Exciting three-year-old Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock) is tackling older horses at Te Rapa on Wednesday as part of his preparation for the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m). Rocket Spade, trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott at Matamata, is the favourite on the TAB futures market for the Derby following his victory in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. In previous years the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) was run on the first weekend of February, giving trainers with Derby-bound three-year-olds the option of running…
Month: February 2021
Tornado Valley to defend title in 100th start
Andy Gath almost can’t believe it himself. Just days after resigning himself to missing the Great Southern Star with Tornado Valley, Gath changed his mind and the champ will defend his title on Friday night. A sparkling workout at home, which pleasantly surprised Gath and wife Kate, prompted the shock change of plans. “He just worked so well, almost out of the blue a bit, and we have to run him off the back of that. He convinced us,” Gath said. “We’ve changed him training around a bit, added some…
Team Teal Ambassador Profile – Sam Ottley
We caught up with South Island Ambassador Sam Ottley! What’s your favourite colourBlue How do you keep fit, and what are your tips to keep healthy? I’m a bit slack when it comes to fitness but our jobs are pretty full on at times so does that count? I think eating healthier is a big thing and makes you feel better. If you weren’t involved in harness racing what do you imagine you would be doing now?Vet Nurse If you had to go into quarantine with one other person who…
Oamaru confirmed for Waikouaiti Trotting Club
By Dave Di Somma – Harness News Desk The Waikouaiti Trotting Club is gearing up for what it says will be a “big day” when it hosts its one and only meeting for the season. The club’s meeting will be on the grass at the Oamaru Racecourse on February 28. “We’re expecting a big day, a big turnout, there will be busloads of locals, and we know of people coming from Temuka and the Waitaki Valley,” says Waikouaiti Trotting Club vice president Gerald Cayford. The club has held its racedays…
Grafton racing preview, betting tips & odds – Tuesday 2/2/2021
What Grafton Races Where Grafton Racecourse – 284 Powell St, Grafton NSW 2460 When Tuesday, February 2, 2021 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Watch Live Streaming Live at Sportsbet Grafton betting tips – Tuesday, February 2 Eight races will be run and won at Grafton on Tuesday afternoon. The track is currently a Good 4 and the rail is in the true position, which should make for a great afternoon’s racing. Race 1 is scheduled to jump at 1:15pm AEDT. Best Bet: Plonka Five-year-old gelding Plonka looks perfectly placed here in…
More ahead for impressive Riccarton winner
Promising two-year-old Mozzarella (NZ) (Capitalist) could have booked a trip north for a juvenile feature later this month after her impressive victory over 800m at Riccarton on Saturday. The daughter of Capitalist was having her first run back from a five-week break over the Christmas period and proved too tough for her age-group rivals in the run home, scoring by just over a length from the well-supported first starter, Mackenzie Lad. Co-trainer Kayla Milnes was thrilled with the victory which confirmed the high opinion that she and training partner Nick…
Orr test to start Crosshaven’s autumn
Tom Dabernig only has to look at the results of the Gr.1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) to know it is a worthy assignment for his three-year-old gelding Crosshaven (Smart Missile). Last year the race was taken out by Mike Moroney’s Alabama Express (Redoute’s Choice), who became the sixth three-year-old to win since 2000. Dabernig confirmed Crosshaven would resume in Saturday’s Group One at Caulfield after tuning up for his return with a narrow win in a Geelong trial over 1000 metres last Thursday. “Taking on older horses at weight-for-age is…
Cunningham honoured by ITBA
Curraghmore’s Gordon Cunningham has been acknowledged by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association with the Wild Geese trophy, an award sponsored by the Aga Khan for Irish horsepeople who have represented their home country on the world stage with distinction. Cunningham received the award at the National Breeding & Racing Awards, which took place virtually. The Te Awamutu-based horseman has flown the Irish flag with great pride for more than two decades in the southern hemisphere, raising equine champions such as Fairway and Melbourne Cup hero Efficient, amongst 18 Group One winners…
Punters off load on Lochinvar Art
The whole complexion of the Hunter Cup had a two-minute rollercoaster ride during the barrier draw. Lochinvar Art was first out of the big guns and when he drew the back row (gate nine), a gasp of anticipation, some would say excitement for the race, went through a packed Crown Palladium Room last night (Sunday). Just two minutes later, the air was sucked out of that gasp when defending champion King Of Swing fared awfully with gate 12. Deeper analysis shows Lochinvar Art’s back row draw is much better than…
North Island Ambassador Profiles
Team Teal kicks off today – We have some profiles on our North Island Ambassadors below Nicky Chilcott What’s your favourite colour and why? Blue, for no reason, I just like it How do you keep fit, and what are your tips to keep healthy? My Job keeps me fit as I am on the go all day so don’t really get much time to do much specific fitness as such but try to eat well when I’m at home cooking and not on the road If you weren’t involved…