Chief Stipe

You are talking TURNOVER not REVENUE! How much did Reefton or the Pokies contribute to stakes?

Exactly even the stakes out and get more even participation and more tote revenue. No let's just party on Saturday.

Is the tiered stakes BS skewing this even further? Why race on Thursday if 2 days later you race for so much more?

Awapuni Horses heading to Auckland for Group 1 competition this Saturday stole the show at Awapuni this morning. One fast gallop was held on the course proper (dead), while all other speed work was on the plough (good). Bonecrusher Stakes candidate Shadows Cast was the sole horse to use the course proper and, working the […] 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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Don't have to email them. The RIU are watching this site. Happy to post their explanation if they want to or they are free to post on BOAY themselves.

Talented rider Rory Hutchings has returned to New Zealand after being based in Sydney for the past four years. The 23-year-old, who last rode on raceday on January 12, has battled with his weight in recent years after winning the Sydney apprentice jockeys’ premiership in 2016. “I put a timeline of around a month before I am back riding,” Hutchings said. “I am a bit heavy at the minute, so I will just be riding work and getting my weight down until then. “I will be based at Matamata to start with, living with my parents, so that is where I am going to be riding work until I get back to the races. I would like to spread myself around and ride for quite a few stables. If I can get back riding around 56 kilograms again, that is a big advantage.” A three-time champion apprentice jockey in New Zealand before venturing to Sydney at the behest of champion trainer Chris Waller, Hutchings’ career highlights include Group One victories aboard Soriano in both the Herbie Dyke Stakes and the Zabeel Classic. Hutchings said he loved his time in Sydney and has no regrets. “I rode for the best in the business over there and I am very proud of what I achieved. It is something that will stay close to my heart for the rest of my life. I wouldn’t change the way things went for a thing. “My fondest memory is coming home with the champion apprentice title, which is very hard to do over there and that is probably one thing that does stand out. “It will be good to just get back to the races and spend time with family and once that happens the long-term goal will be to add to the Group One tally.” View the full article

Last year’s Auckland Cup winner Ladies First has suffered a setback and has been ruled out of the Sydney autumn carnival. The Allan Sharrock-trained mare had been on a path to the Sydney Cup but pulled up sore after finishing 10th in the Gr. 1 Haunui Farm WFA Classic. “It’s a minor strain in a tendon, so she will probably have three months to get over it,” Sharrock said. “With three months off, she will be fine. “She had come up really, really well and I was quite excited. Her run at Otaki was probably a little bit bemusing. It was a pass, but it wasn’t what I wanted. Then on Sunday she was sore and I thought it might have been a stone bruise but it turns out it was a slight tear in the tendon.” Ladies First has won nine of her 24 starts to date including three at stakes level. View the full article

Tony McEvoy is taking a shot at a New Zealand Group One with his two-year-old filly Just Zerene. The China Horse Club-owned daughter of Zoustar will travel across the Tasman tonight and will line up in Saturday’s $200,000 Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie. Just Zerene has had three starts for one placing. She finished sixth on debut in the Gr. 3 BJ McLachlan Stakes, then ran second to the classy Castelvecchio at Canterbury in January. She was an unlucky fifth on Randwick’s Kensington track in her only other start. “About five weeks ago Michael Wallace put the race in front of me and said it was my decision. I thought it was a really good option,” McEvoy told the TDN. “She just hasn’t had any luck at all. She missed the start in the Group Three and was burned up early in a maiden at Canterbury and just got beaten by the Inglis Millennium winner. She was then off the track all the way outside the speed.” “She galloped beautifully (yesterday) and she’s ready to go. She’s really well.” Sam Spratt has been booked for the ride. View the full article

Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard are eyeing autumn Sydney classic targets with two of their runners after pleasing performances at Ellerslie on Saturday. Pinmedown won the Gr. 3 Sunline Vase and will now head to Trentham later this month to contest the Gr. 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks. If she performs well there, Moroney indicated a trip across the Tasman is likely for the daughter of Pins. “Our plan all the way through has been to get her across (to Australia) for something like the Australian Oaks (April 13),” Moroney said. “The New Zealand Oaks form usually reads quite well for that. It doesn’t look that strong a year to us, so if she performs well enough Sydney will be on the cards.” Moroney was also pleased with Arrogant’s fourth placing in the Gr. 1 New Zealand Derby and he could join his stablemate across the Tasman with the Gr. 1 Rosehill Guineas (March 23) and Australian Derby (April 6) likely targets. “We have always been confident about this horse, he has any amount of ability,” Moroney said. “He has been a little bit colty, but he is starting to wear that well now and Pam said all of a sudden he has quietened down and accepted he has to be a racehorse. “He could have a possible tilt at the Rosehill Guineas, into the Derby. I don’t think it is beyond him at all.” View the full article

