Chief Stipe

Satono Aladdin x Sea Spray colt which fetched 56,000,000 yen. . Rich Hill Stud shuttle stallion, Satono Aladdin, a son of champion sire Deep Impact, has made a good impression on buyers with his first foals sold at the JRHA Select Sale at Northern Horse Park this week. With four foals from the first-crop of the Group One winning miler going under the hammer, they sold up to 56,000,000yen (NZ$773,295) and averaged 40,500,000yen (NZ$559,258). Satono Aladdin won on debut as a two-year-old and was Group Three-placed as a juvenile before training on to dual Group Two victories over 1400m and was successful up to 2000m during his career. He was the winner of eight races with his career highlight an outstanding performance to claim top honours in Japan’s most prestigious mile – the Gr.1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) in Tokyo. Satono Aladdin will stand his second season at Rich Hill Stud, near Matamata, this spring for $12,500+GST. “The guys at Shadai were really rapt with the way they sold and said there was plenty of positive feedback on his stock,” Rich Hill Stud Managing Director John Thompson said. “Naturally, we’re really looking forward to his first New Zealand foals arriving shortly.” In a strong market, where the two-day sale of foals and yearlings saw 416 lots sold from 455 lots offered, the gross for the sale was a record 20,516,000,000yen, NZ$283,347,953 which is 14.5% more than last year. The median price for a foal was 30,000,000yen (NZ$414,332). View the full article

Sacred Day as a yearling at Karaka with breeder Benji King. . A bargain broodmare and a birthday present from Nick and Anne-Marie King to one of their sons produced an outstanding result for Brighthill Farm in Thursday’s Listed Grafton Cup (2350m). The race was won by Kiwi stayer Sacred Day, who seized on an inside run at the top of the straight and outfought Sopressa and Vaucluse Bay in a tight three-way battle to the finish. The other New Zealand runner, multiple stakes-winning mare Igraine, was just behind them in fourth. Sacred Day is trained in Cambridge by Tony Pike for owners Raffles Racing, who bought the son of Azamour from Brighthill’s draft at the 2016 Select Yearling Sale at Karaka for $90,000. Nick and Anne-Marie King paid just $5,000 at the 2012 Sydney Easter Broodmare Sale to buy Sacred Day’s dam Top Of The Day, an unraced O’Reilly mare. Then it was over to son Benji. “It’s a really cool story and we’re well chuffed,” Nick King said. “The dam was a lovely O’Reilly mare who we bought just out of training in Sydney. We really liked her as a type and didn’t have to pay very much for her. “Sacred Day was actually bred by our son Benji, and he was the first foal he’s bred entirely on his own. We gave him a nomination to our shuttle stallion Azamour as a 21st birthday present, he chose the mating and bred the foal. He then did all the preparation and put him through the ring at Karaka, selling him for $90,000. “It’s great for Tony Pike as well, who has always told us how highly he’s rated this horse. He’s been very patient with him and got the reward yesterday.” But the result brought mixed feelings. Top Of The Day died at the age of just eight, having produced only three foals. The other two were both by Dalghar – Lady Dalghar, who won two races, and another filly who fetched $90,000 as a yearling at Karaka last year. It was also a reminder of what might have been with Azamour, who sadly died in Ireland after only one season shuttling to Brighthill in 2013. His single southern hemisphere crop now features 26 winners from 38 runners, headed by Gr.1 Caulfield Thousand Guineas (1600m) heroine Aloisia and Gr.2 Championship Stakes (2000m) winner Azaboy. “It’s a bit of a double-edged sword, not having the mare any more and with the sad loss of Azamour as well,” King admitted. “His only southern hemisphere crop has been phenomenal. It’s a real shame that his time with us was cut short, but it’s also vindication for us. We were so sure that we’d selected the right sort of stallion for this part of the world, and that’s proven to be the case.” But there is a bright side at Brighthill, with Sir Peter Vela’s high-class performer (He’s) Eminent joining the roster this season alongside the proven performers Perfectly Ready and Dalghar and the stellar stayer Preferment, whose oldest progeny will be yearlings next season. “Both Preferment and Eminent are giving us a lot to be excited about,” King said. “Preferment might also prove to be in that Azamour mould, he’s a lovely type of a horse and showed so much ability on the track. We’re very excited about his progeny and think he’s going to be a great chance at stud. “Eminent’s a very recent development, and it was very exciting to be asked to stand him at stud for Sir Peter Vela and the team. “It’s great that these sorts of connections are putting their faith in us. Sir Peter Vela is obviously a huge name in New Zealand breeding circles, while on the other hand a lot of Preferment’s owners weren’t necessarily breeding people but just loved the horse so much and were keen to stay involved with him in partnership with us. “There’s a lot to look forward to, and we think we’ve got some great firepower to work with along the road ahead.” View the full article

Thanks for your positive contribution. BTW he isn't banned.

View the full article

He's not banned just chooses not to be here.

