Jockey Vinnie Colgan displayed all the skills that have seen him sit in the elite echelon of New Zealand riders throughout his career as he put together a winning double with two superbly judged efforts in the early races on the Riccarton card on Saturday. Colgan was at his patient best as he guided Gr.1 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas aspirant Belle Du Monde (Zoustar) to her maiden victory in race three on the programme before making it two wins in a row as he showed his strength in a…
Year: 2025
Platinum Diamond completes unique treble in Guineas
Emerging filly Platinum Diamond (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) sparkled again in Saturday’s Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m), completing an unprecedented treble of winter age-group features. The daughter of Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain became the first horse to win the Castletown Stakes (1200m), Ryder Stakes (1200m) and Wanganui Guineas. There had previously been nine who won two of the three Listed races – Beechcraft (NZ) (Sea Anchor) (1983 Ryder and Guineas), Purdah’s Pride (NZ) (Western Bay) (1988 Ryder and Guineas), Veandercross (NZ) (Crossways) (1991 Castletown and Ryder, second in…
Belle Du Monde shines on three-year-old debut
Saturday’s NZ Horse Ambulance Winter Appeal 3YO (1000m) continued the Te Akau stranglehold over the three-year-old spring opener at Riccarton, but not with the horse that most expected. Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson took out the $40,000 age-group sprint in 2023 with the next-start Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) winner Viva Vienna (NZ) (All Too Hard), then saddled the quinella in 2024 with The Victress (Zousain) and About Last Night (Capitalist). The Te Akau team followed that up with another one-two finish on Saturday. Pre-race attention was dominated by the…
McIlwrick warming up for Blue September at Winton on Sunday
By Jonny Turner The warm up starts for Rory McIlwrick at Winton on Sunday. The reinsman will be working to raise money throughout next month as an ambassador for harness racing’s Blue September campaign, which raises money for prostate cancer research. McIlwrick can go into his mission in good form judging by his book of drives at Winton. “I hope some of these horses don’t peak too early,” the reinsman quipped. “It is great to be raising money for a good cause, hopefully we can get some good results on…
Saturday’s horse racing offers & bookie promos | August 30, 2025
Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Saturday, August 30. 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 August 30, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Caulfield & Rosehill All Races | Bet Back Run 2nd or 3rd Activate your Bet Back Tool in your Betslip on ALL Races at Caulfield & Rosehill this Saturday and if your…
Morphettville Saturday races preview & best bets | August 30
What Morphettville Races Where Morphettville Racecourse – 79 Morphett Rd, Morphettville SA 5043 When Saturday, August 30, 2025 First Race 12:17pm ACST Visit Dabble Morphettville is the destination for metropolitan racing on Saturday afternoon in South Australia, with a nine-race meeting set down for decision. Showers are forecast for Adelaide on Friday, and with the track already a Soft 6, the track will likely be a Soft 7/Heavy 8 come race day. The rail will be out 7m from the 1200m mark to the winning post and out 6m for…
Super consistent mare gets Winter Reward
By Jordyn Bublitz It was appropriate that Jay Abernethy’s ever reliable trotter Eagle Hanover got her Winter Reward at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night. “She’s an EFTPOS machine – she gets a cheque every week,” Abernethy told Track Chat’s Jo Ferguson post race. The five-year-old mare was three back the fence early in the first of the night’s four $20,000 Winter Rewards races before Abernethy went to the parked position and then surged to the lead at the 400, winning by two lengths. Eagle Hanover hasn’t finished worse than fifth…
Are the Aussie stars good or bad for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup?
With nominations for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup closing yesterday it was confirmed that Aussie superstars Leap To Fame and two-time champion Swayzee are heading to Addington for their $1m showdown on Tuesday, November 11. Trackside presenter Brittany Graham has seen the dynamic duo in action plenty of times – so what does the now Kiwi-based Aussie make of it all? By Brittany Graham Larry and Lenny are New Zealand-bound once more – and it’s game on for all. Leap To Fame and Swayzee have dominated the Grand Circuit…
Duane Ranger’s prostate cancer diagnosis – “men over 45 must get checked”
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk With the New Zealand Prostate Cancer’s Blue September campaign just days away, a well-known harness racing figure is urging men 45 and over to get checked. Queensland-based Kiwi racing journalist Duane Ranger was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year and will undergo surgery in September to have his prostate removed. The 61-year-old got the news after a routine visit to his GP. “It was a bit of the spur of the moment thing,” says Ranger, “I was getting my flu vaccine and…
Mr Brightside heads to Memsie again
The Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) would not be the same without the presence of Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars). The Lindsay Park-trained galloper lines up in Saturday’s Group One contest over 1400m for the third time, having won in 2023 and finishing second last year. Longevity has been the key with Mr Brightside who will be aiming to notch his 20th career win from 45 starts and go beyond A$17.5 million in prize money. Mr Brightside has been the banner horse for trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes and all are in agreeance the ‘old boy’…