Boom sprinter Koblenz makes it a perfect 10

Young sprinting star Koblenz claimed his 10th win in a row at Sandown Park this afternoon. He did it in typical style as he exploded to the lead early and set a first split of 4.98 – equal third fastest for the year. He dropped the clutch down the back and set 18.60 before completing the 515m journey in 29.208. “I tell you what, I’m stoked,” said trainer David Geall. ‘Jayden’ as he’s known, has now won 15 of his 20 career starts and is one of the hottest prospects…

Hastings triple threat for Phelan

The prospect of decent footing has multi-talented Cambridge horseman Shaun Phelan excited heading into Hawke’s Bay’s showcase jumps racing day at Hastings on Saturday. Phelan has a realistic chance of completing the prestige jumps races double as he partners The Cossack in the Te Whangai Romneys Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3100m) and It’s A Wonder in the AHD Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m). In addition, he’ll be bringing the evergreen stayer Big Mike, who he trains with his father Craig, to Hastings for the Birchleigh Polo Club Handicap (2100m). “Hopefully the rain…

Hastings triple threat for Phelan

The prospect of decent footing has multi-talented Cambridge horseman Shaun Phelan excited heading into Hawke’s Bay’s showcase jumps racing day at Hastings on Saturday. Phelan has a realistic chance of completing the prestige jumps races double as he partners The Cossack in the Te Whangai Romneys Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3100m) and It’s A Wonder in the AHD Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m). In addition, he’ll be bringing the evergreen stayer Big Mike, who he trains with his father Craig, to Hastings for the Birchleigh Polo Club Handicap (2100m). “Hopefully the rain…

Hastings triple threat for Phelan

The prospect of decent footing has multi-talented Cambridge horseman Shaun Phelan excited heading into Hawke’s Bay’s showcase jumps racing day at Hastings on Saturday. Phelan has a realistic chance of completing the prestige jumps races double as he partners The Cossack in the Te Whangai Romneys Hawke’s Bay Hurdles (3100m) and It’s A Wonder in the AHD Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m). In addition, he’ll be bringing the evergreen stayer Big Mike, who he trains with his father Craig, to Hastings for the Birchleigh Polo Club Handicap (2100m). “Hopefully the rain…

Pike plumps for Sunshine Coast option

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is confident he can figure in the thick end of the prizemoney in a Queensland stakes race for the second weekend in succession. The stable was represented by dominant Listed Tattersall’s Life Member Stakes (1830m) winner Tutukaka (NZ) (Tavistock at Eagle Farm last Saturday, and Pike is expecting a good showing from talented three-year-old Not An Option (Not A Single Doubt) in Saturday’s Gr.3 Winx Guineas (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast. The Not A Single Doubt colt disappointed when 11th in the Gr.3 Fred Best Classic…

Australian campaign in the offing for Browne pair

The talented horse with the quirky name is back in work and looking to accomplish some big things over spring. The David and Emma-Lee Browne-trained Elephant (NZ) (Shocking) is pleasing in the early stages of his preparation and will be out to extend his unbeaten record next season. The rising five-year-old gelding has won all four of his starts to date and his connections are eyeing a possible trip across the Tasman with their charge if he continues to impress. “Elephant is back in work and is coming along really…

“J Curve” charts rise of new Traralgon greyhound track

Media release from the Victorian Government         The first single-turn greyhound racetrack in Australia is on course for completion in Traralgon by the end of the year – with majority funding contributed by the Victorian Government. Minister for Racing Martin Pakula confirmed a $3 million investment from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund towards construction of the “J” track, with Greyhound Racing Victoria contributing $2 million. The “J” track design was developed following research by the University of Technology Sydney into risk management and extensive modelling on how to reduce physical stress…

Daily Mail: Seven up for Craggy?

A number of the most professional greyhounds in the land will head to Healesville today. Man Absconded (21 from 57), Hello George (12 from 18 Trk/Dis), Rilynn Bale (30 from 60) and Fortuna Bale (25 from 59) are all super dependable, while a clash between emerging stars Duncan (9 from 17) v Soda Diamond (10 from 16) will create plenty of interest among straight racing fans. Meanwhile, city-class sprinter Kaheem Bale (8 from 15) returns from a six-week layoff to make his straight track debut against the likes of G1…

Moroney savours Tofane’s special double

Despite COVID-19 restrictions creating ongoing logistical headaches and isolating him from his family and friends in New Zealand, trans-Tasman trainer Mike Moroney has taken special satisfaction from the last couple of weeks. Moroney watched on from his Melbourne base as his high-class Kiwi-bred mare Tofane became just the third mare in history to complete Brisbane’s big winter double of the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and Saturday’s Gr.1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m). Dane Ripper was the first to achieve the feat in 1997, followed by Srikandi in 2015. For good measure, Moroney…

Gospodin an exciting prospect for Tauranga trainer

Patience is paying off for veteran Tauranga horseman Jim Pender after Gospodin reeled off his second consecutive victory when winning the Aquaholics Plumbing 3YO (1300m) on his home track on Saturday. Pender has always had a high opinion of the three-year-old despite the son of Proisir not filling a placing in his first four starts. But Pender persisted and he’s been rewarded with two impressive all-the-way victories and the promise of further to come. “His form didn’t read too good to start with but he always showed us he had…