Flying three-year-old Poetic Champion (NZ) (Super Seth) will spearhead Tony Pike’s trio of sprinters contesting the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) on Karaka Millions Night, staged this Saturday at Ellerslie. Poetic Champion was among the upper echelon of the country’s juveniles last season, placing in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m). Returning as a three-year-old, the son of Super Seth pounced on a deserved stakes victory in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Hastings,…
Month: January 2025
Bergerson Aims for Karaka Millions Redemption
Awapuni trainer Roydon Bergerson finished runner-up in the 2022 running of the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) with Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci), and he is excited to have two bullets in the chamber to try and go one better in this year’s edition. Wolverine was undefeated heading into the race three years ago, winning on debut at Otaki before she was sold to Australian Bloodstock, and she quickly repaid her new owners with victories in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) and Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m), before she was…
Back to back wins for Gotta Elect Bill
By Brigette Solomon The wins keep coming for Junior driver Harrison Orange and Canterbury based trainer Michael House with the pair combining to clinch the Wellington – Otaki Cup double after Gotta Elect Bill took out the Grant Plumbing Ltd Otaki Cup Mobile Pace yesterday. “It was pretty cool to get back to back wins on him in these country cups” said Orange “I thought we’d possibly get a similar run to what we did on Sunday given the field and draws were pretty much the same but he was…
Harness success for Anderton
By Jonny Turner Jovial Jay notched a first for one of Otago racing’s most well-known sets of silks with his win at Oamaru on Wednesday. The pacer prevailed in a hectic affair with driver Jonny Cox wearing the colours of champion thoroughbred trainer Brian Anderton. The white, red and green silks have won hundreds of races in the thoroughbred code and been carried by many of Anderton’s outstanding gallopers. “I thought I would get them registered and that was only the third time they have been out there in a…
Roydon Bergerson after Karaka Millions 2YO redemption
Too Sweet will be one of two runners for Roydon Bergerson in Saturday’s $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Awapuni trainer Roydon Bergerson finished runner-up in the 2022 running of the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) with Wolverine, and he is excited to have two bullets in the chamber to try and go one better in this year’s edition. Wolverine was undefeated heading into the race three years ago, winning on debut at Otaki before she was sold to Australian Bloodstock, and…
Clotworthy’s chasing Karaka Millions riches
Malt Time will contest the Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Therese Davis (Race Images) Shaun and Emma Clotworthy will bring a mix of experience and new blood to the table on Karaka Millions Night at Ellerslie this Saturday. Malt Time, a multiple Group One-performer, was not initially targeted towards the Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m), but the Byerley Park trainers confirmed the mare will take her place in the $500,000 feature after placing fifth-equal in a congested finish to the Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1800m).…
Romantic Warrior draws perfectly for Group 1 Jebel Hatta
Romantic Warrior (left) exercises at Meydan Racecourse. Photo: HKJC Danny Shum expects Romantic Warrior to improve physically from running in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Friday night (January 24) when the Hong Kong champion chases a 10th Group 1 victory after drawing perfectly in barrier one. The world’s highest-earning racehorse with prizemoney of HK$177.3 million has not raced since posting a record third consecutive win in the HK$40 million Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on December 8 and Shum…
Randwick Saturday races preview & best bets | January 25, 2025
What Randwick Races Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, January 25, 2025 First Race 1:05pm AEDT Visit Dabble Royal Randwick Racecourse is the destination for metro racing on Saturday afternoon, with a bumper nine-race program set down for decision. The rail moves out +7m the entire circuit for the meeting, and with minimal rainfall forecast heading into the weekend, hopefully the Good 4 rating at the time of acceptances can hold for race-day. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 1:05pm local…
Joliestar, Traffic Warden primed for return after Rosehill trials
Joliestar. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au One-time Everest (1200m) favourite, Joliestar, has made a blistering return to work for the Chris Waller barn, cruising to victory in the opening 900m barrier trial at Rosehill on Thursday morning. The daughter of Zoustar did it comfortably with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, as the four-year-old loomed large behind the likes of stable companion Lindermann (3rd), and the Matthew Smith-trained Way To The Stars (4th), with the pair pressing forward to set the sedate tempo. Joliestar was barely asked for an effort by McEvoy in the…
Gold Coast racing preview & quaddie tips | Friday, January 24
What Gold Coast Races Where Gold Coast Turf Club – Racecourse Dr, Bundall QLD 4217 When Friday, January 24, 2025 First Race 5:30pm AEST Visit Dabble The Listed Goldmarket Handicap will headline the eight-race card at the Gold Coast Turf Club on Friday night. With warm weather forecast in the lead-up to the meeting, the track is expected to improve from the Soft 5 rating into the Good range by raceday. The rail will be in the +3m position from the 900m mark to the winning post and in its…