Year: 2025

Roydon Downey : one yes and one maybe for Harness 5000

NZHarnessNews

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk   With the Harness 5000 still four months away, northern trainer Roydon Downey is committed to having one starter there but a question mark remains about his second runner. Both Santapazienza and Saninarmbro have already meet the qualifying criteria for the new series at Ashburton on December 21.   “They are different types of horses – Saninarmbro has a lot of quick speed whereas the other fella likes to keep rolling,” says Downey, who’s based at Kumeu.   The Harness 5000 will feature…

North Island Mares’ revamp confirmed

NZHarnessNews

HRNZ is pleased to announce a revised schedule for Mares’ racing in the North Island next autumn. From March 6 to May 22,2026 there will be a suite of seven races for the mares at Alexandra Park and Cambridge,  with stakes worth more than $210,000. The biggest change is the $50,000 Magness Benrow Northern Mares Classic (Listed) which moves from New Year’s Eve to March 20, 2026. “After seasons of the Classic shifting dates and even being cancelled we are delighted to have a long-term solution locked in,” says New…

Sandown Lakeside free racing tips & quaddie numbers | August 20

AAP

What Sandown Lakeside Races Where Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 When Wednesday, August 20, 2025 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Dabble The Lakeside circuit at Sandown is the destination for metropolitan racing in Victoria on Wednesday afternoon. The eight-race card is set to be run on an improving Soft 6 track with clear skies forecast, while the rail comes out 9m for the entire circuit. The Sandown Lakeside races are scheduled to start at 1pm AEST. Best Bet at Sandown: Butternut Princess Butternut Princess clearly finds…

Warwick Farm Wednesday tips & quaddie picks | August 20, 2025

AAP

What Warwick Farm Races Where Warwick Farm Racecourse – 2 Hume Hwy, Warwick Farm NSW 2170 When Wednesday, August 20, 2025 First Race 1:25pm AEST Visit Dabble Warwick Farm is the destination for metro racing in NSW this Wednesday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program set for decision. The rail moves out +3m for the entire circuit, and with consistent rainfall forecast in the lead-up, punters can expect the surface to be rated in the Heavy range to the opening event at 1:25pm local time. Check out HorseBetting.com.au’s best bets…

Murray out to build on century of wins

NZRacingDesk

Canterbury jockey Brett Murray will be out to continue his winning run at Riccarton on Thursday after riding home his 100th winner at Oamaru last Friday. The 30-year-old hoop went into the North Otago meeting on 98 wins and came within one of the coveted milestone when riding home Quartz Queen (NZ) (Belardo) to victory in the Oamaru Scaffolding (1200m). “I was very confident about Quartz Queen of Kelly Shearing’s because she went well over National Week in a much stronger race,” Murray said. “She is a front-runner and Oamaru suits…

Wet no worry for Ceolwulf return

NZRacingDesk

Trainer Joe Pride is content with the preparation Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) has had leading into his return outing at Randwick. While the prospects of a wet track are not ideal, Pride said ‘it is what is’ and would not be swayed from running the gelding first-up in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on Saturday. The forecast for rain during the week is unlikely to see any improvement on a track that was rated a Heavy 10 on Tuesday afternoon. Randwick lost a meeting on August 9 when heavy rain on…

La Dorada to contest Moir Stakes

NZRacingDesk

Te Akau trainer Mark Walker is bidding to win his second Gr.1 Moir Stakes in the space of three years this spring with his three-year-old filly La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth). The Karaka Millions winner will attempt to join Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) on the honour roll of the 1000-metre dash at Moonee Valley on September 6 and while Walker suggested that it may be premature to draw comparisons between the pair, he did note that La Dorada is already ahead of Imperatriz in one area. “You’re always hopeful but…

Winx or Memsie for Brightside?

NZRacingDesk

Could Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) begin his spring campaign a week earlier than expected in this Saturday’s Gr.1 Winx Stakes in Sydney? While Mr Brightside was expected to kick off his upcoming preparation in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 30, Lindsay Park’s flagbearer does feature in the nominations for the 1400m Group One contest coming up this weekend. Randwick has been a happy hunting ground for Mr Brightside, as it’s where he’s won two Doncaster Miles and been placed in the 2023 King Charles Stakes and 2024…

Taranaki mare hunting elusive Group One

NZRacingDesk

Group One performer Hi Yo Sass Bomb (NZ) (Complacent) showcased that she’s on target for an exciting spring campaign when winning her 1000m heat at the Foxton trials on Tuesday. The seven-year-old daughter of Complacent was having her second trial this preparation, having run third over the same track and distance a fortnight ago, and trainer Kim Reid has been pleased with her progression. “We were looking for a nice forward run to see where she is at and we are really happy with her,” Reid said. “It was a…