Year: 2024

News Briefs : December 18

NZHarnessNews

The race for the junior drivers’ premiership, Swayzee’s race day return, a notable 21st and movie night at Cambridge all feature in this week’s News Briefs.  Junior drivers’ premiership battle heats up The Junior Drivers’ premiership is down to one. Last night’s meeting at Addington saw Carter Dalgety get a Trent Yesberg-trained double with Whosdreamingnow and Major Performer to take his tally for the year to 60. He trails leader Sam Thornley by just one. He had a win last night with Kawactus. Snapping on the leading pair’s heels is…

Sharp ‘N’ Smart set for Trentham Group 2 return

AAP

Sharp ‘N’ Smart will contest Saturday’s Group 2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Trentham. Photo: Race Images Former New Zealand Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart is set to head to Trentham on Saturday to kick-off his summer campaign and ready for a Group One assignment at the Upper Hutt track next month. The son of Redwood was runner-up in the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) as a three-year-old before going on to win the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), and…

Today’s horse racing tips & quaddie selections | Wednesday, 18/12

AAP

There are seven horse racing meetings set for Australia on Wednesday, December 18. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Ascot, Caulfield Heath, Warwick Farm & Sha Tin (HK). Wednesday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – December 18, 2024 Ascot Racing Tips Caulfield Heath Racing Tips Warwick Farm Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top horse racing bookmakers to see what daily promotions they…

Today’s horse racing bookmaker promotions & bet returns | 18/12

AAP

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Wednesday, December 18. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for December 18, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Caulfield Heath Races 1-4 | Bet Back Run 2nd or 3rd up to $50 back Activate your Bet Back Tool in your Betslip on Races 1-4 at Caulfield this Wednesday and if…

Shock returns to Victorian racing

NZRacingDesk

Well-travelled gelding Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) will have his first start in Victoria for close to four months when he lines up in the $1 million Supernova slot race at Pakenham on Saturday. After racing in Queensland during the winter, the Lindsay Park-trained galloper ran a gallant second to Another Wil on Memsie Stakes Day but was soon back on the road again. He enjoyed a successful stint in New South Wales during the spring, winning the Gr.3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle and the lucrative Alan Brown Stakes at…

The Follow Files: Debutant impresses at Caulfield Heath

AAP

The final day of The Pinnacles at Ascot headlined last Saturday’s racing in Australia, while Caulfield Heath, Eagle Farm and Randwick held strong support meetings with the weather differing at each venue. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have focused on three runners that will be worth keeping an eye on over the summer months as they continue their preparations. You can add these horses to your blackbook and receive notifications when they are set to race again. Caulfield Heath Track rating: Good 4 Rail position: True…

Breeder and owner of the month for November

NZHarnessNews

Every month HRNZ selects a breeder and owner of the month. It is done at random, with the only proviso being that their horse must have won during the month. November’s breeding winner was Grant Smith from Ashburton after Selsey Anne’s impressive win on debut for trainer Mark Jones at Kaikoura on November 4. The Lather Up two-year-old filly came from last to win at South Bay by a length for driver Robbie Close. She has not been seen on race day since. Stewart Gillan is the owner of the…

Blue Sky At Night continues family legacy

NZRacingDesk

Blue Sky At Night (NZ) (Shamexpress) gave owner-breeder’s Isabel and Alistaire Barker a massive thrill last Saturday at Te Rapa when taking out the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m), extending the couple’s great association with her family.  “It was pretty amazing,” Isabel Barker said. “She is a very genuine mare, she gives 120 percent. It was very close (half head winning margin), but a win is a win.”  With victory, Blue Sky At Night attained coveted black-type and assured her future broodmare career.  “That (black-type) was the aim,” Barker said. “To…

Cup chance for Goldman

NZRacingDesk

Such is the form his vast Darby Racing stable of horses are in that Scott Darby suspects Saturday’s $300,000 Pakenham Cup could see a reversal in fortunes of his syndicate’s runner Goldman (NZ) (Verdi). A one-time early Melbourne Cup favourite in 2023 after beating Soulcombe in the Roy Higgins Quality (2500m) at Flemington, Goldman has since gone on a puzzling nine-run losing streak. “It’s been a while between drinks, but Gai (Waterhouse) tells me he’s going along well,” Darby said on Tuesday. “Getting back that way (anti-clockwise) and down in…