Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray wouldn’t usually present a horse to the races without a trial, but that indicated how much they thought of Love The Sort (Tassort), and she bolted in on debut at the Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday. The filly’s success was the first leg of a winning double for the stable, with Ritchie on course while Murray celebrated his birthday in the warmer climes of Queensland. “I’ve just got back from the States and had a fantastic experience over there, and Colm took off this morning to…
Day: 19 June 2025
Tauranga finale for talented Wexford trio
Talented mare Grande Gallo (NZ) (Belardo) will return to her favourite track in pursuit of black-type in Saturday’s Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (1400m), with two of her key rivals coming from the same stable. The daughter of Belardo has won three out of four appearances at the Tauranga course, and after her success in the Owens Plate (1200m) in March, trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott pencilled in the fillies and mares feature. “This race has been on her radar for a long time, it was her finale that…
Myers continuing family dynasty
The Myers name is synonymous with Central Districts racing, and Palmerston North-based trainer Caley Myers is continuing to add to her family’s legacy in the industry. The daughter of renowned Wanganui horseman Kevin “Dummy” Myers, Caley has been involved in the sport from an early age and gained a solid grounding from her family. She enjoyed working for her father for several years, which included campaigning horses around the country, but decided last season it was time to step out on her own and carve her own path. Myers scored…
Ferrando colt leaves lasting impression
El Vaquero (NZ) (Ferrando) made such an early impression on Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman that he didn’t hesitate to purchase the colt’s sister at Karaka earlier this year. The handsome son of Ferrando has justified his handler’s opinion with sharp improvement on an unplaced debut with a top effort for a last start second. El Vaquero was caught wide at Wingatui from the outside gate and fought gallantly to the post and will bid to go one better in the Bain McCall Memorial 2YO (1000m) on his home course on…
Six of the Best from the Trials – June 19
These 6 horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week they head back to the racetrack. Duchess Of Kent (3f Art Major – Galleon’s Honour) Tr. L Pearson Rewarded her followers at Invercargill (2/6/25) with an easy front running maiden win at only her 4th start in a 1:58MR, last 800m in 57.0 Had previously won a trial (16/5/25) at Winton so the win was not unexpected. Since her raceday victory, she has been back at the Winton workouts where she showed her customary gate speed to lead &…
Pinseeker, Bet N Win Step Out at Menangle Ahead of Inter Dominion
by Adam Hamilton Jonny Cox is looking forward to launching his Aussie campaign with the exciting Pinseeker at Menangle on Saturday night. Cox and Pinseeker arrived in Sydney late yesterday (Tuesday) along with the David and Stacey White pair Bet N Win and Betterthancash, who also step-out at Menangle on Saturday. Pinseeker (gate four) will clash with Betterthancash (three) over a mile in the opening race on Saturday. “I don’t know a lot about the form yet, but it looks a good starting point because we’re racing a class below…
Princess Sadie and Joyride Return in Silk Road Series
by Jonny Turner Wyndham punters will need to choose between outstanding age-group form and rock-hard fitness on Thursday. Princess Sadie will line up in a Silk Road Trotting Series heat, her first start since signing off an excellent three-year-old season in December. Just two starts ago, the now four-year-old mare ran second behind superstar Aussie Keyang Zahara in the Group One New Zealand Trotting Oaks. It looks outstanding form to bring to Young Quinn Raceway, even if the trotter has a 20m handicap to overcome. While her class can’t be…
Balle Team Lines Up Two at Cambridge as Neita Leads the Charge
by Jordyn Bublitz The father-daughter duo of Derek and Neita Balle have two runners set to take the stage tonight at Cambridge Raceway. A relatively new partnership, Neita admits she didn’t quite believe her dad when he first offered to train together. “We were having a laugh a few months ago when I jokingly asked him when we were going into partnership,” she said. “He told me, ‘Whenever you want to,’ and I laughed it off.” “Three months down the track, he walked into the barn and asked if I wanted to go…