Day: 4 February 2023

Aft Cabin toys with his rivals in Eskimo Prince Stakes

AAP

Aft Cabin was a class above his rivals in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes. Aft Cabin has returned to racing in great form toying with his rivals in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes, as James McDonald eased the star three-year-old colt down in the final 75m to record an effortless first-up victory. After jumping well, this son of Astern sat in the one-one behind the leaders, and as they turned the home corner there was no doubt about who was going to win the race. McDonald pushed the…

Wrote To Ataki leads all the way in Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes

AAP

Wrote To Arataki (NZ) ridden by Jamie Kah returns to the mounting yard after winning the Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes at Sandown. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Jamie Kah and Matthew Williams have combined with Wrote To Ataki in the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes at Sandown, as the four-year-old mare led every step of the 1300m. As the day went on Wrote To Ataki shortened as each race went by, jumping as a $3.10 favourite with online bookmakers, as the punters were quick to work out that the soft Sandown…

Perfect result in Dunedin feature for Te Akau Racing

NZRacingDesk

Mark Walker and the Te Akau Racing team brought up an inter-island stakes double in the space of 15 minutes as Perfect Scenario (NZ) (Iffraaj) took out the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge (1600m) at Wingatui hot on the heels of Family Ties (NZ) (Contributer) scoring in the Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth. Walker had been well represented at both meetings but had to wait until late in the day before adding to his outstanding tally of 21 stakes wins for the season to date. Walker saddled…

Colorado Star upsets in Taranaki Cup

NZRacingDesk

A cagey ride by Ryan Elliot and a never-say-die attitude from his mount Colorado Star (NZ) (Alamosa) saw the pair upset the applecart at odds of $32 as they combined for victory in the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m) at New Plymouth. The Mike Breslin-trained seven-year-old son of Alamosa had always looked to have the ability to take out a feature race and that moment came on Saturday as he led throughout in the Group Three. Elliot took the initiative from the outside barrier in the nine-horse field…

Guineas winner back on track for Group One test

NZRacingDesk

Specialty (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) returned to winning ways at Wingatui on Saturday with a dominant performance in the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) to revive future Group One hopes. The son of Rip Van Winkle had finished a beaten favourite at his previous appearance in Rating 75 company at Gore after racing three wide and laying in under pressure, but he turned his form around in fine style in the Nellies Bar & Restaurant-sponsored age group feature. The addition of blinkers and a firmer surface were also instrumental in Specialty…

Ulanova dominates in New Plymouth juvenile feature

AAP

Craig Grylls and Ulanova have the situation well under control as they take out the Group 3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m). Photo Credit: Race Images – Peter Rubery Speedy filly Ulanova gave her rivals a good old-fashioned beating as she led all the way to take out the Group 3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) in effortless fashion. Fresh off a solid effort for fourth in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) at Pukekohe, where she also led and was only claimed in the final 100m, the Stephen Marsh-trained daughter of Santos…

Zulfiqar punches his ticket to the Blue Diamond

AAP

Zulfiqar ridden by Ben Melham wins the Chairman’s Stakes at Sandown. (Photo by Ross Holburt/Racing Photos) Zulfiqar and Ben Melham have combined for a front-running masterclass in the Chairman’s Stakes to ensure a spot in the Blue Diamond Stakes in three weeks-time. Ben Melham was able to shoot straight to the lead on the inside running rail for James Cummings and team Godolphin, in very similar fashion to his win in the Maribyrnong Tral from October 1. He lead throughout on that occasion to score at Flemington and that’s exactly…

No joy for Majestic Man in Great Southern Star

NZHarnessNews

By Adam Hamilton Just Believe became the “King” of Australian trotting last night. His easy win in the $300,000 Group 1 Great Southern Star at Melton followed the Inter Dominion final victory on December 10. It’s been the most remarkable few months for the trotter, who only joined Jess Tubbs and Greg Sugars’ Larajay Farms stable in September. The seven-year-old has won nine of 14 starts for Tubbs and Sugars with another four seconds and a third. In that time, he’s banked close to $500,000. In contrast to his tough…

Mighty Looee seals hat-trick at Addington

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin Driver John Dunn loves the new Mighty Looee but he is just worried about how much further he can go. Because this new 2023 iron horse version of the son of Sweet Lou is getting awfully close to serious open class and his new tactics may not wash in the big league. Mighty Looee made it three wins on end in 2023 when he again led and blazed some sensational times at Addington on Friday night, his 53.9 last 800m and 26.1 final 400m about as fast…

Madeira Sunrise impresses on debut in Lonhro Plate

AAP

Madeira Sunrise was an impressive debut winner in the Listed Lonhro Plate at Randwick. It was all about trainer Michael Freedman both pre and post-race, as Madeira Sunrise proved too strong on debut, taking out the Listed Lonhro Plate. It was an impressive victory; however, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the filly out of I Am Invincible, needing to pass a veterinary examination before the race even started. An examination that would leave stablemate – Mexico – unable to compete after getting his leg up in the stalls, leaving…