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Expressions of Interest - NZB National Yearling Sales

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Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.13pm - # Carolina MoonShe managed to find plenty of bad luck last start so let's hope she gets her chance from a good draw.Race 3 @ 6.39pm - #4 Turnpike JoeNothing went his way at Cambridge last time but he still stuck on bravely.  While it's a tidy line up of horse's in search of a penalty free win, I still think he's a bright hope.Race 6 @ 7.54pm - #4 Bad Medicine & #6 New York MinuteOur in form runner Bad Medicine slots into the race well.  He...

We close off 2023

That's 2023 wrapped up.  All in all it was a good year equalling our best season 2 years running with 38 NZ wins and 2 in Australia. Some key highlights include:4 Cups (Cambridge Gold Cup, Manawatu Country Cup, Wairarapa Cup, Manawatu Cup)2 Sires Stakes heatsGroup placingsListed win and placing300 career training winsThanks to all our loyal client's who entrusted us with their horse's.To my staff, family, volunteers and driver's your efforts have been greatly appreciated.And let's not ...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.11pm - #7 Carolina MoonShe chipped away on Christmas Eve but has a wide draw to contend with tomorrow.  We'll be looking to take all the shortcuts and hope for luck in the running.Race 3 @ 6.36pm - #2 Pacing HopeThey gathered her up late in the piece last start but she did do a bit early.  From barrier 2 she looks a tidy place chance.Race 5 @ 7.37pm - #7 Turnpike JoeIt was a super effort last week after finding a gap late in the piece.  It's always hard o...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 2.46pm - #5 Carolina Moon & #6 Jacqueline RoseCarolina Moon fought on well at Palmy last start.  There are a couple of well backed maidens in here and from the draw she'll need luck.  I see her as a top four or five player.Our second runner Jacqueline Rose has had two placing in her last two outings.  While she had her chance on the second day at Manawatu, with the right run she could feature.Race 6 @ 4.47pm - #1 Bad Medicine & #10 New Yor...

Race previews

Race 3 @ 6.20pm - #3 Jacqueline RoseIt was a game effort after being 4 wide from the 700.  She has a draw so we need to take advantage of it.  On paper she looms large.Race 4 @ 6.45pm - #4 Carolina MoonAnother who had a tough run on the first day.  Saved for one run she's a top four chance.Race 6 @ 7.35pm - #10 Mr PresidentHe was going easy when looking for a gap.  With any sort of luck he'd have to be a leading contender.Race 7 @ 8.00pm - #1 Pacing HopeIt...

Race previews

Race 3 @ 4.40pm - #6 Jacqueline RoseShe brings solid Alexandra Park form to the meeting, so you'd have to say this is a significant drop in grade.  Even from her wide barrier she looks a key runner.Race 4 @ 5.05pm - #7 Pacing HopeThe sprint home at Cambridge last week didn't suit but she's back to her preferred distance.  It'll be hard from the outside of the arm, but look for her to be finishing it off.Race 7 @ 6.20pm - #3 Mr President & #4 DennyMr President&nb...

Race previews

Race 3 @ 6.53pm - #4 Little SpikeHe makes his debut following two very tidy workouts.  I've got a lot of time for him but whatever he does he'll improve on.  Having said this, he's a genuine winning hope. Race 5 @ 7.43pm - #8 Bad MedicineWhile he looks the best horse in the field, the outside barrier over 1700 metres makes it a tough ask.  He'll still give you a great run for your money.Race 6 @ 8.08pm - #7 Pacing HopeShe's another who has t...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.19pm - #3 Jacqueline RoseShe's racing great and her work this week has been super.  From her handy draw she looks a tidy each way chance.Race 3 @ 6.44pm - #8 Keep It KlassyI can't fault her form and once again she looks well placed.  I see her as a lovely top three contender.Race 7 @ 8.34pm - #1 DennyIt was a good effort at Palmy against higher assessed horses.  The ace draw brings him right into contention.  Another who looks a lovely each way prosp...

Race previews

Race 1 @ 5.06pm - #7 Tequila SunriseShe finally got her day in the sun yesterday and meets the same field again just off a handicap.  She's one to cover in your trifecta/first four combinations.Race 3 @ 5.54pm - #6 Carolina MoonI'd have to say she was disappointing on day 1.  From her wide draw she'll need everything to go her way.Race 4 @ 6.28pm - #7 Turnpike JoeI was happy with his debut effort as he kept fighting right to the line.  Even though he's drawn aw...

A day out at Manawatu Raceway

The day started out as it was meant to go on when maiden trotter Tequila Sunrise drew first blood in the opening race.  The lightly raced daughter of What The Hill justified her favouritism in what was a perfectly executed drive by David Butcher."She's the second horse I've had for Woodlands Stud so it was nice to get a win on the board for them," said Donnelly.  "She hasn't had a great deal of luck in her races so I was hoping she'd get her turn at Palmy and she duly did."...

Meredith upbeat about his Manawatu drives

21 November 2023Cambridge-based junior driver Zev Meredith's heading south to the Manawatu confident he can add to his winning tally this season.Meredith's enjoying his best ever season with 17 wins so far and he's also secured a spot, along with Sarah O'Reilly and Crystal Hackett, to represent New Zealand at the Australasian Young Drivers' Championship in Queensland next month.Today he has six drives on the seven race programme, headlined by Bad Medicine and Pacing Hope."It's a nice book of dri...