Melbourne stayer Vengeur Masque has settled in well at Ballymore’s Matamata base ahead of Saturday’s Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup. The seven-year-old Irish-bred landed on Sunday and co-trainer Pam Gerard reports that he has taken little time to settle into his new surroundings. “He was a little keen in his first morning at the track yesterday but he’s far more relaxed looking at the way he got through easy work this morning,” Gerard told www.theinformant.co.nz. “The main thing is that he’s right on his tucker and seems to be in a good place. “He’s even put on three kilos since he arrived, so we’ll just monitor him over the next day or two and decide whether he needs any stronger work before the weekend.” Gerard is relying largely on her Flemington-based training partner Mike Moroney for fine-tuning purposes, but shares his confidence that the last-start Moonee Valley winner is on target. “He had a decent hitout before hopping on the plane and Mike said he thought he was spot-on,” she added. “He’s got the form on the board and now we’re looking forward to the weekend.” Vengeur Masque, a son of noted European staying sire Monsun, will carry 57 kilos in the Auckland Cup – equal topweight with leading local stayer Charles Road – and will be ridden by Opie Bosson. View the full article

MEETING NEWS Avondale Races Cancelled – 7 March The Avondale races on Thursday have been cancelled due to a lack of entries. There are final races to be added to Matamata and Te Aroha meetings for next week. They will be communicated later this morning. If the numbers are sufficient at Matatmata and Te Aroha NZTR will also look to divide a race at these meetings.

The Avondale races on Thursday have been cancelled due to a lack of entries. There are final races to be added to Matamata and Te Aroha meetings for next week. If the numbers are sufficient at Matatmata and Te Aroha, NZTR will also look to divide a race at these meetings. View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 4 (Go Racing Syndications 1500) Information No.A12144 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It was alleged by the Informant that Mr Grylls had allowed his mount THE BANDITO to shift out near the 350m when not clear of GINO SEVERINI which was checked. Rule 638(1)(d) provides: ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of race 6, McKee Family Sunline Vase (Group 3), an Information was filed pursuant to Rule 638 (1)(d). The Informant, Mr Oatham, alleged that Ms Smyth permitted her mount to shift out near the 750 metres when not sufficiently clear of NASHA RIVA which was checked and forced outwards ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 638(1)(d)Following the running of Race 10 (Vertical Logistics 2100) Information No.A12147 was lodged with the Judicial Committee. It was alleged by the Informant that Mr Riddell the Rider of MONARCH CHIMES permitted his mount to shift in near the 1800m when not clear of MASTER PAINTON which was checked. Rule ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 534(1)Prior to the running of Race 10 (Vertical Logistics 2100) Information No.A12141 was filed with the Judicial Committee. It was alleged by the Informant that Trainers S and E Clotworthy failed to scratch DELEGATE by the required time. The Trainers admitted the breach and signed the Information stating ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Rule Number(s): 869(2)(a) & Use of the Whip RegulationFollowing the running of Race 2, Rural Livestock & Dale Taylor Shearing Mobile Pace, an information was filed by Stipendiary Steward, Mr S W Wallis, against Licensed Open Driver, Mr R L Houghton, alleging that, as the driver of THE LAST STRAW in the race, he “used his whip on more occasions than is permitted ... (Feed generated with FetchRSS)View the full article

