Month: April 2022

Mr Brightside claims the Doncaster Mile

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Craig Williams all smiles after claiming the Doncaster Mile on Mr Brightside. Photo: Steve Hart His young trainers left it all up to him with no instructions, and jockey Craig Williams did not let them down. He went on to display his incredible riding nous, triumphing aboard $20 outsider Mr Brightside in a $3 million Doncaster Mile (1600m) upset at Randwick. Williams piloted the four-year-old gelding to the front with 50m to go, before taking out the feature mile race by half a length over Mick Price and Michael Kent’s…

Nature Strip back to his best in TJ Smith Stakes

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Nature Strip returns to the mounting yard following his TJ Smith Stakes win. Photo: Steve Hart Nature Strip has joined Chautauqua in TJ Smith Stakes folklore with a stirring 3.5-length victory in the $2.5 million feature 1200m sprint at Randwick. It was the incredible seven-year-old’s third consecutive victory in the event, just like champion Chautauqua who took it out from 2015 to 2017. Joe Pride’s Eduardo (jockey Nash Rawiller) was left well behind in second at the post, after James McDonald’s superstar sprinter took the lead still with 600m to…

2022 Australian Derby Results: Hitotsu Wins, Now Targets Ladbrokes Cox Plate

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Another elite training performance from Ciaron Maher and David Eustace has seen world-class stayer Hitotsu take out this year’s $2 million Australian Derby at Randwick. The three-year-old colt by Japanese stayer Maurice was the easing $3.30 favourite on Day 1 of The Championships after taking out the Australian Guineas first-up at Flemington over the mile. Hitotsu also joined rare company by becoming the first horse since Mahogany in 1994 to win both the Victorian and Sydney Derby – an accomplishment that has arguably placed him alongside some of the greatest…

Hitotsu claims ATC, VRC Derby double

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Hitotsu added the Group 1 Australian Derby to his already impressive CV. Photo: Lisa Grimm Star colt Hitotsu won his third Group 1 race, with a stunning win in the Australian Derby at Royal Randwick. The victory gave trainers Ciaron Maher & David Eustace back-to-back successes in the race after Explosive Jack won the race 12 months ago, while jockey John Allen also enjoyed consecutive wins in the race. The Victoria Derby winner started a well-backed $3 favourite with online bookmakers, and although Benaud loomed as the winner at the…

Maven Belle in dramatic Group One triumph

NZRacingDesk

Drama surrounded the finish to Saturday’s Group One feature at Awapuni when the final result was settled by the judicial committee after a protest was lodged by the connections of runner-up Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci) against first-past-the-post Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy). Maven Belle, the Mark Walker-trained daughter of Burgundy, had led out from the barrier in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) and skipped clear with 400m to run. Local filly Wolverine was the only runner to issue a serious challenge in the home straight and rider Leith…

Zola Express provides Millar with biggest win

NZRacingDesk

Trainer Janelle Millar was trying hard to keep her emotions in check as she waited for her gallant mare Zola Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) to return to the Awapuni birdcage after providing the New Plymouth mentor with her biggest career victory in the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m). The five-year-old daughter of Shamexpress had just downed a quality field of middle-distance performers with a daring late run for rider Chris Dell, with Millar left a little in disbelief at the final result. The late maturing mare had…

Germanicus upsets in Flying Stakes

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Enigmatic galloper Germanicus (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) was back to his best when he produced an irresistible finish to take out the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni. The Danica Guy-trained son of Rip Van Winkle, who finished sixth in the Gr.1 El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki at his last start back in February, appreciated the strong pace throughout the race and loomed into contention for rider Taiki Yanagida rounding the home turn. A wall of horses stretched across the track at the…

Walker back in town with stakes success

NZRacingDesk

Mark Walker kicked off his return to the New Zealand training ranks in the best possible way when Amalfi Prince (Sebring) upset the applecart when he took out the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni at outside odds. Stablemate On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau) started a red-hot $1.50 favourite in the race after second favourite Pinarello (NZ) (Tavistock) was sensationally scratched at the barrier before the race due to an issue with a loose tooth, but it was the Te Akau Racing stable second string who did the…

Another One goes one better in Country Championships Final

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The 2022 Country Championships Final has gone to Another One. Photo: Bradley Photos They came from far and wide. From the North, South,West and everywhere in between. The $500,000 Country Championships Final (1400m) has become a crowd favourite on Day 1 of The Championships and on Saturday a new champion was crowned when Another One claimed the coveted trophy for Wagga Wagga trainer Gary Colvin. After finishing 2nd to Art Cadeau in last year’s Final, the four-year-old Super One gelding went one better this year under the guidance of top…