NZ Cup Day – Drivers Bests
Year: 2021
Singapore Derby a target for impressive Te Rapa winner
Trainer Catherine Cameron knows that she has limited time left with impressive Te Rapa winner Solid Impact (NZ) (Real Impact) but is keen to make the most of it with the progressive four-year-old. The son of Real Impact made it three wins in a row when he downed a handy field of rating 74 gallopers over 1600m on Saturday, with the nature of the victory suggesting he will excel over more ground. Successful in a maiden 1400m at Te Aroha in early October, Solid Impact then dominated a special conditions…
Art De Triomphe out of 1000 Guineas
Andrew Carston was feeling sick to his stomach on Wednesday morning when he discovered his leading Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) candidate Art De Triomphe (NZ) (Vadamos) lame after a quiet trial at Ashburton the previous day. Carston had been supremely confident the three-year-old Vadamos filly was ready to run the race of her life next Saturday but is now faced with the prospect of her spending considerable time in rehab after an operation to remove a chip on her knee this week. “I am just gutted,”…
Remarkable path to Group One glory for Bosson
Eight weeks ago, leading New Zealand rider Opie Bosson was ready to walk away from racing and retire to the farming life on his Pukekawa property. Burdened by being unable to ply his trade in the saddle due to the COVID lockdown situation in the Auckland region and with his weight ballooning, Bosson was having serious thoughts about signing off on his riding career. A timely heart to heart with Te Akau Racing boss, David Ellis reinvigorated Bosson to the point where he committed to riding class three-year-old Noverre (NZ)…
Maui earns shot at Show Day
By Jonny Turner Maui’s win at Rangiora on Friday suggests he and trainer-driver David McCormick are in for a busy, but fruitful summer. The three-year-old bounced back to the kind of form that saw him qualify and race in the Harness Jewels with a polished performance to win race 10. Maui disappointed McCormick when well beaten earlier this week on Kaikoura Cup Day. That prompted some head-scratching by the trainer. With his horse healthy and well it became clear that Maui just needed a little more fitness under his belt…
Daily Mail: Can ‘Macgyver’ catch Dr. Slats at Sale?
Dr. Slats (7 from 12 – 5 from 8 Trk/Dst) is an exciting prospect and he is aiming to win his third-straight race and fifth in his last six starts in tonight’s 440m Free For All at Sale. The Horizon finalists Omega Dodge (8 of last 10) and Massimo, plus Ha Ha Macgyver (3 from 5 Box 8 – 24.65sec PB), are considered the biggest dangers to Dr. Slats. Maxwell (3 from 6 Box 1) v Langfield Bale v Spring Poldark v Balbina Bale and Spring Cobra v Fantastic Raven…
Nutcracker ready to apply pressure
By Jonny Turner After making a huge impression in her first race day outing, Nutcracker is back in action at Ascot Park on Friday. Trainer-driver Craig Ferguson will line the two-year-old up for just her second start following her debut win in the Group 3 Southland Fillies Classic on the same track in March. Ferguson has taken a patient approach with the filly since then, opting to spell her rather than take on any further black-type races last season. “She wasn’t paid up for anything and after her win her…
The Form – New Zealand Cup Preview
In this edition of The Form, Marc Cookson, Matt Cross & The Whale preview the 3 Group 1 races for IRT NZ Trotting Cup Day
Blaze Warrior and Sight Spirit have Moreira excited
Blaze Warrior extends his winning streak to three last season. The unbeaten Blaze Warrior was one of the most exciting prospects to emerge last season and this Sunday (7 November) at Sha Tin, the talented chestnut will attempt to rack up a four-timer when he contests the Class 3 Cyber Colors Handicap (1400m). Champion jockey Joao Moreira has been ever-present throughout the youngster’s career and he is eager to take the reins atop the chestnut again, optimistic of maintaining a perfect connection with the Australian-bred. A winner at his first…
The New Zealand Cup : JD’s big day
There is one thing that concerns John Denton more than anything else on New Zealand Cup Day. And that’s drizzle. Bad weather of course is a curse to everyone on harness racing’s biggest day, and as Addington Raceway’s Facilities and Property Manager, Denton is no stranger to analysing weather patterns and second-guessing what conditions will be like on the second Tuesday of November. Thankfully the forecast for Cup day is 21 degrees and no rain. “Drizzle is the real problem,” says Denton, “it just sits on the track and does…