Let us know you agree to cookies We use cookies to give you the best online experience. Please let us know if you agree to all of these cookies. Yes, I agree No, take me to settings Homepage Accessibility links Skip to content Accessibility Help Sign in Home News More Search News BBC News Navigation Sections Business ADVERTISEMENT William Hill plans 700 store closures putting 4,500 jobs at risk 4 July 2019 Share this with Facebook Share this with WhatsApp Share this with Messenger Share this with Twitter Share Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES Bookmaker William Hill has said it plans to close about 700 betting shops, which could lead to 4,500 job losses. The firm said the move followed the government's decision in April to reduce the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals to £2. Since then, the company added, it had seen "a significant fall" in gaming machine revenues. William Hill, which has 2,300 shops and 12,500 employees, said the closures could begin before the end of the year. "The group will look to apply voluntary redundancy and redeployment measures extensively and will be providing support to all colleagues throughout the process," its statement said. Which betting shops are affected? We don't know yet. William Hill will not be revealing which stores will close until later this year. However, staff at the shops were told about the decision earlier this week. What are fixed-odds betting terminals? Gambling firms pledge £60m to help addicts The government cut the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals (FOBTs), which had previously been £100, because of widespread concern that players were able to lose large amounts of money in a short space of time. These are electronic gaming machines that allow players to bet on the outcome of various simulated games and events, such as roulette, blackjack, bingo and horse races. In its annual report, published in March,William Hill forecast that the government's decision would reduce betting shop sales by up to £100m a year and could lead to the closure of up to 900 stores. Lives already 'being turned upside down' The BBC has been contacted by one William Hill worker who found out today that his shop is being shut down. He wished to remain anonymous. The staff member said they were informed of the closures by a pre-recorded conference call. "I thought that was really disrespectful," he said. "The scale of the closures has come as a massive shock to lots of staff members who had been being assured for months that they would not lose their jobs. "The upshot is that thousands of people will be left unemployed as a result of this and lives have already begun to be turned upside down." Just how addictive are these FOBTs anyway? Well, some critics have described them as the crack cocaine of gambling. Sources say that before the stake level was cut, a large number of William Hill stores were reliant on FOBT machines for more than 50% of their turnover. This applied particularly to inner-city and urban areas, where shops attracted younger customers who only came for the FOBTs. When the government reduced the stake limit, the Association of British Bookmakers warned that the move would lead to job losses in betting shops. Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES Image captionCritics have described FOBTs as the crack cocaine of gambling What's the impact on workers? Tom Blenkinsop, operations director at betting shop workers' union Community, described the bookmaker's announcement as "devastating news for thousands of betting shop workers". He urged William Hill to engage with the union immediately, so that staff could get additional support and advice during the consultation. "The government also has a role to play and must look at what support they can offer to workers whose jobs are threatened," he added. "Workers don't deserve to be the victims of the changes happening in the industry as a result of either government policy or the significant shift towards online gambling." A spokesperson from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: "By cutting the maximum FOBT stake from £100 a spin to £2, we are helping to stop extreme losses by those who can least afford them. "The gambling industry has had over a year to make preparations for this change, including to mitigate job losses. We now expect them to provide the right support to any staff affected by planned shop closures." Surely there are two sides to this? Yes. For campaigners against FOBTs, it's something to be welcomed. In fact, they've described it as the "demise of death's doorstep betting shops". 'I lost £250,000 on betting machines' NHS to help gambling addicts as young as 13 National Strategy to tackle problem gambling What does Liverpool think of new betting machine rules? Adam Bradford, founder of the Safer Online Gambling Group, said: "These jobs were inevitably going to go and at least represent a decline in the misery of betting on the High Street. "Perhaps William Hill can deploy its staff into treating addicts and supporting those who are vulnerable across their other betting outlets." Bookmakers were seen by many commercial landlords as their saviours - spreading out and filling the gaps left as retailer after retailer cut stores or went bust. The truth is, bookies had a lot in common with the retailers they were replacing - most of their business was moving inexorably on-line. The last thing keeping physical stores open in some areas were those controversial Fixed Odds Betting Terminals. The noise of a roulette ball whizzing around a virtual wheel is a familiar soundtrack to anyone who has been in a betting shop in the last ten years. You can lose money breathtakingly quickly - I got through £60 in less than five minutes the one time I tried it for myself. They were also considered among the most addictive and harmful forms of gambling. The decision to limit the maximum bet to £2 from £100 was considered a major victory by gambling charities. These shop closures are unlikely to be the end of it. I'm told it is a racing certainty that the other big players - particularly Ladbrokes Coral who have over 3000 shops - will follow suit. Related Topics William Hill (bookmaker) Gambling Companies Share this story About sharing Email Facebook Messenger Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp LinkedIn More on this story Gambling firms pledge £60m to help addicts after criticism 2 July 2019 Gambling addiction clinic to help addicts aged 13 to 25 24 June 2019 New National Strategy to tackle problem gambling 25 April 2019 Video What are fixed-odds betting terminals? 17 May 2018 More Videos from the BBC Why Lesotho gives condoms to inmates The downsides of positive thinking Tarantino 'rejects' Margot Robbie question Huge cliff collapse caught on camera A hyperreal nude redefining beauty 'They left Sala alone like a dog' Recommended by Outbrain Elsewhere on BBC BBC NewsExport ban placed on 'grotesque' crab BBC NewsMisconduct officer dismissed from force BBC NewsTrump threatens reporter with prison over photo Recommended by Outbrain You Might Also Like BBC CapitalWe need to talk about dyslexia at work BBC CultureFight the Power: The most provocative song ever BBC CultureThe beautiful ancient house discovered in the ashes Top Stories Trump retreats on census citizenship questionFamilies 'cheated of Boeing crash compensation'Will humans be back on the Moon by 2024? Features Will humans be back on the Moon by 2024? The coal mine that ate a forest (and still wants more) Quiz of the week: Where was royal baby Archie christened? How the coffee crisis might affect you Why this woman sleeps with tape on her mouth A photographer's view of Formula E VIDEO Risking her life every day hunting for landmines Bullying trial sheds light on suicides that shocked France BBC Travel: Britain's oldest (and oddest) sweet Elsewhere on the BBC Lyrics quiz Have you been getting these songs wrong? Full article Lyrics quiz Feeling hot What happens to your body in extreme heat? Full article Feeling hot Most Read 1Turbulence injures 35 on Air Canada flight to Sydney 2US politician insists on chaperone for interview with female reporter 3US census 2020: Trump retreats on citizenship question 4Texas woman shares home with mother's corpse for three years 5Buteyko: Why Indonesia singer Andien sleeps with tape on her mouth 6Families 'cheated of Boeing crash compensation' 7Russian nuclear submarine: Norway finds big radiation leak 8How the 2019 coffee crisis might affect you 9Babies 'don't need tongue-tie surgery to feed' 10Threat level raised to 'critical' for UK ships in Iranian waters ADVERTISEMENT From Around the Web [Photos] These Pipes Sticking out of the Ground Led to a Secret Hidden for…The Primary Market [Photos] The Wild Wolf's Reaction To The Man Who Rescued Him From A Trap…Bob's Hideout [Photos] Mama Dog Gives Birth To Rare Puppy, Only 3 Known To Ever ExistThe Primary Market [Photos] Cat Keeps Stealing Neighbor's Newborn Puppies - Then He Realizes WhyJOL The Unusual Link Between Eggs And Diabetes (Watch)diabetes-relief.club Everyone In New Zealand Is Going Crazy Over This Cheap Wifi Boostertechdiscountdeals.com Promoted content by Outbrain Why you can trust BBC News BBC News Navigation Sections BBC News Services On your mobile On your connected tv Get news alerts Contact BBC News Explore the BBC Home News Sport Weather Shop Reel Travel Capital Culture Future Sounds CBBC CBeebies Food Bitesize Arts Taster Nature Local TV Radio Three Terms of Use About the BBC Privacy Policy Cookies Accessibility Help Parental Guidance Contact the BBC Get Personalised Newsletters Advertise with us Ad choices Copyright © 2019 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.