Where to start? Where exactly do you start when analysing Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen’s domination of Miracle Mile night? Do you start with Spankem, given he won the big race? And if you do, where do you start with him? Do you look in awe at the fact that the horse came back to win a Miracle Mile after he was set to be booked on plane to leave Australia in the weeks leading up to the race? His foot was sore, his campaign was done. But after a change of plans, the All Stars resurrected his Miracle Mile campaign and the rest is history. Though, is Spankem’s return from a reasonably average and injury plagued three-year-old season even more amazing? When the horse came back from the harness racing wilderness and lined up in minor events at Addington and Ashburton in November would anyone have ever dreamed he would contest a Miracle Mile. I am not sure many would have even when he went on to win the Kaikoura Cup. But, this is the All Stars we are talking about. PC gone mad? I do not need to tell anyone who has a job about health and safety. It is impossible to walk around any work place in New Zealand without stepping through an obstacle course of invisible red tape. The harness racing industry was hardly likely to be some sort of miraculous reprieve from these rules and regulations. That is despite the fact that the sport and horses, by their very nature, come with an element of danger. The red tape is at its most obvious when winning horses return to greet their owners. It has become a common sight at some of our biggest tracks to see those owners stood behind railings and barriers. Though I accept it is just part of life in 2019 and that harness racing is bound by the same regulations are other businesses, I can not help but think owners are a robbed of a little bit of the joy from meeting their winning horses. It seems to be a privilege that has not been taken away from owners in Australia and many other racing jurisdictions. The question is has New Zealand got a bit precious or are clubs just being proactive with their health and safety procedures? My vote is yes. Have birdcage barriers and procedures at major racetracks taken fun away from owners? Photo: Race Images. View the full article

Where to start? Where exactly do you start when analysing Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen’s domination of Miracle Mile night? Do you start with Spankem, given he won the big race? And if you do, where do you start with him? Do you look in awe at the fact that the horse came back to win a Miracle Mile after he was set to be booked on plane to leave Australia in the weeks leading up to the race? His foot was sore, his campaign was done. But after a change of plans, the All Stars resurrected his Miracle Mile campaign and the rest is history. Though, is Spankem’s return from a reasonably average and injury plagued three-year-old season even more amazing? When the horse came back from the harness racing wilderness and lined up in minor events at Addington and Ashburton in November would anyone have ever dreamed he would contest a Miracle Mile. I am not sure many would have even when he went on to win the Kaikoura Cup. But, this is the All Stars we are talking about. PC gone mad? I do not need to tell anyone who has a job about health and safety. It is impossible to walk around any work place in New Zealand without stepping through an obstacle course of invisible red tape. The harness racing industry was hardly likely to be some sort of miraculous reprieve from these rules and regulations. That is despite the fact that the sport and horses, by their very nature, come with an element of danger. The red tape is at its most obvious when winning horses return to greet their owners. It has become a common sight at some of our biggest tracks to see those owners stood behind railings and barriers. Though I accept it is just part of life in 2019 and that harness racing is bound by the same regulations are other businesses, I can not help but think owners are a robbed of a little bit of the joy from meeting their winning horses. It seems to be a privilege that has not been taken away from owners in Australia and many other racing jurisdictions. The question is has New Zealand got a bit precious or are clubs just being proactive with their health and safety procedures? My vote is yes. Have birdcage barriers and procedures at major racetracks taken fun away from owners? Photo: Race Images. View the full article

WTF has this post got to do with the Topic?

Golden Slipper favourite Tassort’s campaign is in disarray after the colt was found to have bruising to his off-fore foot. Trainer James Cummings has told stewards Tassort will not run in Saturday’s Todman Stakes and is “50/50” to take part in the A$3.5 million Golden Slipper at Rosehill on March 23. Cummings said he planned to start Tassort in the Pago Pago Stakes on March 16 if the colt’s foot improved sufficiently. Racing NSW veterinarians will inspect Tassort next week. The Godolphin colt, who won on debut and was beaten by Time To Reign in the Silver Slipper, remained the $6 Golden Slipper favourite today. Time To Reign is now the $3.50 favourite for the Todman Stakes, with trainer Gary Portelli saying the colt will have a solid hitout at Warwick Farm tomorrow morning. View the full article

