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…
Category: Gallops
Group assignments in the offing for Force of Nature
Savabeel gelding Force Of Nature (NZ) (Savabeel) has been in a purple patch of form of late, and weight-for-age assignments could be in the offing for the five-year-old if he continues his impressive form line on Saturday. Bred and raced by Milan Park principal Tony Rider, Force Of Nature has won five and placed in three of his nine career starts to date, including winning his last three outings. He will bid to continue his golden run in the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1200 at Te Rapa on Saturday, for which he…
Cartwright back and raring to go
Matt Cartwright is back on Kiwi soil and he has made an instant impact on his return, riding home two winners from just nine rides in the past week. The 22-year-old Australian hoop moved across the Tasman last year to further his riding career, and he was rapt with his season tally of 53 wins, including seven Group or Listed victories, and he amassed more than $3.2 million in prizemoney. “I felt like I had a great season for my first season in New Zealand,” he said. “I am very…
Top contender ruled out of National Hurdles
There is a tough sense of déjà vu for Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal in Christchurch this week, with Dictation (NZ) (Tavistock) being ruled out of Saturday’s Hospitality NZ Canterbury 135th Grand National Hurdles (4200m) through injury. The son of Tavistock had risen to prominence in the hurdling ranks this term, winning the Waikato Hurdle (3200m) in June before an outstanding front-running display in last Saturday’s Sydenham Hurdles (3100m). Off the back of that effort, Dictation joined two-time champion Berry The Cash on top of the National market, but he…
Distance on star’s side in fourth National
Mark Oulaghan is hoping the extreme distance of Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) will play into the hands of West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu), as his champion jumper attempts to rewrite the history books at Riccarton Park. The adored 10-year-old has won the last three editions of the National, becoming the second horse to claim three titles since Agent in the 19th century, and the first to do so in successive years. After a top performance to finish second in the Hawke’s Bay…
Connections hoping to bridge gap to WFA test
Freegoing five-year-old Leroy Brown (NZ) (Ace High) will be chasing a crack at a weight-for-age feature when he resumes at Te Rapa on Saturday. The talented son of Ace High returns to action in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Handicap (1200m), and success would firm up plans for a return in two weeks’ time in a bid for higher honours. “We want to have a go at the Foxbridge Plate (Gr.2, 1200m) and we’re behind the eight ball a bit on the ratings,” trainer Stephen Ralph said. “It will be a tough…
Today’s top horse racing bookmaker offers | Thursday, August 7
Check out the great racing offers available from horse racing bookmakers on Thursday, August 7. 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 7, 2025, include: Today’s horse racing promotions Punters Toolbox! Use your neds Toolbox on greyhound, harness and horse racing today. Check your Neds Toolbox for Bet Back, Price Boosts and much more. Neds T&C’s Apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Top 4…
Ballarat Synthetic racing tips & quaddie | Thursday, August 7
What Ballarat Races Where Ballarat Turf Club – 72 Midas Rd, Miners Rest VIC 3352 When Thursday, August 7, 2025 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Dabble Ballarat’s synthetic course hosts an eight-race Thursday card with fair conditions typical of the surface. The opener jumps at 1:00pm AEST and the closer is at 4:30pm. Expect on-speed runners to be advantaged early over the short trips, while strong, momentum-building types tend to excel from the 1400m to 2100m. Monitor any pattern shift through R1–R3, but Ballarat’s synthetic usually rewards maps more than…
Gemma Flitz triumphs in local feature
Gemma Flitz (NZ) (Telperion) has been a model of consistency on Riccarton’s synthetic track and she capped off that form when it counted, claiming the major spoils in Wednesday’s $100,000 Polytrack Championship (1200m). The mare joined Ross Beckett’s Yaldhurst stable just under two years ago and swiftly announced herself on the synthetic circuit, winning or placing on the surface at each of her six attempts. On that form, Beckett eyed the six-figure feature for Gemma Flitz this year, and she produced a stunning dress rehearsal last start to come into…
Waldron makes perfect start to NZ return
Joe Waldron made the perfect start to his New Zealand return, with his first runner back collecting a winning cheque at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday. Waldron commenced his training career in the Waikato and has spent the last six years plying his trade in Victoria, and he has recently returned to his home region of Otago, where he trains out of Wingatui. He brought half a dozen horses back with him to New Zealand, including Secret Beau (I Am Invincible), who broke through for his maiden win in convincing…