Race previews

Race 1 @ 3.45pm - #3 Tequila SunriseShe hasn't managed to find a lot of luck in her races but definitely gets her chance tomorrow.  Starting off the front tape is a big advantage.  On exposed form she looks a tidy each way chance.Race 3 @ 4.49pm - #4 Carolina MoonFrom her handy draw she has options.  She's only had one start from our barn and it was over a mile so it was hard to get a proper line on her.  Having said that, we'll be looking for improvement.Race 4&nbs...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 12.26pm - #10 JolimontWhile I believe he's one of the best horses in the races, a lot depends on what happens from his draw.  If he gets any sort of luck he'll give them a decent shake.Race 9 @ 4.12pm - #6 Le MajorIt looks as though he'll come into 4 which gives him a few options.  I couldn't be happier with him so I'm sure he'll run a cracking race.Race 11 @ 5.20pm - #6 KangoHe's turned up a perfect draw so definitely gets his chance.  If he lands han...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.27pm - #1 Pacing HopeIt's a perfect draw where she'll follow the markers all day.  The Purdon/Phelan runners look a class above, but she can find her way into the top 4 or 5.Race 3 @ 6.53pm - #6 Tequila SunriseShe was a victim of circumstances last start after getting checked early.  Her barrier manners were great at the workouts on Saturday.  I think she's well in commission.Race 4 @ 7.19pm - #6 Jacqueline RoseA wide draw over the mile makes it tough.&nb...

Race previews

Race 8 @ 4.03pm - #12 KangoHe gave a great sight at Ashburton and fought hard right to the line.  It's a tricky draw, but let's hope the man in the sulky can work his magic.  I'm really happy with him, and with any sort of luck he'll be a competitive chance....

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.16pm - #7 Jacqueline Rose & #11 Carolina MoonBoth these two are newcomers to our stable.We start with Jacqueline Rose who has had one workout since joining us.  It'll be a hard ask from a wide draw over 1700 and she'll definitely benefit from the outing.  If she's finishing the race off I'll be happy.The same can be said for Carolina Moon from her unruly draw.  She'll need luck on her side, but once again if she's making progress late we can...

Race previews

Race 8 @ 3.25pm - #3 JolimontHe was super last week at Addington and hasn't missed a beat since.  From his handy draw he looks a royal chance.Race 9 @ 4.03pm - #5 KangoIt was great to see him turn his form around last week and his work since has been top notch.  I'm expecting him to run a very competitive race....

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.29pm - #2 Red RackhamHis first race back after a freshen up was full of merit.  I've taken him off the unruly so it'll be good to see him start on even terms.  There are a couple of handy 2 year olds in here however, I'd like to think he's a tidy each way chance.Race 4 @ 7.19pm - #2 Pacing HopeThings didn't go her way last start so we'll be looking to take all the shortcuts.  It's a very good form race so she'll need all the breaks to go her way....

Race previews

Race 3 @ 6.19pm - #11 The SurferHe's derived plenty of benefit from his first outing and on exposed form slides in well.  He'd have to be a lovely each way contender.Race 6 @ 7.52pm - #5 DennyI thought he hit the line great fresh up.  There are a couple of 6 race winners in here however, I do expect him to give a very tidy account of himself.Race 7 @ 8.22pm - #7 Pacing Hope & #9 Mr PresidentWhile Pacing Hope has a wide barrier draw, it is her pet dista...

"Aunty" Ayumi's shot at Harness Million glory

By Brigette SolomonAyumi Shibuya has her flights booked, and can't wait for the Harness Million race night at Addington on Friday.That's because "Aunty" Ayumi, as she's known, is a co-owner in the very promising Le Major, a top contender for the NZB Standardbred Harness Million No 4 for the 2YO Colts and Geldings.Trained by Arna Donnelly at Cambridge, Le Major has been impressive winning his last three starts, including two heats of the Woodlands Stud 2YO Sires' Stakes. So it’s fair to say Shi...

Race previews

Race 2 @ 6.18pm - #8 The SurferWhile I've been happy with both his maiden workouts, a wide draw and big field makes it a tough ask.  Having said that, with luck in the running he can feature amongst them.Race 5 @ 7.34pm - #6 DennyThis guy is back on a new campaign after a couple of workouts.  He's done a stellar job since joining our barn and looks well placed to run a handy race.Race 9 @ 9.14pm - #5 Keep It Klassy & #6 Tequila SunriseKeep It Klassy has been get...

Le Major taking plenty of people on a journey

Art Major gelding Le Major confirmed he's a serious contender for the upcoming 2 year old spoils in Christchurch over the next few months when he won the second Northern Sires Stakes heat at Alexandra Park on Friday.The ease of his win suggests Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly has a nice up-and-comer on her hands.  A closing 800 cut out in 55.4 with the removal deafeners still intact, would lead you to think there's still a bit more under the bonnet.The $28,000 outlaid at the National S...

Race previews

Race 6 @ 7.51pm - #4 Mannion & #7 Bad MedicineWho would believe that Mannion has finally managed to pull a draw.  While it looks a step up in grade, he was very impressive on the clock when winning.  He's one to cover in combinations.Bad Medicine is back after a long layoff.  Both his workouts have been full of merit and his work since has been great.  He'll benefit from the outing, but I expect him to run a very tidy race.Race 7 @ 8.16pm - #2 Bet...

Race previews

Well our race previews are a bit different this week - just thought we'd spice it up a bit!Today I spoke to Bruce Stewart from Harnesslink and gave a run down on all my runners.The attached link will take you directly to the story, then click on the play button of each black bar to hear the lowdown on each runner.https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/virginia-clowers-heads-arnas-list/ Just for interest's sake, 97 individual owner's, including syndicate members, are represented across the 7 ho...