Year: 2025

Alta Meteor produces statement win at Addington

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin Happy but not surprised was how co-trainer Amanda Telfer sums up one of the best training performances of her career. Because when Alta Meteor stomped past some very good horses on a soaked Addington home straight on Friday night, he was only showing Telfer what her team had been seeing at home. Telfer runs the southern barn of what is unofficially our premiership winning stable and their golden winter was probably capped by the win in the NZI Insurance National Handicap Pace.  Alta Meteor hadn’t raced since…

Pass mark for Akuta after third at Alexandra Park

NZHarnessNews

By Michael Guerin It wasn’t perfect but it was the next best thing. Because while Akuta may not have won his comeback race at Alexandra Park on Friday he came out of the race with a big tick and trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon still came away with the win. That was courtesy of Treacherous Baby, the stablemate of the hot favourite in the $20,000 World’s Best Hoof Oil Pace, the 1700m centrepiece of the Alex Park meeting. Akuta was fresh up to the races after 20 months and what…

Morphettville races free tips & quaddie | Saturday, August 9

AAP

What Behemoth Stakes Day 2025 Where Morphettville Racecourse – 79 Morphett Rd, Morphettville SA 5043 When Saturday, August 9, 2025 First Race 12:03pm ACST Visit Dabble Morphettville hosts a nine-race metro meeting on Saturday, August 9, headlined by the Group 3 Behemoth Stakes (1200m). Expect them to use plenty of the track as the day wears on, and make sure to watch the early 1000–1200m races for any lane bias before locking in your feature bets. The track is rated a Soft 6 with the rail out +4m from the…

Myers on cloud nine following Cambridge win

NZRacingDesk

It proved to be a long but fruitful day for Kelly Myers on Friday, with the now Central Districts-based hoop riding home Above The Clouds to win the $100,000 TAB Polytrack Championship (2000m) at Cambridge for local trainer Ralph Manning. Above The Clouds did it tough from her wide barrier, sitting three-wide for much of the journey, but showed her class when distancing her rivals in the straight to score by 3-3/4 lengths over race favourite Spanish Lad. “She drew the outside barrier and I was going to need a…

Ceolwulf chimes in late at trials

NZRacingDesk

The spring carnival build-up continued at Warwick Farm on Friday morning, where Group One winner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) made his final public appearance before he resumes in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m). Trainer Joe Pride gave him an intentionally quiet hit-out when he trailed the field home in a 900m heat at his home track last month, but speaking before Friday’s trial session the trainer said he was content for Ceolwulf to be asked for a little more by regular rider Chad Schofield. “I don’t know if it had any bearing on his prep but I let…

He’s No Romeo among Williamson’s best chances at Southern Surge 2

NZHarnessNews

By Jonny Turner  Matthew Williamson is hoping to make up the difference on day two of the Southern Surge at Invercargill on Sunday.  Day one at Winton last week was a case of close but not quite close enough for the Oamaru trainer, who racked up plenty of top-five finishes with his team. With the move to Ascot Park and some key draw upgrades, Williamson is hopeful he can land some of the boosted winning stakes on offer during the series this week. Judging by his Winton effort He’s No…

O’Leary pair seeking Grand National upset

NZRacingDesk

Captains Run split his more fancied rivals Jesko and West Coast in last week’s Koral Steeplechase (4250m) at Riccarton, and trainer Dan O’Leary is hoping he can go one better in Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m). The 10-year-old gelding led the field into the home straight in last week’s feature, and he looked to have his rivals in plenty of trouble until Jesko drew level when jumping the final fence, and he continued his momentum to score by three lengths over the Marton jumper.…

Gillies eyeing National success a decade on

NZRacingDesk

It has been a while between drinks for Mathew Gillies on Grand National Day, but the talented hoop has plenty of firepower heading into this year’s time-honoured Riccarton meeting. A decade ago, Gillies partnered Tallyho Twinkletoe to a dominant win the Hospitality NZ Canterbury 126th Grand National Hurdles (4200m), the gelding’s first major crown in a storied jumping career. Despite starting favourite, Tallyho Twinkletoe was a talent largely untapped at that stage, and Gillies recalled his surprise when he bolted clear in the straight. “He showed a lot of potential…

Quinn hoping southern celebrations continue

NZRacingDesk

Niall Quinn’s Wanganui stable again promises to be a force to be reckoned with at Riccarton on Saturday. He savoured success on the opening day of the Grand National meeting and will be hoping for the celebrations to continue and cap off a grand week. “We really enjoy Riccarton and try to bring the best of our team down here,” Quinn said. “They look after us really well and do an exceptional job, the hospitality has been grand and made us feel so welcome.” Quinn produced Hidalgo to score over…

Rayner chasing dream family double in National

NZRacingDesk

JJ Rayner is bidding to follow in the footsteps of her father at Riccarton on Saturday. The Wanganui horsewoman will realise a long-held dream if her charge Lord Spencer can claim top honours in the Hospitality NZ Canterbury Grand National Hurdles (4200m). In 1990, the Evan Rayner-trained Mister Divinsky won the Sydenham Hurdles (3200m) before he produced another dashing display seven days later to coast home in the National and remain unbeaten over the small fences. “It would be so awesome to match that, he was a fabulous jumper and…