News Briefs : May 8

Braeview Kelly retired after Sydney sixth

After winning 18 races and over $450,000 in stakes, Braeview Kelly has run her last race. Her connections pulled the pin following her sixth in Saturday's Queen Elizabeth II Mile at Menangle, won in stunning fashion by stablemate Aardie's Express. A winner for Gore trainer Tony Stratford originally, Braeview Kelly won five more for Mark Jones in this country before heading across the Tasman to Jack Trainor in 2022. “It’s time. She ran well the other night, but just isn’t quite where she was a year ago,” Trainor said, “she’s been a wonderful mare and done so much for me. She had to battle her issues along the way, too. I’m really proud of her and so appreciative of getting the chance to train and drive her.” The six-year-old mare (Bettor's Delight - Idolise) is now set for the broodmare paddock.

Dunns go four clear

A treble at Rangiora on Sunday has helped Diamond Racing to a four win lead at the top of the trainers' premiership. The Robert-Jenna Dunn partnership had wins with Kairaki Confidential, Sonoma Tyron and Bravehearthighlander to take them to 66 for the year so far, four ahead of the second placed Team Telfer.
The Dunns also won the premiership last year.

Deny Everything heads south

Deny Everything, who at one stage looked destined to go to open class, has changed stables. The A Rocknroll Dance gelding is now based with Graeme Anderson and Mike Love at Westwood Beach in Otago, after having all his 27 starts so far with Mark Jones in Canterbury. The eight-year-old is co-bred and raced by Mike Love's brother Damian. Deny Everything has won seven from 27 starts, including five in a row between November 30 2019 and October 2021. His last win was at Timaru last November.

Not bred to pace

On breeding alone Auctioneer looks to have no place in Thursday's non-winners mobile pace at Cambridge. The three-year-old gelding is by French trotting sire Orlando Vici, of Just Believe fame, and out of one win trotting mare Nia and trained by well-known trotting preparers Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett. The horse's debut comes after he qualified at Pukekohe Raceway in March.

Bortolo - many years on

How's this for a story about patience and perseverance? Bortolo (Auckland Reactor - Baileys Delight) was bought as a yearling in New Zealand in 2016 and still hasn't made it to the races. Bone chips discovered when he was a two-year-old delayed his race day debut and then he was tried by other trainers before ending up with Aldo Corotpassi in Western Australia. He is now a nine-year-old and it finally looks like he will make it to the races. He went to the trials for the first time at Pinjarra last week and will try and qualify at Bunbury this Friday.

Macca Lodge draft closes tonight

Speaking of auctions, the latest gavelhouse standardbred auction closes from 7pm tonight. Included in the 22 lots are 14 from Macca Lodge’s 2024 weanling draft. Other lots include offerings from including Grant Beckett's Phoebe Stud in North Canterbury and southern pacer Lorton Vale, who's had one win and three placings from 22 starts.

To see auction click here 

Weanling sale this month

NZB Standardbred's National Weanling Sale is now just three weeks away. A total of 106 weanlings will go under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday, May 23. Recent graduates from the sale include Aardiebytheseaside and Alta Meteor. The catalogue for the sale is now online.
It can be seen here

Club News : Addington

Addington Raceway is inviting all owners to a special function this Friday. Hosted in the Christian Cullen Lounge on Level 1 of the Metropolitan Stand, this event will include some great prizes - among them 7 nights accommodation at Peninsular Beachfront Resort at Mooloolaba Beach, a $40,000 insurance voucher from NZB, and some TAB betting vouchers. Everyone will get a welcome drink and it is free to attend with an optional $25 one-plate buffet which can be purchased on the night. To book a spot go to : addington.co.nz/owners-night-2024

And on Friday, June 21 Addington will be hosting its annual Ladies Night. Included in the ticket is entry into Silks Lounge, a glass of Lanson Champagne on arrival, a goodie bag for every guest, access to the Fashion Competition, a buffet dinner and entertainment provided by the Court Theatre, "Ladies' Night" cast. Beverages can be purchased on the night from the bar with eftpos, debit or credit card. Doors open at 5:00pm.