An impressive come-from-behind win in the New World Otaki Handicap (1600m) on Boxing Day was the first New Zealand appearance in almost five years for Sword In Stone, a multiple Group One placegetter in Hong Kong who clearly has plenty more to offer back in his homeland. The son of Redwood began his career in Cambridge with Lauren Brennan, for whom he was a winner and a Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) placegetter from three starts between December 2018 and February 2019. He was later sold to Hong Kong, where he…
Month: December 2024
Remala rockets into Karaka Millions favouritism
Cambridge Stud received the perfect late Christmas present at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, with their young shuttle sire Hello Youmzain siring his first Kiwi winner in the new $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) equal-favourite Remala. Remala was purchased by stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay at the 2024 Karaka Yearling Sales for $180,000 and had made a tidy impression at the trials, winning on two occasions prior to her debut in a competitive Horizon By SkyCity 1100. Te Akau Racing juvenile Belle Du Monde was backed strongly ($2.10) at…
Indicative 2YO Racing programme released
A draft schedule for the two-year-old season for the first half of 2025 has been released. It is for January to July and at this stage is indicative only – the dates, stakes and race conditions are yet to be approved, and may be subject to change. To see the schedule click here
Swayzee dominant in record-breaking race day return
By Adam Hamilton Mighty stayer Swayzee made quite a statement at his first run since last month’s successful New Zealand Trotting Cup defence at Addington when he toyed with his rivals at Bathurst last night (Thursday). The gelding, who turns seven in a few days, obliterated the 2790m Bathurst track record on his way to a 17.4m win in a 1min54.9sec mile rate, taking a full second off Alta Orlando’s 2019 record. It was Swayzee’s first run since he defied a frantic racing and travel schedule to win his second…
Pinseeker big chance to take out today’s Gore Cup
By Jonny Turner A rather drastic change of scenery could be just what Pinseeker needs in today’s Mataura Licensing Trust Gore Cup. The talented Canterbury pacer ($2.80FF) has stayed in the south following his fifth in the Group 1 Invercargill Cup and he now has Gore’s very popular Christmas meeting on Friday in his sights. After competing at the highest level against some of New Zealand’s best pacers in his last two starts, the move to a workable handicap in a Country Cups race looks perfect for the pacer trained…
“Unreal” day at Westport creates history for Sam Ottley
By Mike Love A “lot of luck” helped Samantha Ottley to her own slice of harness racing history at Westport yesterday. She became the first female driver to rein 100 hundred winners in a single 12 month season when Masterly capped off a huge five win day at Patterson Park. Ottley only picked up the drive on Masterly when regular driver Bob Butt was unwell and unable to attend the meeting. “On the way over I was looking at the fields and saw my name down on this fella. So…
Today’s horse racing tips & free betting previews | December 27
There are seven horse racing meetings set for Australia on Friday, December 27. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Mornington. Friday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – December 27, 2024 Mornington 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 taking place on December 27, 2024 check out our…
Tavi Time snares Summer Cup
Talented five-year-old Tavi Time edged out Osipenko in a thrilling finish to the Gr.3 Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick on Boxing Day. The Kris Lees-trained son of Tavistock was ridden by Jay Ford and carried a somewhat luxury weight of 53kgs after lumping big weights in handicaps at his past two outings, having previously run well when fourth in the A$3 million Big Dance (1600m). Coming from midfield, Tavi Time had to wait to clear rivals heels and wore down fellow Kiwi bred Osipenko, who cruised up behind the leader…
Yaldi Triumphs in Thrilling Auckland Guineas
In a blockbuster edition of the Gr.2 Shaw’s Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas (1400m), outsider Midnight Edition and favoured runner Yaldi (NZ) (Ardrossan) went to the line as one, with the latter securing the Boxing Day feature in a protest. Yaldi had been an impressive juvenile, winning on debut before placing at stakes level in Australia. The imposing galloper had done little racing in his three-year-old season, making his first appearance since August when finishing a narrow second to Risque Ruler at Te Rapa earlier this month. Promising Te Akau filly…
Snazzytavi Claims Zabeel Classic Glory for Cambridge Stud
This year’s phenomenal rise of Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock) was fittingly capped off in the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Boxing Day, but another star mare didn’t let her away with an easy victory in the Ellerslie feature. Snazzytavi, owned by race sponsors Brendan and Jo Lindsay, has been carefully handled by trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, having just her 15th start on Thursday. The mare’s eight victories to date included the Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m), Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) and Gr.2 Cal Izuzu Stakes (1600m), the latter a…