Trainer Catherine Cameron with Light Shadow. . It has been a week of sunshine and beaches for Catherine Cameron. The Cambridge trainer has been enjoying a holiday in Hawaii this week, but will return to New Zealand in time to watch Copper Mine and Light Shadow compete at the Northland beach township of Ruakaka on Saturday. “I’ve been in Hawaii for a week,” she said. “So I am going from one beach to another. We’ll get home, have enough time for a few hours’ sleep and then head to Ruakaka. “It won’t be quite as nice, but I hope the horses do well to make up for it.” Last-start winner Light Shadow will kick off proceedings for Cameron when he lines-up in the ITM/GIB (1600m). Cameron was pleased with her geldings win over a mile at Ruakaka last month and is hoping for a repeat performance on Saturday. “It was a really nice one to pick up,” she said. “When he puts his best foot forward and has been in good form he’s as good as anything on the day. “He’s been really good, Donavan (Mansour, jockey) has been riding him. He doesn’t get ridden a lot anyway, he spends a lot of time in the pool. “The jockey is happy, so I’ll take his word for it because a lot of jockeys aren’t happy after riding him.” Cameron will also line-up Copper Mine in the Northland Business Systems (1400m). The four-year-old son of All Too Hard has only been tested over 1200m on raceday, but Cameron is confident her charge will handle the step-up in distance. “It will be interesting to see how he goes over 1400m,” she said. “There should be plenty of speed on I hope and he should settle in nicely.” Copper Mine has drawn the ace barrier and Cameron is happy with her gelding heading into Saturday after his last-start runner-up performance at the same venue last month. “I was really pleased with him (last start), it was a nice run, but he had every chance,” she said. “I am relying on what they are telling me at home. He worked really well on Wednesday. “I was pretty pleased to see that draw. He tends to race on the speed, so he should be thereabouts.” Cameron could add to her winning tally this season on Saturday, which stands at 10, a personal best for the Cambridge conditioner who took out her trainer’s license in the 2015/16 season. “I’m really happy, it’s been nice to have a few horses go well and that makes it all worthwhile,” she said. Cameron usually has about 15 horses in work at any given time and said pre-training for Hong Kong makes up a significant part of her operation. “We have got a lot for Hong Kong that are just passing through, there will be half a dozen that will be gone by the end of the year,” she said. While she enjoys that side of the business, Cameron is looking forward to lining up her race team next season and is excited about the prospects of a number of her runners. “We have got Cossack Warrior, he’s just started jogging again,” she said. “He’s had a month out. The way he was racing, he could be quite exciting for the staying races. “The other one that could be quite fun as well would be Babiche, she won her last two. “She looks like she will be a bit of fun and we’ll aim her for the Dunstan Final with the stayers with her. “She has done a month back on the treadmill now, so she will back in the stable in a couple of weeks.” View the full article

Surprise Baby winning the Gr.2 Adelaide Cup (3200m). A policy of sourcing thoroughbred talent from this side of the Tasman has produced rich rewards this season for Australian owner John Fiteni. The Queenslander hit headlines earlier this year with a superb Gr.2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) victory by his lightly-raced stayer Surprise Baby, and his colours were to the fore again at Flemington last weekend as Miss Mandito took out the Leilani Series Final (1400m). “We’ve had a pretty good run,” Fiteni said. “I’ve got between 15 to 18 horses in work at the moment, and most of my horses come out of New Zealand. I like to buy them off the farms, after hearing from the people who have bred and raised them. It’s worked out really well. “I just bought another couple from New Zealand earlier this month, so hopefully that continues with them.” Surprise Baby has provided a remarkable return on Fiteni’s investment. The son of Shocking was bred by Rich Hill Stud, who were unable to sell him at Karaka either as a yearling or a Ready to Run two-year-old. He was then listed on Gavelhouse.com, where Fiteni snapped him up for just $5,500. “I bought him online and couldn’t believe the price,” he said. “I bought him sight unseen, after talking to the breeders and looking at photos.” Surprise Baby has won four of his eight starts for more than A$400,000 in stakes. In his most recent appearance, he was beaten by a nose in a head-bobbing finish to the Andrew Remsden (3200m) at Flemington, coming agonisingly close to a guaranteed start in this year’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). “It’s been a great ride with him so far, and it could be an exciting spring ahead,” Fiteni said. “It’ll be interesting to see what happens with him over the next few weeks.” Surprise Baby became the second consecutive Adelaide Cup winner for Rich Hill stallion Shocking, following in the footsteps of Fanatic. Miss Mandito winning at Flemington last Saturday Ultimate Racing Photos (Bruno Cannatelli) Miss Mandito, meanwhile, was bred by Gus Wigley at Inglewood Stud and was purchased privately. She is a daughter of Zacinto, who stood at Inglewood before relocating north to Valachi Downs. Ridden on Saturday by expat Kiwi jockey Michael Walker, the four-year-old delivered a first metropolitan win for trainer Charlotte Littlefield. Miss Mandito has now had 15 starts for four wins, four placings and just over A$140,000 in prize-money. “It was a great win by that mare on Saturday, and Charlotte has done such a wonderful job training this horse for me,” Fiteni said. “Now we’re hoping the horse can carry on and be competitive in some nice races in the new season. “When the sire Zacinto started winning some races over here in Australia with his early progeny, Julian Hay – who is now Charlotte’s husband – got in touch with the team at Inglewood and got the whole process underway. He passed on all the relevant information to me and asked me if I was interested in her, and I certainly was.” Miss Mandito is out of the O’Reilly mare Mandy O’Reilly, which makes her a half-sister to the highly promising juvenile Intimidate. Bred, raced and trained by the Wigleys, the Charm Spirit filly scored a stylish win at Riccarton on June 22. Now the dam of two talented winners from two named foals, Mandy O’Reilly is a full-sister to the multiple Group-winning New Zealand mare Dating. – NZ Racing Desk. Miss Mandito as a foal at Inglewood Stud View the full article

