The persistence of local trainer Rudy Liefting paid dividends when Stars ‘N’ Cream (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) edged out the Nigel Tiley-trained pair of Midnight Mass (NZ) (Proisir) and Quicken Away (Vancouver) in the Sonia Macfarlane Memorial (1400m). An all-the-way winner on debut, Stars ‘N’ Cream had been placed once in her subsequent four starts before again finding the winner’s circle and had developed a tendency to over-race. “I said to the owners, ‘don’t get rid of her, keep her with me and trust me’,” Liefting said. “Her last few…
Month: March 2022
Gucci Belt doubles up at Trentham
While Gucci Belt (NZ) (Burgundy) is living in the shadow of her well-credentialled half-sister Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock), she is doing something her sibling failed to do, win at three. The Kevin Gray bred and trained filly posted her second victory from four starts at Trentham on Saturday when winning the Harrisons Carpets 3YO (1200m). The daughter of Burgundy sat just in behind the speed for jockey Lisa Allpress before the veteran hoop navigated her charge out wide down the roomy Trentham straight where Gucci Belt showed a good turn of…
Payne pleased to be at Karaka
Paddy Payne always knew attaining dual citizenship for his New Zealand born children would pay off, and it came in handy for his son Patrick this week. The Plumpton trainer was able to fly to Auckland to attend Karaka as a result of his Kiwi roots and he has made the most of the opportunity. “I was lucky enough that my old man kept dual citizenship. I was born in Hawera so that got me through,” Payne said. “You can’t breeze through, which is good, but I was grateful to…
Let’srollthedice impresses in Sires’ Produce victory
Let’srollthedice ridden by Damian Lane wins the Sires’Produce Stakes at Flemington.(Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) The Danny O’Brien-trained Let’srollthedice took out the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday. The son of Dundeel made it two wins from as many starts after he was well-backed on debut when winning a Bendigo maiden by three-and-a-half lengths over 1100m. Jockey Damian Lane had his mount three-wide with cover in a midfield position early in the race before hooking out to the middle of the track in the straight. The colt then…
The Shelby Sixtysix story continues at Rosehill
Shelby Sixtysix returns to the mounting yard following a win in the Maurice McCarten Stakes Rule Of Law’s win streak came to an end on Saturday, as Shelby Sixtysix proved too good for the race favourite in the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens. The five-year-old gelding was given a terrific ride by jockey Tommy Berry, who put his mount in a great spot from barrier one. The son of Toronado started a $6 chance with online bookmakers and maintained a good strong run along the fence…
Just Folk causes minor upset in the Ajax Stakes
Josh Julius will have his first runner in the Doncaster Mile following Just Folk’s win at Rosehill. (Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Just Folk secured themselves a start in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile after a good win in Saturday’s Group 2 Ajax Stakes over 1500m at Rosehill Gardens. Sent out as a $7 chance, the Josh Julius-trained galloper finished off too strongly to win by three tenths of a length. The five-year-old gelding had been racing well this preparation, putting the writing on the wall last start after a seventh in…
Glistening lights up Flemington straight in Moomba Plate
Glistening ridden by Hugh Bowman returns to the mounting yard after winning the Moomba Plate at Flemington. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) The Richard & Michael Freedman-trained Glistening was able to deliver her second career stakes victory in the Listed Moomba Plate (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday. The Freedman brothers, who announced during the week that they will be ending their training partnership to go their separate ways, were able to pick up a first-up victory with their filly. The daughter of Zoustar jumped quickly and went to the front early from…
Flying Mascot proves too good in the Matron Stakes
Flying Mascot (NZ) ridden by Blaike McDougall wins the Matron Stakes at Flemington. (Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Race-favourite Flying Mascot was too good for them in the Group 3 Matron Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday. Trainer Tom Dabernig continued his good run of late with victory in the mare’s event. The win came after the daughter of Tavistock was able to take out the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last start. The talented mare has now won six races from 13 starts and has amassed over half a…
Rise Of The Masses books final spot in the Golden Slipper
Rise Of The Masses has claimed the final spot into the 2022 Golden Slipper. (Photo: Lisa Grimm) Two-year-old colt Rise Of The Masses became the final horse to secure a start in next Saturday’s Golden Slipper after a strong on-pace victory in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday afternoon. The son of Russian Revolution was given a terrific ride by Tim Clark from barrier four, toughing it out to win by half a length in the 1200m event. Trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian…
Adam Durrant praises Johnston-Porter ahead of Natasha Stakes
Constant Dreaming wins the 2022 Ascot 1000 Guineas. (Photo: Western Racepix) Is Clint Johnston-Porter fast becoming the new William Pike of Western Australian racing? The 23-year-old might be early into his career, but it won’t be long before he overtakes star hoop Pike in the Western Australian jockeys’ premiership. Leading Western Australian trainer Adam Durrant has paid his young rider the ultimate compliment leading into Saturday’s $125,000 Natasha Stakes (2200m) at Ascot. Johnston-Porter – second in the Western Australian jockeys’ premiership standings with 117 wins for this season – will…