New Zealand-bred gelding Sounds Unusual hinted at a bright future over staying distances with a maiden victory in the A$100,000 Ranvet Plate (1900m) at Canterbury on New Year’s Day. The four-year-old began his career only a month ago, finishing strongly from last to run second over 1500m at Newcastle on December 1. He produced another late run for third over 1900m at Canterbury on December 13, earning $1.45 favouritism for his third career start on Wednesday. Sounds Unusual was ridden patiently by Nash Rawiller, who took up a midfield position…
Month: January 2025
Zambezi Khan too strong at Flemington
A return to stakes company is looming on the horizon for proven black-type performer Zambezi Khan, who struck winning form early in her four-year-old preparation in the A$65,000 Australian Trainers’ Association Plate (1700m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day. It was the fourth win of a 17-start career for the New Zealand-bred mare, who has placed on another five occasions including last season’s Gr.3 SA Fillies’ Classic (2500m) at Morphettville. Trainers Patrick and Michelle Payne kicked off Zambezi Khan’s season with a fifth over 1350m at Donald on November 17,…
Riviera Rebel Claims Victory in Tapanui Cup
Lightly raced four-year-old Riviera Rebel (NZ) (Pure Champion) showed his undoubted affinity for his home track when he made it three wins from just four starts there in taking out the feature event at Riverton, the Dynes Transport Tapanui Cup (1200m), on New Year’s Day. Stakes placed in his three-year-old campaign when third in the Listed Southland Guineas (1600m), the Graham Eade and Brooke Kincaid-prepared son of Pure Champion hadn’t been seen since finishing runner-up over 2000m at Gore back in October. Despite the two-month break, Riviera Rebel stripped a…
Michael Grantham’s Antique Miss wins La Trice Classic at Ascot
Antique Miss & Chris Parnham partner to win the Group 3 La Trice Classic at Ascot, January 1. Photo: Western Racepix In a slow-paced Group 3 La Trice Classic at Ascot, Antique Miss delivered a gritty victory for trainer Michael Grantham. The five-year-old mare by Domesday successfully fended off formidable challenges from Miss Skyhigh and Rusty Dreams, crossing the finish line in 1:53.16. The race started slowly, lacking a clear leader until the $3.70 Unibet-priced Antique Miss took charge under Parnham’s calm guidance. The pace remained pedestrian until the 600-metre…
Hemlock Stone shocks in $81 Perth Cup triumph for Belhus Racing
Hemlock Stone claims the 2025 Perth Cup for trainers Grant and Alana Williams. Photo: Western Racepix At an extraordinary $81 Neds starting price, Hemlock Stone delivered a stunning upset to claim the Group 2 Perth Cup at Ascot, securing an emotional victory for trainers Grant and Alana Williams and jockey Patrick Carbery. The five-year-old gelding surged from the back of the field in the final stages to edge out Diamond Scene and Be Optimistic in a thrilling finish. Positioned towards the rear early, Hemlock Stone found his rhythm under a…
Oxbridge delivers career-best to win Summer Scorcher for Sheehy
Albury trainer Stephen Sheehy wins the 2025 Listed Summer Scorcher with Oxbridge at Ascot on January 1. Photo: Western Racepix In a fairytale outcome for Albany trainer Stephen Sheehy, Oxbridge produced a career-best performance to claim the Listed Summer Scorcher at Ascot on New Year’s Day. Starting at $16 with Picklebet, the eight-year-old gelding surged past the hot favourite Bopping Blue to secure his 13th career win and Sheehy’s first metropolitan and Group-rated victory. Jockey Holly Watson delivered a tactically brilliant ride, positioning Oxbridge just behind the leaders in the…
New Year’s Eve sees 2024 out on a high
Harness Racing New Zealand is delighted that 2024 has finished with a flourish, with Auckland’s New Year’s Eve meeting a success both in terms of crowd numbers and turnover. The Auckland Trotting Club’s twilight meeting was popular with racegoers and turnover was up markedly on last year with latest figures showing the 10-race programme amassing $1.4m, compared to $823K in 2023, and $1m for 10 races in 2023. The increase is in line with a 20 per cent increase in harness racing turnovers across the board this year, compared to…
Iowna Merc’s brilliant finish seals Canterbury Sprint victory
Iowna Merc winnings at Royal Randwick on December 21, 2024 for trainer Bjorn Baker. Photo: Bradley Photos Iowna Merc delivered a dazzling performance to claim the 2025 Canterbury Sprint, securing back-to-back wins and showcasing his sharp turn of foot in the $200,000 Listed event. Starting at $8.90 with the top online bookmakers, the Bjorn Baker-trained gelding stormed home in a tightly contested finish under jockey Ashley Morgan, defeating Pereille by 0.31 lengths, with Brudenell finishing a further 0.59 lengths back in third. The five-year-old, jumping from barrier six, settled mid-pack…
Grand Piero outshines rivals to win 2025 Bagot Handicap
Grand Pierro after winning the Bagot Handicap at Flemington Racecourse on January 01, 2025 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Grand Piero delivered a determined performance to win the 141st edition of the Listed Bagot Handicap at Flemington, surging to victory under jockey Zac Spain. The five-year-old gelding, trained by Jason Warren, overcame a strong field and tricky conditions over the 2800m journey to claim the prestigious staying race, earning the $105,000 first prize. Settling midfield early, Spain rode Gran Piero patiently, sticking to the pre-race plan of…
Mo’unga and Pinseeker dominate market for Central Otago Cup
By Jonny Turner Tactics look set to be the key factor as Mo’unga and Pinseeker go head to head in Thursday’s Group 3 Central Otago Trotting Cup at Omakau. The two star pacers head a field of just five runners confirmed for the 2000m feature. While the pair are closely matched on talent, Mo’unga and Pinseeker appear poles apart on the early tactical speed they’ve shown so far. The Regan Todd trained Mo’unga is a noted mobile speedster who can overcome drawing the outside of the front line with a…