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  • Posts

    • The well-performed Go Lotte (NZ) (Telperion) appreciated the step-up over ground in Sunday’s RMG Publicans Beaumont Cup (1500m), picking up the ninth win of her career in the Wingatui feature. A mare by Telperion, Go Lotte had been restricted to six furlongs in her last three starts and was well-weighted in the race, carrying just 51kg in the hands of apprentice jockey Abdul Najib. Riviera Rebel started favourite at $3.40, and while he was expected to be a pace influence in the race, the gelding settled in midfield while Zadane powered to the front to set up a strong tempo. Go Lotte and her stablemate King Of The Castle travelled five lengths adrift of the leader, and passing the 600m, Najib pressed on to sit outside of the Zadane and hit the front early in the straight. The gusty mare pinned her ears back and kept finding, holding off a charging The Hangover and Adiktiv Passion to score by a long neck. Tyler was rapt with the performance after identifying the race for his mare earlier in her campaign. “I had this race targeted probably for the last six weeks, it’s the only race that really suited her and the 1200m has just been far too short,” he said. “Back up to her favourite distance around that 1500-1600m, with a bit of cut in the track, it was a great effort. “At 1200, they are sharper horses and she’s been struggling a bit early, but she’s got up there easily today and the young fella rode her really well. With three kilos off her back, which she always loves, I thought she would be tough to beat really.” Following the effort, Tyler is not ruling out a trip to Riccarton Park for next Saturday’s Gr.3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “We may see how that fillies and mares race stacks up at Riccarton, with a bit of rain about the track may be bit off and she could be a chance,” he said. “I’ll see how strong the noms are and take it from there.” Purchased by Tyler for just $1,500 at the 2020 National Yearling Sales, Go Lotte has made a healthy return on that investment, earning over $185,000 with nine wins and 15 minor placings from 53 starts. “She’s just a kids pet, everyone loves her,” Tyler said. “If I had a stable full of her, it would be quite easy to train horses. “She just tries hard and does everything you ask of her, she eats, sleeps and enjoys her work. She’s a happy racehorse, it would be great to have a couple more of her and especially at that price.” Out of a Red Giant mare Ashima, Go Lotte was bred by Gerry Harvey. View the full article
    • A brilliant mind, a love of animals and a massive contribution to many facets of the racing and breeding industry are being recalled following the death of Matamata equine veterinarian Dr Bill Ewen. His sudden death at his home last Tuesday aged 68 followed a period of poor health. After growing up in Auckland and studying at Massey University’s School of Veterinary Science, Ewen was an honours with distinction graduate in 1979 and put his degree to good use with one of the country’s eminent equine veterinary practices, Thompson and Marks. In due course he became a partner and was to forge his career in both the breeding and performance sides of the industry. “After completing his secondary education at King’s College, Bill was accepted for both the Auckland and Otago University medical schools as well as Massey University,” his wife Jane recalled. “I suspect his parents would have preferred him to become a doctor, but his love of animals won over and while he did qualify as a doctor, it was as a veterinarian.” Another aspect of Ewen’s formative years included attending race meetings at nearby Ellerslie racecourse, which was another seed that led to specialising in equine medicine. Colin Thompson’s son John, best known now as the principal of Rich Hill Stud, remembers Ewen’s arrival in Matamata off the back of a phone call to the Thompson residence seeking employment. “Two things from the call that my mother took stood out – Bill’s polite request for my father to call him back at his convenience, and to make it a collect call. “Then when Colin did call him back, he was further impressed by Bill’s qualifications, which led to him getting a job at Thompson and Marks and eventually becoming a partner in the practice.” The younger Thompson was to form a lasting relationship with Ewen, initially in his role as broodmare manager at Blandford Lodge and then when he established Rich Hill Stud. “While Colin and Jim were his seniors, in breeding matters as new technologies developed, Bill became something of the breeding guru of the practice. “The biggest change was the ultrasound scan in the late 1980s, which revolutionised the