M5 Starting at 6:02pm. 10 Race Programme. Multiples Doubles: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 Trebles: 1-2-3, 4-5-6, 8-9-10 Quaddies: 2-3-4-5, 7-8-9-10 Place 6: 5-6-7-8-9-10 Form PDF 2019_07_12_Harn_M5_Book Download View the full article

M8 Starting at 5:20pm. 9 Race Programme. Multiples Doubles: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Trebles: 1-2-3, 4-5-6, 7-8-9 Quaddies: 2-3-4-5, 6-7-8-9 Place 6: 4-5-6-7-8-9 Pick 6: 4-5-6-7-8-9 Form PDF 2019_07_12_Harn_M8_Book Download View the full article

The Shark goes in search of winners from Friday night harness racing action from Addington Raceway in Christchurch. For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge Race 1 1 Donegal Davy Boyd: Really stretched out nicely and hit the line with some venom fresh up from new quarters last week. Good draw and right in it here. 4 Deja Blue: Looked very unlucky last time out. Building up a nice record and looks primed to get a slice of the action here. 7 Duke Of Dundee: Nearly stole it last time out. Headed in the right direction and should get a maiden win soon. 2 Already Gone: Another brave effort last time out at Rangiora. On speed horse with a good draw and should have a role to play in this. Selections: 1-4-7-2 Race 2 10 Go Kiwi: Very good run after sitting parked last week only to be collared by a smart one late. Nice horse headed places and can win this. 5 Taroona Bromac: Dazzling return to racing to win last week. Will only be better for that run and can get another here with the right luck. 4 Shadow Minister: Mobile helped the chances big time last week and he was very good in third. Can build on that from a handy marble here. 8 Franco Texas: Not far away last week. Gate speed horse who should land handy to the speed and with any luck won’t be too far away. Selections: 10-5-4-8 Race 3 5 Hurricane Banner: Unlucky last week at Forbury. Runs straight and he wins. Can build on that form here though and give this a good shake. 9 The Croupier: Dominated them last time out. Cops a wide draw here which is a worry but is one of the better horses in the race so should stand up. 7 Tartan Robyn: Hit the line well for second last week. Nice horse who is getting better and better. Should have a part to play again tonight . 4 Unloaded: Can’t fault the form and was handy here last week too. No star but a genuine honest performer who won’t be far away again. Selections: 5-9-7-4 Race 4 11 Fynn Frost: Did it really tough last time out but didn’t throw it in with a solid sixth. Bit more luck here and should be winning tonight. 6 Jazelle: Didn’t back up at Rangiora but very good here a couple of days earlier. Should get on the speed and with the right trip can win. 7 Myboylolliepop: In good nick and was unlucky seven days ago. Capable of making his own luck in this race though and won’t be far away . 4 Immortal Change: Nice run last week. In and out at times but best is pretty handy. Good draw here and should have something to say. Selections: 11-6-7-4 Race 5 14 Jerry Garcia: Continues to race well. Tough and robust and can bully his way to victory tonight with any luck in the running. 8 Ardee Trouble: Clearly stronger this time in and was effortless at Forbury. Can hold the form and go close again here tonight. 4 Majestic Sunset: Backed up a good maiden win with a strong effort here last week for third. Talented trotter who isn’t the worst chance here. 3 Some Time: Finally got it all together and delivered a telling blow last time out to share the win last time out. Good enough to go close again. Selections: 14-8-4-3 Race 6 5 Glenthorne: Form on the board behind some really nice types and this does look a little easier. Will get on the speed and look to dominate. Should win. 8 Montefalco: Patiently handled type with plenty of ability. Small and even field here suits and should be right in the middle of the action. 3 Uptown Lady: Not far away again last week. Might land in a slightly better spot here and from there has an each way hope. 9 Mini Mine Yet: No hope last week and it’s going to be hard from the draw here but does have more upside than most. Has to be a chance. Selections: 5-8-3-9 Race 7 8 Splash Cola: In great form at the moment and with a swift beginning he can land on or near the speed and they might not catch him tonight. Looks a big hope. 7 Medusa: Loved the run last week, was big and brave. She’s got plenty left in store for her and can get a big slice of the action here tonight. 3 Madeleine Stowe: Talented trotter with good form on the board. Front line draw here and the right man in the bike says that we need to paying attention. 6 Clifden Clowers: Slightly down on form lately but does possess a potent final sprint when saved up for one run at them. That should be the tactic here. Selections: 8-7-3-6 Race 8 9 A Bettor Act: Been stunning since joining the Kerr stable and big win last time out. Headed for better things and has to be a winning hope here. 7 Mikey Maguire: Robust pacer who won’t shirk any kind of challenge. Brave again last week and won’t mind putting them to the sword here again. 5 Storm Prince: A little down on his best lately, but is talented. Orange sticks with the ship which is a really good sign. We should probably follow his lead. 3 Doitson: Hard to find fault in any of the runs since returning from a spell. Genuine pacer who will give a good account of himself once again here. Selections: 9-7-5-3 Race 9 3 Ragnarr: Been very good in two runs back from a spell and lobs a handy draw here. On the speed and out of trouble he looks a big winning hope. 9 Silk: Two very good runs to open the career at Nelson. Wide draw, but a quick beginner who could get across them all early here. Each way all day. 8 Distinguished Taste: Strong debut effort for third at Timaru. Right stable and right driver, only a food would leave out. 7 Miss Impression: First starter from a strike-rate stable who always demand respect. Not the worst chance here on debut. Selections: 3-9-8-7 BEST: 5 Glenthorne (Race 6) NEXT: 3 Ragnarr (Race 9) VALUE: 11 Fynn Frost (Race 4) View the full article

