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Charles Town Cancels Remaining May 3 Card
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Zulu Kingdom Conquers American Turf
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Irish Jumps Champions Crowned At Punchestown
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The race that Galah mentioned at Ascot Park was actually an ideal one for the jockey to learn from and I thought the stipes analysed it really well. Unfortunately, there probably isn't another race at Ascot Park for 5 or 6 months. From my totally amateur perspective I have always thought Ascot Park is a good jockeys track. I can still remember Firpo winning two Invercargill Gold Cups, ridden in at least one of them by Tito Poblete if I recall correctly. -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Every month HRNZ awards a breeder and owner of the month. The draw is done randomly with the only proviso being your horse must have won a race during the month. Current Breeders of the Year Todd and Fleur Anderson are now April’s Breeder of the Month as well, following Dance Till Dawn’s win at Rangiora on April 27. It was the six-year-old mare’s 12th win at start number 75. “She has done a great job for her owners which is hugely satisfying as a breeder,” says Todd Anderson. A $40,000 purchase at the 2020 National Yearling Sale she has now won over $300K in stakes. “Dance Till Dawn (Art Major – Shimmy Shoes) was a lovely yearling from a nice family and has done a great job and always gives her best.” Breeding under their Taffy Limited banner, the Andersons have a broodmare band of around 20 mares that include Broodmare of the Year Imaginary Bet, Spanish Armada, The Orange Agent, Safedra and others. They were named Breeder of the Year at the last HRNZ awards in February following the success of many of their stock, most notably Pacer of the Year Merlin. So what is the key to their success? “It’s a combination of broodmare band, stallion selection and the team effort which is driven on a daily basis by (breeder and yearling preparer) Laura Smith.” And the next generation is not far away from showing what they have got. “We are looking forward to seeing the next bunch of two-year-olds getting to the track.” April’s Owner of the Month was Melanie Mowbray following Impressive Shard’s win at Addington on April 4. Trained by husband Brad, Impressive Shard had the toughest trip but was still too good for his opposition to register his first win in five career starts. Impressive Shard is co-owned by Brad and Australian Russell Crossen. March’s Breeder of the Month following Paris Prince’s wins at Rangiora on March 2 and at Addington on March 14 is Fay Fletcher. She bred and races the Royal Aspirations seven-year-old who is trained by husband Fred. He has now won eight times in 58 starts, with stakes earnings of just under $100,000. March’s Owner of the Month is Chief Stipe Donaldson following Hillbilly Blues’ win at Alexandra Park on March 21, and he was there to watch the What the Hill four-year-old down the opposition by over two lengths. “It is the ultimate reward for owning a horse to see them win,” says Donaldson, “Hillbilly Blues is doing everything right at the moment. For a trotter that’s pretty good.” Trained by Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett, it was Hillbilly Blues’ third win at start number nine. Donaldson got involved through Tony Herlihy, who bought the horse at the 2022 National Yearling Sale for $40,000. Herlihy’s wife Suzanne is also in the ownership group. Hillbilly Blues is the latest of many horses Donaldson has been involved in, and there have been some real champions as well. “I must have had over 100 horses over a period of 45 years or more starting with trainer Dane Alexander. Probably the best ones of them have been Temporale, Bolt For Brilliance, Double Delight and Massive Metro as trotters, while Revolver was probably the best pacer.” Congratulations to March and April’s recipients – your winning plaques are on their way. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Since being launched last year the TAB Racing Club is going from strength to strength and its first standardbred may not be too far away from a race day debut. Already the Club has passed the 15,000 mark in terms of membership. “We have been big on promoting the club and what it stands for and driving membership at all sort of events,” says TAB Racing Club Manager Wade Smith. “It’s a case of more the merrier – especially those in the 18-35 age group, that’s where we are really trying to get the engagement.” The Club is all about providing opportunities for TAB customers to experience the joys of ownership without spending a cent. They are not legal owners of any of the horses but have the opportunity get access to exclusive behind the scenes stable content, race day prizes and ownership experiences. Some of the club’s more recent events include balloted functions at the Harness Million meeting at Alexandra Park in March and Diamonds Day at Ascot Park in late April, while another is planned at Addington later this month. “It’s a good time for our members. They really get a good insight into what horse ownership is all about,” says Smith. There are 10 standardbreds linked to the Club. The most likely to get to the races first is the Nathan Williamson-trained Off The Canvas, an Art Major two-year-old bought for $40,000 at the 2024 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch. “We are planning to try and qualify him in the next couple of weeks,” says Williamson. “We see how he handles that and go from