Blue Sky At Night (NZ) (Shamexpress) collected a couple of Cups last season and trainer Shelley Hale is hoping she can add to her haul when she heads to Matamata on Saturday to contest the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m). The eight-year-old daughter of Shamexpress was victorious in the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa in December before winning the Gr.3 Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie in February, and Hale is pleased with the way she is coming up this time in. “She had a great season last…
Year: 2025
Blue Sky At Night set to return for Matamata Cup
Blue Sky At Night (right) will resume in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) on Saturday at Matamata.Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images). Blue Sky At Night collected a couple of Cups last season and trainer Shelley Hale is hoping she can add to her haul when she heads to Matamata on Saturday to contest the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m). The eight-year-old daughter of Shamexpress was victorious in the Group 3 Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa in December before winning the Group 3 Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie in…
Unusual Suspect progeny keeping Auret family busy
She’s Unusual, the son of Unusual Suspect, has continued the Auret family’s stunning run of success with their resident stallion. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Continued success with resident stallion Unusual Suspect and their racing team has kept Nigel and Adaire Auret busier than they may have envisaged, but without any complaints. They own and operate Letham Stud on the outskirts of Wanganui, with son and Group One-winning trainer Fraser close by at Marton. The family celebrated a winning trans-Tasman double at the weekend with homebred She’s Unusual scoring at Rosehill on Saturday…
Beyond 1000 winners there is still one goal for Kylie Williams
Kylie Williams rode her 1000th winner aboard Riviera Rebel at Riccarton on Saturday. Photo: Race Images South Canterbury jockey Kylie Williams ticked off a major goal over the weekend and she is hoping to achieve one more before retirement. The 45-year-old hoop brought up her 1,000th victory in the saddle when piloting home Riviera Rebel to win the North Canterbury Cup (2000m) in front of family and friends at her home track of Riccarton on Saturday. Riviera Rebel was a $6 winner with Neds Australia in what was a wide-open…
Tuesday’s top bookmaker bonuses & promotions | September 30
Australia’s top bookmakers have stacks of betting bonuses and other specials on offer for Tuesday’s horse racing action. Check out the best deals for September 30, 2025. Today’s horse racing promotions – September 30, 2025 10% Winnings Boost! – Tamworth Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in betslip. Cash bets only. Max bonus $100. T&C’s apply. View Terms Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Copycash – Get Copied. Get Paid. Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses…
Merlin rated a $2.20 chance in Friday’s Holmes D G
By Michael Guerin How much difference can 500m make? Well, maybe that question has two parts, the other being how much fitter will Merlin strip for the Holmes D G at Alexandra Park on Friday night after his first-up defeat to stablemate Sooner The Bettor. The pair clashed two weeks ago and Sooner The Bettor found the lead over 2200m in the Spring Cup and never looked like being headed while Merlin remarkably secured the one-one soon from his 20m back mark after the start but could manage only third.…
Good times keep rolling for family operation
Continued success with resident stallion Unusual Suspect and their racing team has kept Nigel and Adaire Auret busier than they may have envisaged, but without any complaints. They own and operate Letham Stud on the outskirts of Wanganui, with son and Group One-winning trainer Fraser close by at Marton. The family celebrated a winning trans-Tasman double at the weekend with homebred She’s Unusual scoring at Rosehill on Saturday and a day later enjoyed further success at Waverley with Unusual Gem. “It’s been terrific for us, and we are trying to…
One final goal for Williams
Canterbury jockey Kylie Williams ticked off a major goal over the weekend and she is hoping to achieve one more before retirement. The 45-year-old hoop brought up her 1,000th victory in the saddle when piloting home Riviera Rebel (NZ) (Pure Champion) to win the North Canterbury Cup (2000m) in front of family and friends at her home track of Riccarton on Saturday. “It’s good to finally get there, it has been a while,” she said. “The family were there, so that was even better.” A career in the saddle was never…
A big upset, babies and his new life – the Mighty Looee story
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk When it comes to Mighty Looee’s highlights reel one race is streets ahead of any other. The Sweet Lou eight-year-old, owned by Robyn Hellaby and co-trained by partner Robert Dunn, has been retired from the race track after notching up 17 wins in a 104-start career from 2019 and is now being re-educated for his Life After Racing. And looking back there is a clear stand out. “It was that Country Cup championship at Addington,” says Hellaby, “what a race!” To relive it still…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 29 September 2025
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER