News Briefs : July 31

Odds tumble on IRT NZ Cup favourite

Following his huge win in the Blacks A Fake Park at Albion Park on Saturday night, Leap To Fame is now a $1.60 favourite to win the IRT New Zealand Cup at Addington on November 12. The win, in a new track record, was his 41st from just 52 starts. Leap To Fame had been at $2 before his latest win. Star four-year-old Don't Stop Dreaming is the second favourite for the Cup at $5, with Merlin and Major Moth at $7 and defending champion Swayzee at $10.

Carter makes it three

Top Kiwi junior driver Carter Dalgety keeps winning on his trip to North America. His latest success was with Beach Rules at Chester Pennsylvania. Trained by Hall of Famer Linda Toscano, the two-year-old paced 1:50.8, winning by nine lengths, and equalling the fastest mile by any two-year-old in North America this year. It was Dalgety's third race day win in the USA after winning with Handlelikeaporsche at Harrah's Philadelphia and Stonebridge Reef at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. He is overseas on a working holiday after winning a Valachi Downs Young Achievers Scholarship. He will be in North America for six weeks, staying mainly with his friend and one time mentor, 10-time NZ champion driver Dexter Dunn.

Thornley one behind in junior drivers

In Dalgety's absence Sam Thornley is making some major moves in the junior drivers' premiership. Dalgety still leads with 38 wins in 2024 but Thornley is now only one behind after Sir Monty, paying $20.10, was an upset winner of the Betavet Thanks Their Staff and Clients Mobile Pace at Addington on Sunday and Black Mach's gusty win in the Stevie Golding For Your Real Estate Needs Mobile Pace on Friday night. Wilson House is currently third on 29 wins. Blair Orange is seven wins clear of John Dunn with 101 wins as he chases his seventh drivers' premiership in a row, while Robert and Jenna Dunn have 96 to lead the trainers' premiership, well ahead of Steve and Amanda Telfer on 74.

9000 wins for Gingras

Yannick Gingras has become the latest driver in North America to crack 9000 wins. He achieved the milestone on the famous Red Mile track in Kentucky. A third generation horseman from Quebec, Gingras headed to the USA from Canada in 2001. Dave Palone remains the "winningest" driver in North America with 20,900 wins. New Zealand's best, in comparison, is Tony Herlihy with 3683 wins.

Treacherous Gall now in Oz

Last year's Southland Oaks winner Treacherous Gall has arrived in Australia and will do his future racing based in Victoria. Trained by Regan Todd, the four-year-old mare, who has won eight races and over $130K, last raced here for an eighth in the Standardbred Breeders Stakes at Addington in February. Treacherous Gall will be trained by David Aitken of Lennytheshark fame and there's every chance she will back racing in New Zealand for the big mares races here around Christmas time.

Southern racing returns

After a break over winter racing returns to Southland this week with the Winton meeting this Thursday. There will be seven races.
To see the fields click here

Auction closes tonight

The latest Gavelhouse Standardbred auction closes tonight from 7pm with 10 lots up for sale. They include Sumtime, a Downbytheseaside yearling and two-win trotter Mentalist. To see the catalogue click here