FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, October 6 Race 5: MANINTHEMIRROR (12, Samantha Ottley), mob. 2200m: “Fresh-up and hasn’t had a trial. Has a few leg issues and going in a bit unknown but upset place chance.” Race 6: KOWHAI WHIZ (6, Samantha Ottley), 1, 40m, 2700m std: “Gets a good race. He’s a good beginner so the handicap is not a concern in a small field. A winning chance.” Race 9: ZENA MAC (2, Samantha Ottley), 2200m std: “Been disappointingly lately and needs to improve.”
Croft Bay, Amissaduqa, Styx Vixen, leave for Australia
CROFT BAY, AMISSADUQA, STYX VIXEN, LEAVE FOR AUSTRALIA Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones sold three of the race team to Australian interests late last month including useful performer Croft Bay, winner of five from only 19 starts for $27,472. “He did a good job here and hopefully he can race on good over there like his half-brothers, Montana Falcon and McPocket,” Mark said. Montana Falcon, a 1:53.2 son of Falcon Seelster, has won $167,719 from 25 wins and 29 placings in 114 starts, while McPocket, a 1:53.3 gelding by McArdle, has also made his mark in Australia. After winning once …
Addington commended at International Awards
ADDINGTON COMMENDED AT INTERNATIONAL AWARDS Addington Raceway and the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB) have further enhanced the growing international reputation of the quality of New Zealand’s racing product with a close-up finish, in esteemed company, for the Simulcast Award presented at the 24th annual International Simulcast Conference recently held in New Orleans. The Simulcast Award honours excellence in the presentation of a racetrack’s live race product. In announcing Santa Anita Park as this year’s winner, organisers have made special mention of the quality of the combined Addington Raceway/NZRB entry. “The winner had noteworthy competition in this very close race …
Miracle Mile goes back a week this season
DATE SWITCH BOOSTS MIRACLE MILE The best pacers in training will get their shot at two or more major victories following changes to dates and conditions for the 2017 Ainsworth Miracle Mile at Tabcorp Park @ Club Menangle. Australia’s biggest harness racing sprint, the $750,000 Ainsworth Miracle Mile will now be run on Saturday, February 25 in Sydney. The club has moved their feature race back a week so that Grand Circuit campaigners can contest the Victoria Cup on Saturday, January 28, 2017 or the Hunter Cup on February 4 (or both) and still be fresh enough to contest the …
NZ METRO, AUCKLAND, BANKS PEN TC, Sept 29-Oct 2
NZ METRO TC, Thursday, September 29 Race 5: RUTHLESS SUCCESS (2, Laura McKay), mob. 1950m: “Drawn to go forward, lead, and an upset chance.” Race 8: KOWHAI WHIZ (8, Samantha Ottley), 1, 30m, 2600m std: “In hard grade so handicap is tough and he will need the run.” AUCKLAND TC, Friday, September 30 Race 7: ROCKER BAND (6, Samantha Ottley), 2, 10m, 2200m std: “She’s in the best hands possible with Barry (Purdon) in charge. Its a tough field, but Barry is happy with her.” BANKS PENINSULA TC, Sunday, October 2 Race 7: PERISSA (9, Samantha Ottley), 3, 10m, 2170m …
RANGIORA HRC, Sunday, September 25
RANGIORA HRC, Sunday, September 25 Race 7: ZENA MAC (2, Laura McKay), mob. 2000m: “Didn’t quite see out a strongly run 2600m on Friday night. Upset place with a good trip in that field.” Race 9: RUTHLESS SUCCESS (11, Laura McKay), mob. 2000m: “Didn’t get into it after getting back on Friday night but was a good second two back when racing handy. An each-way chance with a good run through from two on the second row.”
NZ METRO TC, Friday, September 23
NZ METRO TC, Friday, September 23 Race 1: ARDEN’S ENDEAVOUR (2, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1950m: “Bit disappointing first-up and will go for a break after this. But is a nice maiden and looking for an improved effort.” Race 9: RUTHLESS SUCCESS (5, Laura McKay), 2600m std: “Raced good last week. Back to a stand start is a query but an each-way hope.” Race 10: ZENA MAC (1, Samantha Ottley), mob. 2600m: “Drawn to get the right run and can place.” Outside drive Race 8: DREAMY DAMIEN (5), mob. 2600m: “Racing good and a chance again in an even race.”
Perissa’s new owners rewarded at Methven
PERISSA’S NEW OWNERS ENJOY FIRST-UP METHVEN SUCCESS Banks Peninsula Trotting Club administrators and friends, Maurice McDermott and Kerry Dellaca, were quickly rewarded for their investment in 7YO mare Perissa at Methven last Sunday, September 18. They put the disappointment of a late withdrawal when scheduled to have their first start for them at Addington 10 days earlier. Perissa suffered an untimely knock when arriving at Addington, ruling her out of that assigment, but she bounced back quickly to win first-up in their ownership at Methven. “Grass track racing really suits her when things go her way,” said Overport Lodge trainer …
Rocker Band heads north
ROCKER BAND HEADS NORTH FOR SPRING RACING Rocker Band heads north this week to Clevedon trainer Barry Purdon in search of more favourable opportunities through the spring. Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones is hopeful smaller field sizes at Alexandra Park will give Rocker Band a better chance of featuring in races such as the $20,000 Spring Cup (2200m stand) on Friday week (September 30) and $20,000 Holmes DG Pace (2700m stand) on October 14. Rocker Band, last season’s Harness Jewels 4YO Mares Diamond winner, battled away for seventh first-up for the new term in Franco Nelson’s Hannon Memorial at Oamaru …
Ex-stablemates win Vict. double
LOUIE FINN & FORTY THIEVES CONTINUE WITH WINS Former Overport Lodge pacers, Louie Finn and Forty Thieves, scored C1 & C0 final wins respectively at Shepparton last Friday. Louie Finn (5g Grinfromeartoear-Miss C S D), led from the one gate throughout the $5000 Major In Art Pace Final over 2190m. He rated 2:00.8 for the trip, running his last 800m in 57.9s to win by 13.7 metres. He has now won his last three Victorian starts. Meanwhile Forty Thieves (4g Christian Cullen-Harlem Franco) improved three wide outside the leaders from the eight gate in the $5000 C0 Shadyshark Hanover Pace …