OTI acquires Skippers Canyon ahead of Remutaka Classic

Australian syndicator OTI Racing have made a timely acquisition of Skippers Canyon (NZ) (Belardo), with the promising three-year-old set to potentially recoup a portion of their outlay in Saturday’s $350,000 Race With Te Akau Remutaka Classic (2100m) at Trentham. Bred by Ardsley Stud, the Belardo gelding has shown plenty of promise for trainer Jim Wallace, placing on four occasions before breaking through for his maiden victory over 2100m at Otaki earlier this month. Terry Henderson’s OTI Racing came calling over the weekend, and a deal was struck this week, with…

Ritchie Chases Another Cup with Nereus

Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray will be out to complete their trio of New Zealand feature two-mile successes at Trentham on Saturday when Nereus (NZ) (Savabeel) takes on the Gr.3 NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport Wellington Cup (3200m). The Cambridge training partnership won both the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) last season with Mahrajaan, and while he was the headliner for the stable, waiting in the wings was emerging stayer Nereus, who took out the Gr.3 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) later in the autumn.…

El Vencedor Thrives Ahead of Group One Challenge

Top-flight winner El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) is in a happy place as he prepares to double his tally at the elite level. Last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) victor enjoyed a spin around Matamata on Tuesday, romping home by six lengths in the hands of Rory Hutchings in a 1200m open trial. “He had a lovely day out, he galloped beautifully and pulled up great,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “He’ll be at Ellerslie on February 1 for an open 1500m and then on to the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr.1,…

Kembla Grange free betting preview & quaddie tips | January 16

What Kembla Grange Races Where Kembla Grange Racecourse – Princes Highway, Kembla Grange NSW 2526 When Thursday, January 16, 2025 First Race 1:10pm AEDT Visit Dabble Provincial racing returns to Kembla Grange Racecourse on Thursday afternoon, with a competitive eight-part program set for decision in the Illawarra region. The surface is rated a Soft 7 at the time of acceptances, and with more rainfall forecast in the lead-up, punters can expect that rating to worsen the closer we get to start time. The rail is in the true position, with…

Widden Stakes

Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Widden Stakes Group Three Betting Guide Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025 Location: Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – Sydney, New South Wales Prize Money: $250,000 Distance: 1100m The Widden Stakes, a Group 3 race for two-year-old fillies, is a highlight of the Australian Turf Club’s calendar, run over 1100m at Rosehill Gardens. Conducted under Set Weights and Penalties conditions, the Widden Stakes boasts a $250,000 prize pool as of 2025. First held in 1943 and won by Birthright, the Widden Stakes has evolved over time. While…

Magic Millions 2025 racing preview & tips | Friday, January 17

What 2025 Magic Millions Where Gold Coast Turf Club – Racecourse Drive, Bundall QLD 4217 When Friday, January 17, 2025 First Race 5:30pm AEST Visit Dabble The Gold Coast Turf Club will host the remaining seven races of its 2025 Magic Millions meeting this Friday night, following the postponement of last Saturday’s program. The Magic Millions 2YO Classic and 3YO Guineas will headline the rescheduled meeting, with a massive $12.5 million worth of prize money on offer. The track has already improved to a Soft 6 rating on Wednesday; however,…

Biggles swoops late in Ashburton Victory

By Mike Love Biggles brought up career win number two by winning the Phillips Family Handicap Pace over 2400m at Ashburton on Tuesday. Geraldine trainer John Murdoch was not surprised by the seven year old Tintin In America gelding’s effort. “We expected him to go good. But the ten metre handicap was the only worry,” said Murdoch. Driven by Ricky May, Biggles made a clean beginning from the ten metre handicap, racing handy early. Biggles and May were held up for the majority of the run up the straight before…

El Vencedor in fine order ahead of latest Group 1 assignment

El Vencedor is on target for next month’s Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) following his pleasing trial victory at Matamata on Tuesday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Top-flight winner El Vencedor is in a happy place as he prepares to double his tally at the elite level. Last season’s Group 1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) victor enjoyed a spin around Matamata on Tuesday, romping home by six lengths in the hands of Rory Hutchings in a 1200m open trial. “He had a lovely day out, he galloped beautifully and…

Via Sistina leads Waller’s hand at Warwick Farm trials

Via Sistina. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Via Sistina is the star attraction for Chris Waller’s stable at Thursday’s barrier trials, with the champion trainer set to showcase seven elite-level contenders at Warwick Farm. The seven-year-old mare, who last raced when claiming the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 9, will trial in the second heat of the morning over 900 metres against five stablemates. Waller is preparing Via Sistina for a shot at a seventh Group 1 win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick…

McDonald chasing sprinting success with Angel Capital

Angel Capital. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Clinton McDonald has set his sights on lucrative sprint races for Angel Capital during the colt’s three-year-old autumn campaign. Last seen finishing sixth in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October, Angel Capital returned to action with a jump-out at Cranbourne on Monday, where he finished midfield. A second jump-out is scheduled for January 27, after which McDonald will decide on his first-up target, with the Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on February 8 being the likely option. “We’re thinking of keeping…