Group Two winner Cognito (So You Think) snapped a 22-month win drought in emphatic style in Saturday’s $50,000 Join TAB Racing Club Open (1580m) at Riccarton. The son of So You Think won three races as a three-year-old headed by the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m), and he performed with credit at four with a third in the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m), fourth in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) and sixth in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m). However, a third placing in the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) was…
Year: 2025
Humza Bey retains unbeaten record
Despite negotiating the final bend at Wanganui on Saturday like a drunken sailor, promising galloper Humza Bey (NZ) (Belardo) made it two wins from his first two starts as he scored an impressive victory in the third race on the card, the Whanganui Chronicle 1340 (1340m). Rider Kate Hercock had her hands full as the four-year-old gelding made a beeline for the centre of the track after sitting third and one-off the inside rail for the last 800m of the contest, which allowed his nearest pursuers to sneak through along…
Quality mare returns in style at Wanganui
Quality mare Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor) launched her spring campaign in stunning fashion when she stormed home to capture the Cloudsoft Accounting Systems Open (1200m) at Wanganui. The Andrew Forsman-prepared five-year-old was fitted for her resuming run with a pair of Taupo trials, finishing second in the first one over 900m behind Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) before going one better a fortnight later over 1100m with raceday rider Matthew Cameron in the saddle. With the race expected to be run at breakneck speed with several noted frontrunners engaged, the…
Colgan gets early double at Riccarton
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…
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…