assessment of mares in their breeding cycles. “One of his skills at the vet bail was his ability to remember a mare’s follicle from one day to the next and using that knowledge to determine optimum covering times. “Bill had that unique ability to explain things in layman’s terms and he was always the same mellow guy, no matter how hectic his schedule might be during the peak of the breeding season.” Cambridge veterinarian Dr Paul Fraser, one of Ewen’s contemporaries over many years, remembers him for not only his professional skills but also the other facets of his persona. “Bill was one of those guys who was always seeking knowledge and involvement, not just as a vet but also fully immersing himself in so many aspects of racing as an owner and breeder and as an administrator. “He had this passion for sport, just about every sport. With all respect I have to say that with Bill’s passing, the world has lost one of its greatest sports observers. “Amongst his veterinary colleagues he was so popular, a really good guy who will be missed.” On both a professional and personal level, few were closer to Ewen than former Matamata, now Karaka, trainer Lance Noble. “From the time I arrived in Matamata as a 17-year-old to work for Jim Gibbs, Bill became one of my mentors,” Noble said. “I was keen to learn as much as I could and he was the perfect guy to explain things. “He became my stable vet when I went training on my own, which included helping with my yearling selections. He worked alongside two of the best equine vets of that era and like Colin and Jim, Bill bred, sold and raced his own horses, which made him very well-rounded as far as practical knowledge and understanding went. “He became a very loyal friend, which included our mutual love of sport. Rugby union and cricket were his favourites, and in his mind there were only two rugby teams – the All Blacks and the Blues. “He would have been pretty niggly after the Chiefs beat the Blues so narrowly in Hamilton on Saturday night, but no matter what, he never lost that great sense of humour. “Our many trips to his favourite sports ground, Eden Park, were just the best fun as the carload debated team selections on the way north and even when the All Blacks invariably won, the drive home was all about what they could have done better.” In racing administration, Ewen gave more than 25 years’ service to the Matamata Racing Club, beginning as a steward, then as a committee member and in the final nine years as a director, after which he was accorded life membership in 2023. Bill Ewen’s funeral service is scheduled for 11am this Thursday at the All Saints Anglican Church in Matamata, followed by a gathering at the Matamata racecourse. View the full article
    • The fast-improving You Say D’Orsay (Under The Louve) indicated he is a serious contender for the upcoming Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) with a gusty victory at Tauranga on Saturday. An Australian-bred son of Under The Louvre, You Say D’Orsay has been lightly-raced by Cambridge trainer Chris Wood, with just four starts as a three-year-old resulting in two wins and two runner-up finishes. The gelding has continued his upward trajectory at four, placing fourth in the $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) and was deservedly among the favourites in Saturday’s St Cundy Bayleys Country and Lifestyle (1400m). In the hands of apprentice jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll, You Say D’Orsay tracked up on-speed in his usual pattern, finding a good position outside Sako who maintained a solid tempo mid-race. The pair drew level at the top of the straight and neither horse would give an inch, with You Say D’Orsay finding the extra kick in the closing stages to score by a short neck. “Everything panned out well, Ace rode him nicely,” Wood said. “He jumped well and when Stephen Marsh’s horse (Sako) wasn’t going to hand up (the lead), we just sat on the outside of him. “In the first two races, it looked like it was going to be a bit of an on-pace day so I thought if I had one that was going to handle it for the day, it was him. He kicked well when he came up to the other horse and pulled away in the last little bit. “It was a game effort with plenty of weight on board, I thought it was a good, strong win.” All roads now lead to the Easter for the gelding, who will have another run before the mile feature at Ellerslie on April 19. “I’ll have to have a good look at the book in the next 24 hours, we probably do need a stepping stone to get to the Easter, it just depends which race that is,” Wood said. An earner of over $185,000, You Say D’Orsay was identified and purchased for $50,000 by Wood, Paul Moroney and Catheryne Bruggeman at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. In 12 starts, the gelding has never finished out of the first six, with four wins and four minor placings to his credit. “He was a nice horse, Paul Moroney bought him for me and he came with nice credentials and a good walk on him,” Wood said. “Paul did a good job to find him for not a lot of money and since he’s arrived here, he’s just taken every step and not put a foot wrong really. “He can get a little bit tender in his feet, but that’s the only problem we’ve had with him.  “Apart from that, he’s just a dream to have around the stables. He’s the loveliest, kindest horse you could ever deal with.” View the full article
