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Category: Punting
Rack’em Up racks up first win
By Mike Love West Melton trainer Andrew Drake didn’t have to wait long for Rack’em Up to break his maiden status. The Betting Line three-year-old, who he also co-owns, took out the DMJ Builders-Anne Thompson Graduation (Heat 2) Mobile at Rangiora yesterday. “It’s super. We are rapt with that,” said Drake. Rack’em Up, driven by Jonny Cox, settled four back the markers for the majority of the 2600m journey. Gaps presented when the acid went on and Cox was able to work off the fence into a prominent position,…
Vale Greg Sugars
By Michael Guerin The harness racing community on both sides of the Tasman is reeling after the sudden death of one of its superstars in Victorian horseman Greg Sugars. The 40-year-old was found dead in his hotel room near the Menangle racetrack outside Sydney on Saturday afternoon. He is believed to have died in his sleep. Sugars had driven from Victoria to Sydney on Friday to campaign horses trained by his wife Jess Tubbs, who confirmed his passing on social media on Saturday night. When Sugars didn’t turn up to…
Peg delivers special win in Southern Oaks
By Jonny Turner Delightful Peg delivered a tight-knit crew a special thrill when showing her true worth to win the Group 2 Macca Lodge-Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks. The Canterbury pacer had flown into a gallop when taking the passing lane in her last two starts leading into Southland’s premier race for three-year-old fillies. But when driver Matthew Williamson angled the Brad Mowbray-trained filly into exactly the same spot on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park, she delivered a powerful and professional victory. Williamson and Mowbray’s association dates back to around…
Jumal “the wee gem” stars on Diamonds Day
By Jonny Turner There is only going to be one argument between Steven Reid and Samantha Ottley after Jumal’s Group 1 win on Diamonds Day. The two-year-old justified his red-hot favouritism with a brilliant win in the Group 1 Diamond Creek Farm Classic at Ascot Park. While Reid and Ottley are in complete agreement on Jumal being a classy customer, the pair are yet to agree on who is the bigger fan of the exciting youngster. “I think Steven thinks he’s his number one fan, but no, I certainly am,”…
Pinseeker with big handicap to overcome in today’s Winter Cup
By Mike Love It’s a change of scene and occasion for Pinseeker today. After a huge fifth in the $1m Race by betcha at Cambridge three weeks ago, won sensationally by Leap To Fame, Pinseeker returns to action at Rangiora this afternoon. He’ll start a $3.40 favourite in the Waimakariri Businesses Rangiora Winter Cup. While The Race by betcha was a 2200 mobile against Australasia’s best, today will be a 2600m stand for $25,000 with Pinseeker and trainer-driver Jonny Cox having to overcome a 35 metre handicap. The Downbytheseaside five-year-old…
Harness racing rocked by death of Greg Sugars
By Adam Hamilton The harness racing world is shocked and devastated following news of the tragic passing of decorated horseman Greg Sugars. News of Sugars’ passing emerged on Saturday afternoon via the Instagram account of Larajay Farm, run by Sugars and his wife Jess Tubbs. “With an absolutely shattered heart that doesn’t want to believe it’s possibly true, I need to share the news that Greg passed away in his sleep last night,” the post read. “Greg had excitedly driven our team to NSW yesterday with none of us possibly…
Former Kiwi takes out $1.25m Nullarbor
By Adam Hamilton Champion trainer Gary Hall Sr thinks former Kiwi pacer Mister Smartee is his next superstar. Hall Sr was moved to declare the lightly raced five-year-old second-only to the amazing Im Themightyquinn as the best horse he has trained after Mister Smartee’s win in last night’s $1.25 million Group 1 Nullarbor at Gloucester Park. Having just his 22nd start, Mister Smartee took advantage of a stalking run behind the two big guns – Minstrel and Swayzee – and gunned them down late to post his 17th and by…
Reid has “pretty nice horse” for his first foray to Southland
By Jonny Turner Steven Reid will get the answers he is looking for when he starts his first horse in Southland on Diamonds Day on Sunday. The former North Island horseman will venture further south than he has before to start the red-hot favourite Jumal in the Group 1 Diamond Creek Farm Classic at Ascot Park. Reid has had a good rap on his two-year-old, but his many years in the sport have told him that it is one thing for a horse to show promise and another for them…
Williamson’s dual threats in Southern Oaks on Diamonds Day
By Jonny Turner On current form, Nathan Williamson appeared to have an excruciating call to make ahead of the Group 2 Macca Lodge–Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park on Sunday. Williamson opted for the tried and true in Captains Mistress, who will clash with her exciting and unbeaten stablemate Utah Jazz in Southland’s premier event for three-year-old fillies. Now that it has been made, the trainer-driver won’t lose any sleep if it turns out to be the wrong one. “Obviously training both of them and…