The racing career of unbeaten pacing superstar Millwood Nike could be saved. Monday was D-Day for the three-year-old glamour filly who was pulled out of the New Zealand Oaks as the $1.20 favourite two weeks ago after showing signs of lameness. That was soon diagnosed as a small tear in a front leg tendon which was re-scanned yesterday and had it worsened Millwood Nike would have been retired to stud. “We got a positive report,” said co-trainer Mark Purdon. “The damage in the tendon hasn’t gotten any worse and our…
Category: Meeting Previews
Leap To Fame could tackle Race by Grins
By Adam Hamilton It was long believed Leap To Fame would tackle Perth’s slot race – the Nullarbor – around the same, but owner Kevin Seymour ruled that out today. “He won’t be going to Perth, but we’re looking seriously at NZ,” he said. “We think it’ll be an easier trip and a more suitable race. If he goes to a slot race, it will be Cambridge.” Leap To Fame stamped his greatness with a dominant Brisbane Inter Dominion final win in front a roaring and adoring Albion Park home…
HRNZ Office Hours 2023/24
HRNZ would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a festive and safe New Year. The office is closed from noon Friday 22 December and will reopen on 8 January 2024 at 8.30am. There are staff assigned to provide core services during this period. These staff are contactable between 27 December – 29 December and 3 – 5 January on 03-964-1200 or FreePhone 0508-427-637 or email admin@hrnz.co.nz Enjoy all the racing that’s on all over the break and see you all in 2023.
Leap To Fame and Just Believe star in ID Grand Finals
by Adam Hamilton Nathan Purdon stood amongst the crowd at a packed Albion Park as local hero Leap To Fame smashed the track record for the biggest win of his career in last night’s Brisbane Inter Dominion. With Purdon’s stable star Akuta bound for Australia in a few weeks, he got to size-up his major rival. Leap To Fame is “very likely” to chase the Group 1 Hunter Cup at Melton in early February and that’s Akuta’s first big Aussie target. “That was great to watch …. the crowd ……
The race within the race in Rangiora Summer Cup
By Jonny Turner Despite being training partners and husband and wife, Colin and Julie DeFilippi will go head to head in the Rangiora Summer Cup on Sunday. The DeFilippi stable will have a big hand in the grass track feature when starting the favourite Here’s Herbie and the well-supported Heza Sport. As well as training the pair, the DeFilippis also own their two starters, with Julie the owner of Here’s Herbie while Colin races Heza Sport. Here’s Herbie was a runaway winner of the recent Geraldine Cup, and he looks…
Last chance for O’Reilly at AYDC
Sarah O’Reilly carries New Zealand’s hopes going into the final heat of the 1Equine Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship (AYDC) at Albion Park in Brisbane tonight. The leading Kiwi junior is third equal after nine heats on 64 points with Joshua Gallgher, but within striking distance of the two leaders Angus Garrard (80 points) and Emily Suvaljko (73). O’Reilly had two fourths in heats eight and nine at Redcliffe last night. Tonight’s final heat is part of Inter Dominion Grand Final night at Albion Park and is due to go at…
Unfinished business for Kyle Austin
By Michael Guerin Kyle Austin is heading back to The Coast to try and win the Westport Cup his best ever pacer couldn’t. Austin trained Live On Legend to win the feature pace, the Betavet Mobile Pace, at Addington on Friday night, the four-year-old leading throughout in the hands of Blair Orange to beat a brave Fernetti. “Blair’s drive was a big help, he drove him perfectly,” says Austin of the 26.4 second last 400m quarter that secured him the win. It was Live On Legend’s fourth win and a…
Lady Of The Light’s win is what “racing is all about”
By Michael Guerin Jeremy Young never stopped believing in Lady Of The Light. Not when she went nine starts without winning a race last year. Not when she was beaten by Aardie’s Express in the Breeders Stakes a week ago. Not even when she drew the outside of the front line in the $110,000 Woodlands Stud Queen Of Hearts last Monday. And as it turns out, Young was right. His big, beautiful stable star turned a bad draw into good by using it as the surprise factor in the Alexandra…
Gutsell gets first driving win
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk The appropriately named Still Rockin provided Ricky Gutsell with his first driving win at Winton yesterday. The 61-year-old, having just his 12th race day drive, led all the way in winning the Bruski Farm Mobile Pace. Unfancied by punters the A Rocknroll Dance five-year-old recorded his fifth win in 31 starts, paying $30.60. But Gutsell had rated his chances, especially after the horse’s sixth in the Macca Lodge South of the Waitaki Mobile Pace at Addington on Show Day. “I was very confident,”…
Latest from the trials – December 15
Welcome to the last trials report for 2023. We will be back early next year, assessing form from around the country. The Rangiora trials Tuesday 12th DecemberWeather Raining Track Easy / Slushy Moose Morowski (2g Art Major – Minnie Moose) The Todd-trained runner trailed fourth of four but in a well strung out group in miserable conditions, let loose 500m out to lead turning in, ran clear in straight, officially by 6 1/2L at the line . MR:2:08.4, 800m in 62.8, 400m in 31.1. His dam won eight and won…