    • Northern apprentice jockey Sienna Brown earned a fitting first victory in the saddle aboard Hadid (NZ) (Charm Spirit) at Tauranga on Saturday. The 19-year-old had ridden the daughter of Charm Spirit on four previous occasions, including at the trials in the early stages of becoming an apprentice. Prepared by Hanna Orting, Hadid is owned by Brown’s parents Tony and Nikki, who were on course to witness a very special moment in the Larissa Reid Bayleys Whakatane Commercial (1600m). Having observed the pattern of the day, Brown took initiative from the jump, utilising her lightweight to press forward and put the pressure on her rivals. At the 800m, she extended the margin and had an eight-length buffer on Monday Melody, and turning for home, she had the winning break, holding off the late closing favourite to score by 2 – ¼ lengths. Brown was delighted with the result, particularly on a horse that means so much to her family. “They had all been coming off the front and on the rail, so from that gate on this track, everything was really set out for her,” she said. “It is really special, especially because this horse has been with me since the start. She was my first trial winner and I helped name her as well.” Coming from an equestrian background, making a career out of the horse industry appealed to Brown and racing was the obvious choice, with her parents also breeding a number of quality horses, including recent $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) contender Hankee Alpha (NZ) (Proisir). “I did a bit of show jumping and dressage, and I thought it would be cool to be able to make money out of riding,” Brown said. “Racing came naturally with Mum and Dad and I’m really enjoying it. “I’m apprenticed to Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, Maryanne and George Simon recommended them to us and I went and gave it a go, and they’ve been very good to me. My riding has really improved since I’ve been with them. “I’ve had so many opinions from other jockeys and they’ve been really helpful in helping me improve, giving me tips and things like that. “I’m going to try to travel around as much as I can and get as many rides as I can.” View the full article
    • Syndicator Joe O’Neill has enjoyed the results over summer with his two-year-olds, but it’s the prospect of having a champion hurdler with The Cunning Fox (NZ) (Reliable Man) which is whetting his appetite for the future. O’Neill watched the undefeated jumper trial at Cranbourne on Thursday when he finished second in a 2400m hurdle trial to Dashing Willoughby. “He trialled brilliantly at Cranbourne on Thursday. We thought he was extraordinary,” O’Neill said. The Patrick and Michelle Payne-trained jumper won his three hurdle starts last season, with his final win coming in the J.J. Houlahan Hurdle at Ballarat. O’Neill said The Cunning Fox will return to jumps racing in the M.J Bourke Hurdle at Pakenham on Sunday, April 13, which will be his lead-in to the Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool on April 30. “He’s a very good jumper. A lot of people think he’s the best jumper around. He won his first two hurdle races easily and then at Ballarat he wasn’t suited by the rock-hard track and he still won,” he said. The Cunning Fox resumed from a spell with an eighth placing at Sandown on February 26 and O’Neill said he will have another run on the flat before Pakenham. Meanwhile, O’Neill said his smart Tom Dabernig-trained two-year-old filly Cavalry Girl has gone to the spelling paddock after her disappointing seventh behind Shining Smile in the Festival Stakes at Flemington. “She did a great job running second in the Geelong Diamond and then winning at Flemington before she got that cold before the Inglis Millennium. She pulled up a little bit short the other day,” he said. “She’ll have a couple of months off. We’re in no hurry to get her back.” He said she could even be back to contest two-year-old races at the end of the season. View the full article
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