there. I do like him, he’s a nice pacer with a good attitude.” Also purchased there was the $340,000 sales topper and record-breaker No More Dreaming, a full brother to Don’t Stop Dreaming. He’s gone to Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan at Clevedon. “He’s just come back into work so hopefully he’ll get through to a trial and we’ll see what he can do,” says Smith. Also purchased by the TAB Racing Club was Captain Crunch gelding Eun Sogno for $42,000 who is being trained by Cran and Chrissie Dalgety. He qualified at Rangiora on March 25. And having a spell right now is another sales purchase, an Always B Miki colt Sidestepper ($50,000), who’s with Robert and Jenna Dunn at Woodend. There were three more purchases at this year’s Yearling Sales. Doolan Denario, an Always B Miki – Wanta Denario colt, sold for $130,000 while an Always B Miki – The Morning Star filly sold for $50,000 and Sarana, a Bettor’s Delight – Samskara colt, sold for $65,000. As well as those seven horses there are three newcomers from Australia. They are Better Be Swift and two are from Andy Gath – Post Season who is going to Bob Butt and Another Collect, a winner and placegetter from five starts in Victoria. After laying a lot of the groundwork Smith’s expecting things to really amp up when the first 2YOs actually hit the track in the TAB Racing Club colours. “Then we will be away and laughing,” says Smith. The 10 horses (with their trainers are) : Always B Miki – The Morning Star – Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan Another Collect – Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan Better Be Swift – Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan Doolan Denario – Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan (will be renamed) Eun Sogno – Cran and Chrissie Dalgety No More Dreaming – Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan Off The Canvas – Nathan Williamson Post Season – Bob Butt Sarana – Regan Todd (will be renamed) Sidestepper – Robert and Jenna Dunn View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
By Mike Love Prebbleton trainer John McDermott just had his most successful week as a trainer with three winners saluting the judge. “It’s a very big thrill,” said McDermott. The hat trick of wins for the week was completed yesterday with Topaz at Ashburton in Race 8, the We’ve Got The Trots Syndicate mobile pace. “She was quite disappointing on Friday at Addington. I wasn’t really sure how she would back up.” Topaz, with driver Wilson House, began well from their ace barrier draw holding on to secure the trail behind pacemaker Spiritual Bliss. House then elected not to wait for the passing lane, coming out and around at the top of the straight to cruise to the line not moving a muscle in the sulky. Seemingly effortlessly she produced a 57.6 final 800m and 28.4 400m. “Wilson said she just jogged it – did it really easy. “The 1980m mobiles at Addington don’t really suit her like the 2400m or 2600m do.” Six-year-old American Ideal mare Topaz is raced by McDermott and wife Christine and made it career win number nine with over $100,000 in stakes. McDermott’s other two wins came earlier on in the week at Addington with He’s Santa’s Excuse and Lily’s A Star. “He’s Santas Excuse was not too expected,” said McDermott of the win. “It was a brilliant drive by Robbie (Close). He has no speed so Robbie just rolled along and they were able to hold on.” While Lily’s A Star, like He’s Santas Excuse, paid double figure odds, McDermott was a little less surprised with her victory. “I actually think she’s quite a nice horse when she gets it her way. I expected her to go well on Wednesday.” McDermott has now trained 68 six winners and won over $1 million in stakes. After a few more targets with the team, McDermott will be sending most of his team to the paddock for the winter. “I’ll be heading to Addington this week for the Canterbury Plains Final, but most of them will have the winter off as Christine and I are heading over to the UK for a holiday in June and July.” View the full article -
By TAB For Ever · Posted
Well MFish ,as the poster for sale suggests we spend too much time and energy on things we have no control over . Plus its Australia ,a much bigger country and racing industry with far loftier betting habits ! But after skimming the article I note that all this is dropping/declining /shrinking. This been happening for decades in New Zealand. Even before Lotto was introduced in 1987 and stern competition hit the NZ TAB. Yes ,Racing in NZ been in decline for a while ...Racing folk like many ,found change hard and pretty much failed to adapt ! Yes I have the odd grizzle and things I don't agree with but can honestly say it is a great time to be involved. Seen some great racing in past few years ,including a couple racing trips to Aussie. These plus Cup week in Chch , Karaka Day , Champions Day and other Group racing days seen the best racing ever ! Both codes. The Harness slot race recently on top of Karaka. and Champions day were sensational. And trainers ,jockeys being well rewarded and owners getting many more opportunities to pay their way. Punters have so many extra options now ,in racing and sport . Communication and information so up to date and relevant. I belong to at least one club which is looking for continuous improvement and well placed for good racing into the future with solid ,modern infrastructure. I've lived thru many miserable winters in the south ,so I understand how you may look at my rose-tinted glasses with an air of resentment/envy .
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