Weight concerns for sprinting stablemates

Live Drama will contest the Listed Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South A factor out of Lance Robinson’s control is his major concern ahead of the stable’s two-pronged attack on Saturday’s feature sprint on his home track at Riccarton. Robinson has Live Drama and Khimar War in prime order for the Listed Donaldson Brown Pegasus Stakes (1000m), but both of his short course specialists have been saddled with 60kg. “I feel they have been very harshly treated in the handicap. I can’t work…

SENZ celebrates New Zealand Cup week

The Sports Entertainment network is doubling down on New Zealand chasing, pacing, and racing on its biggest week on the calendar – launching New Zealand Cup Week across its 45 SENTrack (Australia) and SENZ (New Zealand) stations. New Zealand’s premier race week and its signature events will be brought to life with dedicated radio and TV content across the week. For the Australian audience, a special racing program will air to launch the week. ‘Winners – New Zealand Cup Edition’ which will be available on 7TWO as well as via…

New Zealand Cup Punting Club opens Saturday

At 10 am Saturday the first ever Box Seat National Punting Club is officially open for business. It’s a nationwide syndicate set up specially for New Zealand Cup day at Addington on Tuesday, November 9, where all the hard work is done for you. People wanting to invest can put in as much or as little as they like. They then get a payout at the end of racing on Tuesday, proportionate to how the syndicate has fared. So if the syndicate doubles its money, so do you. Box Seat…

Oliver claims seventh VRC Oaks title with Willowy

Damien Oliver returns to the mounting yard aboard Willowy after winning the VRC Oaks at Flemington Racecourse on November 4, 2021. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) James Cummings and Damien Oliver combined for their second Group 1 success this Melbourne Cup Carnival as Willowy claimed the VRC Oaks (2500m) on Thursday at Flemington. Having won the Wakeful Stakes on Saturday, the daughter of Kermadec became the 38th filly to complete the double in the same week, while the victory also gave Oliver his seventh win in the race. After settling midfield, Willowy…

Punt Drunk: Oliver equals G1 record with yet another Oaks win

The first three days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival are done and one thing is known for sure: Chris Waller is a genius. After a treble on Derby Day, a Melbourne Cup win on the Tuesday and a race-to-race double on Oaks Day, there is little doubt that the Sydney-based trainer is one of the world’s best – oh, and of course James McDonald rode all six of those winners. There have been plenty of highs and lows this week, especially for leviathan owner Brae Sokolski, while champion hoop Damien…

Vernazza set to make raceday return

Vernazza will make her raceday return at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Former top juvenile filly Vernazza is set to make her raceday return at Te Rapa on Saturday after a 20-month hiatus. The Brendan and Jo Lindsay-bred and raced mare had four starts for trainer Lance Noble as a two-year-old for two wins and two placings, including victory in the Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and a runner-up result behind Cool Aza Beel in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). Since then, COVID-19 has wreaked havoc…

Fownes double-handed in Sha Tin feature

Southern Legend continues to build fitness. Caspar Fownes is optimistic stablemates Southern Legend and Columbus County can continue an upward trajectory towards LONGINES Hong Kong International Races when the pair contests the Group 3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (7 November). Multiple Group 1 winner Southern Legend (133lb) heads the handicap for HKD$3.7 million feature under Vincent Ho against seven rivals, including Joao Moreira’s mount Columbus County (121lb) and Danny Shum’s Butterfield – who both hold HKIR entries on 12 December at Sha Tin.…

Copy That’s second chance at NZ Cup

By Michael Guerin Trainer Ray Green is hoping it is payback time for the standing start debacle that cost Copy That any chance in the New Zealand Cup last year. Because at Addington on Tuesday his stable star has the wide front line draw that provided Self Assured with the springboard to victory last year and Green says the four-year-old is ready to use it. Copy That started favourite in last year’s Cup but was left horrendously flat-footed at the start as the outside horses got a walk up which…

Woodland Stud announces Lather Up Speed Series for females

Breeding powerhouse Woodlands Stud have this week announced the launch of a six-heat short distance series for fillies and mares dubbed the ‘Lather Up Speed Series’ to be run across New Zealand. The idea was initiated as a movement to start targeting two major issues faced in the industry – a lack of opportunities for fillies and mares and furthermore a lack of opportunity for those fillies and mares to become black type. While it is not going to solve all of the issues, it is a step in the…

Ascot tips, value bets & quaddie selections | Saturday 6/11/21

What Lee Steere Stakes Day 2021 Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, November 6, 2021 First Race 12:39pm AWST Feature Race Race 8 – Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) Watch Live Streaming Live at Sportsbet HorseBetting’s Western Australian racing analyst brings you his top tips and quaddie selections for the the nine-race program for Lee Steere Stakes Day at Ascot this weekend. The track is rated a Good 4, the rail is out 8m for the entire course, and the first race is…