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      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.
       
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    • Struggling to convert at Sha Tin, trainer David Eustace looks a chance to add to his impressive Happy Valley record on Wednesday night.View the full article
    • Maidens did use to be handicaps in NZ. It was actually quite hard for a really consistent horse to get out of maiden ranks as they were always giving weight to up and comers.
    • He did lead and dictate easily.  Ran the last mile in 1:57.
    • Dazzling Miss will contest the Group 3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images South Few horses are more deserving of a black-type success than Dazzling Miss, and she, alongside her classy stablemate Sir Albert, will chase their hometown feature on Wednesday in the Group 3 TAB Mile (1600m). A six-year-old by Proisir, Dazzling Miss has established an enviable record in the past 12 months in stakes company without coming out on top, placing in the Group 3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m), Group 3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Group 3 Canterbury Gold Cup (1600m) and most recently, the Listed Sothy’s Spring Classic (2000m) on October 26. “She’s pretty versatile, she seems to go on any track and in nearly every black-type race she’s been in, she’s placed,” Rae said. “She’s putting together a very good page for down the track as a broodmare, she’s just super honest. “She’s had a couple of races now and is coming back from the 2000m, so she hasn’t had to do a great deal. She’s such an easy horse to have around and clean-winded.” That consistency has Dazzling Miss among the favoured chances for the TAB Mile as the current third-favourite at $6.50, and Rae has engaged northern jockey Masa Hashizume for the ride out of barrier nine. “She’ll go forward, she can run from anywhere but from that draw, she’ll be in a handy position,” she said. Sir Albert will also take his place in the feature, with the gelding flying slightly under the radar despite winning six of his 15 starts, including a 1400m victory over Dazzling Miss back in March. He has had one appearance this campaign in the torrid conditions at Riccarton on the 26th, finishing fourth in a race won by race rival Perfect Scenario. “We missed a trial going into that race and he can run a really quick sectional, it was just the wet track that day. But it didn’t really matter, he just needed a lead-in race and he had a good run,” Rae said. “He had a good gallop on the course proper, which was really good, it is helpful to go on there as you can have a nice hit-out. “We’re really happy with him, the draw may be a bit niggly as he does prefer to settle back and make one run, but it is what it is. He’s better in two than 12.” Rae will have three other runners through the undercard on Wednesday, including Full Moon Fever, who collected his maiden success at Ashburton last month. The U S Navy Flag gelding will contest The Grand Tour In Christchurch Premier (1000m), with the intention to then back-up on Saturday. “He is a pretty easy little horse, he had a niggly draw the other day so we scratched, but he’s pretty honest and will show a good account of himself,” Rae said. “Hopefully he’ll come through tomorrow well and then he can run over 1200 on Saturday. It works out well for him just running the 1000 tomorrow.” Aristocrat and Rocmont are set to take their place in the final event of the day, the Majestic Horsefloats Premier (1800m), with the latter coming off a narrow third behind TAB Mile contender Richard Stomper last start. “He (Rocmont) went really well stepping up in grade, he was only beaten a nose and a nose so that was a pretty good effort,” Rae said. “He’s got a bit of a gnarly old draw (13), but that’s the way it is. There does look to be a couple coming out of his race, so he’ll come in a couple of barriers anyway. It’s a nice big straight at Riccarton, so everyone should get their chance. “The step-up to 1800m will absolutely suit Aristocrat, being by Savabeel, he does like getting over ground. “Our only query is that he probably would’ve preferred even that little bit further, but he’s very honest and he likes Riccarton. He’s an on-tempo runner, whether that be setting a good pace himself or being on-speed.” Looking towards the final meeting of Cup Week on Saturday, Rae intends to back-up her Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) placegetter South Of Houston in the Listed Lindauer Stewards Stakes (1200m). “It would’ve been nice to have a trial going into the Pegasus, she had a bit of a huff and a puff, but she’s come through it really well,” Rae said. “She’s a good eater and doer and nothing seems to phase her, so she’ll back up in the Stewards.” Horse racing news View the full article
