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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Former UK galloper Romantic Thor steps out at Sha Tin for the first time on Sunday.View the full article -
They are flying , their $1.3m Snitzel colt winning a 2yo Listed race today ... so good to see plucky battlers pick up a race like this with a cheap one. -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
By Jonny Turner South Seas Rock capped a remarkable three weeks with his monstrous victory at Ascot Park yesterday. The tough pacer sat parked throughout yesterday’s Woodlands Stud Thanks Southern Breeders Mobile Pace while some talented rivals enjoyed softer runs, but that didn’t stop South Seas Rock from scoring a big win for trainer Tyler Dewe and driver Hayden Douglas. Over the past three weeks, South Seas Rock has competed with merit at Kaikoura Cup Day, New Zealand Cup Day and Show Day at Addington. The travel to those meetings and then back home to Invercargill clearly hasn’t left South Seas Rock weary. “He is a good-doing horse and he thrives off work and he thrives off the racing,” Dewe said. “I jogged him on the lead on Monday morning and he was very well, so I knew the trip back from Christchurch hadn’t worried him.” Though South Seas Rock has gone through periods of stringing wins together, his recent efforts to place in strong company on Kaikoura Cup Day and Show Day before winning at Ascot Park means he is arguably in the form of his career. And it could get better, according to Dewe. “I’m absolutely rapt with him, it is funny to say as he is a rising six-year-old but he just seems to turning the corner now.” “He only seems to be getting better.” Though well known as a front-runner, the early speed in Friday’s event meant the South Seas Rock camp was keen to drive the pacer in behind, saving him for one run. But that plan went completely out the window when the five-year-old and Douglas were left parked early. “It didn’t go to script, but Hayden probably did the right thing by not attacking for the lead.” While South Seas Rock has travelled much of the South Island recently, his owners have been known to travel further to support him. “He’s owned by Arkwright Conner from Stewart Island and Erin Fox who is up in Nelson,” Dewe said. “Erin tries to make it down to watch him as much as she can.” “They are great owners and have been great supporters of us and very good to our team.” Dewe doesn’t plan to travel too much further than Otago with South Seas Rock with plenty of racing opportunities in the south approaching over summer. “I am looking forward to Christmas time with him.” “He ran second at Wingatui last year, so I am looking at heading there next.” “He will hover around the country cups grade after that.” Yesterday’s win was South Seas Rock’s seventh victory for the Dewe stable and his sixth with Douglas in the sulky. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
A joint review of Kaikoura’s two day meeting is underway, and change could be in the wind. The South Bay raceway hosted eight races under the Fast 10 format on Sunday November 3 followed on Marlborough Anniversary day by 10 races including the Alabar Kaikoura Cup. From a turnover perspective there was mixed news. Export turnover, from Australia, was strong and up significantly on 2023. On-course turnover and the number of individuals betting on the two meetings was also encouraging, though the overall turnover was down – from $2.53m to $2.265m. “Our modelling shows that the Kaikoura meeting is potentially a $3m turnover meeting,” says HRNZ Chief Executive Brad Steele, “and that’s the target we have set ourselves.” This year there were 64 starters on the Sunday and 85 on the Monday. “Those numbers were ok but there is scope to attract more horses to those two days,” says Steele. Both HRNZ and the Kaikoura Trotting Club are now looking in detail at the two-day meeting and considering ways to improve it. One proposal is to make changes to the home turn at Kaikoura track. “The lack of camber has been a discussion point for many years,” says Kaikoura TC President Ben Smith, “and there are two schools of thought. One is that should stay the same as it’s part of the uniqueness of racing at Kaikoura, the other is that change is needed.” “We are open minded about it.” With that in mind a survey has been sent out to mainly Canterbury and Marlborough licence-holders to gauge their thoughts. Their feedback will then form part of discussions moving forward. “We had a design and costings done in February 2022 to camber the whole bend,” says Smith, “with HRNZ support this investment may be feasible if it leads to more starters and turnover.” “There’s a lot of work to be done,” says Smith, “we would need to consult a number of parties including the local council and iwi.” Further meetings are planned between HRNZ and Kaikoura Trotting Club representatives with decisions expected by March 2025. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
By Mike Love The first few seconds will be critical to favourite Rakero Rocket’s chances in today’s Tyre General Summer Cup at Phar Lap raceway. There is no doubting the gelding’s ability. On cup day at Addington he beat a field which is not much stronger than the one he meets today – though that was from a mobile. Trainer Tom Bamford feels it could go either way whether the gelding by Rock N Roll Heaven steps or not – his confidence shaken while at Kaikoura where he almost turned the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales Aged Classic into a circus by all but tipping Zachary Butcher out of the cart on race favourite Sooner The Bettor due to a misdemeanour at the tapes. “There’s a lot going on at Kaikoura. Some horses can handle it, and some horses can’t,” said Bamford. Things will be different today without the crowd on the inside of the track – and starting further on the outside of the second line. “He’s bulletproof at home. It’s probably 50/50 whether he’s going to go or not. Hopefully Gavin (Smith) can get him on the right foot.” Rakero Rocket has come through his cup day win bouncing around, according to Bamford. “He’s come through the run nicely. I haven’t done a lot with him between runs.” “They’ll know he’s there. I’d like to think he’s a winning chance.” He’s currently a $2.15 favourite with Bamford also having a strong chance in Race 7, the race preceding the Cup with Ebury Street who looks set for another cheque in the Silver Ferns Farms mobile pace. She’s a $2.60 favourite. “It’s a very winnable race for her. She was a little bit unlucky last start.” “She’ll like the 2600m and she should be going very close to winning.” Ebury Street will be driven by Henry Sail. Racing commences today from 2:52pm. View the full article
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