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      Thoroughbred Racing forum discussion.

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      Videos from around the world

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      Thoroughbred race punting selections from Guest Selectors.  BOAY'ers post your selections for a meeting and earn BOAY points.  End of Season Prizes.

       

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    2. Harness Punting Selections

      Harness racing punting selections from Guest Selectors.  BOAY'ers post your selections for a meeting and earn BOAY points.  End of Season Prizes.

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  • Blog Entries

         15 comments
      Today we have seen the only remaining truly independent racing industry publication "hang the bridle on the wall."  The Informant has ceased to publish.
      Why?
      In my opinion the blame lies firmly at the feet of the NZRB.  Over the next few days BOAY will be asking some very pertinent questions to those in charge.
      For example:
      How much is the NZRB funded Best Bets costing the industry?  Does it make a profit?  What is its circulation?  800?  Or more?  Does the Best Bets pay for its form feeds?  Was The Informant given the same deal?
      How much does the industry fund the NZ Racing Desk for its banal follow the corporate line journalism?
      Why were the "manager's at the door" when Dennis Ryan was talking to Peter Early?
      Where are the NZ TAB turnover figures?
      The Informant may be gone for the moment but the industry must continue to ask the hard questions.
       
         0 comments
      Duplicate to remove spam.
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  • Posts