    • Third Decree will contest the Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images South Michael and Matthew Pitman have high hopes that Third Decree can go to the next level on her home turf on Wednesday. The Riccarton trainers have settled on the Group 3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) as a gilt-edged opportunity for the mare to add winning black type to her imposing record. The daughter of War Decree has won eight of her 18 starts, with one of her three runner-up finishes including a second in the Listed Great Easter Stakes (1400m) over this course and distance in the autumn. Third Decree was unplaced when resuming after she was caught three wide without cover and then bounced back to her best last month at Ashburton where she coasted to an open handicap win over 1200m. “After her last run, we decided because of the weights that we would be better off having a crack at this race rather than the Stewards (Listed, 1200m),” Michael Pitman said. “She would have got a bit of weight in that, whereas this is set weights and penalties and she’s on the minimum. “She goes pretty well freshened, that’s why she hasn’t raced since Ashburton and she’s done well.” To again be partnered by Kylie Williams, Third Decree will have the outside barrier to contend with, but the conditions of the race are firmly in her favour. “She’d have to be our best of the day, she’s the highest rated horse in the race and some of those other horses around her would normally be giving her four or five kilos in a handicap,” Pitman said. “She’s pretty well in at the weights, the only worry is obviously that she’s drawn 10 of 10. “That’s for Kylie to work out, she knows the mare really well and has been on her in most of her wins and knows what she’s capable of. “She came in and galloped her on Saturday morning with Mystic Park and they both worked really pleasingly.” The stable will also take aim at the day’s other feature with lightweight contender Charbano in the Group 3 TAB Mile (1600m). The son of Vespa will drop back to the minimum after lumping up to 60kg in recent appearances. “It will be an uphill battle for him because it’s a very strong field, but he’s got no weight to carry and he’s been carrying plenty of late and drops to 53kg,” Pitman said. “We quinellaed it one year with two horses (Final Reality, Benelli) that had been running around in the South Island with 58 and 59kg and any horse can win a nice race if they’ve got no weight to carry and he’s in that category.” The winner of seven races, Charbano will be coming off a midfield finish at Wingatui earlier this month and improved underfoot conditions will also help his cause. “He never fired a shot the other day, the track was just too heavy for him,” Pitman said. Horse racing news View the full article
    • Following the completion of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington, we look back at the four days of racing and select three runners that are worth following as we head deeper into the spring. You can add these runners to your blackbook with your chosen bookmaker and receive notifications when they accept for an upcoming race. Flemington Track rating: Good 4 (all four days) VCR Derby Day: Group 3 Belgonia Belle Stakes (1100m) | Time: 1:02.64 Horse to follow: Cigar Flick (4th) After she was scratched from multiple races earlier in the spring, Chris Waller entered Cigar Flick in the Belgonia Belle Stakes down the Flemington straight. The daughter of Churchill has never run a placing down the straight, but her slashing fourth-place finish on VRC Derby Day was her best effort by far. After being forced to change tracks due to heavy traffic, Cigar Flick got onto the back of Isthmus; however, she couldn’t go with the winner following a chequered run in transit. When to bet: Waller has nominated Cigar Flick in the Group 3 How Now Stakes at Caulfield this Saturday, and if they accept in that contest, she could be one of the major players. Melbourne Cup Day: Listed Batman Stakes (1800m) | Time: 1:50.86 Horse to follow: Statuario (2nd) Statuario produced one of the best runs of Melbourne Cup Day in the Listed Batman Stakes. The son of D’Argento settled at the back of the field in his first attempt at Flemington and over 1800m, but as the field hit the home turn, Damian Lane had him positioned perfectly to let down with a strong finish in the middle of the track. On a day where on-speed runners were favoured, Statuario made up significant ground in the worst part of the course. When to bet: As it was the sixth start of his career in his first racing preparation, Statuario may go out for a spell before returning in the autumn. Keep this guy in your blackbook, as he looks to be a talented stayer in the making. VRC Oaks Day: Group 3 Red Roses Stakes (1400m) | Time: 1:24.10 Horse to follow: Vestas (2nd) Clinton McDonald chose to take Vestas from maiden grade to the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes on Oaks Day, and the three-year-old filly nearly maintained her unbeaten record. Ben Melham rode the daughter of Toronado on debut and stuck with her at Flemington, where they finished within a length of the winner, Amelita. Vestas was second last at the 250m mark, but once she got into clear air, she stormed home to nab second in the final strides. When to bet: With no nominations available yet, keep an eye out for where McDonald sends Vestas next. If they accept in a 1200m race in a weaker or similar grade, she will prove very hard to beat. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Recommended! The Better Bettors! Australian-owned and operated bookmaker! Join MarantelliBet 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Horse racing tips View the full article
    • Faraglioni during an exhibition gallop at Otaki last week. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Josh Shaw admits he is heading a long way this week for just the one run with his aptly named mare Predecessor, but he is hoping the trip pays dividends in the long run. The Horowhenua horseman has trekked down to Christchurch this week with his four-year-old mare, who will be vying to breakthrough for her maiden victory in the Haase Marshall Drainage Premier (2000m) at Riccarton on Wednesday. “The trip away will just bring her on,” Shaw said. “She will be one and done probably. I know it is a long way to go for one race, but it will be the making of her. If we put her aside for three weeks after the trip to just let her get over it, then we have got some nice racing over the backend of Christmas.” Predecessor heads into Wednesday off the back of a career best runner-up performance over 2100m at Otaki earlier this month and Shaw is hoping the daughter of Eminent can go one better this week. “She jumped from barrier 12 the other day at Otaki, got across and found one off, and it was a very good run,” Shaw said. Draws haven’t been in their favour throughout Predecessor’s five-start career, and that trend has continued this week where she has drawn the outside gate in the now 14-horse field. “I don’t know what I have done in a past life,” Shaw quipped. “She drew one in her first start and every other start it has been the outside barrier or second from outside.” Shaw is looking forward to testing his mare over 2000m once more this week on a better track, which was rated a Soft 7 on Tuesday. “Distance is going to be her friend,” Shaw said. “The whole time she has been in my stable that is what we have been aiming towards. She is taking a little bit of time to mature to get to the races.” Shaw purchased Predecessor as a weanling from Curraghmore for $1,200 off gavelhouse.com, and he said buying her was one of the best decisions he has made, as it directly resulted in him acquiring Group 1 performer Faraglioni. “There is a bit of a play in the name, she preceded Faraglioni,” Shaw said. “If it wasn’t for me buying her off gavelhouse, we probably wouldn’t have Faraglioni. That is why we named her the way we did. “I bought her (Predecessor) as a weanling. I had her half-sister, Amazing Team, and I thought to myself she would have been a nice horse had we had her a bit earlier. “I saw her (Predecessor) on gavelhouse and bought her and it was on the off chance that Gordy (Gordon Cunningham, Curraghmore principal) rang us up and said he had another lovely filly by El Roca that is a two-year-old who hadn’t done anything, but she needed to, and that ended up being Faraglioni. He sent me the pedigree and I said to chuck her on the float as well.” That decision has proven to be a masterstroke, with Faraglioni having gone on to win five and place in 10 of her 25 starts and accrued more than $400,000 in prizemoney. She has been a perennial bridesmaid, finishing runner-up in the Group 1 TAB Classic (1600m), Group 2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), Group 2 Westbury Classic (1400m), and Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). The six-year-old mare put in an uncharacteristically poor performance last start when last in the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m), but Shaw said subsequent blood work revealed she had picked up a virus. “It (Arrowfield) was very disappointing on face value, but I am picking she picked up a little bug somewhere along the line because when she got home she scoured quite badly,” he said. “We got her bloods done after that and everything was out of whack. We put her aside for 10 days and she has been on the up and up since she has been back in work. “We’ll just turn the page on that last run. If you didn’t turn the page, you wouldn’t be reading the book. That’s all we can do.” Faraglioni pleased in her exhibition gallop at Otaki last week and 1000m jump-out at Levin on Tuesday, and is set to return to Pukekohe next Saturday in a bid to go one better in the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. Horse racing news View the full article
