Sharon Robertson had a taste of the Group One action at Ellerslie nearly 16 years ago, and on Boxing Day she will return to the northern headquarters with Matscot taking on the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2050m). Back in 2008, the Canterbury horsewoman took her stable star Delbrae to Ellerslie to contest the Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m), where he finished just out of the placings behind Sir Slick. The race was Delbrae’s final start in a highly successful career, where he won just shy of $500,000 in stakes,…
Year: 2024
Hutchings hoping to wind back the clock in Kiwi stint
A decade ago, Rory Hutchings had the most successful day of his career at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, and the expat Kiwi hoop will kick off a stint riding in his homeland at the iconic meeting this Thursday. Hutchings was a three-time champion apprentice jockey in New Zealand whilst under the tutelage of Graeme Rogerson, for whom he won his first Group One aboard Soriano in the 2014 edition of the Zabeel Classic (2000m). “That was the greatest day I’ve had on a racecourse for sure, I was apprenticed to…
Vale Don Goodwin
Don Goodwin, the breeder of 11-time Group One winner Verry Elleegant, has passed away, aged 86. Goodwin was a proud student of thoroughbred pedigrees, and it was this passion that led him to acquiring Verry Elleegant’s dam, Opulence, to send to Grangewilliam Stud stallion Zed, for whom he was a shareholder. It was purchasing Opulence off trainer Nicholas Bishara that set the wheels in motion for the formation of a lucrative partnership and friendship between the pair, which took them on the ride of a lifetime. “I had the mare,…
Wagga races free preview & quaddie tips | Christmas Eve 2024
What Wagga Races Where Murrumbidgee Turf Club – Travers St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 When Tuesday, December 24, 2024 First Race 1pm AEDT Visit Dabble Christmas Eve racing heads to the Murrumbidgee Turf Club on Tuesday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race program set for decision. Participants will be racing on the Riverside circuit, and with warm conditions forecast in the lead-up, punters can anticipate a genuine Good 4 surface. All the action is scheduled to get underway at 1pm local time. Best Bet at Wagga: Associate The Danielle Seib-trained Associate…
HRNZ Office Hours over Xmas – New Year
HRNZ will be closed from midday Tuesday, December 24 and will re-open on Monday, January 6 at 8.30am. In the meantime we have staff assigned to cover core roles and will answer email enquiries. The contact point is : admin@hrnz.co.nz
HRNZ launches Next Gen : Own The Thrill
A new initiative is being launched by Harness Racing New Zealand to encourage new owners. Labelled “Next Gen”, the scheme’s ambition is to be a game changer. “We want people to ‘Own The Thrill’,” says HRNZ Chief Executive Brad Steele, who’s the architect behind the project. “We need to get new and younger people involved, convey the excitement of owning and racing a horse, and provide pathways for trainers and others making their way in our sport.” Total new additional bonuses of up to $600,000 per year will be awarded…
Bedggood to aim Kingswood towards Group 1 glory
Kingswood. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Irish import Kingswood could be aimed at the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) in March, with trainer Gavin Bedggood cautiously weighing up the timing following a taxing spring carnival campaign. The gelding was last seen finishing fifth in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) on November 30, after claiming victory in the Group 3 Coongy Cup (2000m) during a four-start preparation. “I earmarked the Australian Cup for him, but it’s not a long turnaround from spring from his last run to that race,” Bedggood…
Tact McLeod now heading to Bendigo Cup
By Adam Hamilton A couple of sweltering Melbourne days have delayed the start of exciting Kiwi pacer Tact McLeod’s Victorian campaign. In the care of Anthony Butt and Sonya Smith, Tact McLeod was slated to open his assault in a free-for-all at Cranbourne on Saturday. “We’re going to hold back and wait another week now,” Butt said. “When he arrived down from Sydney, we had a couple of really hot days, so we decided just to take it easy on him. “Cranbourne was never a definite, more a good starting…
Keeneland to be targeted towards Group 1 QLD Derby
Keenelnd winning the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Keeneland is being aimed at the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) this winter following an explanation for his disappointing run in last month’s Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m). The gelded son of Almanzor finished tenth in the 2500-metre Classic, despite appearing to be a winning chance as he surged to the front on the home turn before fading late. “He looked like the winner and then he gave absolutely nothing,” Busuttin…
Dashing set to chase Stakes success
Dashing. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) After four consistent runs this season without clinching victory, the Aaron Purcell-trained Dashing is set to target a breakthrough performance in Thursday’s Listed Lord Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield Heath. The five-year-old gelding has been knocking on the door with strong placings, finishing third in the Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m) and second in the Werribee Cup (1600m) in his last two starts. However, Purcell also has the option of sending Dashing to the $300,000 Coastal Classic (1700m) at Geelong ten days later. “The plan is…