The Shark goes looking for winners on Friday night from Alexandra Park in Auckland. For more punting information head to The Punters Lounge Race 1 6 Hey Good Lookin: Hard not to be impressed by the effort last time out when finishing second. This is no harder. Should be right in the middle of it all. 1 In My Shadow: Been operating well of tricky draws lately and tonight falls into a winnable race and comes up with the ace marble. Well in contention. 3 Chillysjustashadow: Bit to like about the career to date and a good draw against this field means that a maiden win is a good chance of eventuating. 2 Chillysjustamaster: Run of an improver last time out when finishing fourth. Looks headed in a good direction and shouldn’t be far away tonight. Selections: 6-1-3-2 Race 2 2 Gladamare: Galloped last time out but wasn’t bad afterwards. Big win the start before that. Repeat that effort and probably win again here. 5 Westar Sam: No luck here last week, but that can happen with his racing style. Potent when getting one cold shot at them and can win this. 7 Notorious: In great nick at the moment and last two runs have been two of the best. Sure to hold that form and give a good account again here. 4 Black Art: Hard to ignore the form line, there are placings a plenty in amongst it all and all things being equal he can place again. Selections: 2-5-7-4 Race 3 2 Ocean Beach: Was held in high regard in the South Island and did a nice job for third on debut. Obviously has some upside and should be in the middle of this. 4 Man Of Action: A little disappointing last week when finished third, but did fight all the way to the line. Has to be an each way hope here. 3 Joshua Richard: Very strong introduction into he racing game with a third on debut. Should carry on with that and have a little bit to say here tonight. 5 Russley Rush: First starter from the Herlihy barn. Good trial form on the board and a bold debut effort here is expected. Selections: 2-4-3-5 Race 4 9 Kennys Dream: Probably the most improved horse in NZ in the latter half of the season. Going from strength to strength and should go close again here. 7 CK Spur: Hard to find fault in any of the runs since changing stables. Trotting nice and square and looks a good each way hope in this line up too. 8 Sunny Glenis: Again, very good last week when running second. Loving life in this part of the world and with any luck tonight should end up in the top three again. 4 Heard The Whisper: Horse who operates well in a fresh state and two tidy workouts will have him ready to rock and roll here tonight. Selections: 9-7-8-4 Race 5 10 Copy That: Confidence building victories in last two starts, although both from front line draws. Harder here. But headed in the right direction. 6 Delightful Major: Talented pacer back from a spell from an in form stable. Looks destined for a good few months and can kick things off in style here. 2 Ruby Rose: Should get a sweet trip and third up tonight should also be ready to fire. Runs back haven’t been too bad and you’d expect further improvement here. 11 Adieu Flirt: Has well and truly got the mojo back at the moment. In great form. Can go to sleep and then unleash late in this and give them all a fright. Selections: 10-6-2-11 Race 6 2 Matua Tana: Manners let the side down fresh up. But, there’s a huge motor tucked away there and if trots the whole way, it’s game on. They might not catch him. 6 Thatgirltrouble: Ultra consistent trotter who should appreciate the small nature of tonight’s field. Has been very good all season and deserves another win. 5 Michelle: Hard to find fault in two runs in the North Island. Going great and small field here really suits. Can give them all plenty to think about. 7 Eyre I Go: Nice run after doing it tough last week. More importantly though, the manners were excellent. Has to be considered a strong chance here tonight. Selections: 2-6-5-7 Race 7 4 The Moonshadow: Was in a trouble from the outset last week but ran a nice race for fourth. Getting stronger and looks well suited here. 7 Juice Brogden: Bounced back with a great second last time out and gets a small field here tonight which will really help the chance. Each way hope. 5 Blazen River: Handy run for fifth fresh up and is only going to be better for having had that run. Can fill a placing at least here tonight. 1 I’m Jimmy James: In great form at the moment and a nice run for fourth in first look at these parts. Good draw again, so good chance again. Selections: 4-7-5-1 Race 8 1 Live Reactor: Kicked off the campaign with a bold effort for a second. Better for that and this is easier. Looks a winner tonight from the draw. 2 Bettor Lady: Not bad recently, but not a lot of luck either. Might end up in a nice spot here and can sprint when saved for one run. 4 Twofiftyeight: Some handy form on the board and was good last week. Should have something to say in this line up tonight. 5 Charlotte Royal: Better than the form would suggest but doesn’t always appear genuine. Good chance to turn it all around here. Selections: 1-2-4-5 Race 9 1 Sunny Pegasus: Been a little disappointing lately, but we know there’s more in the tank. Small, even field and a good draw might turn things around here at odds. 6 Savitskaya: Can trot a fair bit but doesn’t always get the manners right. Dangerous if able to jump and run here. They might not keep up. 10 Prince Mackendon: In good nick and running strong races at the moment. Can play a big role in tonight’s even looking line up that’s for sure. 8 Commando One: Best form is handy enough play a role in a race like this. Freshened for tonight and should have a part to play in it. Selections: 1-6-10-8 Race 10 4 Katamach: Draw was his undoing last week but a little better suited here. Just needs to land in the right kind of spot and it’s game on. Deserves a winning turn. 9 Drum Withers: Always some good form on the board and although off the second line here it might not work out too bad. Dangerous with a shot at them late. 1 Red Terror: Racing well without much last at the moment. Should be ready to pounce from the inside marble and have a big part to play in an even looking line up. 3 Janet Guthrie: Has the ability to win a race like this, just needs things to pan out and they very well could from this draw. Not the worst hope. Selections: 4-9-1-3 BEST: 1 Live Reactor (Race 8) NEXT: 9 Kenny’s Dream (Race 4) VALUE: 1 Sunny Pegasus (Race 9) View the full article

