Melbourne jockey Mark Zahra got a feel for Kiwi mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) when winning the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday and the leading hoop is confident the daughter of Zed will acquit herself well in the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) “She gave me a nice feel, obviously it’s been well documented that she’s an awkward ride,” Zahra said. “I think she used to be a lot more difficult, but she seems to have calmed down a lot now. It looks like she might be over-racing…
Year: 2020
Short break for Jennifer Eccles
Trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray were left scratching their heads after their high-class mare Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) finished a disappointing 13th in Saturday’s Gr. 1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m), 10 lengths in arrears of winner Melody Belle. Subsequent veterinary tests have failed to reveal any issues but the Cambridge conditioners are taking a cautious approach with last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner. “We took a blood off her this morning but I wouldn’t anticipate there’ll be anything out of order there, her colour is…
Cox Plate for Probabeel
Connections of dual Group One winner Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) have confirmed a tilt at the A$5 million Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) is on the cards for the four-year-old mare. The daughter of Savabeel was a dominant winner of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) for trainer Jamie Richards and the Brendan and Jo Lindsay-owned mare will now bypass the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m), which is restricted to four-year-olds. “There were really only two likely options after the Epsom. One was the Golden Eagle in Sydney at the end of the…
Go marching in!
It’s always hard ‘keeping up’ with canine cult idol Jim Zarr Dashian. Similarly, St Kilda key forward Tim Membrey has been giving his opponents the run around. Consequently, Saints supporters will be hoping they can turn the following cross-sports offer into ‘reality’. TAB is offering $3.50 about the St Kilda spearhead kicking 1+ goals against the Western Bulldogs today and Jim Zarr Dashian winning at The Meadows greyhounds. Membrey has bagged 18 goals in 16 matches (an average of 1.1 goals per game). Meanwhile, the Brooke Ennis-trained Jim Zarr Dashian…
Eye-catching grins for Tiges’ fans?
Punting can be a ‘risking head and shin’ proposition at times. But here’s an ‘eye-catching’ AFL/Greys offer from TAB that could see Tigers fans ‘with a grin’. The betting giant is offering $5.00 on Richmond sharpshooter Jack Riewoldt kicking 1+ goals against the Brisbane Lions tonight and Eye Catcher winning at Geelong greyhounds. Riewoldt has bagged 28 goals in 17 matches – an average of 1.6 goals per game. Meanwhile, the Jessica Hopkins-trained Eye Catcher lines up in a Grade 5 final over 400m, which carries a $1900 first prize.…
Sizzle’s flying start set to continue
After opening his career with five wins from eight starts, promising youngster Sizzle Fly is set to continue on his winning way at Bendigo on Saturday night, according to owner/trainer Dominic Crisafi. Sizzle Fly, a son of the great Fernando Bale, has finished runner-up in each of his three defeats, the most recent when beaten at $1.04 at Sale; however Crisafi expects him to bounce back when he makes his Bendigo debut in race 5 over 425m. “He’s a pretty good pup and it’s a good change to go to…
Partnership unearths another star
Andrew Forsman and the Zame Partnership look to have unearthed another exciting galloper in Aegon. The three-year-old son of Sacred Falls won the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday and he looks to be following in the same footsteps as his ownership predecessors Rhaegar and Jon Snow. Zame Partnership spokesman Bart Zame was thrilled to win the three-year-old feature with the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained gelding, keeping his undefeated record intact after winning at Taupo on debut in August. “It was great on Saturday, it was…
Patient approach with unlucky Moana
Chad Ormsby knows he was unlucky not to return from Hastings with a Guineas win on the board as a trainer, but he was thrilled to see Moana (NZ) (Ocean Park) live up to his expectations. Having just her third start, Moana followed an encouraging second at Matamata with a desperately unlucky and close third in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), going down a mere nose and head to Aegon with Bourbonaire splitting the pair. Rider Sam Weatherley was seeking an inside home-stretch run on Moana, but ran out…
New Zealand Cup target for Communique
The colours of Kevin and Joanne Hickman’s Valachi Downs were to the fore at the Riccarton meeting on Saturday, headed by smart mare Communique (NZ) (Redwood) who won the Waimakariri Businesses North Canterbury Cup (1800m). The mare will be aimed at staying features over the coming months, including the Gr.3 Christchurch Casino 157th New Zealand Cup (3200m) on November 14. The daughter of Redwood, who is trained by Stephen Autridge and Kris Shailer, has strung together successive victories. Aided by a patient Craig Grylls ride, Communique was strong through the…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 05 October 2020
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