Day: 17 March 2025

TAB launches new self service terminals

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin Retail racing and sports punters are finally set to step into the modern world as the TAB launches new self service terminals. While the majority of New Zealand punters now bet online, increasingly through the TAB or betcha apps on their phones, there are still over 500 venues around the country where people can bet, many in pubs or clubs. The self service terminals at those venues can be a source of frustration for punters with their outdated systems, as any punter who has stood for what…

2025 Drivers Challenge confirmed for Methven

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness Nes Desk   A third Methven Drivers’ Challenge has been confirmed for next month, and this time it is literally the biggest yet. Four teams of three will battle it out over six penalty-free races on April 13, the club’s last meeting at Mt Harding before the winter recess. Sponsored by Jonny Cox and Kimberly Butt’s Roseland Racing, the Challenge will feature 12 drivers, all wearing their own stable’s colours (or colours they are closely associated with them).  The four teams :  Legends – Tony Herlihy, Maurice…

Team Teal close to $25,000

NZHarnessNews

With the campaign finishing yesterday, Team Teal is likely to reach close to $25,000. Right now the figure stands at $23,495, with the final tally-up yet to be completed. With Wingatui’s four race card all being won by female drivers and Mikalya Lewis, Olivia Thornley and Jessica Young-Grant winning at Motukarara the final day of the campaign was a good one. The annual campaign, which raises money for ovarian cancer research, started on February 1 with money going to the cause every time a female driver wins a race through…

Brownes continue Kiwi connection with Showdown victor

NZRacingDesk

A connection to their homeland attracted Emma-Lee and David Browne to Mcgaw as an yearling, and twelve months later, the inexpensive gelding delivered the couple’s biggest victory since moving to Australia in Saturday’s $1 million Showdown (1200m). At just his second appearance on race-day, Mcgaw was forced to travel wide from an outside draw early, eventually sitting outside the leader under Damian Lane. The son of I Am Immortal kicked strongly at the top of the Caulfield straight and kept finding, outmuscling Befuddle to score by a half-length. “It was…

Go Racing launch trio of bright young stayers

NZRacingDesk

Vistetto is the latest of a trio of young stayers to have kicked off their careers in exciting fashion in Australia for New Zealand-based syndicators Go Racing in recent weeks. The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old was a dominant winner over 1950m at Yarra Valley on Sunday at just his second start, with Jordon Childs onboard. “He was good today,” Childs said. “He began nicely and ended up in a nice stalking position, upon straightening he just lost his way a little bit, he is still learning how to really put the…

Checkmate bound for Rosehill feature

NZRacingDesk

Wexford Stables took home the major spoils at Tauranga on Saturday, and this weekend, they will venture further afield with class three-year-old Checkmate contesting the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) in Sydney. Checkmate has impressed in his first racing campaign, winning three races including the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m). The son of Mongolian Khan was selected by trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott to represent Wexford in the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), and after settling beautifully in the running, he flashed home into third behind Damask Rose and Evaporate.…

Emma-Lee & David Browne score breakthrough win with Mcgaw

AAP

Expat-Kiwi trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne. Photo: Trish Dunell A connection to their homeland attracted Emma-Lee and David Browne to Mcgaw as a yearling, and twelve months later, the inexpensive gelding delivered the couple’s biggest victory since moving to Australia in Saturday’s $1 million Showdown (1200m). At just his second appearance on race day, Mcgaw was forced to travel wide from an outside draw early, eventually sitting outside the leader under Damian Lane. The son of I Am Immortal kicked strongly at the top of the Caulfield straight and kept…

Checkmate to chase Rosehill Guineas success

AAP

Checkmate will travel to Sydney to contest Saturday’s Group 1 Rosehill Guineas. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Wexford Stables took home the major spoils at Tauranga on Saturday, and this weekend, they will venture further afield with class three-year-old Checkmate contesting the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) in Sydney. Checkmate has impressed in his first racing campaign, winning three races including the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m). The son of Mongolian Khan was selected by trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott to represent Wexford in the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi…

Benedetta set for Group 1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley

AAP

2024 Goodwood winner, Benedetta. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Group 1-winning mare Benedetta will make her competitive Moonee Valley debut in Saturday’s $1 million Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m). Trainer Jason Warren is eager to work the mare at the track on Tuesday. “She’s worked there once as we were thinking about racing her in this race two years ago,” Warren told Racing.com. “She probably doesn’t need it, but I’m going to take her there Tuesday to stretch the legs. I’m confident we have the right horse.” Benedetta placed…

‘Fresh’ Jimmysstar primed for William Reid tilt

AAP

Jimmysstar ridden by Ethan Brown winning the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Last-start Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) hero Jimmysstar will be a fresh horse when he lines up in Saturday’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley, a strategy that the Ciaron Maher stable believes is crucial. Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the tactic worked perfectly when Jimmysstar flew home to win the Group 1 1100-metre race at Caulfield on February 22 after a three-month break. He believes the month-long gap…