Karaka Graduate Captures Penang Gold Cup

Sunday’s RM300,000 Penang Gold Cup (2000m) was won in powerful come-from-behind style by Lucky Magic (NZ) (Mendelssohn), who was bought from the Karaka sale ring and also has a half-sister catalogued for Karaka 2025. Lucky Magic was offered by Prima Park in Book 1 of Karaka 2022 and was bought for $35,000. He later returned to Karaka as a member of the Prima Park draft for the Ready to Run Sale, where the HY Cheng Racing Stable secured him for $75,000. He has now had eight starts for four wins, two placings and more than RM200,000…

Lanikai rewards patience with Taupo win

It may have taken a little longer than desired, but enigmatic galloper Lanikai finally broke through for his maiden victory at Taupo in the Mort Weber – Good Sorts in Racing (1800m) on Monday. The four-year-old son of Ocean Park had shown plenty of promise for trainer Tony Pike, placing in five of his previous 14 starts, but was testing the patience of his group of owners, which includes leading thoroughbred nurseries Haunui Farm and Waikato Stud. However, Pike reassured the group of his ability, and they were rewarded for…

Wyong races free betting tips & quaddie | Tuesday, 31/12/24

What Wyong Races Where Wyong Race Club & Function Centre – 71-73 Howarth St, Wyong NSW 2259 When Tuesday, December 31, 2024 First Race 1:10pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Group 3 Belle Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) headlines the action at Wyong on Tuesday afternoon, with a competitive seven-part program set down for decision. The rail moves out +3m the entire circuit for the meeting, and with light rainfall forecast in the lead-up, punters can expect a Soft 5 surface for race-day. The opening event is scheduled to get underway…

Ascot’s Perth Cup moves to twilight slot due to extreme heat

Spectators take in the day of racing at Ascot for Perth Cup Day. Photo: Western Racepix The Perth Cup, an iconic New Year’s Day event, will now be held as a twilight fixture at Ascot Racecourse due to extreme heat forecasts. The race programme has been reduced from nine to seven races, with the first race now set for 3:37 pm local time. Racing WA Chief Racing Officer David Hunter emphasised the organisation’s commitment to safety, stating, “Our policies are designed to protect the welfare of racing animals and participants,…

Zac Purton reaches 1,800-win milestone with Sha Tin treble

Zac Purton celebrates after victory on Tourbillon Prince. Photo: HKJC Zac Purton became only the second jockey to ride 1,800 winners in Hong Kong with a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday as the Australian moved to within 13 wins of Douglas Whyte’s all-time record of 1,813 wins. Completing a superb week, Purton combined with John Size to win on Endeared and on Masterofmyuniverse before closing out the final meeting of the year with victory on Benno Yung’s Tourbillon Prince. With nine wins from his past 18 rides, the seven-time…

Vestas primed for Magic Millions Sunlight tilt

Vestas. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Trainer Clinton McDonald is optimistic that Vestas can deliver another major victory for his stable when she lines up in the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight (1100m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday. The daughter of Toronado announced herself with an impressive debut win at Cranbourne in October before finishing a strong second in the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on November 7. Vestas recently sharpened up with a trial at the Gold Coast, leaving McDonald confident in her chances. “She…

Gallo Nero eyes Magic Millions after impressive Randwick win

Gallo Nero. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Gallo Nero is set to target the prestigious Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 11 following an impressive maiden victory at Randwick on Saturday. Ridden by Tyler Schiller, the Team Hawkes-trained colt displayed his potential, defeating Apocalyptic by half a length, with Memo finishing a further 1.1 lengths back in third place. Co-trainer Michael Hawkes confirmed the $3 million Gold Coast feature has always been the goal for the talented juvenile, provided he pulls up well after Saturday’s success. “That was…

The thrills keep coming for Sam Ottley

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  The highlights just keep coming for Sam Ottley. 2024 has finished with a roar for the history-making driver. She has had 14 wins in six days either side of Christmas and along the way became the first New Zealand woman to drive 100 winners in a 12 month season. And it gets even better – yesterday she won in front of a huge crowd at Motukarara with Justa Terra, a Terror To Love four-year-old trained by her mother Denise. “The last few days…

What a 2024 it’s been for Greg Sugars

  By Michael Guerin In a harness racing season full of surprises what Greg Sugars has achieved might just be the greatest. The harness season ends tomorrow night with the $250,000 Trillian Trust Auckland Cup meeting, with Sugars trying to win the Cup for the second time in seven months with Better Eclipse. He originally came to New Zealand to drive champion trotter Just Believe, trained by his wife Jess, in the $600,000 TAB Trot in April. They won. Sugars decided to stick around for the Alexandra Park carnival in…

Clonakilty looking to upset Pete’s party in Reefton Cup

By Mike Love  Piccadilly Pete ($2.25FF) is in a great run of form going into today’s Rosco Contractors Reefton Pacers Cup over 2500m.  After winning the Westport cup and backing up on day two of that meeting with another empathic victory there is no reason to doubt he will be hard to beat once again.  One horse that may spoil the party is a newcomer to the circuit in Clonakilty.  The Brent and Tim White trained runner has opened a close second favourite at $2.90FF although co-trainer Tim White suggests…