News Briefs : Jan 19

19 January 2022

Cup week star sold

Outstanding three-year-old Always Have Faith has been sold and will be trained by Grant Dixon in Australia. The son of Captaintreacherous was in sensational form during Cup week with wins on both Cup and Show day for the Mark Purdon – Hayden Cullen barn. The horse has won four from 7 and just over $50,000.

Hemsworth big box office in Qld

Queensland seems to be agreeing with former southerner Hemsworth. The winner of one from four for Kirk Larsen, Hemsworth went to Australia in the middle of last year. The Sweet Lou four-year-old won the Knights and Dames final at Redcliffe at the weekend – it was his fifth win in six starts for the Chantal Turpin-Pete McMullen combination.

Gingras hits 8000

Gun North American driver Yannick Gingras has notched up 8000 winning drives. The Green Hornet, as he’s known, brought up the milestone at the Meadowlands. He will be inducted into the harness racing Hall Of Fame in July. He’s one of only six drivers to amass $US200m in career earnings.

The Bull seeks more Group 1 glory

Pint-sized superstar Chicago Bull still looks a major force in the twilight of his career as he heads into the Group 1 Fremantle Cup at Gloucester Park this Friday night. Chicago Bull produced a tough win after doing all the work in a 2536m free-for-all at Gloucester Park last Friday. Now he faces a tougher field that includes Magnificent Storm and Minstrel.

Yearling tours underway

The countdown is well and truly on to the 2022 National Standardbred Yearling sales with 138 yearlings going under the hammer in Auckland (Feb 13) and 277 in Christchurch (Feb 14-16). The North Island on-farm parade tour, including the likes of Alabar, Woodlands Stud and Breckon Farms, was held yesterday and today, with the first of the South Island tours happening on January 31 – Feb 1, followed by Southland a week later.

Auction closes tonight

The latest gavelhouse.com auction closes at 7pm tonight. The auction features 12 lots including current racehorses like last start winner Precious Sara, plus Shady Ruler and Skidaddle. Another horse attracting interest is Cool Moon, an unraced Bettor’s Delight three-year-old gelding.