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Thoroughbred Racing forum discussion.
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The Invitation: an example of where novelty races in NSW is going wrong. NZ's South Island Only Race Too! 1 2 3
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By Special Agent · Posted
Integrity is an odd word to be associated with a gambling industry. Thomas, why do you think many were up in arms about the loss of various revenue streams through the TAB, like the pokies? The entire industry is funded in some form by punters who invest through the TAB, and as such they often refer to themselves as the life blood of the industry. -
By Special Agent · Posted
Tauherenikau is a club which draws a good Christmas crowd for the gallops, much like Thames. How did the latter's meeting go at Te Aroha, or wherever it ran? -
By Special Agent · Posted
Are greyhound licence holders just taking the closure of their industry and livelihood in their stride? Unless I am not looking in the right places, there doesn't seem to be much being said. It's puzzling to me, first the decision, then the reaction. New Zealanders have become real pushovers, as proven by how many conformed during Covid. -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Five-year-old trotter Kawhi has only been with the Keasts for a few weeks, and already he’s turning into a good buy. The Andover Hall gelding secured his second win in his last four starts, at Timaru yesterday. Purchased by Darren Keast Limited from auction site Gavelhouse in November for $8501 he has already covered his purchase price, with stakes earnings of around $10,000. “He’s a lovely horse and beautifully natured,” says Ashleigh Keast, “I think we are going to have a bit of fun with him and we’ll just see what happens.” Before his move Kawhi had had a couple of wins with Tom Bagrie. “When he rocked up he was covered in dapples and looked an absolute picture.” The most immediate concern was that he was being hampered by tying up either during or after his races. “So we tinkered with his feet and his feed and did fast work with him every day,” says Keast.” It certainly seems to have done the trick. Yesterday in the South Canterbury Hydraulics/ Catering South Canty Trot at Phar Lap Raceway Kawhi and Blair Orange started safely before going into the lead with a lap to go. He then skipped away at the turn holding on to win by a length and a half from Barrytown. They had cleared out from the field with 18 lengths back to third. Keast watched the race at home. “On the two occasions I’ve been there live he’s been ordinary and the two I’ve missed he’s won!” But Keast can take some credit for securing Kawhi in the first place. Bidding on the horse exceeded their initial budget before she encouraged her husband Darren to go a little higher. Already that seems an inspired decision. “Darren used to train a trotter called Lovey Dovey Moment and we are hoping this guy might do a similar job for us.” Lovey Dovey Moment won seven races and nearly $70,000 in the end. While Darren Keast involves himself in the training and the buying and selling of bloodstock, Ashleigh’s key focus is the up-coming yearling sales. As the main preparer of the yearlings for Darren’s grandparents Paul and Pauline Renwick, Keast is currently preparing a draft of 11 for the 2025 NZB National Standardbred Yearling Sales in Christchurch on February 18. This year she is preparing two “outside” yearlings in that draft including Lot 156, an Always B Miki – Lovetodream Colt for Martin and Shirley Cummings. “Hopefully this is the one they get a good result on.” And good results is what Kawhi has already produced, and with the way he won in Timaru there could well be a few more to come. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk On the North Canterbury property that she bankrolled former star filly Under Cover Lover turned 30 earlier this week. “She’s in terrific order,” says Graham Pearson, “there was a time 10 years ago when she didn’t winter very well but ever since then she’s looked great.” Pearson and Jeremy Tulley bred and raced the multiple Group 1 winner who raced in Australasia and the United States, with 21 wins in 70 starts in the late 1990s – early 2000s. “She always wanted to race, she was very determined,” recalls Pearson. “In the early days as a young foal we called her “Wee Racer” because she just tore up and down the place. She was a bit uncontrollable.” That would later be shortened to her stable name of “Race”. If Christian Cullen was the poster boy for superstar stallion In The Pocket at the time then Under Cover Lover was the poster girl. In 1998 as a three-year-old she won 14 from 19 starts both here and in Australia, including victories in the Nevele R 3YO Fillies Series Final, the New Zealand Oaks, the Great Northern Oaks and the NZ Sires’ Stakes Fillies Championship. “In the Great Northern Oaks she was the only one in the photo,” Pearson beams. Officially her winning margin that day was seven lengths. Other highlights, according to Pearson, included her win in the then Group 2 NZ Sires’ Stakes Fillies Championship. “Chief Stipe Gale had a good horse (Chapel Magic) that was the hot favourite and but she won easily .. that was her first Group win.” Between 1998 and 2000 she had 20 starts in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, winning six times. She also raced 12 times in the United States in 1999, with three wins and a best time of 1:51.8 and an “unlucky” third in the Breeders Crown. “We paid $45,000 US to get into the race and in those days you could buy a house in New Zealand for that.” “We were ahead a slight bit in the end, the third placing was worth 50 something (thousand).” Since returning from North America Pearson says one of her best runs was her fourth in the 2000 New Zealand Cup won by Yulestar. “We began best and handed up to Facta Non Verba which had won the Easter Cup the previous season, and it stopped on top of us. We were last at the 600, and got up for fourth.” Under Cover Lover’s last race was a triumph, a six length win in the 2000 Queen Of Hearts at Alexandra Park. She then retired to the broodmare paddock, producing 13 foals including two-race winners Exotic Lover and High Valour. “No-one was anywhere near as good as her but some of those daughters are producing some really nice winners.” Under The Odds (Bettor’s Delight – Under Cover Lover), for example, produced 2019 Western Australian Derby winner Major Trojan (6 wins), Undrthsouthrnsun who won 13 races and over $300K in the USA, pacing 1:47.8, and also the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained Artisan, the winner of nine races. Exotic Lover meanwhile left 15-race winner Abraxas (Big Abraxas NZ in Australia) and high class Australian filly Match In Heaven (24 wins), while Art Lover produced a very good mare in Classical Art, and the unraced Fortune Lover left Vampiro who had 29 wins. In 2001 Pearson purchased part of a sheep farm at Waipara in North Canterbury and then completed a Post Grad Diploma in Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University. “She basically paid for the vineyard, it wasn’t planted at the time, we had to do the planting but it paid for the land and the house,” says Pearson, “she basically owns the place!” The 2.2 hectare vineyard, at the entrance to Weka Pass in North Canterbury, is planted with pinot noir and a small amount of riesling. Their wine label is aptly named Mon Cheval (my horse in French). It’s not a bad place to see out your final years. “There’s no doubt 30 is a great age,” says Pearson, “and hopefully she’ll last a bit longer.” “We are like best mates.” View the full article
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