Walker edging closer to record

Leading trainer Mark Walker enjoyed another strong day on Saturday as he marches towards the record for wins in a season. Predecessor Jamie Richards currently holds that title with 160 wins in the 2020/21 season but with a Tauranga treble and a Trentham Group One win, Walker has rocketed to 149 wins for the season and with more than four months of the season to go is sure to set a new mark. The Te Akau head trainer saddled first and second in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m), with Romancing…

Weatherley recovering after life threatening birdcage incident

Post-race protocols are being addressed in the wake of the serious injury suffered by trainer Darryn Weatherley in the Trentham birdcage on Saturday. In dramatic scenes following the Listed Barneswood Farm New Zealand St Leger (2600m), Ess Vee Are (NZ) (Shocking) kicked his co-trainer while Weatherley was adjusting the winner’s dress rug. Ess Vee Are struck Weatherley on the upper thigh with sufficient force to knock him to the ground, and while he suffered no fractures, a potentially far more serious situation arose. It quickly became apparent from the bleeding…

Wallace keen on patient approach

Trainer Jim Wallace was delighted with how his Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) came through her exertions, but was leaning towards playing the long-game with the daughter of Satono Aladdin on Sunday. An arrogant three-length winner of the Oaks, Pennyweka relished the strongly run staying contest, with rider Ryan Elliot able to pose for the photo as he crossed the line. “She has pulled up very well, she cleaned up last night and she is nice and bright this morning,” Wallace…

Wheels of Fortune into Country Cup Championship contention

by Jonny Turner Though he has just taken down a select country cup field at Wyndham’s Centennial meeting, there is more to come from Wheels Of Fortune. The pacer won the milestone running of the Wyndham Cup in front of a sizeable crowd on Saturday courtesy of a classic front-running drive from John Hay. Hay had his lightly raced pacer in front soon after the start, with Wheels Of Fortune stepping brilliantly from his 10m handicap. In the remaining 3000m of the 3200m feature, the pacer’s rivals never got a…

Kerryn looking to make use of ace draw in Revell Douglas race

by Jonny Turner Contrasting draws await Kerryn Tomlinson in the drivers series events at Motukarara on Sunday. Tomlinson heads north to link up again with Razors Edge in a heat of the Revell Douglas Memorial Junior Drivers Series. The Jim and James Geddes trained pacer starts from the ace draw in barrier 1, a luxury compared to the barrier 8 draw Olive Cook has copped in Sunday’s Team Teal event. Razors Edge looks a big player in race 6 on the back of two excellent second placings on the West…

Coffs Harbour betting preview & best bets | Monday, 20/3/23

What Coffs Harbour Races Where Coffs Harbour Racing Club – 62 Howard St, Coffs Harbour When Monday, March 20, 2023 First Race 1:10pm AEDT Visit Ladbrokes Racing heads to Coffs Harbour to start the week on Monday afternoon with a competitive eight-race set for decision. The rail is out +4m between the 1000m-350m and is in the true the remainder of the course. We’ve got a Soft 6 currently listed for race-day; however, with no rain forecast over the weekend, it should be racing closer to the Good range. The…

Big win for Clarke as Siakam seals St Patrick’s Day Cup in Darwin

The Gary Clarke-trained Siakam, pictured winning his first race in Darwin in May 2021 with Barry Huppatz on board, celebrated victory in the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) at Fannie Bay on Saturday when he led from start to finish thanks to a masterful ride from veteran NT jockey Paul Denton. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Darwin Photography Professionals) It was back to back wins for leading Darwin trainer Gary Clarke in the $40,000 St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) with $6.50 hope Siakam saluting at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Also, it was…

Mr Brightside claims All-Star Mile

New Zealand-bred star Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has plundered further riches for his owners when taking the lion’s share of the A$5 million prize following a comfortable victory in the All-Star Mile (1600m) at The Valley on Saturday. The ultra-consistent son of Bullbars has won 10 of his 22 career starts, including last season’s Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) for trainers Ben and JD Hayes, and following the All-Star triumph he has career prizemoney exceeding A$5.8 million. Ridden by top-class jockey Luke Currie, who jetted in from Hong Kong to take…

Mr Brightside claims All-Star Mile

New Zealand-bred star Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has plundered further riches for his owners when taking the lion’s share of the A$5 million prize following a comfortable victory in the All-Star Mile (1600m) at The Valley on Saturday. The ultra-consistent son of Bullbars has won 10 of his 22 career starts, including last season’s Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) for trainers Ben and JD Hayes, and following the All-Star triumph he has career prizemoney exceeding A$5.8 million. Ridden by top-class jockey Luke Currie, who jetted in from Hong Kong to take…