By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Christchurch has a hard act to follow after Karaka’s record-breaking success on day one of the NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales. On Saturday sales exceeded $5.7m, including 18 lots that sold for $100,000 or more. Christchurch on Tuesday is a bigger sale numbers wise with around 200 yearlings, compared to 125 in Auckland. Leading the charge at Karaka was Stonewall Stud with boss Steve Stockman spending just over $1m on the day including a record-breaking $360,000 for the top two lots, two Captaintreacherous…
Day: 17 February 2025
Varenna Franco gives Leacock-Jones first training win
By Mike Love A lot of excitement greeted Greendale trainer Norm Leacock-Jones’ first training success at Banks Peninsula yesterday. “We were all jumping up and down because we thought we’d got second – so when the announcer called her in first we couldn’t believe it,” said Leacock-Jones. In Race 3, the Seahorse Supplements Seahorse Mobile Pace, John Morrison eased Varenna Franco back from her outside draw to settle back of midfield in the running line. A couple of mid-race lead changes improved their position to one out one back…
Audio: Ken Kelso on Racing Pulse
Ken Kelso joined Racing Pulse with Michael Felgate to discuss how impressed he was with Legarto’s run on Saturday. CLICK TO PLAY AUDIO
Valachi legacy living on in star filly
Kevin Hickman has left a lasting mark on New Zealand’s breeding industry, with the recent success of sensational filly Pivotal Ten an embodiment of his vision at Valachi Downs. A daughter of Ten Sovereigns, Pivotal Ten has been unbeaten in her last five starts for trainer-jockey Samantha Wynne, including victories in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m), Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and Listed Southland Guineas (1400m). At Gore, her nearest rival was six lengths away, while she was simply flawless at Ascot Park, putting nearly nine lengths on the field…
Futurity wait on I Wish I Win
One of the headline acts for Saturday’s triple Group One meeting at Caulfield is the mouthwatering clash between weight-for-age heavyweights Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel), but trainer and co-owner Peter Moody is keeping his options open with I Wish I Win. Moody said on Monday that while he will nominate the Group One star for Saturday’s Gr.1 Futurity (1400m), he is not locked-in to running I Wish I Win in any race. “There’s a race for him from now and until the middle of…
Monaghan Boy brings up milestone for Tyler
Kelvin Tyler ticked off another milestone in his training career at Ascot Park on Saturday, bringing up his 400th winner with progressive gelding Monaghan Boy. The Riverton-based horseman has been a prominent figure in the South Island racing scene for well over a decade, while also successfully campaigning horses such as Lightning Jack, Lady Sass, Master Marko and Prince Alby in the north in recent seasons. Closer to home, Tyler had a big team of runners engaged on Southland Guineas Day and secured a winning double, bringing up the 400th…
Nicconi County on the board in New Zealand
Former Hong Kong galloper Nicconi County saluted for the first time since arriving on Kiwi soil at Matamata on Saturday. The son of Nicconi was bred in Australia and had one run in his homeland under the name of Silent Theory, finishing second in the Listed Without Fear Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville. He was then sold to Hong Kong, going on to win three races and HK$4.7 million in the care of Caspar Fownes. A long-standing association between Fownes and Bob Vance brought Nicconi County to New Zealand, following in…
Embellish 4YO headlines memorable day for stud
Cambridge Stud was in the thick of the action at Matamata with a hat-trick of winners and also made an impression further afield. The premier nursery’s graduates were led by stakes victor What You Wish For, while Balance Of Power and Moschino starred on the undercard. In Australia, resident stallion Almanzor was represented by stakes winner Rise At Dawn and the farm also enjoyed success in Hong Kong, with veteran Gallant Crown adding to his tally at Sha Tin. What You Wish For is a son of Embellish and opened…
Newcastle horse betting tips & free racing preview | 16/2/25
What Newcastle Races Where Newcastle Racecourse – 100 Darling St, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 When Tuesday, February 18, 2025 First Race 2:25pm AEDT Visit Dabble Newcastle Racecourse is the destination for provincial racing on Tuesday afternoon, with a six-part program awaiting locals. The rail moves out +11m the entire circuit for the meeting, and with no significant rainfall predicted in the lead-up, punters can happily do the form for a genuine Good 4 surface. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 2:25pm AEDT. Best Bet at Newcastle: City Gold…
Hobartville Stakes
Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Hobartville Stakes Group Two Betting Guide Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025 Location: Rosehill Gardens – Sydney, New South Wales Prize Money: $400,000 Distance: 1400m The Hobartville Stakes is a Group 2 race for three-year-olds, run over 1400m under set weight conditions. Named after one of NSW’s historic thoroughbred stud farms, it has long been a key lead-up to Sydney’s autumn classics. Originally held in early spring, the Hobartville Stakes shifted to autumn in 1978, aligning with the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m), Group 1…