Scott Dickson harness driver. He can’t take any credit for planning it, but Scott Dickson is more than happy to have recorded by far his most successful season as a trainer this term. The Hunterville stockman has 23 wins in the bank this term, up eight on his previous best of 15, set last season, and his stakes earned have skyrocketed to over $232,000. Given he owns every single horse he races, along with partner Lydia Pickford, that’s left Dickson pretty happy. “I guess we sort of got lucky with buying The Night Hawk and Westar Sam this season. “That got us on a bit of a roll and we’ve kept it going since. “Our goal, really, was just to do better than what we did last year. “And it’s a matter of buying the right horses, which we’ve done more of. “Like everything, they’ve got to pay their way, but most of them have, which has been great.” Dickson will, for the fourth week in a row, make the nearly seven-hour trip to Auckland on Friday night with a team of five horses as he looks to further add to his great season. “There is a lot of travelling at the moment with the local racing finished for the season. “It’s two days away just to race at Auckland, but with the South of the Bombays series on, and them probably not the strongest fields, it makes it quite an attractive option.” Dickson’s team is spread across the three series races this week and he’s hopeful that he has the right cattle to give them a shake. Notorious was an excellent third behind Mogul and Big Mach last week and meets an easier field this week, along with stablemate Westar Sam. “He hung a bit on the last bend last week and Tony (Herlihy, driver) said he probably would have won otherwise, because it cost him a length. “I’d like to think if he goes as good again this week that he’ll go pretty close.” Notorious joined Dickson in March when his previous trainer didn’t want to take him home after a disappointing run in a maiden at Stratford. Since then, he’s won three races and over $25,000. “There hasn’t been any real trick to him; probably the main thing was bulking him up a bit. “As he’s gone better races, his confidence has gone up.” Two Fiftyeight is another with a similar backstory – basically gifted to Dickson after a maiden defeat at Manawatu in early May. “I didn’t really want him but the last trainer insisted I take him.” A win at Nelson followed a month later and he fought on nicely for fourth at Alexandra Park last week. “His big asset is he tries really hard; he’s not the best horse but he gives it his all. “He has to be a good chance again this week with the right run.” Katamach and Red Terror tackle the final heat, in the last race of the night, and both horses have been challenging for their trainer. “I’d love to win a race with Katamach; I’ve been trying all year to get one with her. “She’s one of those ones that I thought would win a couple pretty quickly. “Her first three starts up here she ran three seconds in a row, but then got a bit crook and went off. “She back running placings again now and hopefully this week it’s her turn. “Red Terror hasn’t copped a lot of luck but from one he could be hard to beat. “He’s been hanging and always tries to come wide, so being on the fence should suit him. “Not a horse you can be confident with because he’s a horse that will let you down, but if the best version turns up, he can win.” Dickson is working “seven or eight” in total, the number one less after stable star The Night Hawk got claimed at Forbury Park last week. “He did a super job for us and, because of his rating, it was either go in the claimers or retire him. “This way, someone else can have a go with him. “He’s a lovely horse, just way up in the ratings.” View the full article

Sacred Day flashes home on the fence to take out the Listed Grafton Cup . New Zealand trainer Tony Pike ended a memorable Australian winter campaign on a winning note when Sacred Day (NZ) (Azamour) landed the Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) on Thursday. Pike will return to his training base at Cambridge to concentrate on New Zealand spring racing after unearthing a genuine staying prospect in Sacred Day to complement his success with The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) who secured a Group One double when winning both the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) and the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m). Sacred Day was Pike’s last Australian runner before heading home and the four-year-old scored a popular win under hometown jockey Ben Looker. Coming from midfield on the rail, Sacred Day saved ground to take an inside run on the home turn before beating Sopressa (So You Think) by a long neck. Vaucluse Bay (Al Maher) was a half head away in the minor placing with the favourite Igraine (Galileo) finishing fourth. “It has been a super carnival for us,” Pike told Sky Racing. “This is our last runner and obviously we have been in Queensland for a while so this is a great way to finish. “It was a great ride from Ben today. I am just rapt for him. It is his first ride for me ever and I was struggling to get a jockey. “A lot of thanks to my racing manager back in New Zealand, he got Ben on. He is a star jockey here and really enjoyed his home-town win.” Pike said Sacred Day had the potential to go further after the four-year-old made it four wins from 16 starts. “I always thought he was a progressive stayer and I think he will go on from here … we have always held him pretty high regard,” Pike said. Bred by Nick and Anne-Marie King at Brighthill Farm, Sacred Day was knocked down to Cambridge-based breeding operation Raffles Farm, for $90,000 from the Brighthill 2016 Select Sale draft at Karaka. Sacred Day is the second foal of O’Reilly mare Top Of The Day and comes from an extended family that includes former New Zealand Filly of the Year Mun Lee (NZ) (Great Wall) and Gr.1 South Australian Oaks (2400m) winner, Marmalitre (NZ) (Wolverton). View the full article

Waikato Stud’s Ocean Park. Waikato Stud resident Ocean Park has brought his century of winners up in style and in good time. The memorable mark was hit at Avondale where his daughter Seductress led all the way to impressively win a maiden mile. Ocean Park has a smart winners to runners strike rate of 58.5 percent overall and 55 winners at 62 percent in Australia. “It’s great that he’s got there quickly and onward and upward for him,” stud principal Mark Chittick said. “He was a fantastic galloper and he’s passing on all his best qualities to his progeny. “He’s got a lot of talented young horses in the best stables, both here and in Australia, and in Asia too. “There’s a lot to look forward to in the spring.” Ocean Park was a five-time Group One winner, his exploits earning him the New Zealand Horse of the Year title in 2012-13. The entire was also the Champion Middle Distance Horse in Australia and New Zealand in the same season. Among Ocean Park’s success stories are the Gr.2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) winner Kolding and the Listed Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) winner Ocean Jewel. He is the sire of 13 stakes performers to the highest level. Another Dollar was runner-up in the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) and likewise Mongolianconqueror in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m). Arrogant was narrowly denied in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) while Rondinella is a multiple Group One placegetter. “He’s come close to that Group One and it’s only a matter of time before he cracks it,” Chittick said. Seaway, Pretty To Sea, Our Hail Mary, Dancer’s Kin, Ocean’s Fourteen, Tofane and Miss Valencia are also all stakes placed. His progeny are consistent, the likes of multiple winners Star of the Seas (6 wins), Clement Legend (5 wins) and Kolding (5 wins) emphasising that. Ocean Park has now left winners in five countries – New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. He is also the first New Zealand based stallion of his year to reach the century milestone. View the full article