Jo and Brendan Lindsay have much to look forward to with their classy two-year-old filly team. Events from this week will have a huge bearing on the strength of Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s assault on the major juvenile races at the Sydney autumn carnival. The prominent owners have already enjoyed a momentous highlight with their filly Probabeel, trained by Jamie Richards, winning Ellerslie’s Karaka Million 2YO and on Saturday they will be represented in the Gr. 1 Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie with the Lance Noble-trained Bavella. The Cambridge Stud principals will also have an eye on Sydney where their debutante Get Hitched, a $520,000 Karaka purchase, will be thrown in at the deep end in the Gr. 2 Reisling Stakes at Randwick. Meanwhile, the Lindsay-owned filly Still Single, a daughter of More Than Ready prepared by Chris Waller, picked up black type at Randwick last Saturday when finishing strongly into second in the Gr. 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes behind Anaheed, who will now go straight into the Gr. 1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill on March 23. All four of the Lindsays’ fillies also hold nominations for the Golden Slipper. “We’ve got four marbles in the draw that might make the grade, but a lot will depend on what they all do next,’’ Brendan Lindsay said. “Probabeel is more likely to go to the Sires as planned, but things could change depending on what she does in the Magic Night Stakes. “The same goes for Bavella if she can bounce back in the Sistema Stakes on Saturday. She’d have to win and win really well to take her to Sydney and if she did win well we might consider the Golden Slipper, though there’s also the Percy Sykes Stakes that could be a really nice race for her instead of the Slipper. “Get Hitched is a Lonhro filly with the Hawkes stable and they really like her. First-up in a Group Two race will tell us whether she is any good. “As for Still Single, I got an email from Chris on Saturday night and he was happy with the run. He said Hugh (Bowman) was really complimentary about her. He wanted to get her to settle and he said he let the other one get too far in front. He’d ride her differently next time.’’ Still Single is likely to clash next with Probabeel in the Gr. 3 Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill on March 16. “She’ll have to win that or run second in that to go for the Golden Slipper,’’ Lindsay said. “They say she’ll be better over 1400 metres so she could go for the Sires instead of the Slipper and maybe clash with Probabeel again. But we’ll just wait and see what happens. It would be great to have a runner in the Golden Slipper.’’ The Gr. 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes is at Randwick on April 6, a fortnight after the Golden Slipper. Probabeel has been freshened since her Karaka Million win at Ellerslie and will compete at the Rotorua trials on Tuesday. “If she does everything right and trials well she’ll be on the plane on the 11th (of March) to Sydney,” Lindsay said. View the full article

Spellbound wins the group 3 Leonard Memorial Stakes at Addington from Miss Ruby Sunshine and Total Diva. Photo: Race Images. The sight of Spellbound’s masses of owners revelling in her success can be linked back to a casual conversation after track-work at Woodend Beach. The Robert Dunn trained filly caused the Addington birdcage to fill to capacity for the second time in consecutive weeks when she won the group 3 Leonard Memorial Stakes at Addington on Sunday. The victory sent her owners, the Westview Racing No.19 Syndicate and The Witches Of Westview No.2 Syndicate, flocking to get their picture taken with their unbeaten pacer. Those owners can credit trainer Robert Dunn and Westview Racing’s Nigel Armstrong for getting them a share in the talented filly. Armstrong syndicated the filly after she was knocked down to Dunn at last year’s national yearling sale in Christchurch for $17,000. Dunn said the starting point for him purchasing the Art Major pacer from breeders Stephen Bell and Donna Williamson was a casual conversation with fellow Woodend Beach trainer, Regan Todd. “Regan had Bettor Be Gold, her half sister, and I said to him what was that filly? I really liked the way she trained.” “I was walking around at the sales and Donna called me over and she said ‘come and have a look at this filly’.” “She was a lovely filly and when I looked at her page and saw she was a half to Bettor Be Gold, I started to show a bit more interest in her and really liked her.” Spellbound’s massive ownership group, which tallies nearly 150 people, could be packing the stands at Ascot Park on Northern Southland Cup Day on Saturday. “She might be going down south this week, we just have to take a blood [test] off her to make sure she is all good.” “And if she is she will go down for the Caduceus Club Classic and that will be a nice trip for her.” Spellbound’s front-running win was one of four victories for the father and son training and driving combination of Robert and John Dunn at Addington on Sunday. They also scored wins with Sundees Sun, Franco Niven and Onedin Reign. Franco Niven got his manners together for the first time in his five start career. After finding the front with a lap to go, the pacer gave his rivals little chance of catching him when he paced his last 800m in 56.4sec. “He has got a huge motor and massive speed.” Sundee’s Sun continued to build his confidence with his second consecutive lower-grade trot win after breaking in his three prior starts in stronger company. “We have just taken the easier races and let him get a bit of confidence and break the habit of him breaking under pressure or when he got to tight situations.” “It is great confidence-building for him.” Onedin Reign sprinted well off a strong race speed to win her four career victory in her 16th start. View the full article