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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...

Travel plans best pointer to chances

NZ Herald Kango - Travel plans best pointer to chances...

Race previews

Race 3 @ 6.12 pm - #6 Aflyin Spur After being so consistent he had an uncharacteristic gallop last week so I've put the half hopples back on.  He can make amends, so don't let him go. Race 4 @ 6.37 pm - #1 Pacing HopeShe didn't manage to find any luck last start but still got home nicely.  There are a few in form horses on the second row so let's hope she can make the most of a perfect barrier draw. Race 5 @ 7.06 pm - #6 CrusaderI was rapt with his first up performa...

Taipo finds his form of old

Trainer Arna Donnelly breathed a sigh of relief when Taipo crossed the line first at Alexandra Park on Thursday night. "It was great to see him back to his best" said Donnelly.  "Up until recently 2022 hadn't been his year.  For one reason or another a number of things went wrong.  After his impressive win at Cambridge in April we decided to give him a good spell and it seems to have worked the oracle. "I knew when he stepped well and found the front he'd take some pegging ba...

Kango starts his march toward the New Zealand Cup

https://harnesslink.com/new-ze... ...

Race previews

Race 4 @ 6.40 pm - #14 Pacing Hope She ran on nicely last week at Cambridge without a lot going her way.  Barrier 14 in a big field makes it a tough ask.  Let's hope she can find plenty of luck on the way home. Race 6 @ 7.31 pm - #9 Aflyin Spur This guy is racing super and his last two starts show he's gone to another level.  Once again, he's a lovely each way contender. Race 7 @ 7.56 pm - #3 Perfect Bet & #10 Crusader  We start with Perfect Bet who m...

Race previews

Race 3 @ 6.11 pm - #6 Rhyme N ReasonShe was super a fortnight ago running a game second.  She won't have to do too much more to be right amongst it - a lovely each way player.Race 6 @ 7.26 pm - #2 Bad Medicine, #7 Wild Card & #8 Memphis TennesseeIt was a big effort from Bad Medicine after sitting parked when they ran 2.38 last week.  Over the sprint distance with a handy draw, he's a top chance with the right run.   Wild Card got home well l...

A Southern campaign looks likely for Aflyin Spur

It’s fair to say Aflyin Spur’s win at Alexandra Park on Thursday night earned him a trip to Christchurch.  After stepping well and settling handy, regular driver Todd Mitchell popped out then quickly slotted into the trail.  Rounding the home turn it looked as though Call Me Trouble had the race in hand.  When the passing lane opened Aflyin Spur really knuckled down and won, drawing away in the final stages.    Donnelly has been quietly considerin...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.01 pm - #2 Glenthorne, #4 Bad Medicine & #6 Wild CardWe have half the field in this race so let's hope we can get some of the spoils. We start with Glenthorne who's drawn perfectly at barrier two.  He's back on a fresh campaign after one workout so whatever he does he'll improve on.  His gate speed makes him one worth covering in minor combinations. Bad Medicine has been racing super against tightly assessed runners.  There are two very smart 3 ...

Race previews

Race 1 @ 6.01 pm - #2 Pacing HopeShe finally got her day in the sun last start and gets into a similar field again.  From her handy draw she won't have to do much extra.  On exposed form she looks a tidy place chance. Race 3 @ 6.51 pm - #5 Rhyme N ReasonThis filly is making her debut after qualifying on her own six weeks ago.  We've given her a couple of maiden workouts and she progressed nicely with each outing.  I'm hoping she gets a cosy run and we see her finishing t...

ADHR yearling sale purchases heading in the right direction

Our purchases from the 2022 National Standardbred Yearling Sale have just finished their second preparation and we're very happy with their progress. Here they are being worked in groups of 2 behind our galloping pacemaker. Heat 1 1.  Cracker Rock (Rock N Roll Heaven - Smiles For Miles)2.  Beta Prepare (Bettor's Delight - Running On Faith)   Heat 2 3.  Le Major (Art Major - Le Girl)4.  Major Major (Art Major - Miss Elsie)...

Race previews

Race 7 @ 8.10 pm - #6 Rough And Ready, #7 New York Minute & #8 Memphis Tennessee Rough And Ready never got a chance to get into the race last start.  We're shooting for a penalty free win and if the breaks go his way he won't be far off the honey pot. You can never leave New York Minute out of it, he's the ultimate tradesman.  I see him as a lovely each way contender. I've been very happy with Memphis Tennessee's workouts week on week.  I'm expecting ...

Race previews

Race 6 @ 8.11 pm - #6 Bad Medicine & #7 Wild Card We see the Donnelly/Phelan combination reunited here with Bad Medicine.  He was super last week running a game second on a hot pace.  There are a couple of nice horses drawn inside him so I'd sway towards him being more of a place chance. Wild Card was just as impressive getting home late in the piece.  With luck on his side he won't be too far away.  He's definitely one to cover in combinations. Race 8&nbs...

Race previews

Race 5 @ 7.41 pm - #2 Pacing Hope She looks well placed to get an economical run from her handy barrier.  I'd like to think she can finish right amongst it if the breaks go her way. Race 7 @ 8.36 pm - #9 Bad Medicine & #11 Wild CardIt was a big jump in grade for Bad Medicine last start but he acquitted himself well.  He'll need luck from one on the second row, but he's definitely worth covering in combinations The draw makes it tough for Wild Card but give...

Race previews

Race 7 @ 8.18 pm - #8 New York Minute & #9 Rough And ReadyWe have a strong hand in the handicap pace with two tidy chances.  New York Minute got home nicely at Alexandra Park last week from his back mark.  He loves his home track and gets into the race well.  I see him as a strong winning chance. Rough And Ready has benefited from a couple of races and on exposed form he looks well placed too.  Like New York Minute his course stats are very strong.  H...