DELIGHTFUL MEMPHIS REPEATS AT BIG M Former star Overport Lodge filly/mare Delightfulmemphisn repeated her win of seven nights earlier at the Meadowlands, New Jersey, on Saturday, January 12 (NZ time). This time, the Bettor’s Delight-Memphis Melody mare overcame the outside 10 gate, settling fourth early, then powering home to win by three-quarters of a length, again in the hands of former NZ driver, Dexter Dunn. Now trained in New Jersey by Richard “Nifty” Norman, Delightfulmemphisn equalled her time of the previous week (from the nine gate) of 1:51.4 (10ths). The win came in the richest purse race of the night at …
NELSON HRC, Sunday, January 13
NELSON HRC, Sunday, January 13 Race 4: SIOUX PRINCESS (12, Sheree Tomlinson), UR 1, 3000m std: “Solid the first day. Stepping up in distnace but an each-way chance.”
NELSON HRC, Friday, Jan. 11
NELSON HRC, Friday, January 11 Race 4: SIOUX PRINCESS (11, Sheree Tomlinson), 2400m std: “It’s her first stand start race so she’ll need to do things right. An each-way chance if she trots.”
Naiya Franco unbeaten at Oamaru
BLUE BLOOD NAIYA FRANCO WINS SECOND-UP Richly-bred mare Naiya Franco was able to turn her form around second-up in the Morrisons Saddlery & Feed Mobile Pace at Oamaru on Tuesday, January 8. The daughter of Mach Three and top mare Nearea Franco (1:54.4, 11 wins & $441,361) made the most of a suitable race for her rating, and a positive drive from Samantha Ottley from the eight gate. Eased to second last, Sam had her on the move three wide from the 800m to be parked at the 600m. They were left in front when front-running Chief Kapai compounded before …
OAMARU HRC, Tuesday, Jan 8
OAMARU HRC, Tuesday, January 8 Race 7: NAIYA FRANCO (8, Samantha Ottley), mob. 2000m: “No luck first-up. Finds the right grade race for her rating so looking for improvement.”
Si Si Senor win completes successful trip
SOUTH QUARTET ALL WINNERS ON CIRCUIT The Mark Jones stable concluded a successful south-Central Otago circuit when Si Si Senor held stablemate Rockahula Joe in the wet at Cromwell on January 6. Si Si Senor completed a successful hour and a half for co-owners, Christchurch accountant Hamish Scott, and wife, Dr Kim Lawson, as the couple also won the day’s opener on the grass with hot favourite Team Kiwi, for the Robbie Holmes stable. Given every chance after leading early, then trailing, for Blair Orange, Si Si Senor unwound well to hold Rockahula Joe (handy outer) by three-quarters of a …
Whittaker wins in USA
WHITTAKER WINS AT THE MEADOWLANDS Former Overport Lodge pacer Whittaker notched his first USA win at the Meadowlands, New Jersey, on Sunday, January 5 (NZ time). The Sportswriter-Anarchy entire, now racing for the Mitchell Mac Kenzie stable, settled fourth from the two date and finished best to win by half a length in 1:51.8 (10ths) for the mile. Driven by Eric Carlson, Whittaker finished off with a closing 400m in 27.4s to take out the $11,550 pace. Whittaker, named after former top Sydney-based sporting/racing writer, Bill Whittaker, was on-sold to North American interests last year. He won 10 of 32 …
Delightful Memphis wins again at the Big M
DELIGHTFUL MEMPHIS WINS AGAIN AT THE BIG M Classy former Overport Lodge mare Delightfulmemphisn returned to winning form at her first USA start of the year with a strong win at the Meadowlands, New Jersey, on Saturday (NZ time). Delightful Memphis, driven by North American-based Kiwi, Dexter Dunn, for trainer Richard “Nifty” Norman, equalled her North American best of 1:51.4 (10ths) for the mile. The Bettor’s Delight-Memphis Melody mare overcame the nine gate, settling sixth early, then improving to fourth turning for home. She lifted to win by half a head in a $17,500 fillies and mares pace. Delightful Memphis …
Australian-bred Barrett on the market
BARRETT CAUSES MINOR UPSET OVER ROXBURGH FAVOURITE Barrett, who caused a minor upset downing hot favourite Kendra at Roxburgh on Friday, January 4, is on the market back to his home country of Australia. The improving son of champion sire Bettor’s Delight is Vicbred and Breeders Crown eligible. He was initially purchased for NZ clients by trainer Mark Jones for owners Grant Hatton, Starmark Ltd and Stuart Gillan, at an Australia Pacing Gold Yearling Sale. “It was a good effort to come from where he did and beat a nice horse, so is definitely improving all the time,” Mark said. …
WYNDHAM HRC, Sunday, Jan. 6
WYNDHAM HRC (grass @ Cromwell), Sunday, January 6 Race 4: SI SI SENOR (1, Blair Orange) & ROCKAHULA JOE (11, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1800m: “Si Si Senor gets the right draw to give himself a winning chance.” “Rockahula Joe hasn’t been as good since his win so take on trust.” Race 8: MICHELLE (1, Sheree Tomlinson), 2600m std: “Racing good and meets a nice field but an each-way chance.” Race 12: BARRETT (SCR).