The New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) Board has today confirmed their support for the continuation of Jumps racing as part of the racing programme. This decision follows a process announced in September that included the appointment of a Jumps Racing Review Panel. The panel resolved to recommend that Jumps racing in New Zealand should continue, but that continuation will need to be supported by several initiatives to ensure the success of the industry, both in the short and long term. “The panel have taken a comprehensive review of Jumps racing…
Month: November 2024
TAB fillies making debut at Ellerslie
The newly-established TAB Racing Club will have their first juvenile runners to the races at Ellerslie on Saturday, including Dorothea (NZ) (Proisir) for trainer Pam Gerard. A filly by Proisir, Dorothea was selected by the Ballymore Stables contingent and purchased for $150,000 out of Highline Thoroughbreds’ draft at the Karaka Yearling Sales in January. Her most recent of two trial appearances was a creditable fourth behind Return To Conquer, the highly-impressive winner of last Saturday’s Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m). Matamata-based Gerard was rapt to be offered the opportunity to…
Ellerslie aims for Wolfgang
Trainers Peter and Shaun McKay are pressing on with their Group Three performer Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini) following his disappointing showing in last Saturday’s Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) at Pukekohe. The six-year-old son of Puccini was backed into $3.60 favouritism for the feature following a pleasing Australian campaign and a runner-up effort in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) on his New Zealand return. However, he failed to fire and finished 10th in the 14-horse field, with his trainers putting his subpar performance down to his dislike for the track, despite its Good4…
Doomben Wednesday free racing tips & quaddie | November 27
What Doomben Races Where Doomben Racecourse – 75 Hampden St, Ascot QLD 4007 When Wednesday, November 27, 2024 First Race 12:08pm AEST Visit Dabble Following the postponement of this meeting last Saturday, Doomben will host the rescheduled 10-race program on Wednesday afternoon. The track was rated as a Soft 7 at the time of acceptances, but with little to no rain forecast in the lead-up, it is expected that the track will firm up slightly before raceday. The rail will be in its true position, with racing set to kick…
Wolfgang to chase Ellerslie feature success
Group Three performer Wolfgang is being aimed at Ellerslie features over the Christmas period. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Trainers Peter and Shaun McKay are pressing on with their Group Three performer Wolfgang following his disappointing showing in last Saturday’s Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m) at Pukekohe. The six-year-old son of Puccini was backed into $3.60 favouritism with horse racing bookmakers for the feature following a pleasing Australian campaign and a runner-up effort in the Group 3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) on his New Zealand return. However, he failed to fire…
Great battles looming at Addington on Friday
By Michael Guerin If you like a multi bet Addington’s stacked feature race programme this Friday could be the night for you. The meeting features six Group 1s, including both the NZ Pacing and Trotting Oaks as well as four “Ace” races for the two-year-old trotters and pacers, split on sex. Along with the Ian Dobson Memorial for three-year-old pacing boys it is one of the biggest nights of age group racing of the season with a mini-Jewels feel to it. But after some standout results at the Cup carnival…
Guerin Report – Ep. 13, Ft. Butch Castles
This week, fresh off Waikato Thoroughbred Racing members voting to start the search for the land for a Greenfield project, WTR boss Andrew “Butch” Castles joins Michael for an in-depth discussion. And what now for Savaglee ahead of the NZB Kiwi and Karaka Millions? Guerin Report – Ep. 13, Ft. Butch Castles on the Greenfield Project
Trainers chasing Group success from new base
Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie will bid to continue their hot run of form since moving their operation to a new property with another trip to the Central Districts this week. The Waikato couple have their eyes on a black-type goal for their promising filly Island Life (NZ) (Vadamos) at Otaki on Thursday with the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes (1600m) viewed as an ideal opportunity for the daughter of Vadamos. The Pencarrow Stud trainers have recently shifted base and with it has come a flurry of success. “We moved…
Skippers Canyon on song for Wellington Stakes
Opaki trainer Jim Wallace was set to have a two-pronged attack in Thursday’s Gr.3 Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki, but his representation is now down to just one. He had intended on lining up both Liberty Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) and Skippers Canyon (NZ) (Belardo) in the age group feature, however, the former is under offer following his last start win and will likely continue his racing career across the Tasman. “Liberty Park is under offer, so we are just completing the formalities with him. He is going…
Arapaho out to break winless drought in Zipping Classic
Arapaho. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Bjorn Baker-trained Arapaho is set to chase his first victory since last year’s Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) when he lines up in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The seven-year-old gelding has been working towards this 2400-metre target, which marks his fourth start this preparation. Last time out, he finished a commendable fifth in the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m). “He was huge last start,” said Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton. “He drew awkwardly and had to go back…