Month: February 2025

Vale Mark Gill

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  A memorial service will be held on March 1 for one of the mainstays of the Marlborough harness racing scene Mark Gill who’s died suddenly in Blenheim. The 76-year-old, a hobby trainer for 30 years, was still working fulltime as a farm worker and had been shoeing and working horses only a day before he had a sudden and unexpected medical event. “It was a huge shock for everyone to lose him so quickly,” says grand-daughter and training partner Kendra Gill. After moving…

Baker chasing Australian Guineas success with Point And Shoot

AAP

Point And Shoot. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Bjorn Baker has confirmed that three-time winner Point And Shoot will line up in Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington. The three-year-old has impressed in recent outings, winning his past two races at Randwick in restricted company, and Baker believes he is now ready for a step up in class. “I’m looking forward to getting down there,” Baker told Racing.com. “His last couple of runs have definitely been exciting. He’s a horse that has always shown a lot, so he deserves his chance.…

Classy South Australian stayer The Map retired

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The Map. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The Map has been retired following a disappointing performance in Saturday’s Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) at Morphettville. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray made the tough decision after the mare failed to show her usual finish and didn’t recover fully from the race. The six-year-old finished eighth, 4.5-lengths behind the winner, Gotta Go Guru. The Map had been aimed at redemption in next month’s Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m), after finishing as the runner-up to Excelleration in the same race last…

Rachel King makes history in Japan’s February Stakes

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Rachel King. Photo: HKJC Rachel King made history in Japan on Sunday, becoming the first female jockey to ride a Grade 1 winner in the country. She achieved the milestone aboard Costa Nova in the Grade 1 February Stakes (1600m) at Tokyo. Costa Nova entered the Grade 1 race following a victory in Grade 3 company earlier this month. The Tetsuya Kimura-trained five-year-old surged to the front with 200 metres remaining and held off a late challenge from Sunrise Zipangu to win by three-quarters of a length. The favourite with…

Williamsons clock up four wins at Cromwell

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner  The Williamsons rolled into Cromwell over the weekend and the results were rather familiar. Brad Williamson’s winning double yesterday added to the incredible success his family have enjoyed at the Central Otago venue which is something of a home away from home for them. Brad kicked Sunday’s meeting off in style with Isobel running to an impressive debut victory in Race 1, the Central Otago Motor Group Trot.  The three-year-old trialled impressively ahead of her first start and she produced a faultless trotting display under the pressure…

NZ campaign mapped out for Leap To Fame

NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton  Kiwis are likely to see champion Aussie pacer Leap To Fame in the flesh earlier than expected. The six-year-old heads to a title defence in the $1m Miracle Mile at his next run on Saturday week, then the focus switches to the $1m Race by Betcha at Cambridge on April 4. But owner Kevin Seymour said it was “most likely” Leap To Fame would have a lead-up run at Cambridge in the $60,000 Group 2 Waikato Flying Mile on March 28. “Grant will start locking down plans…

Voyage Bubble all class in Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup

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Voyage Bubble careers away for his fourth Group 1 win. Photo: HKJC James McDonald attributed a dramatic HK$13 million Group 1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) victory to Voyage Bubble’s class and courage after the pair overcame several obstacles at Sha Tin on Sunday. Having arrived at Sha Tin from Riyadh, where he partnered Romantic Warrior into second place in a pulsating Group 1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt), McDonald encountered trouble near the 800m when Voyage Bubble clipped heels, resulting in the pair being shuffled to second last in…

Ka Ying Rising blasts to Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup triumph

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Ka Ying Rising makes it 10 wins in a row with success in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m). Photo: HKJC Ka Ying Rising continued his imperious reign as Hong Kong’s sprint monarch with a superb victory in the HK$13 million Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) for David Hayes and Karis Teetan at Sha Tin on Sunday (23 February) as the world’s joint highest-rated sprinter landed his third Group 1. Settling outside the leader and last year’s winner California Spangle, Ka Ying Rising cruised to the…

Monday’s horse racing bookmaker offers & promos | February 24

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Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Monday, February 24. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for February 24, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions 10 AGAIN! – Grafton Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Max bonus $100. First bet only. Paid in bonus cash. Cash Bets Only. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to Picklebet to…

Monday’s free horse racing previews, best bets & quaddie | 24/2

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There are two horse racing meetings set for Australia on Monday, February 24. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Grafton. Monday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – February 24, 2025 Grafton Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on February 24, 2025 check out our…