TAB Racing Club prepares for debut runner

[Wandering Eyes]

Since being launched last year the TAB Racing Club is going from strength to strength and its first standardbred may not be too far away from a race day debut.

Already the Club has passed the 15,000 mark in terms of membership.

“We have been big on promoting the club and what it stands for and driving membership at all sort of events,” says TAB Racing Club Manager Wade Smith.

“It’s a case of more the merrier – especially those in the 18-35 age group, that’s where we are really trying to get the engagement.”

The Club is all about providing opportunities for TAB customers to experience the joys of ownership without spending a cent. They are not legal owners of any of the horses but have the opportunity get access to exclusive behind the scenes stable content, race day prizes and ownership experiences.

Some of the club’s more recent events include balloted functions at the Harness Million meeting at Alexandra Park in March and Diamonds Day at Ascot Park in late April,  while another is planned at Addington later this month.

“It’s a good time for our members. They really get a good insight into what horse ownership is all about,” says Smith.

There are 10 standardbreds linked to the Club.  The most likely to get to the races first is the Nathan Williamson-trained Off The Canvas, an Art Major two-year-old bought for $40,000 at the 2024 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch.

“We are planning to try and qualify him in the next couple of weeks,” says Williamson.

“We see how he handles that and go from there. I do like him, he’s a nice pacer with a good attitude.”

Also purchased there was the $340,000 sales topper and record-breaker No More Dreaming, a full brother to Don’t Stop Dreaming. He’s gone to Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan at Clevedon.

“He’s just come back into work so hopefully he’ll get through to a trial and we’ll see what he can do,” says Smith.

Also purchased by the TAB Racing Club was Captain Crunch gelding Eun Sogno for $42,000 who is being trained by Cran and Chrissie Dalgety. He qualified at Rangiora on March 25. And having a spell right now is another sales purchase, an Always B Miki colt Sidestepper ($50,000), who’s with Robert and Jenna Dunn at Woodend.

There were three more purchases at this year’s Yearling Sales. Doolan Denario, an Always B Miki – Wanta Denario colt, sold for $130,000 while an Always B Miki – The Morning Star filly sold for $50,000 and Sarana, a Bettor’s Delight – Samskara colt, sold for $65,000.

As well as those seven horses there are three newcomers from Australia. They are Better Be Swift  and two are from Andy Gath – Post Season who is going to Bob Butt and Another Collect, a winner and placegetter from five starts in Victoria.

After laying a lot of the groundwork Smith’s expecting things to really amp up when the first 2YOs actually hit the track in the TAB Racing Club colours.

“Then we will be away and laughing,” says Smith.

The 10 horses (with their trainers are) :

Always B Miki – The Morning Star –  Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan
Another Collect – Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan
Better Be Swift – Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan
Doolan Denario – Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan (will be renamed)
Eun Sogno – Cran and Chrissie Dalgety
No More Dreaming – Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan
Off The Canvas – Nathan Williamson
Post Season – Bob Butt
Sarana – Regan Todd  (will be renamed)
Sidestepper – Robert and Jenna Dunn

View the full article