Month: January 2025

Chairman’s Stakes

AAP

Odds Bookmakers News Field Past Winners Chairman’s Stakes Group Three Betting Guide Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025 Location: Caulfield Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria Prize Money: $200,000 Distance: 1000m The Chairman’s Stakes is a Group 3 race for two-year-olds conducted by the Melbourne Racing Club at Caulfield. First run in 1990 and won by Wrap Around, the Chairman’s Stakes has become a key lead-up to the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m). Initially a Listed race, the Chairman’s Stakes was upgraded to Group 3 status in 2014. Traditionally held over 1000m,…

World Pool coming to Karaka Millions

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World Pool will be introduced to New Zealand in Saturday’s Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie. Photo: Nicole Troost The Karaka Millions twilight meeting on Saturday is shaping to be another exciting spectacle for punters, and adding more excitement to the mix is the introduction of World Pool to the iconic event. The presence of World Pool will bring eyes from 25 racing jurisdictions around the world to Ellerslie on Saturday for three races – the Group 1 Sistema Railway (1200m), Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), and Karaka Millions 3YO (1200m) –…

Ndola gears up for autumn campaign

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Ndola. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Lindsay Park Racing is optimistic about the upcoming autumn campaign of their Justify colt Ndola, who is set to begin in Saturday’s Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Sandown. The three-year-old was initially slated for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) last October but didn’t make it to the prestigious Group 1 event. Trainers Ben, Will, and JD Hayes are hopeful that Ndola can make up for that absence by aiming for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 1. A…

Powers Of Opal targets autumn rematch with Treasurethe Moment

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Powers Of Opal. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au John Sargent acknowledges that Powers Of Opal was beaten fair and square by Treasurethe Moment during last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival, but the Randwick-based trainer remains hopeful of getting the better of that rival in the upcoming autumn. Sargent is eager to have another go at the Matt Laurie-trained filly, who forced Powers Of Opal into second place in both the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m). Powers Of Opal is approaching her trial stage and is set for a…

Price Tag set to resume in Blue Diamond Fillies’ Preview

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Price Tag. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Trainer Sam Freedman is confident that Price Tag can make an impact this Saturday when she resumes in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Fillies’ Preview (1000m) at Sandown. The $250,000 race has been relocated to the Sandown Lakeside course due to Caulfield being out of action. This will be the filly’s first start away from Flemington after finishing third in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) and fourth in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) last spring. Freedman, who trains in partnership with…

Update on Implementation Utilisation Reference Group Report

NZHarnessNews

HRNZ has decided on the 26 May as the implementation date for new regulations on Handicapping, Programming and Ratings. This revised date was selected for two reasons.  Firstly, to release everything at once.  Secondly, to cause minimal disruption to planned race series in the autumn (for which conditions have been set), and to avoid significant races from now until then. The regulations will be in three parts: a.    Part A – The Rating System.  The major IT work for this has been completed.b.    Part B – Updated Handicapping…

Six of the best from the trials

NZHarnessNews

These six horses have trialed pleasingly in recent weeks and this week they head back to the racetrack. Words (4m Downbytheseaside – Premier Crus)  Tr. G ShirleyAs yet unraced but qualified back in August 2024, won a Pukekohe workout (16/1/25) after trailing in 5 horse heat then dashing along the inside to grab the win in impressive fashion   MR:2:05.8, 800m in 59.3, 400m in 27.4Noted its won another 3 workouts last year and now finally makes a long awaited debut at Cambridge this Friday night and has secured a…

Teaz hoping for another good day at Otaki

NZHarnessNews

By Brigette Solomon Ohaupo based trainer Jason Teaz starts three runners today at Otaki’s grass track meeting and is hoping that with a bit of luck they can feature amongst the placings.  Teaz heads into the meeting fresh off the back of a winning double on Sunday, with both Major Break and Veronica Jane winning their respective races. Today Major Break starts in the Grant Plumbing Ltd Otaki Cup Mobile Pace, while Veronica Jane steps out in the Bebbington Country Cup Handicap Trot.  “They both won well on Sunday but…

Stallion confidence reflected in Karaka draft

NZRacingDesk

Group One power has fuelled Cambridge Stud’s 42-strong Book 1 draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale. The farm’s proven stallion duo of Almanzor and Hello Youmzain and exciting younger associate Sword Of State dominate the Karaka consignment. “It’s a reflection of us backing our own with this foal crop, a representation of our own stallions and we’ve got the utmost confidence in them,” Head of Sales and Nominations Scott Calder said. “We were happy to support them heavily and now we’re very happy with the horses we’ve got…

Bourbon Lane reaping big rewards in New Zealand venture

NZRacingDesk

The first half a decade of Bourbon Lane Stable’s expansion into New Zealand has exceeded even the most optimistic predictions of the American investors. The group has celebrated a long line of successes with the likes of Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) placegetter Bourbonaire (NZ) (Darci Brahma), Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) winner Bourbon Empress and fellow stakes winners To Cap It All, Super Photon and Glamour Tycoon. At the same time, the New Zealand thoroughbred landscape that they are becoming a major part of has undergone a revitalisation…