After much discussion it’s been decided the upcoming Group 1 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup will be run as a handicap race, with a back mark of 20 metres. Just how the 3200 metre feature would be run has been a major talking point since it was confirmed it would have Group 1 status from this year. It was a Group 3 previously. “It’s good news,” says Invercargill Harness Racing Club President Craig Heyrick, “the local trainers will be happy as the Cup’s a big focal point for them.” “Southern…
Year: 2022
Joao Moreira hands in Hong Kong jockey licence
Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira is stepping away from Hong Kong racing after a glittering career in the Asian racing hub. Joao Moreira, Hong Kong’s four-time champion jockey, has had his application approved to withdraw his riding licence for the 2022/23 season with immediate effect. Moreira has suffered both professionally and personally this year, with a hip injury forcing him home to his native Brazil for recovery since his last ride on September 21. Moreira has also spoken of the stress he is under with his family returning to Brazil to…
Fresh is best for Paisley Park
Paisley Park (outside) will contest the Group 3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Paisley Park will have two major factors in his favour when he fronts trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall’s black type challenge at Te Rapa on Saturday. The versatile son of Azamour is in tip-top order for the Group 3 Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) while younger stablemate Channel Surfer will bid to break his duck in the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m). Paisley Park roared home to win…
Yuga Kawada set for his third appearance in IJC
Yuga Kawada will contest the International Jockeys’ Championship for the third time. The current leading Japanese jockey in the 2022 Japan Racing Association rankings, Yuga Kawada, will contest the International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley for the third time on December 7. Featuring a stellar line-up for 12 of the world’s best jockeys, Kawada has been selected for two consecutive years. “I am honoured to be representing Japan again this year,” said Kawada. Kawada is a five-time JRA award winner for the jockey with the highest winning percentage, achieving…
Butt prospecting more gold at Addington
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Bob Butt enjoyed Group success with Gold Chain and he is now looking to replicate those results with her two-year-old son Gold Bullion at Addington Raceway on Friday. The Father Patrick gelding has tasted success in his two starts and will be out to extend that winning record in the Group 2 Lone Star Sires’ Stakes 2YO Championship Mobile Trot (1980m). “He has taken it all in his stride and he seems quite a nice horse,” Butt said. “He seems well, has been trotting…
Railway dream resonates with Frye
Danny Frye describes Our Echo’s entry for January’s Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Te Rapa as “pie-in-the-sky” optimism but the North Canterbury trainer is keen to give the emerging sprinter his shot at elite-level glory. Our Echo begins a new preparation in Friday’s Catalyst Performance Clare Memorial (1220m) at Cromwell, with Frye hoping a recent tie-back operation can be the catalyst for the Echoes Of Heaven six-year-old gelding to reappear as an even more effective racehorse this season. Not that he’s been any slug so far either; in 16 starts…
Geall’s ‘Dream’ Cup run continues
David Geall’s remarkable recent record in the Group 1 Sportsbet Melbourne Cup has continued with the two-time Cup-winning trainer qualifying Fernando Mick, his fourth finalist in the last six years. Lara-based Geall is taking aim at back-to-back Cup victories, after Koblenz led all-the-way in 2021, while My Redeemer reigned supreme in 2018. Like Fernando Mick, both Koblenz and My Redeemer are sons of 2015 Cup runner-up Fernando Bale, while Koblenz’s mother Up Hill Jill, was unplaced in the 2017 final. “It’s been a ride!” Geall said. “I’m sure the little…
Horse Racing History: Today In Racing 25th November
This day 25th November in horse racing news history From the extensive Horse Betting news archives we present the all the thoroughbred racing action in Australian and overseas racing news in history. Delve in and enjoy our walk back in horse racing time. Horse Racing Tips 7 hours ago Morphettville betting preview & quaddie tips | November 26, 2022 Metropolitan racing heads to Morphettville on Saturday afternoon where the Listed City Of Marion Stakes is the feature event on …Read More Horse Racing Tips 7 hours ago Winterbottom Stakes Day…
Talent far from hidden with talented filly
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk Hidden Talent’s abilities are far from unknown as she prepares for her first tilt at elite level at Addington Raceway on Friday. The Bacardi Lindy filly has won all four of her starts to date, including the Group 3 Sires’ Stakes Classique Mobile Trot (1980m) at the Christchurch track in September. She will return to Addington on Friday where she will contest the Group 1 ‘What The Hill’ At Woodlands NZ Trotting Oaks (1980m). “I am pretty excited and hopefully she runs a good…
Neptune has timely win for Ray Green
By Michael Guerin Neptune gave everybody in harness racing the feel-good story they wanted at Alexandra Park on Thursday night after a horror week for trainer Ray Green. The popular 77-year-old horseman, who just two weeks ago won his second New Zealand Cup with Copy That, has been in hospital since Monday when he was kicked in the stomach by a horse. Green needed a seven-hour operation and has had small sections of his colon and bowel removed, having to have a bag fixed for at least the next three…