By Adam Hamilton Josh Dickie is pinching himself. As if just catching up with old boss and mate Tony Herlihy in Melbourne for a few weeks wasn’t enough of a buzz, he’s now snared a one-off drive on Bolt For Brilliance. With Herlihy zapping back to NZ for Sunday’s stellar Addington meeting, he’s given Dickie the reins on Bolt For Brilliance in the last round of Inter Dominion qualifying heats at Geelong on Saturday night. “It’s awesome. I can’t thank Tony enough,” Dickie said. “It’s great to get the chance to…
Year: 2022
Nicholas Cage takes centre stage for Neals
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Cambridge gelding Nicholas Cage will face his sternest test on Sunday when he heads to Addington Raceway to compete against the best three-year-old pacers in the land in the Group 1 Sunshine Stars New Zealand Derby (2600m). The Art Major gelding won four of his last five races in the north before he arrived in Christchurch late last month where he finished seventh over 1980m against many of his Derby adversaries at Addington last Friday. Trainers Andrew and Lyn Neal were happy enough with…
McDonald crowned world’s best
James McDonald has been crowned the best jockey in the world. After leading the Longines World’s Best Jockey rankings for much of the year, McDonald put a major gap on his rivals during the Melbourne spring carnival to ultimately win the award by 46 points over Ryan Moore with William Buick on third place. Points are awarded to riders who finish in the top three placings in the highest rating group 1 races throughout the world with McDonald winning nine of those races on five different horses. McDonald’s nine victories…
Southern Harness launch new website
After months of hard work and dedication from our board and staff at Southern Harness Racing, we are pleased to announce the launch of our updated website! Our primary goal during the redesign process was to lift the profile of harness racing in the southern region and provide a platform to showcase our member clubs and their upcoming race meetings including not just racing but also sponsorship and hospitality options. We also wanted to create a more trainer and owner orientated site, to enable those involved and interested in the…
Moroney has a sound chance in Pakenham Cup
Trans-Tasman trainer Michael Moroney will have a two-pronged attack in Saturday’s Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) courtesy of Sound and Milford. Moroney is on a fact-finding mission with Group One performer Milford, who has only run over 2400m on two occasions – runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and 13th in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m). The Savabeel gelding heads into Saturday in winning form, having taken out the Gr.3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield last week, and Moroney said his performance this weekend will dictate his racing programme…
Mendocino in history-making bid at HKIR
Mendocino chases unprecedented Hong Kong success for Germany. A German-trained horse is yet to win on Hong Kong’s most significant race day, but if the enthusiasm of an increasingly successful Munich-based trainer is any guide, Mendocino could alter that historical lapse in the HK$22 million Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin on December 11. It was Mendocino who gave Sarah Steinberg her first Group 1 winner in September’s Grosser Preis von Baden (2400m), Germany’s most prestigious race. The emotion she admitted showing afterwards was not just for…
Yay, Yachi!
He was the ‘talk of the town’ after his mind-boggling come-from-behind victory in the $650,000 to-the-winner Group 1 Sportsbet Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park last Saturday night. But the ‘greyhound on everyone’s lips’, Yachi Bale, is quickly seeking more G1 glory. His career is only 22 starts ‘long’ – producing nine wins, including his past three – but the Mark Delbridge-trained powerhouse is on a history-making course. And he’s back against his own ‘age group’ contesting the prestigious all-male Sportsbet Silver Chief series (525m). Yachi Bale (Box 7) is engaged…
The Stir Up featuring Rejuvenate, Yachi Bale and Amron Boy
GRV’s Peter Quilty, Gerard Guthrie and Trent Langskaill provide their thoughts on some of the star greyhounds racing in Victoria. Keep an eye on these, they are worth saving in your WatchDog Blackbook! Quilts Fellas, we’ve been able to soak up an outstanding Melbourne Cup night, and now we’re ready for eight terrific heats of the Group 1 Sportsbet Silver Chief at The Meadows. Gerard The first heat looks extremely competitive with Group 3 Great Chase finalists Mepunga Raider and Elite Alex up against Amron Dan and Die…
Cup hero’s Classic quest
One week after his Melbourne Cup heroics, Yachi Bale will return to the spotlight at The Meadows on Saturday night as the star attraction in the heats of the Group 1 Sportsbet Silver Chief (525m). Yachi Bale handed trainer Mark Delbridge and wife Lisa their greatest moment in greyhound racing when storming to victory in the G1 Melbourne Cup Final at Sandown Park last Saturday. But while Yachi Bale is “as good as gold” after his stunning come-from-behind Cup triumph, it was a harsh welcome back to reality for ‘Team…
Patience key to Group contender
I’mintowin will contest the Group 3 Mitchell Family Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday. Photo: Race Images Promising three-year-old I’mintowin has required careful handling and rewarded that approach last time out with a strong performance to break his maiden. The son of Contributer has pleased trainers Peter and Dawn Williams since his breakthrough victory and will be given an early black-type opportunity when he steps out in the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday. I’mintowin was unplaced in his October debut at Avondale and showed significant…