Day: 9 January 2025

Bargain buy Kawhi delivers again

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  Five-year-old trotter Kawhi has only been with the Keasts for a few weeks, and already he’s turning into a good buy. The Andover Hall gelding secured his second win in his last four starts, at Timaru yesterday. Purchased by Darren Keast Limited from auction site Gavelhouse in November for $8501 he has already covered his purchase price, with stakes earnings of around $10,000. “He’s a lovely horse and beautifully natured,” says Ashleigh Keast, “I think we are going to have a bit of…

The big 30 for Under Cover Lover

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  On the North Canterbury property that she bankrolled former star filly Under Cover Lover turned 30 earlier this week. “She’s in terrific order,” says Graham Pearson, “there was a time 10 years ago when she didn’t winter very well but ever since then she’s looked great.” Pearson and Jeremy Tulley bred and raced the multiple Group 1 winner who raced in Australasia and the United States, with 21 wins in 70 starts in the late 1990s – early 2000s. “She always wanted to…

Puntura Aims to Defend Thorndon Mile Title

NZRacingDesk

Puntura (NZ) (Vespa) will get his chance to defend his crown in Saturday’s Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham, something he wasn’t assured of just a month ago.  The son of Vespa had been out of form since his breakthrough elite-level victory last year, and retirement was looming for the seven-year-old, but he was given one last chance to prove himself in last month’s Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham, and he duly delivered.  He pleased when finished fourth in the feature mile, and he continued his form revival…

Orchestral Set for Another Auckland Summer

NZRacingDesk

A series of outstanding performances at Ellerslie last summer underpinned an award-winning three-year-old season for Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel), and trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood hope Sunday’s Auckland Co-Op Taxis (1400m) will set her up for more of the same in 2025. The top-class daughter of Savabeel scored a stunning Ellerslie treble in last year’s $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). She powered home from the back half of the field to win each of those features with ease, racking…

Gypsy Eyes Karaka Million Glory

NZRacingDesk

Promising juvenile Tale Of The Gypsy (NZ) (Written By) will head to Ellerslie on Sunday for the first time with an aim to return to the venue later this month for a shot at a million-dollar prize. The Written By filly entered her debut last Saturday at Te Aroha with no trials, but for a lack of experience she made up in raw talent, overcoming the outside barrier draw and a three-wide trip to score comfortably over her stablemate Miss Moet All. Tale Of The Gypsy earned $10,360 in prizemoney…

Puntura looking to defend Group 1 Thorndon Mile crown

AAP

Puntura winning the 2024 Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Puntura will get his chance to defend his crown in Saturday’s Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham, something he wasn’t assured of just a month ago. The son of Vespa had been out of form since his breakthrough elite-level victory last year, and retirement was looming for the seven-year-old, but he was given one last chance to prove himself in last month’s Group 1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham, and he…

Ascot racing preview, best bets & quaddie | Saturday, January 11

AAP

What Ascot races Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, January 11, 2025 First Race 12:26pm AWST Visit Dabble The Listed Miss Andretti Stakes will headline the nine-race card at Ascot this Saturday afternoon. With perfect weather forecast in the lead-up and during the meeting, the track is expected to stay in the Good 4 rating that was posted at acceptances. The rail will move back into its true position for the entire circuit, with racing set to kick off at 12:26pm AWST. Miss Andretti…

Darwin Saturday racing tips & quaddie | January 11, 2025

AAP

What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Saturday, January 11, 2025 First Race 2:37pm ACST Visit Dabble There might be only 34 horses on deck, but it won’t be an easy day for punters when the Darwin Turf Club hosts its five-race program on Saturday afternoon. Heat 7 of the Wet Season Series takes place before the $40,000 Final on Australia Day, and there’s Heat 2 of the Summer Sprint Series. Over 130mm of rain has fallen in the Top End…

Magic Millions Day 2025 race-by-race preview | Saturday 11/1/25

AAP

What 2025 Magic Millions Raceday Where Gold Coast Turf Club – Racecourse Drive, Bundall QLD 4217 When Saturday, January 11, 2025 First Race 12:30pm AEST Visit Dabble The 2025 Magic Millions Raceday at the Gold Coast Turf Club will feature a 10-race card this Saturday afternoon. The track was rated as a Soft 5 at the time of acceptances, and with rain forecast on each of the days leading up to the meeting, the track will remain in the Soft range. The rail will be in its true position for…

Flemington Saturday races free tips & quaddie | January 11, 2025

AAP

What Flemington Races Where Flemington Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria When Saturday, January 11, 2025 First Race 12:20pm AEDT Visit Dabble Group racing returns to Flemington on Saturday afternoon, where the Group 3 Standish Handicap (1200m) headlines a competitive 10-race meeting. A summer scorcher is forecast for Melbourne on Saturday, with a top of 33 degrees forecast, and with similar conditions in the lead up to the meeting, the Good 4 track rating will likely see an upgrade to a Good 3 at some point. The rail will be out 4m…