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BOAY Racing News
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Funding announced for new jockey wellbeing app
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Vague lands another win at Gore
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Autridge holds strong hand in Soliloquy
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Luberon out to continue winning run
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Verdad headlines Moonee Valley Vase field
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Red Anchor Stakes attracts competitive field
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Gore a happy hunting ground for Vague
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Fillies Bang On for Soliloquy
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Geelong Cup
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Wishlor Lass headlines Tesio Stakes field
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Craven Plate
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News Briefs : October 25
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The Box Seat – October 25
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Behind The Breeds #5
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The latest from the trials – October 20
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Black-type beckons Imwonderfultonight
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Imperatriz shoots for four straight
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Ashburton – the best of the rest
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Muscle Mountain too good once again
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Announcements
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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Harness Racing New Zealand has released a new regulation that will shape how meetings are conducted and races are programmed, handicapped, and rated. The new Conduct of Meetings, Programming, Handicapping and Rating Regulation comes into effect on Monday 30 June 2025, and replaces the existing Handicapping Regulation, Programming Condition – General Regulation, and Ratings Handicapping System Guiding Principles. HRNZ acknowledges the short notice of this release. However, it follows a lengthy consultation process across the industry. The organisation has aimed to give due consideration to all feedback and incorporate it where appropriate, while still working to the 30 June implementation date. These changes are the result of a collaborative 18-month process involving the Utilisation Reference Group, National and Regional Forums, and feedback from industry participants. The updated regulation reflects the recommendations from this work, with a focus on improving field sizes, simplifying programming, and supporting consistent racing opportunities. Key outcomes include: A clearer rating transition structure: All one-win horses will now be rated R40, two-win horses R45, and three-win horses R50, regardless of when those wins occurred. Retention of junior driver concessions in a revised format, with potential further reforms to be considered separately. Scratching penalties will not change at this stage – an alternative approach will be developed and consulted on. Updated procedures for the Bureau based on feedback and operational learnings since its introduction. Clarifications to existing wording to remove anomalies and support fairer programming. HRNZ has committed to closely monitoring the implementation of the new regulation and will establish a small external team to independently review outcomes. A formal report is due in February 2026 Click here to view the official notice View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
by Jonny Turner Teamwork helped turn frustration into winning delight when The Greek Freak broke through at Winton on Thursday. The trotter produced a gritty effort to break maidens, handing husband-and-wife trainers Richard and Fiona Stevens their first trotting win. The teamwork that went into The Greek Freak’s win goes beyond what the Stevens have poured into the horse themselves. Earlier this year, the five-year-old was struggling to trot around the first bend in his races, let alone prove competitive at the finish. But after getting his manners and gait in check, the squaregaiter built solid form before digging in to win for driver Brent Barclay. The Stevens were quick to credit several of their southern harness racing counterparts for their support in helping The Greek Freak’s progression. “I know little about pacers and even less about trotters,” Richard Stevens quipped. “He wasn’t trotting any good, and Nathan Williamson reckoned he needed more weight in front.” “So Franksy (Brendan Franks) has worked away at his shoeing and done a great job.” “Matty Williamson was a big help too — he helped him get his confidence.” “And Tommy Beckett has been doing chiropractic work on him lately, and it has made a real difference.” The Greek Freak was purchased in an online auction on Gavelhouse for just $1300, sending him on a journey from Auckland to Winton. “He cost $1300, and it was $1600 to get him home,” Stevens said. “At the time, there were only about six or eight maiden trotters going around, so we thought we might be able to pick a race up with him.” “When you get a new horse, it always takes a month to figure them out, but with this guy, it has been a lot longer.” “But to say he has tested our patience would be an understatement.” “He went through a stage of doing 360-degree turns on the track going full speed.” “He took out the galloping pacemaker one day.” “But we have worked away with him — it has been a real team effort, and today’s result is very satisfying.” Given the headaches The Greek Freak has given the Stevens, and the great progress they are making with the trotter, a stint in the spelling paddock isn’t on the horse’s agenda. “I don’t think he is done with yet.” “As much as we want to give him a break, we will probably keep ticking away with him.” “He will tell us when he is ready for a break, but because he is a bit highly strung, he might have a few short breaks here and there.” Thursday’s victory was win number two for the Stevens’ training partnership. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Ashburton trainer Gerard O’Reilly will be looking to turn the tables on Akatea ($2.60FF) in the inaugural running of the Silk Road Series Final tonight at Addington Raceway with his mare Esmeralda. The four-year-old Always B Miki mare has compiled a sound record to date — winning four from nine and placing a further four times. Her most recent victory at Addington over 2600m showcased her tenacity and strength after being pressured a few times during the running. “She’s handling all the racing really well,” said O’Reilly. But they have yet to beat home race rival and close second favourite Akatea, who is gunning for five wins in a row — a feat achieved only by great horses. “Akatea has been too good for us the last few times. It will be hard to beat,” said O’Reilly of their race rival. Esmeralda and Akatea have met twice in their careers. “She’s got enough gate speed to hold her own. She’s tough enough to do a bit of work. We will see what’s going on early.” A match race is certainly not a given, with other strong winning hopes such as the Mark Jones-trained Francent ($10.00FF) with Samantha Ottley, and the Bob Butt-trained and -driven Dynasty ($6.00FF). “It’s a great little field.” “She’ll have a spell after this, then we will get her back for the springtime.” The Plumbing World ‘Silk Road’ Mares’ Series Final over 1980m for a stake of $34,000 is carded as race seven on the programme and gets underway at 8:02pm. Earlier in the night, O’Reilly also trains and drives My Royal Break ($34.00FF) in race five, the Harrison Bloy Plumbing & Bathrooms Mobile Trot over 1980m. The four-year-old Royal Aspirations mare is still learning the racing game; however, she comes into tonight’s fixture off the back of some steady performances. “She’s been getting too far back, but she’s holding her own.” “It’s a tidy field, and it depends on where we end up in the running.” My Royal Break performed well two and three starts ago at Timaru and Ashburton respectively, before running a credible seventh behind Lottie’s Moment on June 8th at Addington. “She’s still doing a few things wrong, but when she gets her head around it all, she’s capable of winning a few races.” O’Reilly will also drive Swift Guy ($10.00FF) for his brother Kerry O’Reilly in race two, the Chester’s Plumbing & Bathrooms Mobile Pace over 2600m. The consistent twenty-one-start maiden will suit the longer journey of 2600m, according to O’Reilly. “The two-six will suit him. He’s run in good races but keeps getting beaten.” Meanwhile, Ivan Court trains last-start winner Stylish Lustre ($23.00FF), which O’Reilly will drive in race eight, the BC Plumbers Pace over 2000m. “She won well the other day. If she begins well and gets a nice run, she should be a top-four chance.” Race one starts at 5:14pm. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
The late Mike Moroney always believed Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir) had the potential to be a Group One winner. As a three-year-old, Coeur Volante started favourite in the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield, finishing fourth to Joliestar (Zoustar), while placegetters in that race were subsequent Group One winners Kimochi (Brave Smash) and Skybird (Exosphere). Coeur Volante was Moroney’s last winner when successful in the Gr.3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in February before dying in his sleep just days later. Under the care of Glen Thompson, Coeur Volante did not run again at Group One level until this year’s Sydney Autumn Carnival where the mare finished in the second half of the field in both the Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) and the Gr.1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m). Now in the care of the Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will & Jd Hayes, Coeur Volante is down to run in the final Group One race of the 2024-25 season, the Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m), another contest for the fillies and mares, at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Coeur Volante will be having her second outing for the Hayes brothers, having finished ninth in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on June 7. Will Hayes said Coeur Volante had made good progress from that first-up outing having had two trials for the stable after joining the Lindsay Park operation following the Queen Of The Turf Stakes. “We are very happy with how she’s progressed out of her first-up run,” Hayes said. “We were seven weeks between runs, not by design, just with the floods and the weather up there, we couldn’t get a run into her. “But she has tightened up nicely and we expect her to run a forward race.” Jockey Jordan Childs will have to be at his best if he is to get Coeur Volante home. Coeur Volante drew gate 20 at Wednesday’s barrier draw but will come into barrier 15 if the five emergencies do not gain a start. Lindsay Park collected the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) on June 14 with the former Moroney-trained galloper War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel). View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
With Jim Chung’s two-kilogram claim reducing his weight to 57.5kg, Bradman will attempt to break a year-long absence from the winners’ circle in the MJH Engineering Limited Whyte Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. The Pins gelding has won eight races and more than $317,000 in stakes, but has endured a frustrating run through the last 13 months. Since his last victory in a 1400m open handicap at Trentham in May of last year, Bradman has run second in the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m), fourth in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m), third in a three-way photo finish in the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m), second under 60kg in the Masterton Cup (1400m), fourth in the Listed Rangitikei Cup (1600m), third in the 2025 edition of the AGC Training Stakes, and a last-start second at Wanganui when he was giving 4kg to the winner Belles Beau. Bergerson is proud of the seven-year-old’s performances, often under hefty imposts. “He’s been so consistent,” the Awapuni trainer said. “He’s racing in good form again this time in and is just a really honest horse who tries his best every time. It’s just a shame that his rating means he ends up carrying 60kg in so many of his races. “We can claim a couple off tomorrow, so hopefully that’ll help him. It looks like a suitable race for him.” Two weeks on from Bradman’s runner-up finish over 1340m at Wanganui, Bergerson expects the step up to 1600m at Trentham to suit. “We haven’t done much with him in between times,” he said. “It’s just a matter of keeping him ticking over. He goes to the beach and does a little bit of jumping here and there. These older geldings can get a bit cunning, so it’s good to mix things up and keep it interesting for him. “I think he’s a better horse at a mile than 1400m, so he’ll appreciate that distance this weekend. With that in mind, I’m not sure whether we’ll drop back to 1400m for another crack at the Opunake Cup next month. He might find a few of the others a little bit sharp over 1400m. “We’ll get through this one before making a decision on that. We may end up just giving him a trial somewhere in between times, trying a gear change and then going straight to Christchurch for the Winter Cup. That’s the main goal.” Bergerson and Chung will also team up with Farravallo in Saturday’s Bill Tito Book Repair Specialist North Island Challenge Stakes (1200m). The four-year-old son of Belardo was a last-start fifth at Wanganui on June 14. “I was a bit disappointed with that performance, but he did end up stuck in the worst part of the track,” Bergerson said. “He was a bit slower to leave the gates than I expected. He usually flies the gates and can get to the lead. Hopefully he can get away a bit quicker again tomorrow, find his way to the front in a small field and be the first into the straight so he can get to the better ground.” View the full article
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