The Player Back in the Game at Hastings
- Saturday, 14 September 2002 00:00
This time last year the O'Reilly gelding looked one of the country's most promising young gallopers when he finished second in the Hawke's Bay Guineas. But after finishing unplaced in the Great Northern Guineas he had to be put aside with leg problems.
A long spell obviously did the trick as today The Player, who races in the colours of Steve McCollam's Augusta Bloodstock, was completly dominant.
Lance O'Sullivan put him in a handy position outside the pace, from where the big brown quickly asserted himself for a comfortable win.
Media Release - TNZ
Bunker Digs Holes for Rivals in Guineas
- Saturday, 14 September 2002 00:00
The initiave of champion apprentice jockey Michael
Walker was the deciding factor in Bunker's Side Line Bar Hawke's Bay Guineas at Hastings
today.After being left wide with no cover through the first 400 metres of the Group 3 race, Walker took Bunker forward to lead dictate proceedings.
The Sandtrap colt played his part by defying all challenges in the straight, the best of which were fellow northerners Jack the Stripper and Crown Control.
Although trained at Takanini by Stephen and Trevor Mckee, Bunker has yet to race in his home province. His three previous starts had brought two wins at Otaki and a second placing at Foxton.
Bunker will have one more start before his major early season target, the Coupland Bakeries NZ Two Thousand Guineas at Riccarton in November.
PIC - Quentin Lang.
Media Release - TNZ
High Profile NZ Sponsor Threatens to Withdraw Support
- Thursday, 12 September 2002 00:00
In a letter distributed to industry officials this week, Daimler Chrysler's New Zealand managing director Ernie Ward, of Auckland has expressed concern at the public displays of in-house bickering within the galloping code.
Ward said the recent media articles highlighting disunity and friction within the New Zealand racing industry were not in the best interests of anyone concerned.
"As a sponsor of racing in New Zealand it is important for our brand (Mercedes) to be associated with an industry that has an excellent image, providing the right front," Ward said.
"Recently I have seen comments in the media from various sections of the industry, for example the Trainers Association and also the Breeders' Association, in which they have publicly attacked the position of chairman of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and its function.
"From our point of view we do not wish to enter into the arguments other than to say that it is of concern to our company that these issues are not confined to the boardrooms. The disunity does not raise the industry's image with the Racing Minister nor with Mercedes Benz as a sponsor. I am sure that other sponsors think likewise and I have had discussions with them to confirm this," Mr Ward said.
"The time for intense discussion is behind closed doors and once decisions have been made then the industry should run with it. At least there should be respect for the Chair and any dissatisfaction can be voiced at election time.
"We could not care less about who is in the chair and anyone brave enough to do the job should at least have the support from the various bodies.
"If the current situation continues then Mercedes-Benz will have no alternative than to review its racing sponsorships," said Mr Ward.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Murray Acklin declined to comment on the letter as he wished to pursue the matter with the sector groups.
However, Mr Acklin has consistently urged the industry not to air its grievances in public and believes all industry problems should be discussed by the appropriate groups around the Board table.
Media Release - TNZ
New Zealand's Mid Weekers Earn Stakes Increase
- Saturday, 14 September 2002 00:00
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Allan Fenwick announced that the an ex-gratia payment will be made to assist clubs to meet the minimum stakes level.
The Avondale Jockey Club that race on Wednesday September 18 and the Poverty Bay Turf Club that race on Thursday September 19 have confirmed that their advertised stakes will increase to the new minimum of $5000 under the "Normal Day Minimum Stakes Project".
Fenwick also announced another funding project called the "Premier Day Risk Sharing Project".
The objective of the Premier Day Risk Sharing Project is to provide a safety net for clubs conducting premier days.
"It is designed to give clubs comfort to maintain stakes for each of their premier days at a minimum of those in place last season in the event that turnovers on those days are down on those achieved last season, there will be financial assistance available by way of a top-up of commission earned," Fenwick said.
The two projects involved additional funding of $1 million made available to the thoroughbred code from the Racing Industry Board.
Media Release - TNZ
Rodd in For Busy Day at Hastings
- Thursday, 12 September 2002 00:00
Primarily Brisbane-based Rodd is at Hastings to be reunited with Brisbane Cup winner Prized Gem in the $120,000 Glenmorgan Farm Hawke's Bay Challenge Stakes (1600m).
Prized Gem is being set for this year's Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and is having the first start of her new campaign.
Rodd has picked up mounts in the other two group races at Hastings on Saturday.
He will be aboard promising first starter Xavier in the $50,000 Side Line Bar Hawke's Bay Guineas and the Wayne Marshment-trained Gay Garland in the $50,000 Highview Stakes.
Rodd's other mounts at Hastings are: Ozymandias, Centse, Raving, Preferred Lies and Ernest William.
Selections for the Hawke's Bay meeting on Saturday are:
1. The Player, Sunday Whisper, Sovereign.
2. The Alaskan, Devious, Smart Cookie.
3. Hail, Kaapeon, Citi Habit.
4. Danroad, Horus, Lafleur.
5. Florida, Tonic, Lord Belvedere.
6. La Rumba, Danceinthesun, Cheetie.
7. Fair Smokin, Zahdeal, Rosina Boy.
8. Pure Theatre, Cent Home, Hello Dolly.
9. Anatomy, Man In Black, Zvezda.
10. Burglar, Bahira, Anson Bay.
Best Bet: Danroad.
