enjoy our walk back in horse racing time. New Zealand horse racing news 9 months ago Skyman pleases in New Zealand return Well-performed former Sydney galloper Skyman pleased his connections when stepping out for his first New Zealand outing at Tauranga on … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 9 months ago Grande Gallo impresses…

Slippery track forces Hastings abandonment

Matamata is set to host the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) for the second time in three years after a slippery track forced the abandonment of Saturday’s blockbuster race meeting at Hastings. The second day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival had promised so much, with quality fields set to compete under blue skies. But a short burst of rain late on Friday afternoon created a slippery layer on the surface of the track, which was rated Good4 on Friday and Soft5 on Saturday morning. The effects of that moisture…

Desert Lightning strikes at Sandown

Elite New Zealand racehorse Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) has made a perfect start to the next chapter of his career, capturing Saturday’s Gr.3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) in his second start for new trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman. Desert Lightning was a five-race winner and million-dollar earner in New Zealand for the now-retired training team of Peter and Dawn Williams. He finished fourth in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) as a two-year-old and second in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at three, then went to a…