Politics

American Affair (Washington DC) has been ruled out of next month's G1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York, after a bone scan “highlighted some issues”, according to trainer Jim Goldie. An eight-time winner for the Goldie stable, American Affair continued his remarkable rise through the ranks with a popular win in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last time, providing his trainer with the first Group 1 victory of a career spanning over three decades. Goldie remains hopeful that American Affair will have further opportunities to add to his top-level tally in 2025, with an appearance at the Breeders' Cup top of the wishlist, but a tilt at the Nunthorpe is definitely off the cards. “We're hoping it's not the end of his season,” said the trainer. “We thought, just to clear the decks, if we took him out of the Nunthorpe now, we wouldn't try to rush him back. We don't think it's that serious but, if you get a warning, you heed it. “It was after his routine vaccine for equine flu, sometimes it sets off an allergic reaction, that's the whole idea of it. Basically, he went lame behind on us, but he came sound quite quick. “Obviously, something was going on, so we decided to bone scan him and it highlighted some issues. If you scan most horses in training you'll find something, but we're just being careful.” Goldie added, “The Breeders' Cup isn't until November 1. I've taken advice from various vets that I work with and they think he can make that. I'm reasonably confident we'll get him there.” The post Royal Ascot Hero American Affair Forced to Miss Nunthorpe appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Jonny Turner Sunday was billed as Averil’s big day out, and it proved exactly that. Northern Southland owner Averil Fowler sponsored one of the feature events at Ascot Park in the Averil’s Big Day Out Gold Chip Final. The event was run just two races after Fowler watched her pacer Miki Cohen win at $21 odds for trainer-driver Kirstin Green. Both helped deliver a thrilling Sunday for Fowler and her crew of supporters who came to enjoy her big day out. The race carrying her name came about after Fowler won a race sponsorship in a charity auction at a bowling tournament. A week prior, Miki Cohen wasn’t slated to be starting on the same day as Fowler’s race, but a quick chat between Green and Fowler changed that. “I went to the workouts the week before and the horse just had a quiet run, Kirstin said afterwards he was still a bit fat,” Fowler said. “I mentioned that my race was going to be the next week, so she said she might as well chuck him in and I’m glad she did.” Fresh up since April, with two quiet workouts to prepare, the Miki Cohen camp were hopeful rather than overly confident. That meant Fowler told her friends who came to enjoy Averil’s Big Day Out to bet accordingly. Thankfully though, they didn’t listen. “I had a great crew there with me and I said to them he’s still on the way up and not to back him.” “Luckily, they didn’t take any notice of me.” “The horse winning was a great thrill and everyone had a great day.” Fowler’s interest in harness racing stems from a family connection and also through her involvement in bowls. Fowler is an outstanding bowler, having won national titles and numerous tournaments and championships in Southland. When looking to ease back from the commitments of competing, she turned to harness racing. Fowler had previously enjoyed the sport through her late partner, Graham Clearwater, and brother, Murray McKeown. “We raced Nod D’or with Murray. He also had a horse called Joni James, which was named after Dad and our uncle.” “So we followed it pretty closely, it sort of started from there.” Fowler enjoyed success with Dallas Dale earlier this year, also raced from the Green stable with many of the same owners who are in Miki Cohen. Fowler took a share in the latter after watching the national yearling sales. “I saw Kirstin bidding on the horse, the sales were on TV in those days.” “I went in another one with Kirstin this year – a trotter.” “Brad Morris is doing a bit of work with him and all the reports are pretty good so far.” With his fitness to keep improving, Miki Cohen looks set to deliver Fowler more thrills while her yearling progresses towards a racetrack career. View the full article

Tragically killed in a road accident in Hamilton this afternoon.  Very sad. 

Correct Mikey on all points, and difficult to see how the TAB can not see this? Surely if 98% of punters are losing punters then through open the gates and let the punters offload! The more the turnover the more the TAB is likely to win and will be far better for the harness industry! To restrict some punters and be so risk averse is just not the way they should be acting, A restricted punter gets on what I believe is not a large amount and the Bookies slash the fixed odds win and place! This then will often stop other punters from bothering to wager on that horse as the odds do not reflect true value and therefore a large amount of turnover is gone!!!!!  

Race 3 WAITOMO FUELS MAIDEN 1400m ROAR OF THE JUNGLE (M McNab) – Trainer Mr. K Pertab reported to Stewards, that upon return to the stable, the gelding underwent a veterinary exanimation which included blood tests, with no abnormalities being detected. K Pertab further advised that it is his intention to continue with ROAR OF THE JUNGLE’S current preparation and puts the disappointing performance to the Heavy 10 track conditions. Race 4 MCMILLAN ACCOUNTANTS 1560m BALLISTIC MISS (G Rooke) – Trainer Mr. S Marsh reported to Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the filly, however, BALLISTIC MISS has been sent for a brief freshen up. The post Racing Rotorua @ Arawa Park, Wednesday 2 July 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article