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Race preview

Race 1 @ 5.50 pm - #1 CrusaderThis big bloke has finally been able to pull a draw.  He's been racing super without any luck.  While it looks Miki Montana's race to lose, I do think he'll be right amongst it.Race 3 @ 6.53 pm - #10 Bad MedicineHe couldn't find any gaps last week so hopefully it's a different story tomorrow.  It's a very tidy field and 1700 with a second row draw makes it hard.  I still expect him to run an honest race.Race 4 @ 7.18 pm - #9 Major ...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.26 pm - #6 MannionIt's an open maiden race and a full field to boot.  While he will need luck from the draw, I'd like to think he's a top four chance.Race 3 @ 6.51 pm - #9 Pacing HopeThis wee girl can hug the markers the whole way which suits her down to the ground.  One thing's for sure she'll try her heart out.Race 4 @ 7.16 pm - #3 Jolimont We've stepped him up to the big time after his impressive win.  It looks a tough ask on paper, but he won't d...

Jolimont gives galloping identity his first harness winner

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Rough And Ready wins Cambridge Gold Cup Final

By Michael GuerinArna Donnelly says there were two deserved winners when Rough And Ready captured the $20,000 Cambridge Gold Cup Final on Monday.One was the horse himself while the other were owners Robert and Sharon Symon for their belief and support of the horse when he often found himself in races beyond his reach.“This horse has won 13 races, which is no small feat,” says Donnelly, who quinellaed the race with Bad Medicine running second.“He has been a real warrior, racing all last win...

Race previews

Race 3 @ 3.15pm - #2 Mannion & #7 JolimontOur first runner is Mannion who has a nice draw to contend with.  While it's fair to say he had his chance on Thursday, I do think he probably lacks a bit of ring craft.  With a good run he's one to cover in combinations.I'm very happy with the way Jolimont has progressed since his debut.  With natural improvement he's a logical each way player.Race 4 @ 3.40pm - #3 Pacing HopeOnce again she was as game as ...

One of our two year old's in action

Shez The One (aka Georgie) a Sweet Lou filly out of Styxler recently completed a successful preparation under our care.  Here's a few shots of her in action last week.See what Arna had to say about Georgie: "In the last six weeks she came ahead leaps and bounds.  We worked her down to a tidy mile and she showed us there's potential there.  With a good spell I'd like to think she'll qualify in the second half of 2023.  She has plenty of attributes in her favour - she's a ...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 5.59pm - #1 MannionHe got home nicely last start and has a lovely barrier to contend with.  On exposed form, he looks a tidy each way chance.Race 7 @ 8.09pm - #7 Pacing HopeShe made up stacks of ground in the run home last week.  Unfortunately the draw hasn't swung in her favour.  If the breaks go her way she's a trifecta/first four player....

Kango on the Aqua Walker

Kango's on a working holiday enjoying some down time on the Aqua Walker.  Big thanks to our neighbours Robyn and Russell at Kendayla Park for taking such good care of him....

Life after racing - No Way Else

No Way Else (aka Percy) a former stable favourite and winner of 8 races on the track, is also proving very competitive in the show ring.On the 17th and 18th of December 2022 the North Island Standardbred Assn held the inaugural From Harness to Hack event at the Waikato Equestrian Center.  Percy was crowned champion Novice with rider Lexi Nolan in the saddle.Here's a few pictures of Percy in action....

Our warhorse opens the season

Its taken us a few weeks to get our first winner on the board but no one could argue that our warhorse Rough And Ready deserved this accolade.When hot favourite Chimichurri can caned away it looked R&R's race for the taking.A sharp mid race move by the man who knows him the best put paid to any chance the favourite had.While he may not be in the same league as Kango, he currently sits equal with him having won 12 races from our barn.He's well and truly qualified for the Cambridge Gold Cup fi...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.03pm - #1 MannionHe was just over 3 lengths off them last start after having a bite for the lead and having to do it the hard way.  The ace draw swings right into his favour.  I see him as a lovely each way player.Race 5 @ 7.30pm - #13 Pacing HopeA big field and a second row draw makes it a tough ask.  While she'll try her heart out, it does look like she'll need luck to feature.Race 8 @ 8.56pm - #6 CrusaderI thought he got home super last week off a quic...

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...