By Adam Hamilton HONDO Grattan, the Turnbull clan and the iconic Gold Crown series are just part of the rich harness heartland that is Bathurst. Now you can add Hambletonian winner. The Bathurst-born Andy McCarthy won America’s biggest trotting race the $US1mil Hambletonian – the Kentucky Derby of trotting – on megastar filly Ramona Hill this morning (Saturday) morning our time. McCarthy is the son of decorated trainer John McCarthy and brother top drivers Luke and Todd. He fought back emotions after Ramona Hill became just the 15th filly to…
Year: 2020
Western Bulldogs ‘better watch out’
The Bulldogs ‘better watch out’ as the Lions are roaring! Ironically, betting behemoth TAB is offering $4.00 about Brisbane Lions defeating Western Bulldogs by 15pts or more and Better Watch Out winning at The Meadows greyhounds tonight. The Lions are third and Bulldogs ninth on the AFL ladder. It’s an attractive cross-sports offer as Better Watch Out has been tipped to win by form expert The Watchdog. Trained by Kelvyn Greenough, Better Watch Out has won eight races from 21 starts – including three of his past five. He’s also…
Drivers Best – 9th August – Addington
Perfect Saturday for Price, Kent
When the hot favourite Tavidance (NZ) (Tavistock) trotted home by six lengths for Jamie Kah home to the delight of punters in the fourth race at Flemington, training partners Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr had made if four wins from four runners across Moe and Flemington. The duo sent two horses to the Moe meeting and both maidens Odeum and Gypsy Choice saluted before a similar scenario played out at Flemington. Three-year-old filly Cafe Rizu, was then lifted over the line by Damien Oliver to score in the $135,000…
Thrilling finish to Waikato Steeplechase
In a thrilling finish to the day’s second feature jumping event, Waverley visitor It’s A Wonder fought back in the final few strides to down South Island raider Delacroix in the Signature Homes Waikato Steeplechase (3900m). The pair were locked together over the final two fences and just as Delacroix looked to have the upper hand, rider Shaun Fannin extracted a little more from It’s A Wonder to claim victory by a short neck. The win capped a stellar day for trainer and part-owner Harvey Wilson who produced Bad Boy…
Tommyra pulls off long range target
A plan set by trainer Toby Autridge back in November came to fruition at Te Rapa when Tommyra bolted home in the Fairview Motors Waikato Hurdle (3200m). The nine-year-old Raise The Flag gelding had hinted he was cherry ripe for his task with a powerful finish for second behind race-rival Revolution at the track last month and went one better on Saturday courtesy of a heady ride from Hamish McNeill. McNeill allowed Tommyra to lob along beyond midfield as Revolution set up a solid tempo out in front. Jumping stylishly,…
AUDIO: Andrew Bensley
Andrew Bensley talks to Hazel Schofer after the apprentice rode six winners at the Hawera meeting.
Sharrock and Schofer dominate at Hawera
Trainer Allan Sharrock and his apprentice Hazel Schofer claimed all the plaudits at Hawera on Saturday with the pair dominating proceedings on the day. Sharrock and Schofer combined for victories aboard Shanghai Express, Tavi Mac, Beckidboo and Aricina as Sharrock also scored with The Grinder, ridden by Lisa Allpress, and Cannoli at Te Rapa to make it six wins on the day. Not to be outdone Schofer, who only returned to riding after the COVID-19 lockdown following an extended break due to weight issues, also scored on the Warren Bolton-trained…
Robertson hoping Mike is magical
By Jonny Turner Magic Mike can help Mitchell Robertson build on the successful start he has made to his training career at Addington on Sunday. The Templeton horseman has just completed his first season in partnership with father, Peter, racking up eight wins. Though pleased with that effort, Robertson is looking forward to building on it this season. Magic Mike could set the platform for a successful twelve months if his debut third for driver Tim Williams at Invercargill three weeks ago is anything to go by. The 4yr-old was…
Arden Messi thriving ahead of junior assignment
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Promising pacer Arden Messi will be vying to add another win to his tally at Addington Raceway on Sunday when he contests the Allied Security (Junior Drivers) Mobile Pace (1980m). The Grant Payne-trained four-year-old has already tasted victory in his four career starts, and finished runner-up on two other occasions. Tim Williams has done the steering on all four occasions, but junior driver Mikayla Lewis will hop in the cart on Sunday in the junior driver event. Payne has been delighted with the way…