Captains Run split his more fancied rivals Jesko and West Coast in last week’s Koral Steeplechase (4250m) at Riccarton, and trainer Dan O’Leary is hoping he can go one better in Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m). The 10-year-old gelding led the field into the home straight in last week’s feature, and he looked to have his rivals in plenty of trouble until Jesko drew level when jumping the final fence, and he continued his momentum to score by three lengths over the Marton jumper.…
Category: Gallops
Gillies eyeing National success a decade on
It has been a while between drinks for Mathew Gillies on Grand National Day, but the talented hoop has plenty of firepower heading into this year’s time-honoured Riccarton meeting. A decade ago, Gillies partnered Tallyho Twinkletoe to a dominant win the Hospitality NZ Canterbury 126th Grand National Hurdles (4200m), the gelding’s first major crown in a storied jumping career. Despite starting favourite, Tallyho Twinkletoe was a talent largely untapped at that stage, and Gillies recalled his surprise when he bolted clear in the straight. “He showed a lot of potential…
Quinn hoping southern celebrations continue
Niall Quinn’s Wanganui stable again promises to be a force to be reckoned with at Riccarton on Saturday. He savoured success on the opening day of the Grand National meeting and will be hoping for the celebrations to continue and cap off a grand week. “We really enjoy Riccarton and try to bring the best of our team down here,” Quinn said. “They look after us really well and do an exceptional job, the hospitality has been grand and made us feel so welcome.” Quinn produced Hidalgo to score over…
Rayner chasing dream family double in National
JJ Rayner is bidding to follow in the footsteps of her father at Riccarton on Saturday. The Wanganui horsewoman will realise a long-held dream if her charge Lord Spencer can claim top honours in the Hospitality NZ Canterbury Grand National Hurdles (4200m). In 1990, the Evan Rayner-trained Mister Divinsky won the Sydenham Hurdles (3200m) before he produced another dashing display seven days later to coast home in the National and remain unbeaten over the small fences. “It would be so awesome to match that, he was a fabulous jumper and…
Moonee Valley races free betting tips & quaddie | August 9, 2025
What Moonee Valley Races Where Moonee Valley Racecourse – Gate 2 Feehan Ave, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039 When Saturday, August 9, 2025 First Race 12:20pm AEST Visit Dabble The Valley serves up a nine-race metro card on a Soft 6 with the rail true — classic winter Moonee Valley. The chute sprints often reward speed and the inside lanes early, but as the tread wears you can see winners angling a couple off the rail on the bend. The opener is scheduled for 12:20pm AEST and the closer at 5:10pm…
Friday’s top horse racing bookie offers & promos | August 8, 2025
Check out the great racing offers available from horse racing bookmakers on Friday, August 8. Enjoy bonus back deals and other promotions to boost your betting experience. Explore these specials from top online bookmakers and get more value from your bets. Top Australian racing promotions for August 8, 2025, include: Today’s horse racing promotions Geelong Races 1 & 2 | Run 2nd or 3rd Bonus Back up to $50 Bonus Cash Place a Fixed Win bet on the neds’ #7 greyhound in any race at Richmond this Friday and if…
Randwick Saturday tips & quaddie picks | Missile Stakes Day 2025
What Missile Stakes Day 2025 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, August 9, 2025 First Race 11:30am AEST Visit Dabble Royal Randwick is the destination for metro racing in NSW this Saturday, with the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) headlining a bumper 10-part program. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit, and with Sydney expecting 10-20mm of rainfall heading into the weekend, punters can expect the surface to be rated a Heavy 10 prior to the opening event at 11:30am…
Geelong races free betting tips & quaddie | August 8, 2025
What Geelong Races Where Geelong Racecourse – 99 Breakwater Rd, Breakwater VIC 3219 When Friday, August 8, 2025 First Race 12:45pm AEST Visit Dabble Geelong serves up an eight-race Friday card on a Soft 5 with the rail true and light winds forecast. The opener jumps 12:45pm AEST, the closer 5:00pm AEST. Early at Geelong, rails-in-run can be fine if tempo is controlled, but as the day wears on, expect the best ground to creep a couple of lanes off the fence—so track patterns through R1–R3 before locking in staking…
Northern mission on the cards for Rangiora mare
Rangiora mare Ears Back (NZ) (Jakkalberry) added an all-important black-type success to her record in the autumn, and her trainer John Blackadder has designs on another fruitful campaign this spring. The Jakkalberry seven-year-old defeated the likes of Belardo Boy and Bradman to take out the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui in May, which also provided a new career-high for Blackadder. “It was pretty amazing, she’d been a bit unlucky in some of those big races, so it was great to go up there and do it for the…
Corcoran over the moon with Hilal foal
The first foal by Grangewilliam Stud’s Group Two winner and multiple Group One performer Hilal arrived on Thursday morning with a filly born out of the well-related No Nay Never mare La Frox. “His first foal is a filly born at Shaun and Anna O’Leary’s, of Who Shot Thebarman fame,” Grangewilliam Stud’s Mark Corcoran said. “I’ve just been around to see her and she’s a lovely foal. She is the second foal out of a No Nay Never mare called La Frox who was a $110,000 yearling and is a…