Month: May 2022

Astro Boy ‘flies high’

Editor BOAY

Astro Boy – like his powerful android namesake – will need to be a ‘superhero’ to win the $70,335 Group 2 Macey’s Bistro Warrnambool Cup (450m) on Wednesday night. And there’ll be real ‘human emotions’ if he emulates his science fiction epithet. His Avalon trainer, Jessica Sharp, is hoping her ‘Mighty Atom’ can ‘rocket high’ to a $47,000 first prize. ‘Everything is go’ for Astro Boy (Jan ’19 Banjo Boy x Paua To Avoid), which has been the surprise packet of the series. He won his heat, paying $16.90, in a…

Stablemates signing off in juvenile feature

NZRacingDesk

A pair of highly regarded fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable will go head-to-head at Te Rapa on Saturday when they chase black type honours to end their juvenile preparations. The well-related duo of multiple placegetter Academy Award (NZ) (Star Turn) and first starter Mazzolino (NZ) (Savabeel) will clash in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1100m). “They both galloped really well this morning so we’ll give them their chances at some black type. They are both lovely fillies and will head to the paddock after that and I…

Haunui Farm announce 2022 service fees

NZRacingDesk

Exciting young sires Ribchester and Belardo will return to Haunui Farm in 2022. Ribchester finished April with his first southern hemisphere stakes performer and was named Europe’s leading second season sire by winners. Meanwhile Belardo sired his first stakes winner in Australia and finished the 2020/2021 season as New Zealand’s Champion two-year-old and first season sire.   Avonallo led the way as a stakes winner and Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) placegetter, while Fonsalette and Yeaboi were also stakes performers from his first crop.  His second crop has produced another Karaka Million 2YO placegetter in Fellini and his progeny…

How to spend $20 on the Warrnambool Cup Final

Editor BOAY

The Watchdog says there are “no excuses” for Ferdinand Boy in the $70,335 Group 2 Macey’s Bistro Warrnambool Cup Final (450m) this Wednesday night. “The ‘cups king’ has come up favourite at $2.70, and rightly so,” said the expert form analyst. Click HERE  for TAB’s latest Warrnambool Cup Final market “Last week, he was brilliant – 6.52sec to the first marker and a sub-25 (second) run. The box draw has panned out perfectly and from box one, I’d expect him to lead. “He should be able to ‘pounce on the…

Muniandy scores first training win

NZRacingDesk

Shankar Muniandy couldn’t have asked for his training career to get off to a better start. The 35-year-old jockey brought his first horse to the races at Wingatui on Sunday, and not only did she win, Muniandy was in the saddle to ride her home. Muniandy’s four-year-old mare She’s An Ace was in contention for much of the straight before finding an extra gear over the final 100m of a 1200m maiden, winning by a head. She’s An Ace hadn’t been seen at any trials and was therefore let go…

Daily Mail: ‘Panther’ set to pounce at Horsham

Editor BOAY

Jungle Panther – triumphant in three of his last four races – lines up against the consistent Alfie Alligator, G3 runner-up Red Reactor and Sandown Park 29.24 winner Cybertruck in a Grade 5 485m final at Horsham this afternoon. West Song is aiming to stretch her winning streak to five races in a 410m Free For All, but Ertugrul Bey and Lektra Sammy must be respected. G2 Shepparton Cup finalist Dynamic Prince stands out in a Mixed 4/5 460m event at Warragul tonight, while G3 Launching Pad finalist Aston Komuni…

Messenger winning combo out for more Group One glory

NZHarnessNews

Fresh from their upset Messenger triumph, Jason Grimson and Cam Hart will chase another Group 1 win at Menangle on Saturday night. One of the new “power combos” of Aussie harness racing team with leviathan owner Danny Zavitsanos and the much-improved Ideal Dan in the $210,000 Australian Gold 4YO Entires and Geldings final (1609m). Ideal Dan showed promise for the dominant Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin stable, but has been a revelation with five wins from as many starts since joining Grimson’s Menangle stable. “We really like him, but this…

Sundees Son to bypass Cambridge Flying Mile

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin New Zealand’s trotting hero will miss the next big stop on the northern autumn circuit but some help could be on the way to keep the group races viable. Sundees Son obliterated yet another national record in the Peter Breckon Memorial National Trot at Alexandra Park last Friday night, taking over three seconds off the 2700m mobile mark in a relentless display that mirrored his Dominion demolition job in November. His rivals, headed by Muscle Mountain and Bolt For Brilliance, can breathe a sigh of relief as…

Warrnambool Cup Final: Armchair Guide

Editor BOAY

Superstar sprinter Ferdinand Boy can reclaim the mantle of Victorian greyhound racing’s country cups king with victory in Wednesday night’s $70,335 Group 2 Macey’s Bistro Warrnambool Cup Final (450m). The David Geall-trained Ferdinand Boy, who is chasing his fourth Victorian country cup victory, has the advantage of box one, a draw he has had on five occasions for three wins. Click HERE  for TAB’s latest Warrnambool Cup Final market While Ferdinand Boy is clearly the best-credentialled greyhound in the Warrnambool Cup Final, sentimental hopes lie with Mepunga Mustang. Owned by…

Sakewin continues winning run

NZRacingDesk

New Zealand-bred gelding Sakewin (NZ) (Burgundy) extended his unbeaten streak in Hong Kong to two at Sha Tin on Sunday when winning the Game Spirit Handicap (1200m). The son of Burgundy was pushed forward from the gates by jockey Joao Moreira to take an early lead where he was able to dictate terms throughout. He opened up in the straight to secure a comfortable victory. It was a month between runs for the three-year-old, who was victorious over 1200m when on debut at Sha Tin last month. He has impressed…