Chief Stipe

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Berton Braley is hardly a mate. Like I have never kicked a can down a dusty road with him, or Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

The news this week that the governing bodies of New Zealand and Australia’s thoroughbred codes have met recently with the aim of achieving common benefits makes perfect sense. Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Training a racehorse would be like riding a bike for Sir Mark Todd. Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Winx's grand finale is just two weeks away, and it will be a raceday like no other. Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Over the last few weeks there’s been a lot of discussions about false starts- whether there should have been one or not - and also horses being late scratched when possibly they shouldn’t be. Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Arrowfield Stud principal John Messara AM has been in the racing and breeding business long enough to remain philosophical about the highs and lows... Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Our stable's Group One sprinter Enzo's Lad has been invited to.... Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

I am not sure what we should do about harness racing Pick6s. But I know we should do something. Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

The TAB has done well to embrace a very simple strategy that the Australian bookmakers use around promotions in early races. Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Proactive ownership and a family connection to the ARC’s Easter Handicap has been the driving force behind Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

North Canterbury trainer Phil Burrows has called time on his training career. Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Arrogant has surged to Australian Derby second favouritism with his big run for second in last Saturday's Rosehill Guineas, and now three of his compatriots will try to make further New Zealand impact on Sydney... Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

JONNY TURNER MONTEFALCO R4 ASCOT PARK With trial form like his, it is hard to see how he would get beaten if he stays pacing, despite this being an above average Southland maiden field. GARRICK KNIGHT FLYING MISTER IDEAL R10 ADDINGTON Creditable resuming effort over two miles from stand. Tracks to trail from ace draw […] Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

All eyes will be on champion trotter Speeding Spur when he attempts to put a horror trip to... Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

It is just reward that Dundeel, the rising star among the staying stallion ranks in Australia, should stand at John Messara’s Arrowfield Stud, given that great racing... Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Luigi Muollo’s search for stallion bloodlines to put before New Zealand breeders has hit the jackpot with... Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Throwaway lines that the New Zealand Racing Board does not have enough racing knowledge simply do not ring true with its... Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

The connections of Sistema Stakes placegetters Aalaalune and Aretha are looking forward to taking another shot at... Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

Verry Elleegant is the $3.20 favourite for Saturday's Gr. 1 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill, and the filly's... Want to read this content? For free user content sign up here Free Online Content View our subscription options and get behind The Informant paywall Already a member? Login here View the full article

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Hastings trainer Patrick Campbell will contest two black-type races at Awapuni on Saturday and is hoping for strong showings from both Hunta Pence and Scandalo. Hunta Pence will head into the Gr. 2 City of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup in good form, having won his last two starts in the Wairoa Cup Trial and in a 1600-metre open handicap at Trentham. “I was quite convinced going into Wairoa, the horse desperately needed a win after having gone very good races without winning,” Campbell said. “I think it was a confidence-booster for him at Wairoa. That followed through to Wellington, albeit a four-horse field. The horse seemed to be a little more confident. “He was allowed a fairly soft lead, which helped when the pressure came on at the 200 metres, but he was coming back from 1900 metres to a mile. “It might have only been four runners, but they were pretty capable gallopers, so it was certainly a step in the right direction.” Hunta Pence has drawn the outside gate in the 11-horse field, but Campbell isn’t overly perturbed with the barrier. “It probably doesn’t help, but it doesn’t make too much difference I think,” Campbell said. “Sometimes you draw in at the 2000 metres at Palmerston North and miss it slightly, you end up in a bit of a problem. So the fact that he has drawn out, he might have to cover a little bit of ground early, but it’s probably not the worst result. “I know there are three or four on-pace runners inside him, so I am sure it will be run pretty truly. They just might spread out a little bit going out of the straight.” Campbell is pleased with Hunta Pence heading into the race and said his charge is on a path towards the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup on his home track next month. “I am very happy with him. On paper it’s a very strong field, as you would expect for that sort of prize-money.” Meanwhile, stablemate Scandalo will resume in in the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap after feeling the firm tracks over the Christmas period. “He jarred up very badly in his last two starts around Christmas time and the most recent one being the Anniversary (Group Three, 1600m) at Wellington. “The firmer tracks tickled him up a little bit, but he has overcome that and is bright as a button, hopefully the ground won’t be too firm for him on Saturday.” Scandalo has drawn the ace barrier and while Campbell doesn’t expect his charge to win, he would be happy with a top-four finish. “Scandalo has not had a trial or jumpout (leading into the race), but in saying that he has got through a fair bit of work and he has invariably gone well fresh. I’d like to think that he would be running in the money, third or fourth.” Campbell has mixed feelings about the wet weather forecast for Palmerston North on Saturday. “Hunta Pence doesn’t mind a softer track,” he said. “With Scandalo, it’s a little bit different. He would handle a soft track no problem, but if the track is inclined to break up or a little bit shifting, he seems to be a little apprehensive on that. “He would rather get no rain or a fair bit of rain rather than just a little bit.” View the full article

Lance Noble is pleased with smart two-year-old Bavella heading into Saturday’s Gr. 1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes at Awapuni and he is hopeful the weather will play its part. The daughter of Snitzel, bred and raced by Cambridge Stud proprietors Brendan and Jo Lindsay, was an impressive winner of her first two starts including the Listed Splice Construction 2YO. She has been thwarted by rain-affected going in her past two starts. Bavella finished sixth in the Gr. 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes on a Slow7 surface and fourth behind Saturday’s rivals Yourdeel, Aalaalune and Aretha in the Gr. 1 Sistema Stakes on a Heavy10. “She has done really well and we are happy with her,” Noble said. “Those two wet tracks with the Matamata Breeders’ and Sistema just weren’t to our liking, so we are hoping for better track conditions down at Awapuni. “I think she would handle a little bit of rain, but I think on a better track you will see her really quicken. That might bring those three that have finished in front of her back to her a little bit. She wasn’t far away at Ellerslie, but I think to see her best we do need good ground.” Saturday’s contest will stretch this season’s juveniles out to 1400 metres for the first time. “Going over 1400 metres for the first time holds a little bit of concern, but I could say that in the Sistema, with how that track was and how wide they were coming, she almost went 1400 metres,” Noble said. “I think that on a good track 1400 metres should be okay. If it got too wet it might make it a bit testing for her.” Retained rider Leith Innes will again be aboard Bavella as she looks to add further black-type. “Leith galloped her on Tuesday morning and was very happy with her so it is all systems go,” Noble said. “I think if she can get a cosy trip just in behind them or up on the speed, I think we could really see her accelerate from there.” View the full article