Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan’s star hurdler Berry The Cash (NZ) (Jakkalberry) will commence his bid to defend his Hospitality NZ Canterbury Grand National Hurdles (4200m) crown when he competes on the flat at Otaki on Saturday. The eight-year-old gelding will have his first race since his two-run Australian campaign in autumn, which netted a pair of fourth placings in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) and Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m). “They were reasonable runs (in Australia), but it was a learning curve, and I think if we went back again we would…
Author: NZRacingDesk
Waihaha Falls looking to bounce back at Te Rapa
A fresh Waihaha Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls) will be looking to bounce back to form when he heads north to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m) first-up. Initially trained in Sydney by John O’Shea, the Sacred Falls gelding won five and placed in five of his 22 starts across the Tasman, including placing in the Gr.3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) and two editions of the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m). He returned to New Zealand last year to the care of Guy Lowry,…
Improved Mercurial to benefit from blinkers
Well-performed sprinter Mercurial (NZ) (Burgundy) has progressed well since his resuming effort and with the addition of headgear at Te Rapa, he’s expected to be more of a force to be reckoned with. The son of Burgundy will step out in the Group One Turf Bar Sprint (1200m) on Saturday with promising apprentice Jack Taplin to retain the ride. Mercurial only beat one runner home when he returned to action on the course three weeks ago following a five-month break, but trainer Stephen Marsh was satisfied with the six-year-old’s effort.…
Kennedy honoured for dedication to thoroughbred welfare
Lisa Kennedy has always had a passion for thoroughbreds, and her efforts in guiding retired racehorses into new careers through EventStars were celebrated at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards last Sunday as the winner of the Care and Welfare Excellence Award. As lead re-trainer, Kennedy works alongside EventStars’ founder Gina Schick to rehome approximately 300 retired thoroughbreds into sporthorse homes on a yearly basis, and her recognition was a timely tonic for the organisation. “It’s been an emotional time here recently, so it meant a lot to the team,” Kennedy said.…
Déjà vu for Sulabella at Arawa Park
Sulabella’s (NZ) (Proisir) love affair with Rotorua continued on Wednesday when the Ruakaka mare stormed home to record her sixth career victory in the Arawa Park Hotel Rotorua 1560. It was a sense of déjà vu for trainer and part-owner Michelle Bradley, with the daughter of Proisir having won the exact same race a year prior. Wednesday’s victory extended Sulabella’s perfect record at Arawa Park, and Bradley had a positive feeling about her chances when heading to the meeting. “When I sat down this morning and looked back through her…
Sargent: 2500m to suit Bearings
Queensland Oaks ambitions with Bearings didn’t eventuate but Sydney-based trainer John Sargent is hopeful the staying filly can land a winter city win at Flemington before he turns his attention to next season. Sargent has Bearings (NZ) (Tarzino) set to contest Saturday’s Mahogany Challenge Final for three-year-olds and is convinced the step up to 2500m is what the daughter of Tarzino is looking for. Bearings was sent to Melbourne to contest a heat of the series over 2000m at Flemington at her most recent start on June 21, when the…
Te Rapa test for fast-improving hurdler
Harvey Wilson always kept a close eye on Jerricoop (NZ) (Zed) at Waverley and his vision for the gelding has come to life this year as he prepares to step up in grade in Saturday’s OTL Group LTD Hurdle (2800m) at Te Rapa. Previously trained by local horsewoman Erin Hocquard, Jerricoop collected two victories over staying trips and performed on rain-affected ground, the perfect formula for a jumper. After showing interest in the seven-year-old, Wilson welcomed him into his stable just under a year ago. “Erin trains in Waverley and…
Plan B for southern stable
It’s a case of plan B for Southland trainer Robert Dennis when he heads to Ashburton on Thursday with a quintet of runners. Three of his team were entered to compete at Wingatui on Sunday but were forced to look elsewhere after the meeting was abandoned due to deteriorating track conditions as a result of adverse weather. Dennis looked north for a suitable replacement and found alternative targets at Ashburton. “We were lucky that we had that back-up option to head up to Ashburton because turf is few and far…
Tyler’s trio gearing up for Winter Cup
Kelvin Tyler will spend plenty of time on the road over the next month, with his three Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) hopefuls making their final preparations for the Grand National Festival of Racing. The trio of talented wet-track gallopers includes Albatross (NZ) (Sacred Falls), Master Marko (NZ) (Contributer), and King Of The Castle (NZ) (Castledale), who will all contest Thursday’s Winter Cup Trial Gallagher Insurance (1400m) at Ashburton. The latter pair will resume after a short spell, while Albatross has made her presence felt in Canterbury recently,…
The Mighty Spar makes it Three Straight
Defending his crown, The Mighty Spar (NZ) (Savabeel) won the A$35,000 WC & AC Miller Steeplechase (3800m) on 29 June at Casterton (Victoria) in impressive fashion, having to carry 74.5kgs. Unbeaten now in three attempts on the course, having won the corresponding event last season and making it two from two in the Ecycles Two Rivers Steeplechase (3800m) on 18 May, The Mighty Spar proved too strong last time out when winning the Bill Roycroft Steeplechase (3200m) on 15 June at Terang, and started a $1.70 race favourite. Completing a hat-trick…