Month: October 2023

Denfield chases consecutive wins with class-rising task

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Denfield (No. 1) is a two-time winner at Happy Valley. Denfield has returned in style this season and jockey Karis Teetan hopes the graduate of the Hong Kong International Sale can maintain an upward trajectory when he lines up on Wednesday night at Happy Valley. The chestnut was victorious under jockey Zac Purton last start, however, this time pairs with the Mauritian ace for his debut in the grade following a pair of smart Class 4 wins. “He won nicely last start. Of course, he led the race, it was…

Babylon Berlin on Group 1 path

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Group One performer Babylon Berlin. Photo: Trish Dunell Babylon Berlin was the bridesmaid behind Imperatriz and Levante in the feature sprints last season and trainers Ben and Ryan Foote are hoping it is now her time to earn her elite-level crown. The now six-year-old mare finished runner-up behind Imperatriz in the Group 1 Railway (1200m) and Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m), and Levante in the Group 1 Telegraph (1200m), and Foote has taken a lot of joy watching the former dominate the Melbourne feature sprints over spring. “I might…

Wolverine nearing raceday return

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Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci) showed she has lost none of her x factor when making her New Zealand return at the Te Rapa trials on Tuesday. Initially trained in New Zealand by Roydon Bergerson, the daughter of Tivaci won three of her five starts as a juvenile, including the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m), and was runner-up in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). During her marvellous two-year-old run, a majority stake in the filly was sold to Australian Bloodstock,…

Conditions to suit Hezashocka in Bendigo Cup

NZRacingDesk

A return to racing on a roomier circuit is expected to suit the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Hezashocka (NZ) (Shocking) when he heads to Bendigo. After three starts at Caulfield this campaign, Hezashocka heads to the Gr.3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) on Wednesday. Poor draws have contributed to poor performances from Hezashocka this campaign, but the stayer has come up with barrier four and will be ridden by Damien Oliver. At his most recent outing, Hezashocka finished seventh to Alligator Blood (All Too Hard) in the Gr.1 Might And…

Foote eyeing Group One targets with Babylon Berlin

NZRacingDesk

Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard) was the bridesmaid behind Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) and Levante (NZ) (Proisir) in the feature sprints last season and trainers Ben and Ryan Foote are hoping it is now her time to earn her elite-level crown. The now six-year-old mare finished runner-up behind Imperatriz in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) and Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m), and Levante in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m), and Foote has taken a lot of joy watching the former dominate the Melbourne feature sprints over spring. “I might just send Mr…

Melbourne Cup hopeful settled into Australian base

NZRacingDesk

Regular updates from across the Tasman have kept a constant smile on New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock’s face since his stable star Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed) left for Australia. Sharrock will head over on Friday to put the finishing touches on his Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) contender, who will step out at Flemington on Saturday in the Gr.3 Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m). Ladies Man booked his passage with a last-start victory in the Gr1. Livamol Classic (2040m) on the final day of the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival and travelled to…

Te Akau hold strong hand at Tauranga

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Brando will contest run at Tauranga on Saturday. Photo: Trish Dunell Te Akau Racing co-trainer Sam Bergerson is looking forward to heading to Tauranga on Saturday where he will line-up nine runners on the nine-race card. Group 1 performer Brando will be fresh-up in the Flying Mullet Sports Bar 1400 and Bergerson is hoping he can recapture winning form. “Brando has had a quick freshen. He got a little bug following his last run,” said Bergerson, who trains in partnership with Mark Walker. “We are going to run him in…

Wolverine shows plenty of X factor in NZ return

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Wolverine winning the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m). Photo: Race Images Wolverine showed she has lost none of her x factor when making her New Zealand return at the Te Rapa trials on Tuesday. Initially trained in New Zealand by Roydon Bergerson, the daughter of Tivaci won three of her five starts as a juvenile, including the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and Group 2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m), and was runner-up in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) and Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). During her marvellous…

Gosford racing tips, quaddie picks & odds | Thursday, November 2

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What Gosford Races Where The Entertainment Grounds – 4 Racecourse Rd, West Gosford NSW 2250 When Thursday, November 2, 2023 First Race 1:10pm AEDT Visit Dabble Gosford is set to host a stacked eight-race program on Thursday afternoon, with the opening race scheduled for 1:10pm local time. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and with improving conditions forecast leading into race-day, we’re expecting an upgrade from a Soft 5 to a Good 4 surface. Best Bet: Lady Redwood Lady Redwood will be seeking back-to-back wins after…

Positive reports flowing on Kiwi Melbourne Cup hope

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Ladies Man winning the Group 1 Livamol Classic. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Regular updates from across the Tasman have kept a constant smile on New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock’s face since his stable star Ladies Man left for Australia. Sharrock will head over on Friday to put the finishing touches on his Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) contender, who will step out at Flemington on Saturday in the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m). Ladies Man booked his passage with a last-start victory in the Group 1 Livamol…