By Michael Guerin How much difference can 500m make? Well, maybe that question has two parts, the other being how much fitter will Merlin strip for the Holmes D G at Alexandra Park on Friday night after his first-up defeat to stablemate Sooner The Bettor. The pair clashed two weeks ago and Sooner The Bettor found the lead over 2200m in the Spring Cup and never looked like being headed while Merlin remarkably secured the one-one soon from his 20m back mark after the start but could manage only third.…
Month: September 2025
Good times keep rolling for family operation
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 and a day later enjoyed further success at Waverley with Unusual Gem. “It’s been terrific for us, and we are trying to…
One final goal for Williams
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 (NZ) (Pure Champion) to win the North Canterbury Cup (2000m) in front of family and friends at her home track of Riccarton on Saturday. “It’s good to finally get there, it has been a while,” she said. “The family were there, so that was even better.” A career in the saddle was never…
A big upset, babies and his new life – the Mighty Looee story
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk When it comes to Mighty Looee’s highlights reel one race is streets ahead of any other. The Sweet Lou eight-year-old, owned by Robyn Hellaby and co-trained by partner Robert Dunn, has been retired from the race track after notching up 17 wins in a 104-start career from 2019 and is now being re-educated for his Life After Racing. And looking back there is a clear stand out. “It was that Country Cup championship at Addington,” says Hellaby, “what a race!” To relive it still…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 29 September 2025
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER
Tatura races tips & free quaddie numbers | September 30, 2025
What Tatura Races Where Tatura & Shepparton Racing Club – 161 Ross St #157, Tatura When Tuesday, September 30, 2025 First Race 1:30pm AEST Visit Dabble A competitive eight-race program is set down for decision at Tatura on Tuesday as horse racing in Victoria heads to the state’s north. With perfect spring conditions forecast, the Good 4 rating should stick true throughout the afternoon, with the rail in its true position ensuring an ideal day for racing. The Tatura races on September 30 will commence at 1:30pm AEST. Best Bet…
Wavewatcher brings up 50 wins for Latimer
By Mike Love Wavewatcher’s fourth win brought up milestone win number 50 or Oamaru trainer Eion Latimer at Phar Lap Raceway in Timaru yesterday. “It took me twelve months to get it! The voice was a bit sore,” said Latimer. The five-year-old Downbytheseaside gelding Wavewatcher and driver Olivia Thornley were able to secure the trail for the entire trip behind race favourite McKendrick before executing the passing lane to full effect, wearing down McKendrick to win by half a head at the line with a four-length margin back to Betterthanbabe…
Big finish to Blue September
Blue September ambassadors have produced a strong finish to round out the 2025 campaign in style. Down south Nathan Williamson added four more wins to the cause at Gore yesterday while Jonny Cox (with two wins), Blair Orange and John Dunn all added to the tally in Timaru. Their success followed five wins at Addington on Friday night, thanks to Dunn (2), Orange, Williamson and Robbie Close. In total during the month the 11 ambassadors won 53 races, with Dunn leading the way with 12, one ahead of Orange. The…
Big targets ahead for To The Moon And Back
By Jonny Turner A host of feature races await To The Moon And Back following his outstanding victory at Gore on Sunday. The progressive trotter repaid the faith his team have had in him when dispatching his opposition despite sitting parked for driver Kerryn Tomlinson. To The Moon And Back was bred by Lex Williams who races the three-year-old with a group of enthusiastic owners. Trainer Brad Williamson and the ownership group can target a host of lucrative group races for three-year-old trotters, with To The Moon And Back’s manners…
This Magic Carpet ride is personal for Jenna McLeod
Jenna McLeod got a massive thrill when watching the latest generation of her family’s breed score at stakes level at Te Rapa on Saturday. Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) victor Magic Carpet hails from the same lineage that has been in her family’s care for nearly 70 years, and she is delighted to continue that legacy. “The original mare was bought by my great-great-grandfather in 1957 at the Trentham sales,” she said. “My grandfather, Gerald Shand, has raced and bred a number of this family and my parents, Phil…