Mr Brightside arrives safely in Hong Kong. Photo: HKJC The Hayes clan is hoping FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday, April 27 will be much more than an impromptu family reunion for David and Prue and their three sons Ben, Will and JD. They are also hoping for a big celebratory dinner later that night. In a unique twist, David and his co-trainer sons have runners in the three Group 1 features and they are all products of the Hayes’ famed Lindsay Park establishment at Euroa in Victoria.…
Year: 2025
Today’s horse racing promotions & bet returns | April 16, 2025
Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Wednesday, April 16. 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 April 16, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions 25% Winnings Boost! – Caulfield Health Get 25% BOOSTED WINNINGS paid in BONUS CASH. Fixed win only. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in betslip. Cash bet only. Max bonus…
W.A.T.C. Derby
Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners W.A.T.C. Derby Group Two Betting Guide Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025 Location: Ascot Racecourse – Perth, Western Australia Prize Money: $400,000 Distance: 2400m The WATC Derby is a Group 2 race for three-year-olds, run over 2400m at Ascot by the Western Australia Turf Club. First held in 1888, the WATC Derby is one of Perth’s oldest and most prestigious races, traditionally run under set weights. Originally part of the Perth Cup summer carnival, the WATC Derby moved to April in 1988, briefly returned to…
Jimmy can settle closer in All Aged
Ciaron Maher is backing in Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) to settle closer in the run in Saturday’s Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m), which he feels can make all the difference in securing a second elite-level title this campaign. The Oakleigh Plate winner, who is $4.50 second favourite with Sportsbet, will stretch beyond 1200 metres for the first time this preparation, which should also assist the fast finisher to be within striking range after his fourth placing in the Gr.1 T.J. Smith Stakes at his most recent start. “1400 metres he…
Mark Chittick the latest of the “cross coders”
By Michael Guerin One of New Zealand’s most famous sets of racing colours could be coming to a harness racing track near you next season. But first Waikato Stud owner Mark Chittick will have to get a bigger set made. (Photo courtesy of Trish Dunell) Chittick, the man who owns the giant thoroughbred breeding operation, has bought his first harness horse, outlaying $50,000 for a Tactical Landing filly out of Queen Bea, an unraced sister to Queen Elida. And he wants it wearing his famous colours, the same ones his…
Chase A Dream is Aussie-bound
By Michael Guerin Chase A Dream is not only back but Queensland-bound. The big improver of the last month, winning the Flying Mile at Cambridge before chasing Leap To Fame home in the Race By Betcha, has accepted an invitation to the Rising Sun at Albion Park in July 5. Co-trainer Mark Purdon hopes that four-year-old can win the A$300,000 Rising Sun to springboard himself into the A$1million Inter Dominion Final two weeks later without needing to contest any of the Inter Dom heats. If Chase A Dream, or any…
Lifestyle change prompts property sale
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A eight hectare property in harness racing heartland is currently on the market. Located in Canterbury, between Rolleston and West Melton, the property featuring an oval training track will go to auction in early May. For “coming up four years” it’s been home for dual code trainer Jackie Burrows and her family. “It’s a niche property .. but it has so much potential,” she says. The property, on Newtons Road, includes a four bedroom house, two cottages, bar room with guest…
Plan B in case Motukarara meeting is rained off
A back-up plan has been agreed to if bad weather means Monday’s meeting on the grass at Motukarara cannot be held. If the track is deemed unsuitable then the meeting will move to Addington. The forecast for Easter in Canterbury is for showers on Thursday and intermittent rain continuing through to Sunday. “Our intention is to race at Motukarara and we are committed to that but we have come up with a contingency plan to ensure the meeting goes ahead even if the Mot is deemed unsuitable,” says Harness Racing…
Little Avondale announce Per Incanto fee
On the back of another season of elite level performers and excellent sale ring results, LA have lifted the service fee for Per Incanto this season to $60,000 plus GST. The son of Street Cry will serve a limited book of 85 mares. Australian Gr.1 victories in 2025 by Jimmysstar and Gringotts, together with the emergence of the exciting Gr.2 winning 3YO Evaporate as a genuine elite level performer, along with a string of Gr. 2 winners Marble Arch, Belclare and Marotiri Molly now has the stallion deservedly recognised amongst…
Mr Brightside lands in Hong Kong
Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has conquered all before him over a mile in Australia and the star Kiwi-bred galloper has touched down in Hong Kong this week in pursuit of next Sunday’s Gr.1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m). A winner of 19 races, including nine at Group One level, Mr Brightside has been his ultra-consistent self throughout the current racing season, with victories in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), Gr.1 Champion’s Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m). When he wasn’t winning, the gelding was often runner-up, finishing second in…