Mapperley Stud principal Simms Davison is heading towards New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales on a winning note after breeding last Saturday’s Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) victor Wolfgang. A son of Puccini, who stood at the Matamata nursery, Wolfgang was bred on the farm and offered for sale at Karaka in 2020. After failing to meet his $50,000 reserve, Davison was happy to race the gelding in his own right, alongside underbidder Peter McKay, who now trains in partnership with his son Shaun. Wolfgang showed plenty of early promise, narrowly…
Day: 20 January 2025
He Who Dares wins comfortably on debut
He Who Dares was one of the most sought-after lots in last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales, and nearly 12 months later, he delivered on that promise on debut at Wanganui on Monday. The regally-bred colt is a son of champion sire Snitzel, out of classy race-mare Rondinella, a Group One performer in both New Zealand and Australia. Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis went to $825,000 to secure He Who Dares out of Haunui Farm’s draft, with three trials utilised to prepare the colt for his first…
Hallmark eyeing another dream result at Karaka
A Proisir filly out of Donna Marie put Hallmark Stud’s name up in lights at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales last year, and in a week’s time, Mark Baker is hoping for a similar result in the Karaka auditorium with Lot 564. Baker’s thoroughbred nursery topped the 2024 sale with the full-sister to multiple Group One winner Prowess, who was sold to Peter Moody Racing for a staggering $1.6 million. Reflecting on that day, Baker still struggles to come to terms with such a phenomenal result. “It’s hard to…
The Oaks strikes with exciting 3YO prospects
A pair of emerging fillies credited The Oaks Stud with a winning double at Pukekohe on Sunday with both homebreds promising to carry the Cambridge nursery’s colours to higher honours. Niagara’s daughter Alaskan added momentum to her Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) with victory in the NZB Karaka 2025 (2100m) at her third appearance. A race later, Cypher went one better in the Trackside.co.nz (1300m) after finishing runner-up on debut at Taupo in late December. “It was a good day with a couple of progressive fillies,…
Newcastle free racing preview & quaddie tips | January 21, 2025
What Newcastle Races Where Newcastle Racecourse – 100 Darling St, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 When Tuesday, January 21, 2025 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Newcastle Racecourse is the destination for NSW racing on Tuesday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race program lined up in the hunter region. The track is rated a Heavy 8 at the time of acceptances, however, with some drying conditions forecast leading into race-day, punters can expect an upgrade into the Soft range. The rail is out +3m the entire circuit, with the opening event scheduled to…
Hamilton meeting transferred, deemed ‘not suitable for racing’
Hamilton Racecourse. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Racing Victoria (RV) wishes to advise that the meeting scheduled at bet365 Hamilton on Tuesday, January 28 has been transferred to Horsham. Hamilton was inspected yesterday, with a determination made that the track would not be suitable to race in eight days’ time and would benefit from a break from racing. The track will undergo maintenance over the coming months and is expected to return to racing for its next scheduled meeting on Sunday, April 6. As such, the track will also be…
Mr Brightside a chance to chase Hong Kong Group 1 success
Mr Brightside. (Photo by Jay Town/Racing Photos) Ben Hayes has confirmed that the Group 1 Hong Kong Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on April 27 is on the agenda for his stable star Mr Brightside. The gelding had his first public hit-out in an 800-metre trial at Werribee on Friday and will begin his preparation in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) on February 8 before progressing to the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m), all races he has previously won. “So he’s…
Southport Tycoon to return in Group 2 Australia Stakes
Southport Tycoon ridden by Mark Zahra winning the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley. (Photo by George Salpigtidis/Racing Photos) Dual Group 1 winner Southport Tycoon will return to the scene of his Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) victory when he contests Friday night’s Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old finished second in last year’s edition of the Group 2, and assistant trainer Jack Turnbull believes Southport Tycoon is ready to go one better. “He’s proven at The Valley fresh; he’s in good form and 1200…
Benedetta set for Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning return
2024 Goodwood winner Benedetta. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Benedetta will begin her preparation for the season in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 15. The five-year-old daughter of Hellbent, who has won eight of her 16 career starts, secured her first elite-level win in last year’s Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) and has more top-level goals this campaign. With less than a month until the Lightning, Benedetta will trial in the coming weeks as trainer Jason Warren intensifies her preparation. “We’re really looking forward…
Knight’s Choice set to chase further Flemington Group 1 glory
Knight’s Choice. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Knight’s Choice could make his first two appearances in 2025 in the Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) on March 8, followed by the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) on March 29. However, the John Symons and Shelia Laxon-trained five-year-old will need to be granted a wildcard entry into the All-Star Mile by the Racing Victoria and Victoria Racing Club racing panel to compete. “Those races, the All-Star Mile and the Australian Cup, are both suitable stepping stones…