Month: March 2021

Ferguson takes in group win en-route to friend’s wedding

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner Craig Ferguson had no trouble smiling for his good friend Rory McCall’s wedding photos on Saturday after Nutcracker won the Group 3 Southland Fillies Classic at Ascot Park. Ferguson was with McCall and his fellow groomsman en-route to the wedding venue when he watched his filly speed to victory in the 2200m feature on his cell phone. Patchy phone coverage meant he could only watch parts of catch-driver Nathan Williamson controlling the race in front with his first starter in a black-type event. But thankfully there were…

Smooth Deal heading to Victoria

NZHarnessNews

Former star two-year-old Smooth Deal is likely to have one last race in this country before heading across the Tasman. The winner of five from 22 and over $150,000, Smooth Deal will go to ex pat Kiwi trainer Brent Lilley in Bolinda, just out of Melbourne. In the meantime the horse has been transferred from Hayden Cullen to Bob Butt’s Woodend stable. “He’s had some wind issues but has arrived in immaculate condition,” says Butt, “and he’s fit.” “He’ll probably run at Addington this Friday and then fly out next…

Two important charities join the chase

Editor BOAY

GRV’s 2021 Chase for Charity program was launched today with exciting news that two charities will join the competition for the first time. Louise Martin, GRV’s GM Strategic Communication & Marketing, announced that McAuley Foundation and Time 2 Talk would be beneficiaries of the competition this year, along with Ronald McDonald House. Louise said that like Ronald McDonald House, the two new charities were close to her heart. “Danny Frawley was a dear friend. I worked with him at the Department of Justice through the (AFL) Coaches Association. We’re working…

COUNT ON ‘CHRISTO’

Editor BOAY

The Watchdog is tipping a perennial group race finalist will be back on the ‘dais’. In fact, he’s a six-time G1 finalist who has notched eight wins from 20 starts over 525m at The Meadows. And he’s won four times in five starts (80%) from Box 3. So, who is this class act and powerhouse sprinter? You’ll find out by clicking on today’s ‘Daily Mail’.

Tassie star shines at Shepparton

Editor BOAY

An unofficial record-breaking trial will ensure Tasmanian superstar Wynburn Sheean creates huge interest when he makes his mainland debut in Monday night’s Group 2 Shepparton Cup heats (450m). The winner of 18 of his 22 starts, highlighted by the Group 2 Launceston Cup and Group 3 Devonport Chase, Wynburn Sheean set tongues wagging with a sensational 24.763sec trial at Shepparton last Saturday. His time eclipsed G1 Melbourne Cup hero Hard Style Rico’s track record 24.768sec established in last year’s Cup heats. “We didn’t expect him to do that,” trainer Ben…

Sires’ Produce for Sword of State

NZRacingDesk

Leading two-year-old Sword Of State (Snitzel) will not run in Saturday’s Gr.1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill, but could still play a role in the Sydney Autumn Carnival. Trainer Jamie Richards confirmed last Saturday’s Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) winner at Ellerslie will instead chase the Gr.1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 3 should the weather play ball. ‘’We’ve opted to go for the Sires’ Produce in Sydney, or if it’s wet, the Manawatu Sires’ Produce (Gr.1, 1400m) here in New Zealand,” Richards said. ‘’They are…

Frontman sets off on Australian Derby mission

NZRacingDesk

Cambridge trainer Murray Baker is looking to land a pair of Sydney three-year-old features for a remarkable sixth time with his exciting colt Frontman (NZ) (Makfi). Baker, who trains in partnership with Andrew Forsman, has a splendid record throughout Australasia, but no races have been better to him than the Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) and the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m), both of which he has won on five occasions. He’s hopeful Frontman can give him his sixth victories in both the Tulloch, run at Rosehill on March 27, and the…

Staying test for Melody Belle

NZRacingDesk

Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands), New Zealand’s darling of the turf, will continue her farewell tour in Sydney later this month. Fresh off her history-making win in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, the Jamie Richards-trained mare will fly to Sydney next week in preparation for the Gr.1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill. “She is booked to fly on March 25 and she will be able to work that morning and go straight into the Tancred,” Fortuna Syndication’s John Galvin said. “The only reservation would be…

All-stars align for Shepparton Cup heats

Editor BOAY

Tonight’s Group 2 CKH Painting Shepparton Cup heats (450m) are laden with class – a cavalcade of stars with imposing ‘black type’ CVs. Five heats will be decided, with the winners and three fastest second placegetters progressing to the $47,000 to-the-winner final on Saturday night. TAB’s ‘All In’ betting for the final sees resuming champ Catch The Thief at $5, followed by powerhouse Equalizer and ‘ultimate professional’ Tiggerlong Tonk both at $6. And plenty of X-factor comes from Tasmanian superstar WYNBURN SHEEAN, who recently broke Shepparton’s 450m track record in…