Wise Men Say will attempt to make it back to back wins in the Grant Plumbing Steeplechase (5500m) at Trentham on Saturday. Wise Men Say won last year’s Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) at Trentham and he will return to the Wellington track on Saturday in a bid to defend his title. The nine-year-old gelding has only had three starts since and his trainer Raymond Connors is hoping he can recapture some of his old form on Saturday. “He was definitely going a lot better this time last year. We have probably been a bit slow in getting him going this year,” Connors said. The son of Yamanin Vital tailed the field home in the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) last start and Connors is expecting a better performance on Saturday with the added distance. “He was a bit disappointing last start, he did hit a couple of jumps,” he said. “He definitely did hit one at Hastings, which knocked the stuffing out of him. “He did have a little bit of a big knee after the race and he was sore for a couple of days, but he is definitely right now. “He normally jumps pretty well, he was jumping well last year. Hopefully he has put it past him now and he’ll jump well on Saturday. “His work has been better the last couple of gallops we have given him. The distance will suit him better (on Saturday), they won’t go quite as quick.” Connors is more hopeful than confident heading into Saturday’s contest, but is eyeing bigger spoils with his gelding. “It’s hard to be confident with him after his last two runs, but I’m hoping to see an improved performance looking further down the track and hope to get him to the Great Northern (6400m) or get him down south to the Grand National (5600m).” Meanwhile, Connors has elected to bypass the Anuka Smoker Wellington Hurdle (3400m) on Saturday with talented jumper Max. “There was a thought (of heading to the Wellington Hurdles) but we thought it might be a bit hard on him, so we might just pick a flat race or hurdle race in the next month and then head to Ellerslie,” Connors said. View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of race 2, Mullholland For A Stronger Voice, an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638 (1)(d). The Informant, Mr Coles, alleged that Ms Burdan allowed her mount SHOWCAT to shift in when not sufficiently clear of DONTGIVEADAM which was forced inwards crowding MEKELLE which was ...View the full article

L-R: Hilton’s Heidi Kunkel alongside Sir Peter Vela of New Zealand Bloodstock and Hon. Judith Collins, MP for Papakura, at the ribbon cutting ceremony. New Zealand Bloodstock are set to add another service to their burgeoning bloodstock business with the construction of a hotel, The DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka, on their Karaka property. The South Auckland business, which already offers sales, airfreight, insurance, and finance services to the equine industry, will now offer accommodation on their sales complex, conveniently located just 20 minutes’ drive from Auckland International Airport. With 120 guest rooms, including four suites, a restaurant and bar, along with conference facilities, the hotel offers three room types and will be set amongst the picturesque Sales Centre at Karaka. The first and only hotel to be situated in the Papakura-Franklin area, invited guests today witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony for the project where local MP Hon. Judith Collins cut the ribbon to signify the commencement of the construction project. “We probably talked about this five years ago, where we really don’t have any hotels in the immediate area,” Collins said. “With such a major part of our economy coming from the bloodstock industry it’s really important that we take care of the accommodation and also the entertainment outside the sales room.” Collins said the hotel would also assist the local economy in the future, providing a number of full-time jobs. “This is going to provide around 70 construction jobs for the next 18 months and there will be 40 jobs in the Hilton itself,” she said. The DoubleTree by Hilton will be opening at the New Zealand Bloodstock Sales Centre at Karaka in early 2021. Supplied The Hilton Group, a leading international five-star hotel brand, will operate the hotel under their DoubleTree brand. “We’re thrilled to get construction underway,” New Zealand Bloodstock Managing Director Andrew Seabrook said. “This hotel will not only be appealing to our international thoroughbred and standardbred clients, but also to tourists, business operators and event organisers alike.” Also in attendance was Heidi Kunkel, Hilton’s Vice President of Operations for Australasia. “The DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka will certainly be a wonderful addition to our current portfolio of hotels across New Zealand, of which, we currently have six hotels operating,” Kunkel said. – NZ Racing Desk The key drivers behind The DoubleTree by Hilton at Karaka, which will open its doors in 2021. Trish Dunell View the full article

Nothing Trivial will be trainer Wayne Hillis’ sole runner at Ruakaka on Saturday. The upcoming return of a stable star has put a spring into the step of Wayne Hillis, who has been happy to put a few kilometres on the clock this winter. The Matamata trainer took two horses on the 600km return journey to Ruakaka for each of the seaside track’s two race meetings last month – Don’t Doubt Me and Nothing Trivial. The latter will be his only representative this Saturday when he lines up in the ITM/GIB Whangarei Gold Cup (2100m). “He doesn’t like the heavy tracks, so we’re going to take him back up to Ruakaka again this weekend,” Hillis said. “He might get away with slow ground, but definitely not anything worse than that. At this time of year, there really aren’t many options apart from Ruakaka for a horse like him.” Now a rising 10-year-old, Nothing Trivial has been a strong performer for owner-breeder Emma Evans. He has won 10 races and more than $180,000 in stakes, and he was beaten by a mere neck when second in the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) in 2014. The Elusive City gelding had been unplaced in all but one of his 16 starts this season before last month, including a couple of outings over hurdles. But Ruakaka turned his form around with a strong second placing over 2100m on June 15, followed two weeks later by an eye-catching finish out wide to be close behind the placegetters in a similar line-up to Saturday’s open handicap feature. “He’s run good races in both of his recent runs up there,” Hillis said. “We’ve been very happy with him and his work has been good since then. “He’s going up in grade this week, so we’ll use Darren Danis’s two-kilogram claim and get in with a light weight.” Meanwhile, Hillis recently welcomed Imelda Mary back to his stable. The Ferlax filly has been the fairy-tale story of this season. Bought for just $3,500 as a yearling, part-owned by Hillis and named after his mother, she won three races and almost $180,000 in prize money, headed by stirring victories in the Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) and Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic (2000m). “She’s been back in work for about two weeks now and she’s looking great,” Hillis said. “We don’t have too much in mind for her at this stage. We won’t get carried away early in the spring. “We’ll probably look to kick her off somewhere in the grades, then warm up a bit later on. We’ll see how she comes up and take it from there.” Hillis will take a similar wait-and-see approach with Watch This Space, who has been a big-race placegetter this season in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m), Gr.2 Japan-NZ International Trophy (1600m) and Gr.2 Easter Handicap (1600m). “He’s back in work as well and coming along nicely too,” Hillis said. “We’ll see how he’s going and then make a plan for him.” View the full article

