Month: January 2023

Glorious Dragon’s back for Group 3 January Cup

AAP

Glorious Dragon is a four-time winner in Hong Kong. Glorious Dragon will make a long-awaited return to racing in Wednesday night’s (11 January) HK$3.9 million Group 3 January Cup Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley. Not seen since contesting the 2021 Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), Glorious Dragon has faced setbacks to his fetlock joints and will appear in competition for the first time in close to 400 days – this time with a new trainer and new jockey. Pierre Ng – who now trains Glorious Dragon – has…

McIlwrick with handy book at Winton today

NZHarnessNews

by Jonny Turner Reinsman Rory McIlwrick is hoping to unleash some McIlwrick magic at Winton on Wednesday. Southland’s most entertaining driver combines with a handy book of drives including the Wayne Adams trained On The Beach. The three-year-old impressed when bolting in in his latest trial by five lengths ahead of his debut in race 10. “He is a wee bit green the big fella,” McIlwrick said. “He has certainly got the motor, but does he have the ringcraft?” “A few runs into racing will certainly sort him out.” “We…

Pakenham best bets & quaddie tips | January 12, 2023

AAP

What Pakenham Races Where Pakenham Racing Club – 420 Nar Nar Goon–Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3813 When Thursday, January 12, 2023 First Race 5:45pm AEDT Visit Ladbrokes Night racing will return to Pakenham Racing Club this Thursday night when they host the first night of the Future Stars Maiden Series on a very competitive eight-race program. The track is currently rated a Good 4 and with warm weather forecast for the Wednesday and Thursday, we don’t expect to see a track any softer than a Good 4. The rail will…

Majestic Man could be off to Aussie – again

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin Trainer Phil Williamson can’t believe Majestic Man has been handed a second chance at a last hurrah. But first he has to win at Cambridge tomorrow night. The veteran trotter is a multiple Group 1 winner which is no small feat having raced in the same era as Sundees Son, Bolt For Brilliance, Muscle Mountain and Winterfell but his winning strike rate has dropped away in the last 18 months and Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson had resigned himself to the fact his stable star’s travelling days were…

Western Empire vying for All-Star Mile berth

NZRacingDesk

Western Empire (NZ) (Iffraaj) will make his claim for a berth in the A$5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) when he lines-up in the Gr.3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday. Owner Bob Peters is aiming three of his horses for the rich feature, including 2020 victor Regal Power, but he is leaning towards New Zealand-bred Western Empire as his main chance. “I am leaning towards him (in The All-Star Mile), but we’ll see how he goes in this,” Peters told Racing.com. “There are a couple of others I am…

Livestream: Sir Patrick Hogan’s Funeral

NZRacingDesk

A livestream of Sir Patrick Hogan’s funeral will be available tomorrow (Wednesday, January 11) at 11am for those unable to attend. Aged 83, Sir Patrick passed away peacefully on January 6. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Cambridge Riding for the Disabled in Patrick’s memory. Livestream link: https://vimeo.com/787232660/6de9e4c163

Queensland trip in the offing for Is That So

NZRacingDesk

A winter trip to Queensland could be on the cards for Cambridge sprinter Is That So (NZ) (Sufficient) if he measures up to some of the best sprinters in the land at Trentham on Saturday. Less than 14 months after his first start and eight months after his first victory, Is That So will start in the Gr.1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m), taking on a field that will include Levante (NZ) (Proisir), Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress), and Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard). Trainer Clinton Isdale said he knew…

Powerhouse 3YO ready to rumble

NZRacingDesk

A more developed and powerful version of Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) will be unveiled on Saturday when the top three-year-old resumes at Trentham. The high-class son of Redwood will open his campaign in the Gr.2 Life Direct Wellington Guineas (1400m) ahead of Group One targets at home and a third trip to Australia where he has already stamped his quality. Sharp ‘N’ Smart looks sure to again prove a handful for his age group rivals and will also be tested against older opposition this preparation. “He’s certainly a lot…

Matt’s ‘Hope’ springs eternal

Editor BOAY

If ever a trainer and greyhound deserve to celebrate a feature race success, it’s surely Michelle Mallia and in-form speedster Matt’s Hope in Friday night’s $74,335 Group 2 Viatek Warragul Cup Final (460m). After Matt’s Hope broke in impressively, Avalon-based Mallia generously gifted a 25 per cent share to Matt Field, a passionate greyhound racing fan from Corio, who has spina bifida. Field – and Mallia – have enjoyed a dream ride with the aptly-named Matt’s Hope, which has won 28 of his 59 starts, to date earning $98,638 prizemoney,…

Vagner Borges stars with drought-ending Bauhinia Sprint triumph

AAP

Vagner Borges celebrates the win atop Sight Success. Unperturbed by a triple-figure run of outs, Vagner Borges sealed his return to the winners’ list with a clinical display aboard Sight Success to land the HK$3.9 million Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (1000m) for John Size at Sha Tin on Sunday (8 January). Winless in 101 attempts since partnering Owners’ Star to victory at Sha Tin on 1 October, Borges refused to submit to negativity as he battled for an increasingly elusive breakthrough victory and predictably jubilated in Sight Success’…