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…
Category: Punting
Alta Meteor heads to Motukarara Christmas Cup in fine form
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…
Thomas team finds key to Michael Eyre
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…
First starters catching the eye at Cambridge
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…
Akuta returns to Alexandra Park
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…
Williamson saves the best for last
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…
Array of chances for team Nyhan and Davis at Westport
by Mike Love West Melton trainer Margo Nyhan will team up with partner Peter Davis, presenting five runners on day two of the Westport circuit today. After a testing track on day one, Davis is hoping for a smoother ride in the sulky as he drives four of their five runners. “We think the track played a role in how some of them went on the first day. The track was a bit worse than we would have expected. The weather has been good since, so we are hoping for…
Johnny Mac gives Wilson House career highlight in Westport Cup
by Mike Love Johnny Mac produced an outstanding stayers performance to win the Westport Cup at Paterson park yesterday for Prebbleton trainer Michael House. Johnny Mac was able to settle handy early for driver Wilson House from his front line draw. Electing to bring up the running line from the 2000 metres, House was able to find cover before being left parked again from the 600 metres when favourite Franco Marek worked to the lead. The pair broke away from the field with Johnny Mac outmuscling Franco Marek to win…
Franco Marek headlines Westport Cup field
by Mike Love Franco Marek looks the horse to beat in today’s Pulse Energy Westport Cup at Patterson Park. The 5 year old A Rocknroll Dance gelding has not won a race in almost a year after winning at Banks Peninsula on December 29 last year, but Lincoln trainer Greg Manson suggests “Frankie” may be about to kick another goal. “He seems really well. He’s come through the Methven run and has worked on to my liking.” Franco Marek ran a credible third in his previous start at Methven in…
Dontstopmenow unstoppable in wet conditions
By Brigette Solomon The wet weather and slushy track were no hindrance to Dontstopmenow in the Dunstan Horse Feeds Cambridge Xmas Handicap Pace tonight. The three year old colt by Captaintreacherous won comfortably in the hands of his trainer and driver Tony Herlihy to bring up his 5th win. “He’s a nice horse coming through the grades and I was pleased to get that win with him, he will likely head to the paddock now and be back later in the new year” says Herlihy. Starting from the unruly position…