Author: NZRacingDesk

Andrew Bobbin will wait until the last-possible moment before making a decision on whether Duke Of Bedford (NZ) (Tavistock) will take his place in Thursday’s Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool. The son of Tavistock recorded a tenacious all-the-way triumph in Tuesday’s Brierly Steeplechase, the biggest win in his career to date. “I’d always thought he’d be better on the flat tracks of an Australian Steeplechase and a Grand National at the end of the season,” Bobbin said. “We’ll just see how that field holds up and at about 7:28am Thursday…

Grand Annual Steeplechase-winning jockey Willie McCarthy has made a triumphant return to jumps racing at Warrnambool, winning on Through Irish Eyes (NZ) (Tavistock) his first ride back over the obstacles and the second race of his comeback. McCarthy guided the Ciaron Maher-trained Through Irish Eyes to victory in the opening event of the May Racing Carnival, prevailing in a stirring battle with one-time Melbourne Cup contender Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock) with fellow New Zealand bred Raise The Note (NZ) (Raise The Flag) third in the first of the maiden hurdles over…

Superstar galloper Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) will contest Saturday’s Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield. Owner Tony Ottobre confirmed the decision to Racing.com on Tuesday morning, with connections believing the space between runs would set the three-time Group One winner up perfectly for a tilt at the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in Brisbane in four weeks. Craig Newitt will ride on Saturday with Pride Of Jenni to carry 61kg. It means Pride Of Jenni will skip the Gr.2 A$500,000 Hollindale Stakes on May 10. “Jenni will appreciate the extra week…

Shaun and Hazel Fannin have two exciting prospects for the upcoming jumps season in Jesko and Fourty Eight and the pair will go head-to-head on the flat at Woodville on Wednesday. The country’s leading jumps jockey, Shaun Fannin, has only ridden in eight races this season and won six of them, including the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) and Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) aboard Mark Oulaghan’s champion jumper West Coast. He has also had plenty of success with his own horses, most recently with Jesko (NZ) (Atlante), who won first-up under…

Ultra-consistent maidener Oscar (NZ) (Mulaazem) will aim to break a streak of runner-up performances when he contests the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1200m) at Woodville on Wednesday. The front-running four-year-old has been in the Wanganui stable of Jo Rathbone since late last year, and he has emerged as a competitive prospect with two thirds and three seconds in his past five starts.  Rathbone, who has had an abundance of success as a jumps jockey and trainer, said that some added variety in his training was the turning point for Oscar.…

Group One performer Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock) has been retired from racing following her fourth placed effort behind Val Di Zoldo in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa last Saturday, and she already has a date with champion New Zealand sire Proisir.  “Joe (Doyle, jockey) said she trotted back a bit lame the other day after the race, so we decided to pull pin,” trainer Roydon Bergerson said.  “She was probably a length off being a Group One winner, but she has been a really good mare to…

Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson has plenty of time for his promising juvenile Alottago (Tagaloa) and he is hoping the Tagaloa gelding can end his season on a high at his local meeting on Saturday.  Alottago has had just the two starts to date, finishing third in both outings, including last start behind Bona Sforza and Zelia in the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m).  Robinson was rapt with his performance in his first stakes test and is confident of an improved result over further ground this weekend.  While confident of a bold…

Clinton Isdale will put the versatility of a former Hong Kong galloper to the test on Wednesday. The Cambridge trainer will head south to the Central Districts with a team of three, including newcomer Gallant Hero (Fast Company) who will step out in the Dannevirke Dairy Supplies Woodville-Pahiatua Cup (2100m). Isdale has been satisfied with the progress made by the seven-year-old since joining his team, with a question of direction the only answer he’s not sure of. “He’s definitely got ability, I’m just not sure how he’ll go left-handed but…

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Leaderboard has been a force to be reckoned with since his transition to jumps racing, and this week he will be seeking his crowning glory at the Warrnambool May Carnival. The 10-year-old son of Street Cry will have two bites at the cherry, firstly in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) on Tuesday before backing up two days later in the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m). Raced by New Zealand syndicator Fortuna, Leaderboard performed with distinction on the flat, winning seven races, including the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and Listed NZ St Leger…