Exciting prospect Aston Komuni was a dominant winner of last night’s $8,400 Warragul Breeders Classic Final (460m). Connections claimed a first prize of $5,600 as well as a choice of three stud services on offer, with owner Ray Borda – the man behind the powerful ‘Aston’ greyhounds – settling on former Sandown Park track record holder Hooked On Scotch. “Ray went for Hooked On Scotch because he liked his damline and he has heard good early reports on his pups,” said trainer Ian Garland, pictured above with Aston Komuni and…
Month: May 2022
Hollindale test for Coventina Bay
Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress) has proven herself against the best in New Zealand and on Saturday she will get her chance to test herself against some of Australia’s finest horseflesh in the Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast. The daughter of Shamexpress has been in fine form in her homeland, finishing runner-up in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) to The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) in January before winning the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Gr.1 Bonecrusher Stakes (2000m). She posted another strong result last start when second…
Daily Mail: Will ‘Mustang’ defy ‘Ferdinand’?
The Western Festival of Racing concludes tonight with the $47,000 to-the-winner G2 Warrnambool Cup Final and track specialist Mepunga Mustang is eyeing his 15th win at start 28. Three-time G2 country cup champion Ferdinand Boy – victorious in 42 of his 78 races – and G2 Ballarat Cup winner Compliance are considered the biggest dangers to Mepunga Mustang. Group winners Hennessey and Substantial clash in the $10,000 winner-take-all Cup Night Match Race, while G3 winner Weblec Ranger, the promising Mobile Legend and G2 runner-up McCooly’s Lad feature in the Stan…
Robinson duo target Riccarton feature
Weather may determine which of Lance Robinson’s two leading sprinters have the best chance of taking Saturday’s Listed Daphne Bannon Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton. Robinson trains the two highest-rated horses nominated for the Great Easter, Live Drama (NZ) (Ghibellines) and Khimar War (NZ) (Sweet Orange), and said the pair have trained well since their last outing at Riccarton on April 23. That day Khimar War scored an impressive 1-1/2 length victory in an open 1200m event on a Good 3 track, while Live Drama was held up…
Plans for equine rehab programme to expand
A South Island equine rehabilitation programme, credited with helping dozens of people, is eyeing an expansion to the North Island. In recent years the programme has been run by Terry Kingi and a faithful support crew out of his property in North Canterbury, with the help of six standardbreds. Terry has retrained these standardbreds for his programme after they have retired from the sport of racing. “You can tell from their eyes and posture if they are going to be a goodie or not,” says Kingi, “standies are good because…
News Briefs : May 6
Hay cashes in at Rangiora Wheels Of Fortune’s commanding win at Rangiora on Sunday brought up 600 training successes for John Hay. The Ashburton-based trainer-driver took the three year old straight to the front. The result was never in doubt as they won by more than three lengths. Hay’s 600 training wins have come from 4193 starts going back to the early 1980s. Hay’s also driven 1119 winners. Over the years Hay’s been associated with many of the Franco horses from when he trained at Spreydon Lodge. Among his highlights…
The Box Seat – May 3
Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin join us for this week’s edition of the Box Seat.
Kiwi-bred wins Brierly Steeplechase
Symon Wilde capped a memorable day at Warrnambool on Tuesday when securing the quinella in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) with Kiwi-bred Vanguard (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) edging out a brave Britannicus (Roman Emperor). Jockey Aaron Lynch was positive throughout aboard Britannicus, keeping the pace honest, getting out to a 10-length advantage over his rivals. From the pack, Vanguard took chase and while he was reeling in the runaway leader in the closing stages, the son of Rip Van Winkle had to call on all his staying qualities to slowly eat…
Mapperley Stud announce 2022 service fees
Mapperley Stud has announced their service fees for the 2022 season, headlined by Group One producing sire Contributer who will stand for a fee of $20,000+GST. The exciting son of High Chaparral was crowned Champion second season sire after his first crop performed brilliantly on the race track, highlighted by Lion’s Roar’s Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) heroics and Llanacord’s win in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m). Contributer is already the sire of six individual stakes performers from only 79 starters and he has developed an excellent winner to runners strike rate…
Wilde loves the Kiwis
Symon Wilde’s fondness for Kiwi-bred horses continued at Warrnambool on Tuesday when Count Zero (NZ) (Zed) took out the Maiden Hurdle (3200m). Wilde has enjoyed plenty of success with New Zealand-bred horses at Warrnambool over the years, headlined by Grand Annual hero Gold Medals (NZ) (Elvstroem). “New Zealand breed tough horses and I love training them, and love having them coming year after year,” Wilde said. Count Zero went into the race a short-priced favourite and Wilde admitted to feeling a sense of relief following the result. “That was a…