Category: Meeting Previews

by Michael Guerin Champion trainer Mark Purdon is adamant Don’t Stop Dreaming is ready to step up to the big time at Alexandra Park tonight but whether than means beating stablemate Akuta is another matter. Don’t Stop Dreaming races in open class for the first time in tonight’s $60,000 Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup, the highlight of a New Year’s Eve meeting far smaller than it used to be at The Park. One of our two star three-year-olds this season (alongside Merlin), Don’t Stop Dreaming clearly has the motor for open…

The slushy track was no problem for Sharkie’s Girl with her dominant win last night in Race 3, the Happy New Year From Woodlands Stud Mobile Pace. Trained by John Dickie, the mare was rated perfectly by Stephanie Burley in the event for Junior Drivers. From a starting draw of 5, Burley sent Sharkie’s Girl forward to lead where she remained throughout before kicking away from the field to win by 5 and 3 quarter lengths in a time of 2.42. “I was quietly confident as I thought she was…

Class prevailed when Alta Meteor bounced back to winning form in the Motukarara Christmas Cup on Friday. Driver Tim Williams took no chances with the Stonewall Stud pacer, parking out over the last 800m of the event before the three-year-old ran away to score. Williams was thrilled with the performance, which looks to have booked Alta Meteor a trip north to the upcoming Nelson meeting. “Speaking with Mandy (Telfer) after the race, we might go for one of the days at Nelson next,” Williams said. “He will let us know…

They are always the colours to follow over the West Coast circuit, and today at Reefton punters can find some value in the Woodend Beach trainers Greg and Nina Hope team as they line up six solid chances. Driver Ben Hope talks us through their chances runner by runner. Race two Racingmissgracie ($8.50FF) comes in fresh, but with good standing start manners will look to race handy. “Her trials have been okay. I think today’s run will do her the world of good.” Race four Juliette Shard ($21.00FF), the well…

Trainer John Dickie is daring to dream he can end the year with three huge wins, two on the track and one off it. Dickie has had an up and down 2023 with his stable star Old Town Road, who at his best has placed at group 1 level in Australia and finished second in the $1million Race by Grins but has suffered an array of issues and bad luck that have made wins hard to come by. Dickie believes he has the real Old Town Road returning at Alexandra…

A fine effort in the Group One New Zealand Derby looks like great form for Alta Meteor to take to the Motukarara Christmas Cup on Friday. The Stonewall Stud pacer come into the 2810m feature after flashing home for fifth from a tough draw on Grand Prix Day. Alta Meteor looks well-placed, stepping back in class in Friday’s Motukarara Christmas Cup despite starting from a 20m handicap. “He went through a bit of a lull for a while there, but just lately he seems to be getting back to his…

by Mike Love Michael Eyre was an impressive maiden winner at Westport yesterday when he won the Sika Pace for Charring Cross trainers Jason and Ian Thomas. Co-trainer Ian Thomas was not surprised by the 4 year old He’s Watching gelding’s effort. “It was very good. He’d been working well before we came over.” Michael Eyre showed brilliant stand start manners to lead early with driver John Dunn. Dunn was able to dictate throughout before kicking away to win by one and a half lengths from My Skatjie, pacing the…

While there has been plenty of racing action on show, it’s a couple of first starters at Cambridge Raceway’s meeting that catch the eye Friday night. Pukekohe trainers Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson have three runners engaged with Papenhuyzen, also driven by Hollis, making her debut in Race 2 at 6:11pm. “She qualified back in June then spelled and has come back and gone two good workouts at Pukekohe” says Hollis “She’s a big filly with maturing to do but from the good draw if she goes out and gets…

by Michael Guerin New Zealand’s best pacer has been handed an almost ideal return to the scene of his greatest win on Sunday. Akuta returns to Alexandra Park for the first time since winning the Auckland Cup in May and will be a hot favourite for the $60,000 Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup at the twilight meeting. Akuta hasn’t raced since being surprisingly beaten in the NZ Free-For-All at Addington on November 17 and was originally scheduled to race at Invercargill last Friday. But he instead comes north for one race…

by Jonny Turner Nathan Williamson saved one of his best for last as Sand Wave capped an outstanding 2023 for his trainer with his big win in the Gore Cup yesterday. The pacer overcame a 30m back mark to seal yet another win in the Southland trainers’ premiership for Williamson with his outstanding fresh-up victory. Previously placed at Group One level, Williamson was thrilled Sand Wave was able to stamp his class in the Gore Cup after more than nine months away from racing. “He’s genuine, a good tempo always…