Andrew Forsman has four runners spread across three venues on Saturday, including a pair of three-year-olds at Flemington who will try to follow up strong last-start performances at the Melbourne track. Yaldi will step up in distance to contest the Darren Galley Mile (1600m), in which he will carry 60kg and will be ridden by Declan Bates. The winner of the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, Yaldi was a last-start third placegetter over 1400m at Flemington on May 17. He carried 59.5kg in that race and…
Year: 2025
Pike’s hand forced at Ellerslie with young talent
Tony Pike will have a quartet of runners by necessity rather than design in Saturday’s two-year-old contest at Ellerslie. The Cambridge trainer will be represented by trial winners Arthur, Ashoka, Boombox and Happy Youmzain in the Network Visuals Juvenile (1200m). “It was never the intention to run four together, but they are all nice, progressive two-year-olds that I want to give a run to,” Pike said. “They can then have a break with race day experience under their belts going into their three-year-old seasons. “This is probably the last chance…
Big task ahead for Spencer in Ellerslie debut
After a stunning fresh-up performance at Trentham, Spencer has another task on his hands as he carries topweight in his first appearance at Ellerslie on Saturday. The emerging star of last winter, Spencer swept through the grades in a campaign that was headlined by a breakthrough victory in the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) in October. Resuming with a rating of 94 at Trentham last month, Spencer carried 58kg after a three-kilogram claim, but that didn’t stop him from dominating his lesser-weighted rivals with considerable ease. Erin Hocquard, who prepares the…
Telfers fancy their chances at Alexandra Park tonight
By Michael Guerin Steve Telfer knows one of the hottest runs in New Zealand racing history has to end soon. But that may not be tonight. Telfer and his sister Amanda trained a staggering 18 winners harness racing winners in a 10-day space up to last Sunday, more winners than a lot of successful stables train in an entire season. It is possible an equine stable has put up similar numbers before, maybe on a circuit dominated by one trainer, but good luck trying to find it. The blitz saw…
The Lazarus Effect’s vying for four from four at Addington tonight
By Jonny Turner Rival camps have plenty to worry about ahead of The Lazarus Effect putting his unbeaten record on the line at Addington on Friday night. On exposed form, the pacer looks incredibly hard to beat in his attempt to make it four-from-four for trainer-driver Bob Butt in Race 1, the TAB 2nd and 3rd Bonus Cash Back Mobile Pace (5.05pm). He’s a $1.35 favourite. The Lazarus Effect was explosive in his return to racing at Winton late last month, charging to an easy victory in slick time against…
Shannon resigns as Entain boss
Entain’s New Zealand and Australia boss Dean Shannon is stepping down. He will depart the company by June 30 and will be replaced in the interim by former Tabcorp executive Andrew Vouris. Shannon says the decision to leave was to allow the business to enter a new phase, declaring “it was the right time for change.” In 2023, with Shannon at the helm, Entain began a 25 year strategic arrangement with the TAB to run its business in this country. Last year it added betcha to its portfolio. “We acknowledge…
Bold Soul ready for 4YO breakthrough
Trainers Patrick and Michelle Payne are aware of the transition horses must make from their three-year-old year to their four-year-old season. A case in point is Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish) who has won five of his 16 starts but has gone winless through his four-year-old year to date. The Paynes are hoping that will be rectified on Saturday when Bold Soul runs in the TAB We’re On (2520m) at Flemington. Bold Soul had an exceptional start to his racing career, starting with a maiden win at Donald in November 2023,…
Ka Ying Rising confirmed for Everest slot
New Zealand-bred sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) has secured a coveted slot in the A$20 million The Everest (1200m), the world’s richest turf race. The announcement follows his undefeated season in Hong Kong, culminating in a commanding victory in the Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin on April 27, marking his 12th consecutive win. Trained by David Hayes, Ka Ying Rising’s Australian campaign is strategically planned to include two major races in Sydney this spring. The four-year-old son of Shamexpress is set to debut in The Everest (1200m)…
Filly aiming to turn fortunes around
Britannia Gold (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns) has made a good impression during her fledgling career and with better fortune on her side could have made even more of an impact. Trained by Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, she has already bagged a brace of wins and with going to suit at Ellerslie on Saturday has an opportunity to further her record in the Sistema 3YO (1400m). Britannia Gold will return to age group company following a sound third against older opposition over 1200 metres on the course last month. “Her last…
Entain CEO Dean Shannon steps down
Entain plc, the global sports betting and gaming group, has announced that Dean Shannon, CEO of Entain Australia and New Zealand will be stepping down on 30 June 2025. The Australian and New Zealand businesses are entering a new phase of their development and Mr Shannon has agreed it is time for change. This transition coincides with the completion of the AML/CTF Uplift Programme and the introduction of a ‘legislative net’ to support the New Zealand racing and wagering industry – both are expected to be completed in June, and…