    • What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong (Link if we have track page) When Wednesday, November 13, 2024 First Race 6:40pm HKT (9:40pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Happy Valley is the destination for Hong Kong racing on Wednesday evening, with a bumper nine-part program scheduled to get underway at 6:40pm local time. The rail is in the B position, and with no rain forecast on Monday and Tuesday, punters can expect a genuine Good 4 surface. See our free Happy Valley racing tips below. Best Bet at Happy Valley: The Perfect Match The Perfect Match caught the eye when returning at this course and distance on October 27. The son of Complacent was near-last turning for home, making strong inroads towards the inside rail when it was all over. Punters should be willing to forgive that effort, and with gate five allowing Hugh Bowman to sit within stalking distance this time around, The Perfect Match should make amends at a good price with Neds. Best Bet Race 6 – #4 The Perfect Match (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Danny Shum | J: Hugh Bowman (60kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Happy Valley: Lucky Touch The Jamie Richards-trained Lucky Touch has been a costly commodity, having only found the frame twice in seven career starts. He’s been racing consistently, however, and appears primed to peak heading to Happy Valley for the first time. The 1650m should suit, and with Zac Purton likely to gain an economical run from stall seven, watch for Lucky Touch to be doing his best work late to shirk the maiden tag. Next Best Race 2 – #4 Lucky Touch (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Zac Purton (58kg) Bet with Unibet Best Value at Happy Valley: Golden Artie Golden Artie was no match for My Wish when returning at Sha Tin on November 3. He did, however, stick on gamely to get within five lengths of the progressive galloper, suggesting a return to his favoured Happy Valley circuit could pay dividends second-up. He will likely get back towards the rear of the field from barrier nine, but with a strong tempo engaged, watch for Golden Artie to put in the big strides late at a massive each-way price with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 8 – #9 Golden Artie (9) 5yo Gelding | T: Ricky Yiu | J: Jerry Chau (a1kg) (55.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Hong Kong quaddie tips – 13/11/2024 Happy Valley quadrella selections Wednesday, November 13, 2024 4-5-7-9 1-3-7-10 1-5-8-9-11 3-4-5-8 Horse racing tips View the full article
    • Promising filly Celestial Wonder (Xtravagant) left little to the imagination at Te Aroha on Wednesday, bolting to her maiden success in the KB Bloodstock 1150. After impressing at the trials, Celestial Wonder showed plenty of fight in the testing conditions on debut at the course on October 30, finishing a neck short of Honey Badger. Back on an improving Soft 5 surface, the three-year-old filly was heavily backed to go one better, closing at $1.40 over debutant She’s All That ($9.20). Sliding forward from a middle draw, Celestial Wonder settled outside of the leader through the running and looked the winner a long way from home, cruising into the straight and leaving the rest of the field in her wake by 4 – ½ lengths. The filly carried the colours of Te Akau Racing, who trained her Group One-winning sire Xtravagant, and her three-win dam Meteoric Lass. Mark Walker, co-trainer of the Matamata stable in partnership with Sam Bergerson, praised the ride of Michael McNab after the victory. “It was a positive ride by Michael, he cuddled her up on the pace and she won with a lot of authority,” he said. “It’s good to see she can handle better track conditions and, obviously, as a three-year-old we’re conscious of looking towards black type races. The O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (Listed, 1340m) on 30 November at Wanganui could be a suitable race for her. “She’s taken a little while to come to it physically, but I still think there is further improvement now that she’s getting older and more mature.” Later on the Te Aroha card, McNab produced a similar ride aboard stablemate Ocean Miss (NZ) (Ocean Park) in the Riversley Park 1400, leading from the outset and finding plenty in the straight to score by 1 – ½ lengths to Eye Candy. By Ocean Park out of a Pins mare in Runway, the filly was a $60,000 purchase by David Ellis at the 2023 Karaka Yearling Sales out of the draft of Carlaw Park. Her grand-dam, Double Elle, produced Te Akau’s four-time Group One winner Gingernuts. View the full article
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