Category: Gallops

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER

Talented sprinter Oak Hill (NZ) (Per Incanto) resumed from a short winter break with an impressive victory at The Valley over 1000m with connections hoping the win is a pre-cursor to bigger things. Prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, Oak Hill was originally prepared by the late Mike Moroney and  Glen Thompson and maintained his unblemished record since joining his new quarters. A winner at his first start for the Lindsay Park team in May, Oak Hill was patiently ridden by Blake Shinn to come from last in the…

A decision to head to the races earlier than intended with Midnight Scandal (NZ) (Belardo) has paid dividends for trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander. The Te Awamutu couple were weighing up between trialling their mare or lining her up in the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1200 at Te Rapa on Saturday, eventually opting for the latter. From their outside gate in the eight-horse field, jockey Matt Cameron elected to settle Midnight Scandal off the pace at the rear of the pack. Cameron asked his charge to gradually improve from the 600m, and…

Marton visitor Captains Run (NZ) (Nom du Je) proved his eye-catching run for second in last week’s Koral Steeplechase (4250m) was just what he needed as he went one better to capture the 150th running of the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton on Saturday. Billed as a two-horse war between favourite Jesko (NZ) (Atlante), who had won the Koral the week before and West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) who was looking for his fourth win in the event, the unpredictability of racing came…

Lightly-raced six-year-old mare Jennivamoose (NZ) (Vadamos) scored a comfortable victory in the Donnellans The Tyremen Handicap (2500m) at The Valley on Saturday under a patient Harry Coffey ride. Prepared by Ciaron Maher for Tony and Lynn Ottobre’s Cape Schanck Racing, Jennivamoose was dropped out to near the rear of the field by Coffey but quickened readily when asked. The daughter of Vadamos looped the field and ran out a length and a quarter winner over fellow Kiwi breds Bluestone (NZ) (Reliable Man) and Flamin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines). “It was a…

Bevan and Robyn Wilson were disappointed their trio of runners didn’t feature in last week’s Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m), but they got a consolation prize at Riccarton Park seven days later. The Ashburton couple returned to the Christchurch venue on Saturday with Lord Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and Victorian Charm (NZ) (Charm Spirit) to contest the Stephanie Murray Mortgages Open Handicap (1400m), and got the perfect result, securing the quinella with the pair. Lord Darci drew the outside gate in the eight-horse field and settled at the rear of the…

Trainer Ken Kelso was wearing a wide smile as he left Te Rapa racecourse on Saturday afternoon after witnessing his two stable stars provide him with suitable evidence they are both on target to kick off their Spring campaigns in fine fashion. He and wife Bev lined up Alabama Lass and Legarto in the 1050m open class trial with rider Lynsey Satherley never letting Alabama Lass out of second gear as she led all the way to defeat Ardalio and Sacred Satono, while stayer Sharp N Smart shaded Legarto for…

Veteran hurdler Suliman (NZ) (Redwood) turned back the clock to his former glory days when he proved toughest in a four-horse war at the finish of the Hospitality NZ Canterbury Grand National Hurdles (4200m) at Riccarton. The twelve-year-old gelding has both an Awapuni Hurdles (2800m) and Wellington Hurdle (3400m) under his belt along with a Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) victory on the flat but had mixed his form in recent times after resuming following a year off after a bleeding attack suffered during the 2023 edition of the Grand National…

Caley Myers has been a frequent visitor to Riccarton Park’s Grand National Festival of Racing, campaigning her father Kevin Myers’ team, but on Saturday it was her name in the result sheet as a winning trainer, courtesy of Duke Of Plumpton (NZ) (Bachelor Duke). The veteran campaigner was previously trained by part-owners Kevin Myers and Patrick Payne on their respective sides of the Tasman, but he was entrusted to Caley’s care earlier this year to help bolster her growing racing team. He was a welcome addition to Myers’ newly established…