Category: Meeting Previews

Selections for Wingatui today      Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Jonny TurnerRacing Journalist  Race 112.58pm  6 Tarragindi1 Almighty4 Niamh8 Birch       Race 21.24pm 1 Donald Trot7 Miki’s Beauty4 Cold Pursuit10 Janaka’s Delight  Race 32.00pm 5 It’s A Pleasure4 Jay R Tolkien8 Prosperity1 Crackasky Race 42.38pm 6 Airwaves3 Haley Robyn7 Paradise Valley1 Avenger  Race 53.05pm 6 Blithe12 Our Superfund4 Top Pocket Chance14 Markthewarrior  Race 63.39pm 9 Forever Arden6 Havarti Arden2 Lily’s A Star1 Asta     Race 74.15pm 3 Nutcracker12 South Seas Rock8 Still Rockin4 Hacksaw Ridge   Race…

By Adam Hamilton  Jason Lee thought he had the Garrards NZ Trotting Derby won when he saw the look on his mother’s face the day before the race. “When Mum (Marg Lee) first saw her (Keayang Zahara) when she got back across, she said she looked like a different filly,” Lee said. “Antti (Ruokonen, travelling foreman) said the thing and then when you throw-in hearing back from the team at stables that Mark (Purdon) thought she worked really well in her last hit out and it can’t help but give…

By Mike Love  Scratchings have massively changed the complexion of today’s Placemakers Timaru/Twizel/Oamaru Geraldine Cup on the grass at Orari. First it was the in-form Wild Willow who was taken out, followed by $2.10 favourite Mo’unga this morning. It’s believed he has an abscess issue.  That leaves the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety-trained Hey Bartender the top pick, with latest markets having him at $2.60.  Ashburton trainers Brent and Tim White line up two runners in the event, Got You Covered and American Me. The latter was a contender in the…

As everyone expected, the trotting superstar that is Keayang Zahara has waltzed away with the Garrards New Zealand Trotting Derby at Addington tonight. The Victorian three-year-old, backed into $1.05, dispatched the field with ease, winning by nine lengths and extending her unbeaten run to 14 from 14. “Absolute freak” was the term used by commentator Matt Cross while Trackside presenter Greg O’Connor said she was “crazy good”. No-one would argue with either description.  Driver Jason Lee was patient off the gate and settled two and then three back the running line…

It’s Friday night and there is no shortage of racing action on at Addington and Auckland. Alexandra Park will host its first 12-race card on a Friday night since April 2017 while Addington’s Derby race night will feature three Group 1s – the Garrards Pacing and Trotting Derbies and the brand new The Christian Cullen.  Just weeks after his 30th birthday, the champion pacer himself will make a guest appearance. The million dollar earner will lead out the field for the race named after him, the $200,000 The Christian Cullen…

By Michael Guerin The fact trainer Brendon Hill has never won a Derby might be a surprise. But the fact his good mate Ricky May have never won one is flat out remarkable. The pair head to Addington on Friday to try and remedy that with Renegade in the $300,000 Garrards New Zealand Pacing Derby, a great race won by great horses. It may not actually contain many truly great horses this year with this three-year-old crop struggling to produce a standout star who has open class hero of the…

A 23-race Friday night, the re-appearance of a champ, and a milestone for the Smiths all feature in this week’s News Briefs.  Bumper dual venue Friday night  This week will see the first 12-race card on a Friday night at Alexandra Park since April 7, 2017. Starting at 5.24pm the meeting will feature the $40,000 Thames Goldfields Summer Cup, the $40,000 Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes and the $40,000 Thames Members Handicap Trot. There will also be an 11-race card at Addington including three Group 1s, the Garrards Pacing and…