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Year: 2025
Fownes, Newnham set to strike at Happy Valley’s Wednesday meeting
Mighty Commander will be among the key chances in the Class 3 Harbour View Handicap at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Picture: HKJC. Two of the early pace-setters in the 2025/26 trainers’ championship will send strong contingents to Happy Valley on Wednesday night, looking to open up a gap at the top of the standings. Caspar Fownes prepares six runners, hoping to improve on his seven wins so far this season at his favourite hunting ground. Mark Newnham has made an explosive start to his third campaign in Hong Kong…
Tricky draws for two star pacers at Addington this Friday
By Michael Guerin The two biggest young guns of New Zealand pacing face potentially brutal barrier draws at Friday night’s mammoth Addington meeting. And the causes of both Marketplace and Jumal could be made even more difficult by their key rivals drawing the ace in each race. The 13-race card is stacked with outstanding fields with a common theme of the best horses getting the hardest jobs. That was not unexpected in the Commodore Hotel Main Pace in which Akuta and Republican Party share the 25m backmark or in the…
Caulfield Cup weight penalties dished out after group wins
Half Yours has been backed heavily to win the Caulfield Cup after a fast finishing fourth in the Turnbull Stakes. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Two horses have been handed weight penalties for the $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) which will be held on Saturday week, following their respective victories over the weekend. Ciaron Maher’s Royal Supremacy, winner of The Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday, rises from 51kg to 52.5kg in the weight scale having received a penalty of 1.5kg for the Caulfield showpiece. Dominant Group 3…
Sailor Jack looks the goods in home track trial
Sailor Jack produced an impressive trial win at Awapuni on Monday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Sailor Jack impressed trainers Shaun and Hazel Fannin with his trial victory at Awapuni on Monday, and they have their fingers crossed their home track will be back in commission for his first major test of the season. The five-win gelding took out his 1400m heat in the hands of Chris Dell, beating a handy field, which included last-start Group One winner Quintessa. It was the eight-year-old gelding’s fourth trial this time in, with…
Rakero Rocket back in form with Methven Cup win
By Mike Love Rangiora trainer Tom Bamford can breathe a sigh of relief – at least for now – after Rakero Rocket showed he is on track for the second Tuesday in November with yesterday’s Alabar Methven Cup win. The five-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven gelding has given Bamford a few sleepless nights recently with a few things not lining up how he would’ve liked. “It’s been well documented he had a bit of trouble after his trial leading into his first run. I spent a lot of time trying…
Mach Shard’s new life in the Show ring
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Zoe Cobb was a casual follower of Mach Shard during his racing days – now they are the best of mates. The Waikato-based Cobb acquired the multiple Group 1 winner shortly after he retired this year and they have already had success in the Show Ring and have some big targets ahead. “It is the kindest and most gentle horse you would ever meet,” Cobbs says, “he’s been an absolute pleasure.” She first spotted Mach Shard with HRNZ re-homer Jo Ferguson at the…
Globe to tackle big guns at Caulfield
Mick Price has not overestimated Globe’s (NZ) (Charm Spirit) ability by considering a start in this Saturday’s Gr.1 The Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield, but the trainer sees advantages in the $1 million Group One for his gelding. The seven-year-old son of Charm Spirit was one of just nine entries for the 2000-metre weight-for-age event when they closed at midday Monday. Taking on the likes of Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) and Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock) will be a major step up on the open handicaps in which he has been beaten this time in, but he looks the race’s lone leader,…
Sailor Jack pleases in home track trial
Sailor Jack impressed trainers Shaun and Hazel Fannin with his trial victory at Awapuni on Monday, and they have their fingers crossed their home track will be back in commission for his first major test of the season. The five-win gelding took out his 1400m heat in the hands of Chris Dell, beating a handy field, which included last-start Group One winner Quintessa. It was the eight-year-old gelding’s fourth trial this time in, with his trainers searching for better footing. “We were really happy with him,” Hazel Fannin said. “This…
Quintessa takes positive step towards Livamol
Adverse weather has forced multiple Group One winner Quintessa to take an unorthodox route to next Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m), with the mare appearing at the Awapuni trials on Monday afternoon. Prepared by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson at Matamata, Quintessa got her preparation off to a flying start winning the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m), but she was scratched from the second leg of the triple crown (Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile, 1600m) at Te Rapa, avoiding the heavy surface. With a task of getting her to the Livamol three…