NEW DATE FOR NSW TROTTERS DERBY The $40,000 NSW Trotters Derby will now be run on July 16, 2016, following discussions with other states regarding their programs. The Group Two feature was originally scheduled for Tabcorp Park Menangle this weekend, but was postponed following a poor response from trainers. The NSW Harness Racing Club discussed likely dates for the race with Harness Racing Victoria’s racing team before settling on the July 16 (Saturday night) date. “We thought that date should suit most trainers,” explained NSWHRC racing manager David Wonson. “That date is two weeks after the VicBred finals at Melton, …
NZ METRO TC-OAMARU HRC, May 21-22
NZ METRO TC, Saturday, May 21 Race 4: SANDOVAL (3, Blair Orange), 1, 10m, 2600m std: “Fought on ok after missing away at Timaru. Will need to step cleanly in a strong premier day field.” Race 5: KOWHAI MONARCH (3, Samantha Ottley), UR 1, fr, 2600m std: “Looking for luck in a tough field.” OAMARU HRC, Sunday, May 22 Race 7: ANIKA LINDENNY (2, Laura McKay) & CROFT BAY (10, Matt Anderson), mob. 2600m: “Anika Lindenny should handle the step up after winning the C0-1 race at Addington, but Gimmegold will be hard from the one the way he’s been …
NZ METRO & TIMARU-MANAWATU HRC, May 14-15
NZ METRO TC, Saturday, May 14 Race 5: KOWHAI MONARCH (6, Samantha Ottley), UR 2, fr, 2600m std: “Looking for luck in a tough field.” Race 8: REAL TORQUE (9, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1950m: “Won well at Oamaru but will struggle from the outside gate in that field.” TIMARU HRC, Sunday, May 15 Race 7: CROFT BAY (7, Nicole Harris) 2600m std: “If he begins and gets a good run is a winning chance.” Race 9: SANDOVAL (7, Mark), 2600m std: “Trialled nice mid-week at Ashburton and is a winning show.” MANAWATU HRC, Sunday, May 15 Race 3: DANKE …
AUCKLAND TC, May 13
AUCKLAND TC, Friday, May 13 Race 1: AYMAR (4, Maurice McKendry), mob. 2200m: “First race right-handed but can feature with the right luck.” Race 4: DELIGHTFUL MEMPHIS (5, Blair Orange), mob. 1700m: “I’m happy with her but not the draw with Spanish Armada and Renske B drawn inside us.”
Anika Lindenny realises potential
ANIKA LINDENNY SMART FRESH-UP ADDINGTON WINNER Last week’s holidaying Canterbury racecaller Mark McNamara, who returned to Christchurch on Monday, always had a bit of time for the big Christian Cullen maiden mare Anika Lindenny. So much so he and wife Katie leased her from Lindenny Lodge breeders, Dennis Bennett and Linda Joyce, of Fernside, North Canterbury, in January. Anika Lindenny had put in some eye-catching maiden runs, but her best efforts in 13 attempts when prepared by co-owner, Dennis Bennett, were three fourths. Mark and Katie could see a win or two in her, and transferred her to the bigger …
OAMARU HRC-NZ METRO TC, April 7-8
OAMARU HRC, Saturday, April 7 Race 6: REAL TORQUE (8, Samantha Ottley), 2600m std: “Bit disappointing last week but gets into good race to be each-way chance.” NZ METRO TC, Sunday, April 8 Race 3: ANIKA LINDENNY (4, Ricky May), 2000m std: “Hasn’t had a trial and is unknown from a stand. But is better to go to the races than go to the trials for no money. Will need the run but could place.”
‘Memphis’ fights hard for second to Spanish Armada
DELIGHTFUL MEMPHIS NECK SECOND IN SIRES FILLIES RACE Overport Lodge filly Delightful Memphis, given a great trip in the one-one by Blair Orange, fought hard neck for a neck second in the in the Group One $138,000 Magness Benrow Sires Stakes Fillies Championship at Auckland on April 29. However, front-running $1.30 favourite Spanish Armada wouldn’t be denied in the run home for co-trainer Natalie Rasmussen, doing enough to hold for back-to-back Group One victories at Alexandra Park. Renske B, a stablemate of Spanish Armada, held third 3 3/4 lengths away after moving up parked with Delightful Memphis tracking up in …
AUCK-NZ METRO-ASHBURTON TC, April 29-30
AUCKLAND TC, Friday, April 29 Race 5: DELIGHTFUL MEMPHIS (11, Blair Orange), mob. 1700m: “Things didn’t quite work out last week when we couldn’t get the lead early on. Spanish Armada’s got to be the hardest after last week but we’re a chance with the right luck.” NZ METRO TC, Friday, April 29 Race 6: REAL TORQUE (5, Samantha Ottley), mob. 1950m: “We’re only running for third with the top All Stars fillies drawn one and two. If we get third we’ll be happy.” Race 7: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (10, Laura McKay), 5, 10m, 2600m std: “Looking for luck.” ASHBURTON …
FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, April 28
FORBURY PARK TC, Thursday, April 28 Race 3: CORINGA DELIGHT (2, Wayne Higgs), mob. 2200m: “In the right race and should be a chance from the draw.” Race 6: CROFT BAY (11, Laura McKay), mob. 2200m: “Returns from a let-up as C1 but went well enough at the Ashburton workouts to be a chance.” Race 8: FRANCO EXETER (5, Wayne Higgs), mob. 2200m: “Up in grade but is very consistent. Each-way.”
AUCKLAND TC-RANGIORA HRC, April 22-24
AUCKLAND TC, Friday, April 22 Race 6: DELIGHTFUL MEMPHIS (11, Blair Orange), mob. 2200m: “Not easy from the draw. There isn’t much between the top ones and it depends who ends up with best run. Hopefully, we’re in contention at the 400m and have luck go our way.” RANGIORA HRC, Sunday, April 24 Race 3: KOWHAI MONARCH (12, Samantha Ottley), UR 1, 10m, 2600m std: “Racing good but looking for luck in a good field.” Race 4: CORINGA DELIGHT (8, Wayne Higgs), mob. 2600m: “In the right race and the mobile suits.”