Matamata thoroughbred nursery Valachi Downs is set to return to a boutique breeding and racing operation following a number of years of growth and business diversification. “Kevin and Jo Hickman are refocusing Valachi Downs as a more private and smaller nursery and racing stable with the same goal of producing, selling and racing elite racehorses,” Valachi Downs’ General Manager Gareth Downey said. The move will see the broodmare band reduced to around 70 with a reduction sale to be offered on Gavelhouse next week, while the Stud will no longer…
Month: March 2021
Richards favours Belle in glamour clash
Bookmakers may be favouring defending champ Avantage (Fastnet Rock) in Saturday’s Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie but her trainer Jamie Richards is backing Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) as the pick of his pair. Richards will clash the glamour pair in a race each has won in the past two years, favouring 13-time Group One winner Melody Belle over a middle distance. “In my mind, Melody Belle is a little bit better at 2000m,” Richards said. “There wasn’t much between them at Hastings over the mile (when first…
Mind over matter for Bergerson pair
Roydon Bergerson has been trying to get over a few mental hurdles with a couple of his runners and he is hoping that effort will bear fruit at Trentham this weekend. The Awapuni trainer has his fingers-crossed the recent gelding of juvenile Reign It In (NZ) (Sacred Falls) will help put his mind on track after running out at the 800m mark and subsequently being pulled up when on debut in December. “It was very disappointing,” Bergerson said. “They are a good bunch of people who own him and they…
Fuller looking for Cup history to repeat
Veteran stayer Roger That (NZ) (Shinko King) is shaping as the forgotten horse in Saturday’s Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m). The Antony Fuller-trained eight-year-old won last year’s Auckland Cup at odds of 40-1 and the hardy stayer will again go around at decent odds ($34 fixed) on Saturday, on the back of trailing the field home in the Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m). But there were excuses, with the son of Shinko King racing in restricted room passing the 600m before clipping a rivals heel and blundering, lucky to…
Luke John to join Hayden Cullen’s team
By Michael Guerin Northern Derby runner-up Luke John has joined the powerful Hayden Cullen stable. The exciting three-year-old, one of the big improvers of his crop this season, led the chase behind the tearaway Krug in the Woodlands-sponsored Derby won in such sensational fashion last Friday. Luke John raced in the fluro yellow colours of Aussie owner Mick Harvey last Friday after being expertly trained by Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson but he has now headed to Canterbury to join Cullen. “We thought with the Derby down there his next…
Selections | Cambridge – March 11
Selections for Cambridge tonight. Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race AARON WHITECommentator Race 15.41pm 8 Captain Nemo 12 Pocket Book1 Jimmy Richter 9 Rocknroll Roulette Race 26.06pm 5 The Last Gamble3 Mackali7 Grey Stoke6 Tramps Like Us Race 36.31pm 3 Commander Cathy6 Allamericanlover1 Lieutenant Arden9 Je T’Aime Race 46.58pm 6 Presidential Jewel5 As Free As Air 7 Delson3 Ivegotbills Race 57.23pm 4 Somedreamsomewhere 10 Hes A Facta6 Wet Flipflops9 Shanlou Race 67.48pm 6 The Banker2 Bugalugs5 Dixie Reign8 Spirit Of Anzac Race 7 8.17pm 9 On A Roll10 Montana Jet 8 Show Me Heaven6…
TALK OF THE ‘TOWN’
A straight track maestro has been taking his rivals to ‘Town’. And The Watchdog is confident he can ‘paint the town red’ and make it five from five over 300 metres at Healesville. So, who is the ‘talk of the town’? Simply click on today’s ‘Daily Mail’ to find out.
Nomination times modified as prize money boost draws near
GRV’s recent announcement of a 15 per cent prize money increase comes into effect from Monday 15 March. The increase applies to Level 2 & Level 3 race meetings conducted over 480 metres and beyond. Trainers are advised that to assist with this transition, the following nomination times have been modified. BALLARAT – Race meeting to be held on Monday 15 MarchNominations close Friday 12 March at 8.00am CRANBOURNE – Race meeting to be held on Monday 15 MarchNominations close Friday 12 March at 8.30am Note: All race meetings held…
Ryan Papenhuyzen – Storm champion & greyhound lover
Melbourne Storm’s Ryan Papenhuyzen is one of the fastest full-backs in the NRL, and while 2020 might have given us all some stresses, it also gave Storm fans a grand final win, and for Ryan, the Clive Churchill Medal as man-of-the-match. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear he’s also a greyhound fan: both racing and adoption. Ryan’s first dog was Gary’s Gift. He recently caught up with George Farrugia on GRV’s Thrill of the Chase and explained his first foray into greyhound racing. Star sprinter Papi Go Fast,…
Cory Parish given all-clear after back injury
Cory Parish to resume after injury break Caulfield Cup winning jockey Cory Parish has been given the all-clear to resume his riding career almost 12 months to the day since he last rode in a race. Parish has not ridden since March 15 last year, but a visit to Racing Victoria doctor Gary Zimmerman has paved the way to the jockey’s return. Successful aboard Boom Time for Lindsay Park in the 2017 Caulfield Cup, Parish hopes to make a low-key return at the Yarra Valley meeting on Sunday. Parish explained…