Day: 9 December 2024

Update on the stable audit review and welfare inspections

NZHarnessNews

The Racing Integrity Board (RIB) has completed its review of the animal welfare audit program. Following valuable feedback from industry stakeholders we are introducing a revised system of steward’s inspections. This change underscores our commitment to addressing industry concerns and establishes an inspection model that emphasises practicality, enhances collaboration, and ensures a balanced and effective approach to compliance monitoring. At the same time, it reinforces our legislative responsibility to uphold high standards of animal welfare. By transitioning from the formal audit program to this more streamlined and cooperative process, we…

AYDC gets underway Tuesday in New South Wales

NZHarnessNews

The Kiwi challenge to win the Australasian Young Drivers Championships (AYDC) starts at Menangle in Sydney tomorrow (Tuesday). Crystal Hackett (above), Sam Thornley (below) and Kerryn Tomlinson will compete against Australia’s top talent over nine heats, with the opening two heats both over a mile, at 5.12pm and 6.22pm. All three will debut brand new driving suits for the occasion.   For Hackett it’s her third AYDC while Thornley’s last appearance was in 2022 when he was leading for much of the championships, only to finish second. This will be…

Final Time for Cambridge Stud mare

NZRacingDesk

Quality mare About Time returned to the winner’s circle at Ellerslie on Saturday and her trainer Lance Noble is hoping to continue that trend on Thursday with a trio of runners. A four-year-old owned and bred by Brendan and Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud, About Time performed well in her three-year-old term, placing in the Listed Trevor and Corallie Memorial 3YO (1500m), before taking out the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m). After working through the distances this prep, she finally struck her favoured middle-distance trip in the Dunstan Horsefeeds…

Derby goal for Interplanetary

NZRacingDesk

Shaun and Emma Clotworthy will plot a path towards the $1.25 million Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) with their promising three-year-old Interplanetary, who put his staying prowess on display at Te Aroha on Sunday. A son of Time Test, Interplanetary finished fourth in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) as a juvenile and had been building into favourable distances this campaign, culminating in a narrow second behind Sweet But Psycho at the course on November 27. Returning to Te Aroha, the colt started a $2.20 favourite under Craig Grylls in…

Hamilton Tuesday racing preview & best bets | December 10, 2024

AAP

What Hamilton Races Where Hamilton Racing Club – Henty Hwy (Cavendish Rd), Hamilton VIC 3300 When Tuesday, December 10, 2024 First Race 1:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble A new week of racing in Victoria is set to get underway at Hamilton Racing Club on Tuesday afternoon, where a competitive eight-race meeting is scheduled. Clear skies in the leadup to the meeting and on raceday should mean that the Good 4 track rating at the time of acceptances should remain throughout the day. The rail remains in its true position, with action…

Nadal set for Supernova, likely to chase Oakleigh Plate glory

AAP

Nadal. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham on December 21 is next for Nadal, but connections are already setting their sights on Group 1 sprints in 2025. The Ciaron Maher-trained sprinter demolished his rivals in last month’s The Meteorite (1200m), and while he is set to target both of Southside Racing’s $1 million slot races, assistant trainer Jack Turnbull revealed that the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 22 has been chosen as the four-year-old gelding’s first major sprint target for 2025. “It’s…

Rustic Steel chasing Ingham riches

AAP

Rustic Steel. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Rustic Steel will return to what is arguably his favourite distance as he aims to give his trainer, Kris Lees, back-to-back victories in Saturday’s Group 2 The Ingham (1600m). The seven-year-old has won half of his six starts over a mile, and Lees expects him to relish the Randwick journey following a solid fifth behind Briasa in The Hunter (1300m) last month. That performance came just nine days after Rustic Steel claimed the Listed Ladies Day Cup (1500m) at Hawkesbury, with Lees admitting that the distance…

Awards Update

NZHarnessNews

The 2024 season Awards night will see an important change to the age group and major awards and a new award recognising Club Contribution. The awards, celebrating the best performers and performances of the 2024 season, will be held at Addington Raceway, on Saturday, February 8. Next year’s awards will feature some important changes, with Australian-trained horses being eligible for age group and major awards. They will be judged on their performances on this side of the Tasman only. The age group and major awards will be decided by a…

Funding boost for racing will help create jobs in the regions

NZHarnessNews

Harness Racing NZ has welcomed proposed changes that would give TAB NZ the exclusive rights for online racing and sports betting in New Zealand. Racing Minister Winston Peters said the Government will shortly introduce legislation to amend the Racing Industry Act 2020. “This is welcome news for everyone involved in the New Zealand harness racing industry,” says Harness Racing Chief Executive Brad Steele. The introduction of the so-called “legislative net” is aimed at stopping millions annually going to offshore racing and sports betting operators. “We are already seeing the fruits…

Sethito delivers on all levels for Chittick family

NZRacingDesk

Quality filly Sethito produced a timely and satisfying victory for Waikato Stud when she impressively bridged the gap to black type company at Ellerslie. Bred and raced by Garry Chittick, the three-year-old daughter of resident sire Super Seth added significant performance to her illustrious pedigree when she romped home in Saturday’s Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m). The addition of blinkers by trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott had the desired result outcome at her previous start at Taupo where she was a runaway maiden winner and the chestnut followed up in…