Dolcetto winning the Listed Ag Challenge Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui last month. Consistent galloper Dolcetto is jumping out of his skin ahead of the El Cheapo Cars Whyte Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. The Per Incanto six-year-old was sent to the spelling paddock after his last start victory in the Listed Ag Challenge Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui last month, but he was doing so well trainer Sylvia Kay was forced to bring him back into work. It was Dolcetto’s first win in more than 18 months and Kay was delighted to get the result. “He has been knocking on the door for a long time. He had terrible draws and everything went wrong through all those good races, which is pretty annoying,” she said. “I was going to put him out for six weeks or so (after his win at Wanganui), but he had three weeks in the paddock and he was going to self-destruct he was that full of himself. “We brought him back in and he didn’t really look any different from when he went to Wanganui. He has had a fair bit of work in the last fortnight and he is really thriving.” Dolcetto will return to handicap conditions on Saturday and he has been allocated 61.5kg, seven kilograms more than any of his rivals. “It’s pretty difficult when you have to carry 61.5kg against 54.5kg, it’s quite a weight difference,” Kay said. “I know he’s a big, strong horse, but in that sort of going (Heavy11) it makes it hard. But where do you go? There is nothing until the spring. “He really enjoys the racing. It’s a shame there are not a lot of options. We need a few more weight-for-age races.” While Kay is hoping he can add to his nine win tally on Saturday, she said she will keep ticking him over in the next couple of months with an eye towards the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings in October. “He’s a horse that really wants to go over ground. He is definitely going to go 2200m and possibly beyond. I’ll possibly have a go at the last day at Hawke’s Bay. “I have just got to keep working him. He can have a week off here and there, but he just enjoys his racing. He doesn’t like to be out in the paddock too much.” Meanwhile, Kay will also line-up in-form geldings Dr Watson and Sylvester in the Vernon & Vazey Truck Parts Parliamentary Handicap (2200m) at Trentham on Saturday. Sylvester has strung together a series of pleasing results for Kay this winter, with two wins and two placings from his five starts this preparation. Both of his victories were at Trentham on heavy tracks and Kay is hoping that form will continue on Saturday. “There’s not a great selection of open class horses around. He’s no champion, but he is pretty honest and tries hard,” Kay said. “It’s good when you can get a result. He is a lovely horse to do anything with and he’s a pleasure to have around. “He’s as good as he has been. He is a happy horse and is working well.” Dr Watson has been in a similar vein of form, beating Comeback on a Heavy11 track at Trentham last month and placing in his two previous runs, including a runner-up performance behind Sylvester at Trentham in May. Kay has elected to utilise the four kilogram claim of apprentice jockey Bridie Ansell on Saturday and is confident he will perform well for the young rider. “He’s a very honest, little horse. There’s not much of him and he can’t carry weight that well, that’s why I have put Bridie on him,” she said. “She rode him in a sprint, which was really good, but a staying race like that is a bit harder for her. “She worked the horse yesterday (Wednesday), she knows him pretty well and I really do think the horses go well for her. “He will handle those heavy tracks, I suppose because he’s so light it doesn’t bog him down so much perhaps. He loves Trentham, so you have got to have a go.” Kay doesn’t have any set plans with either horse after Saturday, citing the difficulty of placing higher-rated horses, but believes all three of her runners are winning chances this weekend. “There aren’t that many staying races around. It’s pretty difficult once they get over the 82 rating,” she said. “I think they have all got a chance if everything goes according to plan. The horses are well and that’s all you can do really and hope it goes right on the day.” View the full article

Kyle Cameron is enjoying his best season as a trainer and has the chance to make it even better at Addington on Friday night. The Fernside trainer-driver has produced a personal best eight winners this term and has the chance to hit double figures with two strong winning chances in Medusa and Fynn Frost. Medusa shares the 20m back mark with her main rival, Splash Cola, in Friday night’s fast class trot. Race tempo will be the key to how Medusa is able to handle her handicap. The 6yr-old is a noted slow starter and how fast her rivals are trotting ahead of her is likely to dictate how Cameron can go about catching them with Medusa. “The 20m back mark is a bit of a pain for her, just for the fact that doesn’t trot up that quick early,” the trainer-driver said. “So she will probably settle last, barring gallopers.” “It is just a case of how hard we have to chase to catch the pack.” “And we should be getting over the top of them at the finish, all going to plan.” Medusa showed she was ready to strike when running a good third behind smart winner, The Dominator, at Addington, last week. “The most pleasing thing for me was Destiny Jones was on our back and she is a pretty smart horse,” Cameron said. “To be beating her home, to me says we have gone pretty good.” “The quality of the field is probably down on last week, which suits us.” Medusa beat home Splash Cola, but could not reel in fellow race rival Trick Star in last week’s event. Splash Cola reverts back to standing start racing on Friday after galloping and losing ground behind the mobile. The Regan Todd trained trotter clearly looks the horse for Medusa to beat on Friday. Splash Cola won, beating third placed Medusa, when they clashed off level marks in their previous starts at Addington. Fynn Frost will aim for career win two for Cameron in rating 40-50 company on Friday night. The 4yr-old’s last start sixth placing saw him miss a top three finish for the first time in five placings. However, his effort to stick on after doing a power of work meant the run was arguably as good as any of his previous four outings. “We were three wide the trip,” Cameron said. “I was hoping to get around to parked, but it wasn’t to be, but he stuck it out pretty well.” All of Fynn Frost’s recent form has been over distances less than 2400m. Once the horse is able to get back up over 2600m the horse should thrive. Despite that, Cameron still expects his charge to go another strong race in Friday night’s 1980m event. “I would give him a pretty good chance.” View the full article

Don't put it into your horses feed!

Sounds like the RIU might have their testing mucked up! Either that or the "local girl" is getting ripped off by her supplier!

Which is another unintended consequence of a change in policy. Employer costs will rise - you will be responsible for drug testing and will drug driving and other negative consequences of being "stoned" increase?

A study across many countries of cannabis use: https://www.thejournal.ie/cannabis-legalisation-increase-impact-4644673-May2019/