Raymond Connors has collected every major two-mile prize in New Zealand, and now he is dreaming of a possible tilt at Australasia’s most coveted staying scalp, the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). The Bulls horseman has long held aspirations of winning the race that stops a continent, and his breeding and racing endeavours have reflected that, with Connors having a plethora of success in New Zealand staying and jumping features. Trav’s victory in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday completed New Zealand’s feature staying set for Connors, who…
Month: March 2025
Brightside ‘OK’ after jarring up
Nine-time Group One champion Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has jarred up out of Saturday’s Gr.1 All-Star Mile (1600m), but, in encouraging news, is still well on track to race in Hong Kong next month. Mr Brightside fought courageously for a narrow second behind Tom Kitten (Harry Angel) in the new Group One, but co-trainer Ben Hayes said on Monday it was obvious the seven-year-old felt the firm track, which had been upgraded to a Good 3 less than half an hour before the race. “He jarred up out of the…
La Crique to tackle Group 1 Tancred Stakes
La Crique (inside) will travel across the Tasman to take on the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) on March 29. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander have always felt distance would be La Crique’s best friend, and they will give her the opportunity to step up over ground when they head to Australia with her later this month. The daughter of Vadamos kept her perennial bridesmaid tag firmly intact over the weekend, bested by the barest of margins by in-form gelding El Vencedor in the Group…
Elphinstone powers home to claim C S Hayes Memorial Cup
Elphinstone (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Elphinstone delivered a dominant performance to claim the Listed C S Hayes Memorial Cup (1600m) at Morphettville on Monday, March 10, securing an important black-type win for Tony & Calvin McEvoy. Ridden by Jamie Melham, the four-year-old mare by Street Boss settled at the rear of the field before producing a devastating finishing burst, storming home late to put the race away with ease. The pace was genuine early as Wild Imagination and A Samurai Mind pressed forward to take up prominent positions, while…
Bundle Award emerges as BMW Hong Kong Derby contender
Bundle Award sweeps clear under Ben Thompson. Photo: HKJC Bundle Award charged into HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) calculations with a brilliant victory at Sha Tin on Sunday (March 9) to fan hopes of a fourth Classic triumph for champion trainer John Size. Ridden perfectly by Ben Thompson, the 75-rating Shamus Award gelding (115lb) charged from last at the 400m in a searing 22.11s to down Markwin (115lb) and Helene Feeling (135lb) to enhance claims of clinching a place in the BMW Hong Kong Derby on March 23. “It…
Goulburn free racing preview & best bets | March 11, 2025
What Goulburn Races Where Goulburn & District Racing Club – Racecourse Dr, Goulburn NSW 2580 When Tuesday, March 11, 2025 First Race 1:50pm AEDT Visit Dabble Goulburn & District Racing Club is the destination for NSW racing on Tuesday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program set for decision. The rail moves out +9m between the 950m marker to 350m pole, while the remainder stays out +7m the rest of the way around. The track is rated a Good 4 at the time ofacceptances;, however, with some rainfall expected to hit…
Today’s horse racing bookmaker promos & betting offers | March 10
Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Monday, March 10. 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 March 10, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply, Only for eligible customers. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Morphettville | Same Race Multi 3+ Leg Bonus Back Place a 3+ leg Same…
Sires’ locked in for classy two-year-old
Classy juvenile Landlock turned a few heads when pushing million-dollar colt Return to Conquer right down to the wire in Saturday’s Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m), but the performance came as no surprise to his trainer Cody Cole. The son of Merchant Navy was a debut winner and placed in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) before a storming run into fifth in the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). Despite this, the gelding was heavily underrated in last Saturday’s $550,000 juvenile feature, starting at $41 while Return To Conquer dominated…
Tancred test for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander have always felt distance would be La Crique’s best friend, and they will give her the opportunity to step up over ground when they head to Australia with her later this month. The daughter of Vadamos kept her perennial bridesmaid tag firmly intact over the weekend, bested by the barest of margins by in-form gelding El Vencedor in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie, extending her elite-level runner-up sequence to four. Despite going down for the fourth straight time on Saturday, La…
Dream Cup result for Dennis
Robert Dennis already has the leader in the Southern Cups Bonus Series in Loftys Gift, but it was another member of his stable, Sacred Dream (NZ) (Sacred Falls), who took out the penultimate race on Sunday, the Caldwell Contracting Wyndham Cup (2000m). Loftys Gift won last Saturday’s Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) at Wingatui, and in her absence at Gore, that gave other runners an opportunity to gain points before she returns for the Riverton Cup (2147m) next month. Ascot Park-based Dennis had Sacred Dream, Vino Valentino and Stolen Magic…