Andrew Forsman has a key hope to add another $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) trophy to his cabinet at Ellerslie on Saturday. In 2021, Forsman and his former training partner Murray Baker won the race with formidable three-year-old Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls), downing another class galloper in Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel). On Saturday, Forsman will chase the title with a pair of runners, the first of those being Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) winner Yaldi (NZ) (Ardrossan). The son of Ardrossan is a stakes performer in Australia and a key…
Month: January 2025
Smart Mare Eyes Golden Stakes Opportunity
Goldie’s Chance (NZ) (Iffraaji) was luckless at her latest appearance and a return to her home track on Saturday will present her with the ideal stage to turn her fortunes around. The daughter of Iffraaj will head a two-pronged attack on the Listed Speight’s Timaru Stakes (1200m) for trainer Anna Furlong with former northerner Tanzanite Rose (NZ) (Burgundy) also in contention. Goldie’s Chance was runner-up on the course three runs back in an open handicap and then finished a sound third in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) before she…
Wynyard Seeks Karaka Million Glory
Hollie Wynyard knows what it takes to win a $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), and on Saturday at Ellerslie she’ll be vying for her first crown as a solo trainer with Toretto (NZ) (Ardrossan) and Sierra Leone (NZ) (Sun City). Back in 2014, Wynyard played an instrumental role in the triumph of Vespa, who was trained by Johno Benner. The pair subsequently trained in partnership for a number of years, and in that period, won the inaugural running of the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) with Scott…
Ellis predicts an Aussie NZ invasion
Te Akau boss David Ellis predicts an influx of Australian jockeys making hit-and-run missions to New Zealand in coming years. Speaking at the barrier draw for Saturday’s Karaka Millions meeting, the leviathan owner said the rise in NZ’s prizemoney and the retirement of legendary hoop Opie Bosson mean making a trans-Tasman trip is more appealing than it may have been in previous years. Blake Shinn and Craig Williams will ride at Saturday’s feature meeting, while superstar hoops Mark Zahra and James McDonald rode there in 2024. “I think with our…
Snazzytavi pleases in Pukekohe trial
Dual Group One winner Snazzytavi pleased in her trial at Pukekohe on Thursday ahead of next month’s Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Standout middle-distance mare Snazzytavi is set to shoot for a Group One treble after pleasing her connections at Thursday’s Pukekohe trials. Racing in the colours of Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, the daughter of Tavistock has won four of her five starts this season including top-flight triumphs in the Livamol Classic (2040m) at Te Rapa in October…
Ellerslie full racing preview & tips | Karaka Millions 2025
What Karaka Millions 2025 Where Ellerslie Racecourse – 100 Ascot Ave, Remuera, Auckland 1051, New Zealand When Saturday, January 25, 2025 First Race 4:38pm NZDT (2:38pm AEDT) Visit Dabble The Karaka Millions awaits punters on Saturday afternoon, with a stacked six-race meeting scheduled for one of New Zealand’s richest days of racing. The lucrative Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) headline proceedings, while the Group 1 Sistema Railway (1200m) — worth more than NZ$4 million — will cap the meeting. With intermittent showers forecast, it is unlikely…
Hackett happy to be aboard Doo You Want Me at Cambridge
By Brigette Solomon Junior driver Crystal Hackett has three drives tonight at Cambridge for Palmerston North trainer Stephen Doody including promising three year old Doo You Want Me who starts in the $35,000 TAB Provincial Pacers Final Mobile Pace. “He’s a nice horse and I’m just lucky to be able to drive him” says Hackett “It’s not often as a junior driver that we get to stick with nice horses as they progress, so I’m stoked to be driving him.” The Captain Crunch gelding has won his past four races…
Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott resigns
Racing Queensland has announced its Chief Executive Officer Jason Scott will conclude his term in 2025. Earlier this week, Mr Scott, who joined RQ in early 2023, confirmed he would be leaving his post later this year, ensuring a smooth handover to his eventual successor. During his time leading RQ, Mr Scott’s strong wagering background has proven highly beneficial, with the overall degradation of the Australian wagering market, recalibrating after the highs experienced during the global pandemic, impacting all jurisdictions including Queensland. Having previously enjoyed successful stints as the CEO…
Darwin free horse racing preview & quaddie tips | Saturday, 25/1
What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Saturday, January 25, 2025 First Race 2:01pm ACST Visit Dabble It’s the annual Australia Day meeting in the Top End with 46 horses accepting for the six-event program. The feature race is the Lightning Wet Season Series Final (1200m) at 0-70 level. Heat 3 of the Summer Sprint Series has also drawn a quality field. Showers are forecast leading into the meeting, with Saturday expected to reach 33C. The rail will be in the…
Eskimo Prince Stakes
Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Eskimo Prince Stakes Group Three Betting Guide Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025 Location: Randwick Racecourse – Sydney, New South Wales Prize Money: $250,000 Distance: 1200m The Eskimo Prince Stakes is a Group 3 race for three-year-olds run over 1200m under set weights and penalties conditions. Conducted by the Australian Turf Club at Randwick, the race offers $250,000 in prize money in 2025. First held in 1984, The Eskimo Prince Stakes was initially a Listed race before being upgraded to Group 3 status in 2015.…