Cambridge trainer Glen Harvey sent out his first raceday winner on Wednesday when Bounty (NZ) (Darci Brahma) proved too strong in the Te Akau 2019/2020 No 1 Stable 1100m maiden. The 31-year-old horseman was confident of another bold showing from the Darci Brahma four-year-old who had placed on debut and finished a solid fifth at his second start before saluting at third-time of asking under a positive Andrew Calder ride. “It’s really nice to get that first win out of the way, as it was starting to eat at me…
Year: 2020
Tiley works around Covid-19 restrictions
When the going gets tough, you can count on the generosity of those involved in the racing industry. That’s what Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley has found as he prepares to send seven horses to race at Matamata on Saturday under the new Government Covid-19 restrictions around travel out of Auckland. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has implemented directives which means horses trained in the Auckland Supercity region are able to travel to meetings provided they are floated with an independent horse freight company and not accompanied by the trainer or stable…
The Bostonian gets ideal draw
Multiple Group One winner The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) has drawn the ace barrier for Saturday’s Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m). Trainer Tony Pike couldn’t be happier with the way the draw panned out saying the inside gate will be a distinct advantage for the six-year-old son of Jimmy Choux. “It is a huge advantage,” Pike said. “The rail drops back to the true at Randwick on Saturday. “He is a horse that loves to follow that running rail, as he showed in the Canterbury Stakes (Gr.1, 1300m). Some of the…
Business as usual for Dickie
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk While Auckland is currently under Level 3 restrictions, Clevedon trainer Joshua Dickie said with racing still allowed to occur under strict protocols at Alexandra Park on Thursday it has just been business as usual for his training operation. “With Level 3 at the moment it’s just business as usual for us, which is great,” Dickie said. “It is pretty normal. We are still racing and we are here on the farm all the time, so it is no different for us.” Dickie’s team wasn’t…
Strong presence for renewed partnership
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk The renewed training partnership of Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan will have a strong presence at Alexandra Park on Thursday night, with 18 representatives. The stable’s charge will be led by Wainui Creek, Belle Of Montana, and Mach Shard in the Garrards Horse & Hound Pukekohe Handicap Pace (2200m), where they will tackle impressive last start winner Copy That. Wainui Creek has drawn one on the front row and Phelan is confident of a bold showing from the Group One winner, who he will…
Selections | Auckland, 20th August
Michael Guerin, Jason Teaz and Josh Smith provide us with their selections ahead of Auckland’s meeting tonight. Selections can be found here Head to www.tab.co.nz to make a bet!
A difficult puzzle
By Michael Guerin Two of the most exciting young horses in the country provide punters a difficult puzzle to solve in the feature races at Alexandra Park tonight. Because if Copy That (R8, No.4) and Bolt For Brilliance (R9, No.3) have the manners to match their motors tonight they will almost certainly be too fast for their older, better-credentialed rivals. But one false step by either could leave punters with a financial bleeding nose. Bolt For Brilliance is a former Jewels winner in a vintage crop of now four-year-old trotters…
Selections | Winton, 20 August
Justin Evans, Jason Teaz & our Jason Broad provide us with their selections ahead of the meeting at Winton today. Selections can be found here Head to www.tab.co.nz to make a bet!
Barclay and Ellis roll out big team
By Jonny Turner Trainers Kirstin Barclay and Tank Ellis will roll out a big team packed with winning chances at Winton on Thursday. The training partners have nine runners spread across seven races at the first meeting Southland meeting away from Ascot Park since lockdown. Few of Barclay and Ellis’ team deserve a win more than Rocknroll King, who clashes with Burlington and Prodigal Guinness on the back of three second placings. The way the former Canterbury pacer has worked leading in to race 9 suggests there is no reason…
Classic greyhound racing awaits at Cranbourne this Friday
Friday’s Group 3 Ram Security Cranbourne Classic promises to be an electrifying race with eight elite greyhounds chasing for a share in $35,500, including $25,000 to the winner. Among the eight contenders in the 520-metre final is Gippsland pin-up greyhound Catch The Thief, who was the fastest heat winner last Friday. Trained in the small town of Briagolong by Matthew Clark, Catch The Thief has won 16 races from 26 starts, including 10 of his past 13. He is aiming for a third group victory having already captured the G2…