Author: Editor BOAY

Capable galloper Carson River (NZ) (Swiss Ace) provided the second leg of a winning double for the Michael and Matthew Pitman training partnership at Riccarton on Saturday. The Pitman team are always well represented at their home meetings and along with wins by Carson River and maiden galloper Heartoheart (NZ) (Swiss Ace), they went agonisingly close to victory on several other occasions during the day. Swiss Ace gelding Carson River had put the writing on the wall that a win was close at hand when he stormed home for second…

Andrew Bensley talks to Chad Ormsby after his success on Divine Dive at Tauranga on Saturday, his first winner since returning to the jockey ranks this year.

Trainer Tony Pike was delighted to pick up a victory with his only runner at Tauranga on Saturday but it was made even more special by the winning rider he had aboard. Four-year-old Sacred Falls gelding Divine Dive (NZ) made it two wins from his last five starts under the stewardship of Chad Ormsby, a late replacement on the day for Michael McNab who had to forego the mount due to weight issues. Ormsby has made a comeback to riding in June following the COVID-19 lockdown after giving it away…

Visiting northern trainer Ken Rae kicked off his day at Riccarton in the best possible style when promising galloper Eva James (NZ) (Super Easy) cruised to a comfortable victory. The Super Easy filly went south off the back of two impressive performances at Te Rapa in July behind the highly-regarded De La Terre (NZ) (Reliable Man) and looked to have a class edge on her rivals in the 1200m three-year-old contest. Rider Samantha Wynne bounced Eva James straight to the front from a midfield barrier where she dictated terms throughout…

Chad Schofield’s Hong Kong campaign will commence with a renewed association with Rattan (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m), and the talented rider is eyeing another personal best, following his season-high 43 wins last term.“I just have to keep raising the bar, I need to work on getting more support and I’m confident that if the support comes I know that I can keep lifting,” Schofield said.Rattan trialled under Schofield over 1000m, rolling down the straight into fourth alongside Perfect Match (Not A Single…

Hong Kong racing returns on Sunday at Sha Tin.Regency Legend (NZ) (Pins), who is on a path to the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races in December, will line up in the traditional season opener, the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m).“I plan to run Regency Legend in the Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) in December because currently the sprint ranks in Hong Kong are not overly strong, so hopefully he gets his chance,” trainer Danny Shum said.The handler was satisfied with his sprinter’s tune-up on Friday morning, as he…

Top galloper Countofmontecristo (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) is not with trainer Michael Clements anymore. The Joe Singh-owned Echoes Of Heaven seven-year-old was transferred on Friday morning to trainer Mark Walker. Currently the highest rated galloper still in work at Kranji on 115 points (Aramco (Magic Albert) on 118 points is spelling), Countofmontecristo was a beaten favourite at his last start in the Kranji Mile two weeks ago on August 16 when ridden by Clements’ No 1 jockey Louis-Philippe Beuzelin, running third to Aramaayo (Poet’s Voice) after being posted four wide.…

Andrew Bensley talks to New Zealand Bloodstock’s Andrew Seabrook after the announcement that the annual yearling sale will retain its January time slot.