    • The dam to 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) victor Mage and 2024 participant Dornoch would get another shot at immortality if her McKinzie colt Baeza finds his way into the field for the first leg of the Triple Crown May 3 at Churchill Downs.View the full article
    • Will never get to grips with how such a tragedy takes place .   Have lost too many friends same way, one was on phone to us, hung up , went to bed and passed away in his sleep  15 minutes later.  Medically not one cause showed up .    They call it ASDS (  Adult Sudden Death Syndrome ).  Maybe more research should be done,  that someone like Greg in prime of his life should be taken like this is beyond comprehension .
    • only a very young man. something has gone terribly wrong. Trotting has the Interdomion as it's Traditional Pinnacle of success. Greg dominating with the Grand trotter JUST BELIEVE , clean Sweeping 2 series in a row . all 3 heats and then the Grand Finals at Melton 2022 and Albion Park Brissie 2023.   Greg nearly winning the Pacers Grand Final in 2023. with BETTER ECLIPSE running 2nd to the local hero named Leap To Fame (always hard to beat) NZ Cup winner Swayzee was 3rd.  But just prior to that Greg had his BIGGEST Interdominion Thrill  winning his first one in 2021. with a horse trained by an ex-pat New-Zealander , and here he is with MAORI LAW  (defeating the kiwi 'Majestic Man' of Williamsons and his own future star 'Just Believe' was 3rd before he took over the training .  A great story here for the great man Greg Sugars . RIP Greg. the harness racing scene will miss you deeply.   Square-gaiters will have plenty to 'play for' in 2023.   Sugars strikes to give Brosnan an epic double December 11, 2021 Michael Court WINNING one Inter Dominion Trotting Championship is pretty special. But to back up and win another one – 42 years later Fullstop or comma. well, that’s the stuff legends are made of. Yet that’s what Richard Brosnan did with Maori Law at Tabcorp Park Menangle tonight, as leading reinsman Greg Sugars scored a commanding win in the $150,000 TAB-sponsored Trotting Championship, leading most of the way to beat Majestic Man and Just Believe by one and a half metres in a 1:59.4 mile rate over the marathon 3009m journey. Maori Law is co-trained by Brosnan and his son Emmett in Victoria and it was Richard, regarded as a legend in the sport, who won with No Response at Christchurch way back in 1979. For Emmett and Sugars, though, it was their first win in this big feature – and it was a night to savor. “I’m on cloud nine, I’m just over the moon with this,” said Sugars as he trotted back to the enclosure.
    • I was there and it was certainly a successful promotion. A lot of the people attending were not regular race goers & many may have been there for the first time.  Unfortunately it may be difficult to pull off that promotion in future once the new stadium opens in the CBD. 
    • Tenzing scores for trainer Tony Gollan at Eagle Farm in the Listed Brisbane Mile. (Photo: Grant Peters) New Zealand-bred gelding Tenzing took his career to new heights with a first black-type win in Saturday’s $300,000 Listed Brisbane Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm. The Tony Gollan-trained six-year-old has now won seven of his 29 starts, along with three seconds and nine thirds. He has earned $443,221 for an Australian Bloodstock syndicate. Tenzing got into Saturday’s Brisbane Mile on the minimum weight of 53kg and jumped from gate one. He was given a perfect ride by Regan Bayliss, who saved ground along the rail. All eyes were on Williamsburg in the straight as he drew up alongside the front-running Just Folk, but then Tenzing drove through on their inside and took command. He kicked clear and kept going strongly to the line to beat the late-finishing Miss Joelene by half a length. “He’s the sort of horse that can always be competitive in a good race like this if he gets a low draw that allows him to have a soft run, which he got for this race,” Gollan said. Tenzing was bred by Malaysian businessman Dato Yap Kim San’s Raffles Farm, best known in recent times as the breeder of 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz. The 12th individual stakes winner for former Mapperley Stud stallion Contributer, Tenzing is a son of Mizen Peak. That Fastnet Rock mare is a half-sister to the Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) winner Francaletta as well as the multiple Listed winner and Group 1 Royal Ascot Golden Jubilee Stakes (1200m) placegetter Asset. Leanach Lodge offered Tenzing in Book 2 of Karaka 2020, where he failed to meet his $20,000 reserve. He was subsequently put up for sale on Gavelhouse.com and sold for $4,400. Tenzing began his career with six starts for Wanganui trainer Kevin Myers in 2022, recording a pair of 1400m victories at Riccarton and Otaki before his sale to Australian Bloodstock. Horse racing news View the full article
    • A Fairytale finish for Jokers Grin and Patrick Carbery winning the 2025 Quokka at Ascot. (Photo: WesternRacePix) In a fairy-tale finish to Western Australia’s richest race, Jokers Grin delivered a career-defining performance to win the Group 1 Quokka (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday. Trained by Bernie Miller and ridden by Patrick Carbery, Jokers Grin at $21 shot with , unleashed a blistering sprint down the outside to mow down his rivals late, capping a remarkable rise from provincial meetings to a $2,000,000 win. It was a fitting result for the larrikin trainer and his best mate, with Carbery steering home the $2 million winner in a tight photo finish. The four-year-old gelding settled at the rear of the field after a slightly tardy beginning, as Overpass set a slick tempo out front. As the field fanned wide turning for home, Carbery kept his cool, slicing through traffic before launching Jokers Grin with a devastating turn of foot. Headwall ($6) was brave in defeat, surging late but falling short by a neck, while local hope Generosity ($21) stuck on gamely for third. Early leader Overpass faded to finish fifth, ending his perfect record at Ascot. 2025 Quokka Race Replay – Jokers Grin https://horsebetting.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Ascot-2025-The-Quokka-26042025-Jokers-Grin-Bernie-Miller-Patrick-Carbery.mp4 An emotional Bernie Miller was nearly lost for words post-race. “It’s just a dream come true,” he said. “We knew he was peaking today. It’s been a lot of hard work by everyone around us. To see it all come together on a stage like this, it’s unbelievable.” Carbery, who shares a special bond with the stable, was equally effusive. “He’s still on the way up. What he gave me today was incredible — the owners, Bernie, the whole team deserve this.” The victory was the seventh from ten career starts for Jokers Grin, who now boasts over $2.4 million in prizemoney. It also completed a remarkable journey for the son of Maschino, who was bred and raised by connections without lofty expectations. After conquering The Quokka, connections hinted at even bigger targets, with a potential tilt at The Everest now firmly on the radar. Jokers Grin has well and truly cemented his place among Australia’s elite sprinters — and in the hearts of WA racing fans. Horse racing news View the full article
