KUROW TC, Sunday, August 2
KUROW TC, Sunday, August 2 Race 3: DERRINGER (6, Kimberly Butt), mob. 2000m: “Has the makings of a nice horse but still a bit green. Should be a chance with the right luck.” Race 8: ALL DELIGHT (6, Craig Thornley), 2600m std: “Has freshened up and usually very honest. Steps well and should get her chance.” Race 10: EASTBURN MARA (2, Kimberley Butt), mob. 2000m: “On the way up and should be better for his workout on Wednesday. Could place.”
AUCK-NZ METRO TC, Friday, July 31
AUCKLAND TC, Friday, July 31 Race 7: POMME ROY (7, Michael Blakemore), mob. 2200m: “No luck last week but racing good and a chance with the right luck.” NZ METRO TC, Friday, July 31 Race 3: PERISSA (6, Robbie Close), mob. 1950m: “Racing well in the series but Valor Lustre going very good too.” Race 4: ZENA MAC (9, Robbie Close), mob. 2600m: “Racing great but looking for luck from outside front.” Race 5: DANKE (10, Robbie Close), 3, 10m, 2600m: “Doing things right so far for us. Should be a chance again.” Race 6: EXPRESSO MARTINI (9), mob. 1950m: …
KUMEU DTC, Thursday, July 30
KUMEU DTC, Thursday, July 30 Race 3: ZAKSPATROL (1, Michael Blakemore), mob. 2200m: “Racing very good and big chance again.” Race 6: SUNOFLINDENNY (6, Mark), UR 2, 10m, 3200m: “Place chance with the right luck.”
Two Marks say thanks for coming
WINTER SUCCESS: DANKE FOR COMING SYNDICATE Canterbury racecaller Mark McNamara crystal-balled a win or two in the right places with Danke when he took a punt and secured the 73 start veteran. Back on the syndication trail for a touch of winter fun, Mark “Mac” and Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones furthered a winning association with their latest project at Forbury last Friday. Danke, who had promised wins for Motukarara trainer Murray Edmonds, had won twice previously but invariably had disappointed with frustrating manners on the strong Canterbury circuit. Downgraded and sent south for an easier C0-1 attempt first-up first-up …
Blakemore given Overport Lodge opportunities
MICHAEL BLAKEMORE GETS ANOTHER FORM DRIVE Northern junior driver Michael Blakemore gets another chance to improve his score for Overport Lodge trainer Mark Jones at Auckland on Friday, July 24. He scored an easy win with stablemate and hot favourite Pomme Roy at Auckland last Friday and drives likely favourite Zakspatrol in Race 10 tonight. “Michael works for Ray Green. He’s a good kid who is keen and drives well,” Mark said. “He deserves a chance and has been very helpful up here.” Mark has his northern team based at Ray Green’s Pukekohe stables. After Michael scored a penalty-free bonus …
AUCK-NZ METRO-RANGIORA HRC, July 24-26
AUCKLAND TC, Friday, July 24 Race 4: POMME ROY (7, Mark), mob. 2200m: “Drawn wide enough and will need luck but he is working well and a winning chance.” Race 5: SUNOFLINDENNY (1, Mark), mob. 1700m: “Drawn well over his fav. distance. Drawn to lead and run and can place.” Race 8: KOWHAI MONARCH (4, Mark), mob. 2200m:mobile “Is unknown from the mobile but hopefully it will be a help and can place.” Race 10: ZAKSPATROL (2, Michael Blakemore), mob. 2200m: “Drawn better and is racing good. A strong chance.” NZ METRO TC, Friday, July 26 …
Close adds NZ Junior Drivers title to record
ROBBIE CLOSE NOW AUSTRALASIAN & NZ JUNIOR CHAMP By Matt Markham, HRNZ Robbie Close is now just one final hurdle away from his own near-perfect season. And you could bet your final dollar that the talented young horseman will be doing everything possible to overcome it. Close added the McMillians New Zealand Junior Driver Championships to his impressive season haul last night meaning he is both the New Zealand and Australasian Young Drivers Champion in the same season. But that wasn’t all. In winning the final of the three heats of the night’s competition on Friday, July 16, on Pammy’s …
FORBURY-FRANKLIN-ASHBURTON TC, July 17-19
FORBURY PARK TC, Friday, July 17 Race 1: DANKE (7, Blair Orange), 3, 30m, 2200m std: “Trialled nice and if he gets away quick is a winning hope.” Race 3: ZENA MAC (10, Robbie Close), mob. 2200m: “Just needs luck from the draw to be a winning hope.” FRANKLIN TC, Friday, July 17 Race 3: KOWHAI MONARCH (8, Mark), UR 2, 2200m std: “Good win last start. He needs to begin quicker against the one-win horses to be a chance but he is good enough.” Race 4: ZAKSPATROL (5, Zac Butcher), mob. 2700m: “Average last week so will try …