Month: September 2025

Tour Party’s progress impresses Next Gen winner

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  It’s been more than six months since Josh Mantell last saw Tour Party. The change has been obvious. “He’s just so much bigger,” says Mantell.   Earlier this year Mantell was the winner of the Harness Racing New Zealand Next Gen “Win a Share in a Race Horse” competition. He entered the competition at the Motukarara races last December. His prize was a 3.5% share in Tour Party, a full brother to multiple Group 1 winner Republican Party. Bred by Price Bloodstock in…

Blair Orange to wear special silks ahead of WDC

NZHarnessNews

The Postman is about to become a billboard for the World Driving Championship (WDC) . New Zealand’s representative for this November’s championship Blair Orange will wear specially made WDC silks in all his races throughout October , starting at Addington on Wednesday. The white silks will not be the ones worn by Orange during the WDC – there he will wear the Silver Fern. Ten of the world’s best drivers will duel it out at Kaikoura, Cambridge, Winton and Addington between November 2-11. It’s the first time New Zealand has…

The Everest audition looms for War Machine

NZRacingDesk

New Zealand-bred Group One winner War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) will get his chance to audition for a place in next month’s A$20 million The Everest (1200m) this week, but trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes have yet to decide where that will be. The last-start winner of the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm has had a slower than anticipated start to the spring, with a foot abscess delaying initial plans. “He just got a foot abscess at the wrong time, which didn’t let us trial when we…

Hayes’ syndicate vision coming to fruition

NZRacingDesk

Te Akau Racing marketing manager Julia-Rose Hayes has had plenty of success syndicating horses selected by her father, David Ellis, and that has continued with her latest syndicate. Hayes has been a key part of New Zealand’s leading stable, operated by her parents David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis, for several years and she has taken pride in the handful of syndicates she has formed. Her two biggest success stories have been syndicating Group One winner On The Bubbles and Group One performer Wild Night, and she is hoping she has…

Matamata Cup first-up for Blue Sky At Night

NZRacingDesk

Blue Sky At Night (NZ) (Shamexpress) collected a couple of Cups last season and trainer Shelley Hale is hoping she can add to her haul when she heads to Matamata on Saturday to contest the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m).  The eight-year-old daughter of Shamexpress was victorious in the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa in December before winning the Gr.3 Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie in February, and Hale is pleased with the way she is coming up this time in.  “She had a great season last…

Blue Sky At Night set to return for Matamata Cup

AAP

Blue Sky At Night (right) will resume in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) on Saturday at Matamata.Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images). Blue Sky At Night collected a couple of Cups last season and trainer Shelley Hale is hoping she can add to her haul when she heads to Matamata on Saturday to contest the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m). The eight-year-old daughter of Shamexpress was victorious in the Group 3 Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa in December before winning the Group 3 Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie in…

Unusual Suspect progeny keeping Auret family busy

AAP

She’s Unusual, the son of Unusual Suspect, has continued the Auret family’s stunning run of success with their resident stallion. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Continued success with resident stallion Unusual Suspect and their racing team has kept Nigel and Adaire Auret busier than they may have envisaged, but without any complaints. They own and operate Letham Stud on the outskirts of Wanganui, with son and Group One-winning trainer Fraser close by at Marton. The family celebrated a winning trans-Tasman double at the weekend with homebred She’s Unusual scoring at Rosehill on Saturday…

Beyond 1000 winners there is still one goal for Kylie Williams

AAP

Kylie Williams rode her 1000th winner aboard Riviera Rebel at Riccarton on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Canterbury jockey Kylie Williams ticked off a major goal over the weekend and she is hoping to achieve one more before retirement. The 45-year-old hoop brought up her 1,000th victory in the saddle when piloting home Riviera Rebel to win the North Canterbury Cup (2000m) in front of family and friends at her home track of Riccarton on Saturday. Riviera Rebel was a $6 winner with Neds Australia in what was a wide-open…

Tuesday’s top bookmaker bonuses & promotions | September 30

AAP

Australia’s top bookmakers have stacks of betting bonuses and other specials on offer for Tuesday’s horse racing action. Check out the best deals for September 30, 2025. Today’s horse racing promotions – September 30, 2025 10% Winnings Boost! – Tamworth Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in betslip. Cash bets only. Max bonus $100. T&C’s apply. View Terms Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Copycash – Get Copied. Get Paid. Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses…