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Race previews

Race 3 @ 6.50 pm - #7 CrusaderThe wide barrier doesn't play into his favour as there are a couple of speedsters drawn inside.  The Purdon/Phelan runner Artisan has produced two very gutsy efforts of late so I think we'll be running for place money.Race 5 @ 7.41 pm - #1 Pacing HopeShe's come up with her favourite draw so will be able to hug the markers.  Cover her in trifecta/first four combinations.Race 7 @ 8:31 pm - #6 Bad Medicine, #8 Rough And Ready & #11 New York...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 5.47 pm - #4 MannionHe was super in his first start back and has derived plenty of benefit from the outing.  From a handy draw I think he's a very strong chance.Race 3 @ 6.15 pm - #4 Pacing HopeShe gets into the race well and with a bit of luck she won't have to do much extra.  She's a tidy each way player.Race 6 @ 7.50 pm - #4 Glenthorne & #6 Bad MedicineGlenthorne had to do a bit of work in the middle stages last week and it was enough to take th...

2022 Round Up

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Race previews

Race 7 @ 6.47 pm - #6 Taipo, #7 Rough And Ready & #8 New York MinuteTaipo was fair at Cambridge last week so will need to show improvement in what looks a tidy field.  Let's hope he saves his best for New Years Eve.The early burn off the stand took its toll on Rough And Ready.  Back on even terms off the mobile will assist.  I'd like to think he can feature in the top 4.New York Minute got a well deserved victory two weeks ago at Northern Headquarters. ...

Race previews

Race 6 @ 7.36 pm - #10 GlenthorneHe didn't get a lot of luck on Christmas Eve in the open grade.  The second row draw doesn't stand in his favour so we'll need the breaks to go his way.  Here's hoping they go hard and we see him running on....

Race previews

Race 4 @ 3.32 pm - #6 Jolimont & #8 MannionWe start with Jolimont who is making his debut.  He's had two workouts this time back and pleased me in both.  On exposed form it looks like there are a few handy maidens in the race.  Having said this, I'd like to think he's a top four chance.Mannion was too bad to be true first up and thankfully we found a problem which we've since treated.  He performed nicely at the workouts on Saturday so fingers cro...

Race previews

Race 4 @ 6.54 pm - #10 Pacing HopeShe was devoid of luck at Manawatu and unfortunately faces a second row draw tomorrow.  With a drag into the race, she can certainly feature in the top three.Race 6 @ 7.45 pm - #2 Crusader & #10 GlenthorneWe start with Crusader who has had two quiet workouts to prepare for this.  His handy draw will assist and while he'll improve with the outing, I do expect him to finish right amongst it.Glenthorne had a hard run first sta...

Race previews

Race 3 @ 6.14 pm - #7 Pacing HopeUnfortunately she's turned up a horror draw.  Having said that, it's a moderate line up and the distance will suit.  If the breaks go her way, she's a very competitive chance.Race 6 @ 7.38 pm - #7 Bad MedicineThis guy has come back super after a wee freshen up.  He was great at the workouts on the weekend.  While the the outside of the arm doesn't swing in his favour, he's one of the better horses in the race.  I see him as a ke...

Race previews

Race 1 @ 5.56 pm - #8 Pacing HopeShe slots back into the amateur drivers race nicely.  While she has a wide barrier to contend with, she'll make her presence felt.  I see her as a tidy each way player.Race 5 @ 7.36 pm - #10 GlenthorneHe was super at the workouts on Saturday and I'd expect further improvement.  The second row draw isn't ideal, but you can't leave him out....

Around the Barn - November 2022

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Race previews

Race 3 @ 6.28 pm - #3 MannionHe's making his debut after a promising workout last weekend.  It looks like there are two or three tidy maidens in the race so we'll be taking all the shortcuts first up.  He's a horse I have plenty of time for so look out for him over the Christmas period.Race 5 @ 7.18 pm - #7 Pacing HopeShe was great winning the amateur drivers race on her home track last start.  A wide barrier draw looks a tough ask.  If she can find her way into the...

Race previews

Race 8 @ 9.19 pm - #5 Rough And Ready & #7 TaipoRough And Ready has had one start over the distance for one win.  He was super running fourth to Copy That last start given he was the first to make a move.  I think he's a real live chance.Taipo looked like he was going to run right into it at Cambridge before he got taken out of the race.  While Hot And Treacherous is backed off the map, this bloke can give them a decent shake.  Stay loyal....

Race previews

Race 8 @ 3.52 pm - #12 Perfect BetIt was totally out of character for her but she jumped some footprints shortly after the start on Cup Day.  The horse she follows out looks like it can really hum the gate so we could get a nice run through.  Stay with her, as she can feature....

Race previews

It's the day we've been waiting for and to be represented with two runners, let alone a Cup starter, is pretty special.Both horses are right where I want them to be so I'll leave the rest up to David and Benjamin.As with any big race, you always need a bit of luck on your side so let's hope we can find plenty of it.Race 7 @ 3.06 pm - #6 Perfect BetAfter her super performances in both heats she deserves a shot at the big time.  It's a tricky draw so we'll have to see what happens e...

Race previews

Race 4 @ 7.31 pm - #1 Pacing HopeShe has the perfect draw and on paper it looks like she'll trail.  She'd have to be an each way player.Race 6 @ 8.30 pm - #7 TaipoOn exposed form it looks like a big drop in grade.  There are a few who burn the gate early so we'll let the fireworks happen.  I believe he's a leading hope.Race 7 @ 8.58 pm - #6 Aflyin SpurWe took this bloke to the workouts on Saturday and he was very good.  His work since has been great.  I'd ...

Kango breaks mould in Kaikoura win

By Jonny Turner Kango broke the mould and gave his New Zealand Cup hopes a massive boost with his powerful win in the Kaikoura Cup on Monday. The rule of thumb at the tight-turning South Bay Racecourse is you can’t afford to miss the kick and get back, which is exactly what the Arna Donnelly trained star did at the start of the 2400m feature. But some David Butcher magic and a powerful staying display put that well and truly behind the pacer as he went on to produce a big win. The Butcher magi...

DJB and Kango simply the best

You'd have to say the winning of the 2022 Kaikoura Cup came when DJB pushed the go button and found his way to the front.After a slow getaway, regular driver David Butcher wasn't content to sit on the marker line.  An early jostle with hot favourite Akuta saw Kango get a drag into it and quickly find the lead.Prior to the race it was borderline as to whether Kango would make the NZ Cup field.  Following his impressive victory he clearly showed he's entitled to be there.The ra...

Kango is the king of Kaikoura

Kango has been the upset winner of this afternoon's Group 3 Alabar Kaikoura Cup. Paying $11 the five-year-old gelding, trained by Arna Donnelly, had an early jostle with favourite Akuta before driver David Butcher pressed on to take the lead. Turning for home Kango was clearly the one to catch and despite veering up the track he managed to hold out a fast finishing Pembrook Playboy and Akuta, who had been parked for the majority of the race.There was an inquiry with third versus first but it was...

Race previews

Race 5 @ 7.26 pm - #2 Outlaw Man & #12 CrusaderOutlaw Man has finally landed a good draw.  There's quite a bit of speed on the front row but hopefully he can find a handy spot.  With a good run, I expect him to finish the race off.While it's a very tidy field and he has a bad draw, I'm surprised the bookies have dropped Crusader so quickly.  It'll be a hard ask but look for him to be getting home when it counts.Race 6 @ 7.51 pm - #10 Aflyin SpurHis man...

Two for the night and a lucky escape

We couldn't have asked for a better start to the night with our first two runners Scout's Honour and Perfect Bet both saluting the judge. Unfortunately the good run came to an abrupt end when Bad Medicine was taken out of the race by a horse who choked down.  Thankfully he stayed on his feet and left the track unscathed. ...

Race previews

CambridgeRace 2 @ 6.14 pm - #5 Scout's HonourHe hit the line nicely on debut and gets into the race well from a favourable draw.  While there's a smart first starter in there, I expect him to make his presence felt.  He's a tidy each way player.And good luck to Alicia who lines up Shirley Bassey after a long layoff.Race 5 @ 7.31 pm - #9 Perfect BetUnfortunately things didn't go according to plan last week but I'm sure she'll make amends.  I believe it's a perfect ba...

Race previews

Alexandra ParkRace 1 @ 5.46 pm - #2 Pacing HopeShe's racing honestly without getting all favours.  There are quite a few in form runners in the race so she'll need the breaks to go her way.  I'd like to think she can feature in the top half of the field.Race 5 @ 7.36 pm - #4 Perfect BetThis filly has really upped the ante.  She ran a 1.55 mile home in 55.7 when running second in the Nevele R Fillies heat so you can't ask for better than that.  I think she's a cracki...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.10 pm - #4 Glenthorne He has the perfect barrier to work with and it looks like he'll find his customary role in front.  On exposed form he'd have to be hard to beat. Race 5 @7.27 pm - #1 Rhyme N ReasonShe had to do it tough last start but from the ace draw she'll get a handy trip in transit.  I see her as a top four contender. Race 6 @ 8.17 pm - #6 Scout's HonourThis fella is making his debut after a few handy workouts.  He's a tidy maiden who can d...

NZ Cup-bound Kango impresses again

By Michael GuerinFor trainer Arna Donnelly this New Zealand Cup campaign feels different.Because this time she feels like Kango belongs in the IRT New Zealand Cup before he heads south.The huge pacer is being aimed at his second NZ Cup and didn’t do a bad job in his first, finishing seventh behind Copy That in the great race last year.Back then he was very much an open class newcomer on a steep learning curve, a curve that reached a new high when Kango finished third in May’s Auckland Cup to...

It's Kango's Spring Cup

It couldn’t have been scripted better and one would say the perfect pipe opener before embarking on a NZ Cup campaign. Kango’s win in the Spring Cup gave trainer Arna Donnelly plenty to smile about.  He leaves for Christchurch on Monday and Donnelly believes he’s right where she needs him to be six weeks out from the big dance.“He’s certainly not screwed down yet so I was rapt with his performance on Friday night.  When you take into consideration his handicap and overall tim...