By Jonny Turner Tim Williams made the perfect start to his racing week; now he just hopes his form can continue. Williams and his Stonewall Stud team got Thursday’s Diamonds Day warm-up at Ascot Park underway by producing Mandala for an overdue victory. The stars aligned for the three-year-old, which is hopefully a sign of things to come for the Steve and Amanda Telfer camp when the feature races are up for grabs at Sunday’s Diamonds Day meeting. “It was three years in the making, but she found the perfect…
Day: 25 April 2025
Affluential hits form ahead of Warrnambool
John Leek Junior received the confidence booster he was looking for with Affluential (NZ) (Zed) heading towards the Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool when he narrowly took out the TAB We’re On (2500m) at Flemington. At his last start Affluential, the younger brother of Melbourne Cup winner and superstar stayer Verry Elleegant, was pulled out of the M.J. Bourke Hurdle and was subsequently found to have suffered cardiac arrythmia. “That was what we wanted to see that he was back in form to confirm he’s back on track for the Galleywood…
Zac Purton gives Ka Ying Rising stamp of approval for G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize
Hong Kong’s champion jockey Zac Purton plans to employ a familiar plan and use Ka Ying Rising’s (NZ) (Shamexpress) blistering speed against his 12 rivals in Sunday’s (27 April) HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin. Purton said he doesn’t want a slowly run race but, as the world’s highest-rated sprinter, he has the horse to dictate the way the race will be run. Chasing a 12th consecutive victory, Purton said the New Zealand-bred gelding had been a gem from the first time he got off the…
Hayes Family Chases Historic Double with Ka Ying Rising and Mr Brightside
As the spotlight turns to Sha Tin for FWD Champions Day, the Hayes family stands on the verge of an extraordinary feat in international racing. With two New Zealand-bred stars entered in Group One contests, the iconic family operation is chasing a unique double that would further cement their place in racing folklore. David Hayes will be represented by star sprinter Ka Ying Rising in the Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), while his sons Ben, JD, and Will Hayes send out the formidable Mr Brightside in the Gr.1 Champions Mile…
Awapuni’s much-anticipated raceday comeback ends on a low note
Awapuni’s long-awaited return to racing on its newly renovated grass track has ended in disappointment, with their ANZAC Day meeting abandoned following a slip in the opening race. “A horse slipped on the outside,” RACE’s General Manager of Racing Brad Taylor said. “Walking the track, there is no visual slip, but we have got to have jockeys’ safety first. They are the ones going out there and riding on it and it’s on us that this has happened. “It’s really unfortunate, but we will learn from it and put the…
Eye Candy aiming for black-type breakthrough in Warstep Stakes
Eye Candy will contest the Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton on Saturday. (Photo: Therese Davis – Race Images) Eye Candy caught her connections a little by surprise with a string of stakes performances this term and she’ll aim to take the top spot for the first time in Saturday’s Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m). A daughter of Darci Brahma, Eye Candy is trained at Cambridge by Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray, who admitted that at first glance, her compact frame didn’t create a huge impression. “She’s as genuine as the…
Awapuni ANZAC Day meeting abandoned after one race
Awapuni’s ANZAC Day meeting was abandoned following a slip in the first race. (Photo: Peter Rubery – Race Images Palmerston North) The long-awaited return to racing at Awapuni on its newly renovated grass track has ended in disappointment, with their ANZAC Day meeting abandoned following a slip in the opening race. “A horse slipped on the outside,” RACE’s General Manager of Racing Brad Taylor said. “Walking the track, there is no visual slip, but we have got to have jockeys’ safety first. They are the ones going out there and…
Morphettville free racing tips & quaddie | Saturday, April 26
What Morphettville Races Where Morphettville Racecourse – 79 Morphett Road, Morphettville, SA 5043 When Saturday, April 26, 2025 First Race 12:02pm ACST Visit Dabble Group 1 racing returns to South Australia on Saturday afternoon where a massive nine-race meeting is scheduled for Morphettville, headlined by the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) and Australasian Oaks (2000m). With clear skies on the forecast and the rail in its true position their will be no excuses for fancied prospects throughout the meeting, with perfect conditions set to greet runners and punters alike. The first…
Friday’s horse racing promotions & bet returns | April 25, 2025
Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Friday, April 25. 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 April 25, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Double Winnings! – Flemington Get DOUBLE WINNINGS paid in BONUS CASH. Applies to Win, Place & Top 2/3/4 markets (excludes SRM). First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in bet slip.…
Pitman stable set sights on local stakes double
As they so often are, Michael and Matthew Pitman’s Riccarton operation promises to be a stable to be reckoned in their home track features on Saturday. The father and son duo will be represented by the quality pair of Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) and Third Decree (NZ) (War Decree)in the Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) while Epee Beel will appreciate the step up in trip in the Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m). Mystic Park is already a black-type winner on his home turf with victory…