Category: Punting

By Michael Guerin Visiting horseman Bob Butt has declared war on red hot favourite Aardie’s Express in the $110,000 Woodlands Stud Queen Of Hearts at Alexandra Park tonight. Butt admits it is a war he and stable star Manhattan may not win but he’d rather find out than surrender the 2200m mobile Group 1. Manhattan has been a constant force in some of the biggest mare’s races around Australasia but was clearly outpointed by Aardie’s Express and runner-up Lady Of The Light in the Breeders Stakes, the lead-up last Friday…

By Jonny Turner A training masterclass at Winton yesterday propelled Nathan Williamson to what may prove to be an unassailable lead in the Southland trainers premiership. Williamson enjoyed his most successful day as a trainer yet, producing five winners while guiding them all to victory from the sulky, too. “I’ve trained and driven four of my home ones before, but never this many, so it is a real thrill to win this many in one day,” the trainer-driver said. The swag of winners came with a nice bonus, they took…

By Adam Hamilton Champion driver Chris Alford certainly isn’t conceding this Inter Dominion trotting final to defending champion Just Believe. Alford, who teams up with star Kiwi-owned mare Queen Elida (gate five), remains very positive despite drawing outside Just Believe (four). “He’s been fantastic Just Believe, he’s absolutely flying, and he’ll be hard to beat,” he said. “But all things being equal, I still think I’m a good chance of beating him. “The mare has got better each run through the series and ‘Lil’ (trainer Brent Lilley) says she’s been…

By Adam Hamilton Leap To Fame’s Inter Dominion fate could be decided in the first 200 metres. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon insists his superstar four-year-old is “the best he’s ever been” heading into Saturday’s race at Albion Park in Brisbane, but he’s wary of yet another tricky barrier draw. Leap To Fame has drawn six, but will come into five if emergency Canfindabettorman doesn’t gain a start. The problem is, his two main dangers Swayzee (three) and Nerano (one), have drawn inside him. So, Dixon knows he must have a serious…

By Michael Guerin New Zealand’s best pacer is set to head to Australia for the first time and he could be taking some heavyweight mates with him. Akuta has had a change of plans and will be set for the Ballarat (January 20) and Hunter Cups (February 3) in Victoria after stopping in at Alexandra Park in Auckland for the $60,000 Franklin Cup on December 31. “We looked at the programmes and there isn’t a great deal for him here in January and February and he can make a lot…

By Jonny Turner Oliver Kite will have to take the good with the bad when combining with a quality book of drives at Winton on Thursday. Kite won’t be lacking horsepower when he links up with six chances, headed by the highly talented Tact McLeod. But being handed a series of tough barrier draws means nothing is likely to come easy for the junior driver. Kite will have to negotiate a path from barrier 1 on the second row for Tact McLeod, who returns to racing in race 10 after…

Jonny Turner’s  selections for Winton.                Race   Jonny TurnerRacing Journalist  Race 14.03pm 4 Major Envy8 Northview Sweet7 Cock A Hoop3 Ledger’s Maid   Race 24.30pm 4 Sonny Jim5 Joeking3 Burning Love2 Boss Jo  Race 34.56pm 5 Ultimate Weapon11 Captain Meister4 Pounamu3 Vinchetto  Race 45.22pm 5 Miraculous6 Tycoon Banner2 Wehavtime1 Munroe’s Mate  Race 55.47pm 3 Superfast7 Livy Desma4 Fireforefiddle8 Franco Huntington Race 66.12pm 7 Ruby Roe8 Flying Ellie5 Remission1 Mallory Maguire  Race 76.37pm 13 Hidden Talent4 Hot Saucy Betty8 Sally Lindenny12 Imperial Man  Race 87.02pm…

O’Reilly leading the way at AYDC Champion Kiwi junior driver Sarah O’Reilly is a co-leader after the first night of the 1Equine Australasian Young Drivers’ Championships in Queensland. The Canterbury-based O’Reilly had a win, a third and a fourth in the three heats to accrue 33 points to be on top jointly with Angus Garrard. Her win came with Beach On Fire in Heat 1, paying $17.20. Cambridge junior Zev Meredith is third on 27 points after taking out the third heat with Kash Us Back, while the third Kiwi…