Author: Editor BOAY

Doomben double hands Gollan training mark

Editor BOAY

Promising gallopers The Actuary (Sebring) and Knight Mariner (NZ) (Tavistock) showed they are on course for belated big race stardom by helping trainer Tony Gollan set a record for Brisbane metropolitan wins at Doomben. Gollan held the record at 90 which he set in 2017-18 but the double on Wednesday lifted his total for this season to 91-1/2. He now has his sights on becoming the first trainer to record 100 Brisbane metropolitan winners in a season. Gollan rated The Actuary and Knight Mariner as genuine big race horses this…

Owners allowed at Randwick meeting

Editor BOAY

Racehorse owners have been given the green light to start returning to Sydney racetracks to watch their horses run. In the first phase of patrons being allowed back on course on race days in Sydney, owners with runners at Saturday’s Randwick meeting who pre-register with the Australian Turf Club will be allowed on course to watch their horses race but with strict procedures in place. Only essential personnel have been allowed at NSW race meetings since just before Golden Slipper day in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. “The safety…

Lost And Running makes it two from two

Editor BOAY

Lot 19 – Burgundy x Precious colt. Photo: Supplied Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto) has stamped himself as a promising young sprinter, easily handling the step up to midweek city grade at Randwick’s Kensington track to remain unbeaten from two starts. The John O’Shea-trained three-year-old gelding made an immediate impression with a 4-1/2-length win in quick time over 1000m on debut at Scone last month and he backed it up with another convincing victory as the odds-on favourite in Wednesday’s Sky Racing Active Handicap (1100m). Lost And Running took…

Walker excited about digital move

Editor BOAY

Lot 19 – Burgundy x Precious colt. Photo: Supplied Canterbury breeder Susan Walker has been selling yearlings at New Zealand Bloodstock’s South Island Sale for several decades and she is enjoying the sale’s unique take this year. The sale has moved online to the gavelhouse.com plus platform as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and Walker hailed New Zealand Bloodstock for the move. “I just thought thank God New Zealand Bloodstock has come up with an idea where we can part with our horses,” Walker said. “I have been selling…

Chambord loving life after racing

Editor BOAY

Chambord is enjoying life after racing. Photo: Race Images Retired Te Akau racehorse Chambord has continued showing his finesse off the track in both the show-jumping arena and hunting field. Runner-up to Atlante in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and a multiple Group placed and stakes winner, who overcame a series of injuries throughout his career, Chambord is one of 15 horses re-homed by stable apprentice Chelsea Burdan. Burdan has always used thoroughbreds when competing in eventing, cross country, and dressage, and believes that many retired racehorses have…

Jumping maestro back in action

Editor BOAY

Promising steeplechaser Des De Jeu. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Respected central districts trainer Mark Oulaghan will have a small team of jumpers set to compete this winter, including improving steeplechaser Des De Jeu. The seven-year-old gelding is best known for his miraculous recovery to win a maiden steeplechase at Awapuni two years ago, after all but parting with jockey Aaron Kuru early in the piece. Horse and rider would go on to become a global social media sensation. Oulaghan believes as a seven-year-old Des De Jeu has…

Refreshed Weatherley looking forward to return

Editor BOAY

Apprentice jockey Sam Weatherley feels refreshed after his COVID-19 enforced hiatus from riding. Photo: Trish Dunell Apprentice jockey Sam Weatherley is champing at the bit to get back raceday riding. The Waikato hoop will enter the senior jockey ranks next season and he is determined to complete his tenure as an apprentice in style. Weatherley returned to New Zealand last year after a stint riding in Sydney and the season hasn’t gone entirely to plan for him. “It started off a little bit slow, as expected, but I really started…

Super Oasis seeks a Hong Kong first

Editor BOAY

Ricky Yiu is aiming to become champion trainer for the first time. Photo: HKJC Ricky Yiu is hoping a first Hong Kong win for Super Oasis (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) in Wednesday’s Class 2 Cochrane Handicap (1800m) at Happy Valley can provide the spur he needs to repel Tony Cruz’s mounting challenge for the champion trainer title. Cruz has trimmed Yiu’s lead at the top down to five (57-52) with 10 wins since the start of May against the championship leader’s four. But on Wednesday, Cruz has only three entries…

Te Akau Racing planning Australian raid

Editor BOAY

Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis is hopeful the borders between New Zealand and Australia can open again to allow for horse movement between the two countries. The coronavirus pandemic halted horse movement between the countries while the virus caused a shutdown to racing in New Zealand. While horse movement resumed on April, it was again suspended last month after a horse tested positive to an equine disease. New Zealand racing is set to resume on July 3 and Ellis, who is Principal of Te Akau Racing, hopes horse travel can…

Racing relics on offer

Editor BOAY

Dr Alex McGregor Grant. Photo: supplied Racing art connoisseurs will have the opportunity to acquire a couple of historical art pieces by revered equine artist Frederick Woodhouse later this month. New Zealand auction house Dunbar Sloane will be offering ‘Manuka & Kakapo’ through its Fine Art Auction on June 3, while Melbourne auction house Gibson’s will be offering ‘Mr Thomas Chirnside’s General’ 1863 to the public on June 15. The latter piece is currently owned by the family of Alexander McGregor Grant, a former chairman of the Auckland Racing Club,…