Media Release - TNZ
Brisbane Cup Winner Resumes Tomorrow
- Friday, 13 September 2002 00:00
What is more the Murray Baker-trained mare will have the services of Queensland jockey Michael Rodd who is making the trip to New Zealand especially to ride her.
Prized Gem is being aimed at starts in the $A2.5 million Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 19 and the $A4 million Toohey New Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 5.
Rodd has also picked up mounts in the other two group features at Hastings tomorrow.
He will ride Gay Garland (NZ) (Jahafil) in the Gr. 3 $50,000 Highview Stakes (1200m) and is aboard first starter Xavier (NZ) (Zabeel) in the Gr. 3 $50,000 Hawkes Bay Guineas (1400m).
Media Release - NZTM
Damaschino Sold to Vinery
- Thursday, 12 September 2002 00:00
By Last Tycoon from the New Zealand-bred mare Princess Jocinda (Imposing-Jocasta), Damaschino has only once failed to earn a stake, and that was in her first ever start. At two years she won three of her five races up to listed stakes level and finished third in the Gr.2 BNZ Matamata Breeders Stakes.
She proved remarkably consistent again last season when her placings included a third in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks and second in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic.
She was trained at Te Awamutu by Robert Priscott for major stable client Terry Jarvis, who several weeks ago sold his Cambridge breeding concern, The Oaks.
Damaschino originated from Vinerys New South Wales property, having been consigned as a Sydney Easter Sale yearling for a stud client. General manager Peter Orton is looking forward to her progress from the James stable.
Well see how she settles in at Flemington and take it from there, he told ThoroughbredNEWS.
Shes a lovely mare who has shown enough to expect her to be up to metropolitan class.
Media Release - TNZ
Elevenses Recovers From Slight Leg Injury
- Friday, 13 September 2002 00:00
"She gave her leg a bang while working at the track on Friday morning and we had to scratch her," said co-trainer Graeme Sanders.
"She's got over it and strode out well at the track on Tuesday," said Sanders.
Elevenses finished an eye-catching fresh-up third over 1200m at Ellerslie last month.
"The step up to 1400m tomorrow and the conditions of the race will be ideal for her," he said.
The winner of the Group One 1000 Guineas two years ago, Elevenses didn't perform up to her true potential last season.
"We tried her in longer races and found she couldn't really stay. This season she won't be going past 2000m," he said.
Mark Sweeney is booked for the mount on Elevenses in tomorrow's fillies and mares event.
The Sanders stable will also be focused on the two-year-old race at Pukekohe tomorrow with recent Wanganui winner Romar Dale.
"He was impressive in winning at Wanganui and the trip away has made him quite a little pro," said Sanders.
At Hastings tomorrow the Sanders-trained filly, Danceinthesun, will be strongly fancied in
the $50,000 Highview Stakes which opens the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly Of The Year
series.
Danceinthesun was the highest-rated juvenile filly in New Zealand last season, winning the
Group Three Ford 2YO Classic at New Plymouth and beating all but Grout in the Group One
Ford Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes.
"She has really strengthened up since her two-year-old campaign and she is forward
for Hastings," Sanders said. "I think she will develop into a nice staying filly
this season."
Gary Grylls will continue his association with Danceinthesun in tomorrow's 1200m Group
Three event.
Stablemate Lady Dehere is on the easy list and will miss the Highview Stakes.
"She didn't come through her Wanganui race all that well so she's having a three-week
break," he said.
Media Release - TNZ
Mason Breaks Duck at Cambridge
- Wednesday, 11 September 2002 00:00
Mason is attached to the stable of Diamonds Galore's trainers Alan Jones and Brett McDonald.
The winner is from the first crop of Hallmark Stud stallion Diamond Express, a son of Success Express and top class racemare Tudor Light.
Media Release - TNZ
Danroad Shock - Favourite out of Hawke's Bay Guineas
- Friday, 13 September 2002 00:00
"Rob (McAnulty, part-owner) and I discussed it long and hard, but in the end came to the conclusion that he would not have suitable conditions tomorrow," trainer Chris McNab told ThoroughbredNEWS this afternoon.
Danroad resumed with a brilliant win over 1200 metres on an easy track at Hastings three weeks ago. This morning the Hastings penetrometer was 3.4 with showers predicted.
"His record says that he needs something better than 2.5," said McNab, "and the indications were that the track would not be up to that by morning.
"We saw no point in putting him on the float."
A disappointed Hawke's Bay Racing chief executive John McGifford, while conceding that it was the prerogative of any horse's connections to scratch, felt that the move may have been premature.
"I respect their right to scratch, but the track tomorrow might be quite okay," he said. "It would have improved already from this morning's reading and while showers are predicted, I can see no sign of them at the moment," he added optimistically.
According to McNab, Danroad will now race next in either the Lindauer Guineas Trial at Ellerslie next Saturday, or in a three-year-old 1200 metre event at Hastings on September 28..........it all depends on the weather.
Media Release - TNZ
Great Start for Fully Fledged Calder
- Wednesday, 11 September 2002 00:00
Calder's apprenticeship, which brought 142 winners, ended last Saturday. Odds of better than 30-to-one on his first Te Rapa mount, Benny Biggs, failed to deter him as he brought the locally-trained Lowell gelding through for an easy win.
In the next race he overcame a pocket halfway up the straight to get Hastings visitor Abidintime home narrowly.
Calder began his apprenticeship with Hastings trainer Dianne Sergeant, but in more recent times has been attached to the Cambridge stable of another whose career began in the Bay, Chris McNab.
Media Release - TNZ