By Jonny Turner Charlotte Williamson will be out to chase down her first win since returning to the sulky at Oamaru today. The junior driver has returned to race day driving recently after taking an extended break after having her three children with husband Matthew. Judging by some of her drives, Williamson hasn’t lost her touch while being out of the sulky. “I am loving being back, I am just fitting in the driving where I can,” she said. “The kids will always be the top priority but I am…
Category: Meeting Previews
Four picks for Rangiora today
Racing journalist Jonny Turner has delved into the form for today’s great card of racing at Rangiora and come up with four horses punters should consider in their calculations. Race 3 – Millwood Goddess – $3.30 FFW Moving in two barrier spots might just be enough for Millwood Goddess to seal an emotional win for trainer Tom Bagrie. Racing in the colours of Bagrie’s late father Peter, following his passing on Wednesday, Millwood Goddess produced a gutsy second at Addington on Thursday. Today’s race doesn’t look any harder and though…
Royally-bred two-year-olds debuting in Invercargill
By Jonny Turner Before Don’t Stop Dreaming and Merlin battle it out in the Chariots Of Fire at Menangle, little brother and little sister will be out to impress in their debuts at Ascot Park on Friday. Nathan Williamson is set to debut two royally bred two-year-olds in Always Dreaming, a full brother to Don’t Stop Dreaming and Captain’s Mistress, a half-sister to Merlin. Captains Mistress turned heads in her latest trial when charging late to down her race rival Justanothersip right on the post. The performance has been enough…
Is it Chisel or Chase in tonight’s Alabar Classic?
By Michael Guerin Co-trainer Scott Phelan says the crucial tactics in the $60,000 Alabar Classic at Alexandra Park tonight will be left up to driver Zachary Butcher. Phelan and senior training partner Barry Purdon train Cold Chisel, who alongside arch rival Chase A Dream head the market for the Group 2. Chase A Dream has been too good for Cold Chisel the last two times they have met, both times by getting in front of him. There was little in it last start when Chase A Dream led and Cold…
Chariots Of Fire – who wins?
By Michael Guerin Preparation both on and off the track could be the key to a Kiwi victory in Saturday night’s A$250,000 Chariots Of Fire in Sydney. In one of the greatest shows of New Zealand pacing strength since trans Tasman harness racing rivalry fell into a post-Covid slumber, three New Zealand-trained pacers will contest Australia’s biggest four-year-old race at Menangle. Auckland trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan have both Merlin and Sooner The Bettor in the mobile mile, with Merlin an outstanding second after sitting parked on his Australian…
Pinseeker favoured in Cromwell Fruit Bowl
By Jonny Turner Pinseeker goes into his toughest career test in the Fruit Bowl Handicap at Cromwell on Sunday as ready as he can be. The four-year-old returns to racing after creating a big impression in his three starts late last year for trainer-driver Jonny Cox. Pinseeker will step up to race hardy opposition in the pacing feature on the second day of Cromwell’s big two-day February meeting. Cox thinks he has the pacer as ready as he can be for his returning assignment. “We think he is a pretty…
Butcher and Berger combine at Cambridge
By Brigette Solomon Cambridge driver Benjamin Butcher reckons he’s got some place chances at least with his book of six drives at his home track today. “I have a few that, with a bit of luck, I think can finish in the top three, says Butcher. “My three drives for Mike Berger are probably the ones I’ll be most looking forward to.” Of those three, Rockafilly is the first of the Berger runners in Race four, the Watchu Security Mobile Pace. The mare most recently finished fifth when racing at…
Selections | Cambridge
Selections for Cambridge today. Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Aaron WhiteCommentator Race 12.14pm 4 Trifolium9 Keep It Klassy2 Itbetterbenow7 President Flynntin Race 22.44pm 5 Pixie9 No Added Sugar3 Luka Doncic6 Peter Forsberg Race 33.19pm 11 Pandora1 Delightful Chic5 Classic Gold13 Dom Toretto Race 43.49pm 3 Seaside Rose10 Rockafilly8 Mahia Dreamin11 Tomalou Race 54.19pm 11 Lovemeto8 Hughie Wallace10 Del Shannon6 Slainte Race 64.49pm 4 Two Eye See2 Bet West11 Prince Miki6 Invisible Race 75.14pm 5 Benjamin Button1 Whitfield2 Oceanic Art3 Ticking Over
Selections | Cromwell
Jonny Turner’s selections for Cromwell Race Jonny TurnerRacing Journalist Race 112.07pm 3 Dignify1 Whispering Majestic2 Bob Barrelit11 Lotus Franco Race 212.43pm 6 Miki’s Beauty 10 Cheer Me On12 Breeny’s Rock N Roll2 Racingmissgracie Race 31.08pm 2 Lorton Vale3 Tane JJ11 Hit The Lights4 Nyla Race 41.33pm 2 Imperial Laz1 Wehavtime5 Bismarck Du Plessis9 Ultimate Weapon Race 52.04pm 9 Fiery Bandito2 Blithe7 Son Of The Cleaner8 Jordan Anne Race 62.35pm 1 Rakero Rocket6 Rakamurph4 Dennis Denuto9 Vinita Rose Race 73.05pm 3 Nubliah Chamay4 Hot Saucy Betty5…
Tough mark for Jimmy James Maguire
By Mike Love Jimmy James Maguire ($6.00FF) will need to overcome a tough mark in today’s Gallagher Insurance Ashburton Cup, though Swannanoa trainer Brendon Hill is happy with how the five-year-old old son of Bettors Delight has progressed since his last start victory at Methven on February 11. “That was a great win for the owners. He has come on very good since then. I’m happy with him. “The handicap today is a bit of a concern. 20m over 2400m around Ashburton will not be easy at all. “I’m not…