An opportunity to race on a better surface has convinced Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall to head north on a rare excursion to Ruakaka this weekend. The Matamata stable has only had eight runners at Ruakaka over the past three seasons but the prospect of racing on decent winter footing has seen a team of four heading north for Saturday’s meeting. Spearheading the Richardson-Norvall contingent is evergreen galloper Paisley Park (NZ) (Azamour), who will tackle the Marsden Metals Group Bream Bay Sprint (1400m) as a possible precursor to…
Day: 9 June 2023
Poser out to continue winning roll
Trainer Kurtis Pertab is hoping to keep his winning momentum going when he heads to Ruakaka on Saturday. The Matamata horseman currently sits on eight wins from 24 starts this season, highlighted by Poser’s (NZ) (Ocean Park) last start heroics in the Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) last month. The daughter of Ocean Park brought up Pertab’s first stakes victory with the win and he has been pleased with the way she has come through the run. Poser, who will be one of two runners for Pertab at Ruakaka this weekend,…
NZTR announcement planned on 15 June
Following the approval of the TAB NZ Entain strategic partnering arrangement by Minister for Racing Kieran McAnulty, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing intends to announce its planned initiatives and stakes funding for the 2023-24 racing season to the wider industry on Thursday 15 June. NZTR Board and management will release a comprehensive document to the industry on the afternoon of 15 June containing commentary on the governing body’s funding commitments, including stakes for the 2023-24 racing season and other key priorities. Coinciding with the release of this document will be a…
Rogerson feeling positive ahead of JJ Atikins
Graeme Rogerson is confident of a bold showing from Solidify (NZ) (Redwood) at Eagle Farm on Saturday and he’s also looking forward to the longer-term benefits from the Queensland venture. The Tuhikaramea conditioner co-trains the son of Redwood with wife Debbie and also shares in the ownership group of the Gr.1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) contender. Solidify won two of his three New Zealand starts, including the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa before he departed for Brisbane. The two-year-old was unplaced in the Gr.2 BRC Sires’…
Punt Drunk: Vale Fields Of Omagh
What a big week it has been in racing and as always the boffins at Punt Drunk are here to go through some of the news to have impacted the racing world throughout the week. The saddest news came late on Thursday when it was announced two-time Cox Plate winner Fields Of Omagh passed away. Throw in some controversial news for one of Sky Racing’s most popular presenters, a caller’s nightmare in New Zealand and Jason Holder pulling off a remarkable victory. Buckle up champions! RIP Fields Of Omagh Punt…
Swan Hill Cup Day preview & quaddie tips | Sunday 11/6/2023
What Swan Hill Cup Day 2023 Where Swan Hill Jockey Club – 17 Gray St, Swan Hill VIC 3585 When Sunday, June 11, 2023 First Race 11:40am AEST Visit Ladbrokes The Swan Hill Racing Carnival comes to a close for another year with a nine-part program for Swan Hill Cup Day. Despite no rain being forecast over the weekend, we do not expect to be racing on a track any firmer than a Soft 6, with the track being rated a Heavy 8 prior to the three-day meeting commencing. The…
Solidify raring to go ahead of JJ Atkins
Solidify will contest the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Graeme Rogerson is confident of a bold showing from Solidify at Eagle Farm on Saturday and he’s also looking forward to the longer-term benefits from the Queensland venture. The Tuhikaramea conditioner co-trains the son of Redwood with wife Debbie and also shares in the ownership group of the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) contender. Solidify won two of his three New Zealand starts, including the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1200m) at…
Tuchel bids for successive wins in Sha Tin Saturday finale
Tuchel is chasing a sixth win at Sha Tin. Zac Purton is confident Tuchel’s racing pattern and class will allow the rising star to enhance an already impressive record when the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) runner-up goes around at Sha Tin on Saturday (10 June). With four wins at 1400m and a last-start victory over 1600m at Sha Tin, Tuchel has been tried only twice at 1800m or beyond, finishing fourth in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) before finishing a short-head second in the Hong Kong Derby behind Voyage…
Lehmann back in Darwin searching for more Cup Carnival success
SA trainer Heather Lehmann after winning the 2021 NT Derby in Darwin with Sanblas. Murray Bridge trainer Heather Lehmann and husband Graham have returned to the Top End as the 2023 Darwin Cup Carnival approaches. And, as usual, they will mix business with pleasure. Apart from racing horses at Fannie Bay, the Lehmanns will also kick back and relax in the tropics. “Glad to be back, we brought six horses up and there’s possibly two more coming up,” Heather Lehmann said while fishing on Darwin Harbour on Thursday. “I ring…
Ruakaka racing tips & best value bets | Saturday, June 10
What Ruakaka Races Where Ruakaka Racecourse – Peter Snell Rd, Ruakaka, New Zealand When Saturday, June 10, 2023 First Race 12:05pm NZST Visit Ladbrokes Ruakaka, in the North Island of New Zealand, will host eight races this Saturday on what is likely to remain a Soft surface with fine weather forecast between now and then. The first race begins at 12:05pm (NZST). BEST BET AT RUAKAKA: DEVASTATE The One Tree Point Motel is one of the feature races at Ruakaka on Saturday, and Devastate should be back in the mix…