MORE HEAD FOR AUSSIE Former New Zealand Trotting Oaks winner Commander Jewel is to return for a second crack at the Australian scene, this time in New South Wales. Canterbury owner “Jim” McDonald has struck up a 50-50 deal with New South Wales horseman Leon Jurd, which will see the big CR Commando-In De Fence mare joining the trot ranks at Menangle. Commander Jewel was tried in Victoria by Mr McDonald at the end of her NZ 3YO racing. She returned to Canterbury after winning once from six starts in Australia. Now five, Commander Jewel has picked up a further …
Itz Nosurprises wins NSW & QLD Oaks
ITZ NOSURPRISES IN NSW OAKS Itz Nosurprisesthere has proven a terrific buy out of the Mark Jones stable after taking out the $A200,000 Form 700m New South Wales Oaks at Tabcorp Park, Menangle, on Super Sunday, March 3, 2013. Given every chance handy outer by driver Luke McCarthy, the daughter of McArdle and Itz Queen Of Newyork sprinted brilliiantly in the run home to win going away from Frith and Im Smouldering. She rated 1:59.5 rate for the mobile 2400m, the leaders running their last 40m in 26.9s. Itz Nosurprisesthere was was sold by owners Bob and Nola McMeeking …
Superstars race still only for 4YOs
SUPERSTARS CHAMPIONSHIP REMAINS 4YO EVENT The Group 2 $40,000 Resource Recycling Technologies NZ Ltd 4YO Superstars Championship to be run at Addington Raceway on Friday 5th April will remain a contest for 4yo pacers only, as has been the case since its inception in 1982. Addington’s Racing Manager Brian Rabbitt said that some races for 4yo’s had undergone changes that allowed 5yo’s to compete along with their year younger counterparts but the Superstar’s Championship would continue as a race for 4yo’s only in the immediate future. “As was last year this race will be staged over the 2600 metres from …
HRNZ Media Bites, March 20
HRNZ MEDIA BITES, MARCH 20, 2012 Great Southern Star this Saturday: The Great Southern Star, to be held at Melton on Saturday night for the trotters has to be one of the most exciting harness racing events for some time. As fate would have it with I Can Doosit missing and Stig being out of sorts too the heats and final scenario is an exciting one littered with possibilities. The Great Southern Star is the Australasian version of Sweden’s Elitlopp. Heats will be run at Melton at 9.00pm and 9.33 NZ time on Saturday night with the final run around …
HRNZ Media Bites, March 5
HRNZ MEDIA BITES, MARCH 5, 2012 Huge clashes loom on Auckland Cup night: A Group racing bonanza awaits on Friday night at Alexandra Park. The Trillian Trust Auckland Cup will be the highlight of the night with so many stars involved but of course the Woodlands Northern Derby will be riding side-saddle and offers up a mouth-watering clash, as Adore Me takes on the best colts and geldings in the land. Aside from the Cup and Derby the 2YOs aim up at their first major targets for the year. The Group 1 Breckon Bloodstock Young Gun Cardigan Bay …
HRNZ Media Bites, Feb. 28, 2012
HRNZ MEDIA BITES, FEBRUARY 28, 2012 Inter Dominion news: Sir Lincoln and Chariot King have until Friday to prove their fitness for the final on Sunday. Sir Lincoln had a foot abscess burst out on Monday and Chariot King was off colour following his trial at Menangle on Tuesday. Both horses will be vet checked tomorrow with calls being made then. Fixed Odds out on NZ TAB: the NZ TAB has Fixed Odds out on all races at Menangle on Sunday. Kiwi horses are favoured to win five of the seven Group 1 races on offer. Those favourites are Rozelski …
HRNZ Media Bites, Feb. 26, 2012
HRNZ MEDIA BITES, Feb 26, 2012 Most roads lead to Menangle this Sunday: It’s been built up as one of the all-time great racedays ever in Australia and there’s a good chance it might live up to the hype and the billing. This Sunday afternoon Menangle the NSWHRC host an epic race day that offers stakes totalling AUD$2 million. Of the 10 races New Zealand-trained horses have involvement in nine, which is great. Something like 60 New Zealand-bred horses will compete across the programme, which will give most Kiwi harness fans some sort of vested interest. Of course many of …
NZ Prem. Yearling Saes 2nd day results
NZ PREMIER YEARLING SALES DETAILS, DAY TWO Sales details from the second day of the NZ Premier Yearling Sale in Christchurch on Thursday, February, 21, 2013, were: 184 Dachy (b f Changeover-Heavenly Franco), D J McLeish, Otautau, $4500. 185 Highview Ruler (blk c Elsu-Highview Courage), passed $4000 (res $8500). 186 Myspeedyjet (br c Jereme’s Jet-Hi Speed), G L & Est. J M Smith, Invercargill, $10,000. 187 Ipso Facto (br c Elsu-Honey Ryder), Neil Pilcher, Kaiapoi, $10,000. 188 Star In The Future (b f Jereme’s Jet-In The Future), passed $3000 (res $7000). 189 Lawless (b …
NZ Prem. Yearling Sales first day details
HALF-BROTHER TO SECRET POTION PURCHASED Burnham trainer Mark Jones took home a half-brother by top sire Bettor’s Delight to big-winning filly Secret Potion (p3, 1:57.5 m.r, 1950m) on the first day of the NZ Premier Yearling Sales in Christchurch on Wednesday, February 20. Secret Potion won 10 races including the Northern Oaks and Nevele R Fillies Final of her year for the Mark Purdon stable. Mark Jones went to $34,000 for the colt brother to How Do Mate (13 wins, including nine in Australia) and half-brother to Yeah Baby (1:57.6h, US), the winner of three in NZ and …
Australasian Sale results
MARK BUYS RELATIVE OF GLENFERRIE MAGIC Burnham trainer Mark Jones took home two purchases from the Australasian Classic Yearling Sale at Karaka on Monday, February 18, including a Christian Cullen close relative of former promising filly Glenferrie Magic. He secured Pommie Roy, a colt son from good producing mare T K Swift, for $53,000. T K Swift (Holmes Hanover-Sly Patron), a sister to El Cabalero (1:54.4, US) and a half-sister to Slybye (24 wins), won once at two for Ian and Malcolm Shinn, but was also the runnerup in a Ladyship Stakes and third in a …