Four-year-old Charm Spirit gelding Sansom (NZ) won fresh up at Moonee Valley on Friday night over 1200m in the hands of jockey Ben Allen for trainer Phillip Stokes. Sansom sat outside the leader and was tough to the line. “He is so reliable, and he never runs a bad race,” Stokes said of the seven-time winner. “There is improvement to come, too. He was a bit fresh today. “I think we can stretch him out to 1400 metres now and we’ll keep placing him in the right races. He’ll win…
Year: 2020
Pins mare stakes bound
Five-year-old mare West Wind (NZ) (Pins) made it three wins in a row when leading all the way in the MSC Signs Handicap (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night under jockey John Allen. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained mare has been a model of consistency and advanced her record to six wins from 11 starts with a further three placings. “She is an absolute star, she is so game,” Eustace said. “Johnny is riding her beautifully. He got the fractions spot on in front and she was the…
Irish Flame finds the post
Mornington trainer Brett Scott is deriving the best from handy stayer Irish Flame (NZ) (Zed) who won the Lockdown Legends Handicap (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night. The son of Zed transferred from Scott’s old boss John Wheeler after a Waverley trial in late June and the six-time winner in New Zealand has now had six starts for his new conditioner for a win and four placings. In a sit and sprint affair, Irish Flame narrowly got the better of Inverloch, who lead in the sedate affair. “It was…
Harlech lands Benalla Cup
Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma) helped trainer Mike Moroney make it back-to-back Benalla Cups, returning to form to take out the 2020 edition of the $125,000 country cup on Friday. Moroney trained last year’s Benalla Cup winner Hang Man, however it was an unusual back-to-back victory with the 2019 edition of the race run over 2046m, compared to the 1406m this year. A Group Two winner in New Zealand, Harlech jumped as $2.90 favourite and swooped late under jockey Daniel Stackhouse for a half-length win over the George Osborne-trained veteran Reine…
Tavistock’s Stylebender earns Bondi shot
Bryce Heys realises the enormity of the task Stylebender (NZ) (Tavistock) faces in the Bondi Stakes (1600m) but the trainer thinks his improving colt can give a good sight in the $1 million race at Randwick. The lightly-raced Stylebender still carries a maiden tag and is clearly a work in progress, but after an improved performance at Hawkesbury connections were keen to push on to Saturday’s rich three-year-old feature. “We were aiming at this race from the outset of this preparation,” Heys said. “It’s not ideal he hasn’t won a…
Ready to Run Parade Schedule
All are welcome to attend. Please note the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale is a physical sale at Karaka where horses will be available for inspection on complex in the days leading up to the November 18 & 19 sale dates. Monday, 26th October Labour Day Tuesday 27th October Taupo & Foxton trials Wednesday 28th October 9.00 AM Westbury @ Katrina Alexander 170 Hopkins Road 9.45 AM Westbury Waikato 65 Hopkins Road 10.45 AM…
‘Carry On’ – regardless!
Roger Bryant was in his early twenties when he and wife Primrose, along with 14-month-old daughter Cheryl, emigrated to Australia in 1966. But little did Bryant (who turns 76 on October 28) realise then that greyhound racing would play an integral role in his life. “Roger the Pom”, as he’s known to his Aussie mates, was always interested in the ‘Lucky Country’ and was to spend 33 years working as operations manager for P&O Stevedoring at Portland. The Bryants also bred Jack Russell Terriers for around 50 years. In fact,…
Superstars to shine in Friday night’s Geelong Gold Cup
Arguably Australia’s four best greyhound sprinters have made it through to Friday night’s $70,000 Group 2 Geelong Gold Cup at the Beckley Centre, to be run over the 520 metres distance for the first time. Catch The Thief, Shina Shine, Simon Told Helen and Tiggerlong Tonk are the four biggest names striving for the $50,000 first prize. The magical quartet have dominated the sport in recent times, boasting numerous Group 1 and country cup wins while also breaking multiple track records. The awesome foursome have amassed a combined 94 wins…
Probabeel to complete McEvoy’s grand slam set
Fresh from capturing Sydney’s two biggest races of the spring, jockey Kerrin McEvoy is setting his sights on winning the only leg of the sport’s grand slam to elude him. The Melbourne and Caulfield Cups, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper are considered the jewels in the crown of Australian racing. Only seven jockeys have won them all and Damien Oliver is the only member of that coveted club still riding. McEvoy has won three Melbourne Cups, a Golden Slipper on Sepoy and a Caulfield Cup on All Too Hard and…
Group Two assignments for Kiwi pair
Trainer Danny O’Brien is looking forward to watching exciting three-year-old Young Werther (NZ), a son of Tavistock, have his final hit-out at Moonee Valley on Saturday ahead of the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington next week. The current Derby favourite will contest the Gr.2 Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) and has shown a lot of promise in his two starts to date, winning at Geelong on debut last month before finishing runner-up behind Khoekhoe in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington. He will wear side winkers on Saturday…