    • What Ballarat Races Where Ballarat Turf Club – 72 Midas Rd, Miners Rest VIC 3352 When Sunday, April 27, 2025 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Dabble Racing in Victoria heads to Ballarat on Sunday afternoon, where a competitive eight-race meeting is set down for decision. The track is likely to be in the Soft range considering the rain the region has received since Thursday evening, with the sticking to its true position the entire circuit. The Ballarat races on April 27 is set to jump at 1pm AEST. Best Bet at Ballarat: Scampi Scampi was an arrogant winner when breaking his maiden at Cranbourne fresh from a spell at Cranbourne, before being forced to travel wide with no cover at Bendigo on April 12. The three-year-old gelding has always been blessed with talent but has struggled to put it all together on the racetrack. However, drawn in barrier two, the race sets up perfectly for the son of Blue Point to dictate terms, and if he is anywhere close to his best, Scampi will not be caught. Best Bet Race 6 – #1 Scampi (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Ethan Brown (59.5kg) Next Best at Ballarat: Professor Pickles Professor Pickles put in an eye-catching run when first-up off nearly a 12-month spell, and with the run under his belt, he looks hard to go past in the quaddie opener. The four-year-old gelding stalked the speed throughout at Kyneton and arguably threw the race away when doing a few things wrong inside the final furlong. From barrier six, Teo Nugent will look to take up the running, and with the fitness under his belt, Professor Pickles will look to run his rivals ragged. Next Best Race 5 – #9 Professor Pickles (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Teo Nugent (58kg) Best Value at Ballarat: Exuma Exuma mixes his form, but if the three-year-old gelding is near his best, the $13 with horse racing bookmakers looks a ridiculous price. The son of Blue Point was forced to travel three wide with no cover at Seymour last time out and did well to keep finding late under pressure over the 1000m scamper. From barrier three, John Allen will likely give him the run of the race from just behind the leaders, and if the gap comes at the right time, Exuma will be fighting out the finish and can cause a minor upset. Best Value Race 7 – #3 Exuma (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: John Allen (59kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Ballarat Ballarat quadrella selections Sunday, April 27, 2025 2-9 1-7 1-2-3-4-10 2-5-7-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article
    • Step Aside and jockey James McDonald winning the Terry Marskell Handicap at Royal Randwick. (Photo: Bradley Photos) In his first raceday appearance since winning at Rosehill in February, consistent galloper Step Aside returned to action on a winning note at Randwick on Saturday. The Benchmark 78 handicap was the fifth victory of a 21-start career for the New Zealand-bred gelding, who has placed on another eight occasions and has earned $375,600 for an OTI Racing ownership group. Representing the champion expat New Zealand trainer-jockey combination of Chris Waller and James McDonald, Step Aside was sent out as a $3.40 favourite with horse betting sites on Saturday and the five-year-old lived up to that top billing. McDonald rode a patient race on Step Aside, settling in third-last and allowing him time to build up his momentum after rounding the home turn. Step Aside warmed into his work and ranged up alongside the front-running Deprivation at the 100m mark. He finished over the top of that rival in the final few strides and scored by a head. “Step Aside made it back to back wins for his connections with an impressive run for Chris Waller and James McDonald,” OTI Racing said on Facebook. “Good to see this talented gelding continue his good from.” Horse racing news View the full article
    • What 2025 Hong Kong Champions Day Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, April 27, 2025 First Race 12:45pm HKT (2:45pm AEST) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday afternoon, with a bumper 10-part program lined up for 2025 Hong Kong Champions Day. Three Group 1’s headline the action, with some Australian flavour added to the mix as Mr Brightside fly’s the flag in the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m). The rail is in the true position the entire circuit for the meeting, and although some rainfall is predicted to hit the track, punters can expect the Good 4 rating to be unaffected on race-day. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 12:45pm local time. QEII Cup Tip: Goliath The ceiling has yet to be found for the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Goliath as he heads to Hong Kong for the first time. The son of Adlerflug has been ultra-impressive of late, claiming the Group 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2400m) at Royal Ascot before bolting in on Heavy ground at Longchamp at Group 2 level. He got a pass mark in his latest performance at Tokyo in the Group 1 Japan Cup (2000m) at the end of last preparation and looks in supreme order heading into the Group 1 QEII Cup (2000m). Gate nine will have Christophe Soumillon drifting towards the rear, but with the likes of El Vencedor engaged to set a genuine clip, Goliath should get the last crack at his rivals. QEII Cup Race 8 – #1 Goliath (9) 5yo Gelding | T: Francis-Henri Graffard | J: Christophe Soumillon (57kg) Champions Mile Tip: Mr Brightside Australia’s own Mr Brightside goes in search of a staggering 10th Group 1 victory in the 2025 Champions Mile, with the Lindsay Park-trained gelding looking to pinch his first Group 1 success on the world stage. The son of Bullbars continues to race consistently and hasn’t put in a bad run this preparation, claiming the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) two starts back and finishing runner-up in the Group 1 All Star Mile (1600m) and Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) respectively. He maps to find the one-one from barrier two under Craig Williams, and although he runs into some superstars, Mr Brightside warrants respect in the 2025 Champions Mile. Champions Mile Race 7 – #1 Mr Brightside (2) 7yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Craig Williams (57kg) Chairman’s Sprint Prize Tip: Ka Ying Rising The meteoric rise to stardom for Ka Ying Rising is set to continue in the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m). The Shamexpress gelding has been simply sensational this preparation, with the four-year-old aiming for an eighth consecutive win of the campaign, along with a fourth Group 1 success. It should simply be a matter of ‘how far’ for Ka Ying Rising in the 2025 Chairman’s Sprint Prize before all the speculation can look towards a possible tilt at The Everest (1200m) later in the year. Chairman’s Sprint Prize Race 5 – #1 Ka Ying Rising (4) 4yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Zac Purton (57kg) Best Bet at Sha Tin: Masterofmyuniverse Masterofmyuniverse was a good thing licked in his latest outing at this course and distance on March 23, closing to within a length of Lady’s Choice. The son of Havana Gold was dragged back to last from the wide draw (11), and matters weren’t held when trying to navigate a passage towards the inside. Zac Purton should land no worse than mid-field with cover from stall two, and provided Masterofmyuniverse can extend again in what’s been a lengthy campaign for the progressive four-year-old, expect him to justify the short price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Bet Race 6 – #4 Masterofmyuniverse (2) 4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (59kg) Next Best at Sha Tin: Super Express Super Express impressed debuting at Sha Tin on March 23, racing greenly before putting the race to bed at the furlong pole. The Ten Sovereigns gelding took a while to wind up in the concluding stages in a moderately run race, allowing the unraced three-year-old to conserve energy in the middle stages before unleashing a strong turn of speed. He’ll need a perfect steer from barrier 11 under James McDonald this time around, but provided the breaks fall his way, Super Express looks poised to claim back-to-back wins. Next Best Race 3 – #1 Super Express (11) 3yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: James McDonald (61kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections April 27, 2025 1-2-6-7 1-2-3-11 1-6-10-11-13 1-2-3-5-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article
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