RACING WRAP
Racing Wrap 9th February 2025
Performance of the Day Wild Pansy
From box 8 Wild Pansy tracked Hunter Karen wide through the first section, cut out in a sedate 4.59. She then asserted her authority and skipped away from Hunter Karen winning by 1½ lengths in 18.36 BOD.
Recently purchased by Alan Bear from Jean & Dave Fahey, Wild Pansy has joined Ross and Lynne Udy’s kennel. Alan enjoyed a particularly good day at the ‘office’ with Dark Smoke also winning.
Wild Pansy is certainly no stranger to the Manukau Stadium having won the 2024 Silver Bracelet and Royal Commission Trophy,
Noteworthy Performances
· Big Time Enzo at Good Odds.
Big Time Enzo left punters stunned when winning the MPS Fencing Stakes at SP $17. Big Time Enzo tracked Kiwi Sea throughout, gained the rails run and fought bravely to withhold the late burst by Opawa Dallas. Owned-and trainer Peter Lowen this win was Big Time Enzo’s first middle distance win.
· Thrilling Wilma
Thrilling Wilma, the winner of eleven races, had a class edge on a C1 sprint field winning in 18.43, run home a slick 13.71, After an injury layoff Thrilling Wilma was an eye-catching second to Shot Squeeze last week. The Dannielle Elder trained runner sent out a short-priced favourite never gave the punters any concerns.
· Fear To Tread
In a quality C5 MD field, Fear To Tread, trained by Lisa Cole, sat parked outside Portland Jessie throughout the running. Taking control on the home turn he raced away from her to record his fourth win from five starts at the Manukau Stadium. Unique Sunrise and Opawa Turn made good ground to fill the minor placings.
Times
318m Best of Day Wild Pansy 18.36
First Section Hunter Karen 4.57
Run Home Thrilling Wilma 13.71
527m Best of the Day Fear To Tread 30.52
Run Home Space Tron 14.92
Trainers 2 Wins: Sean Codlin, Lisa Cole, Ron & Nyomi O’Regan and Ross & Lynne Udy
Dogs to Follow
Big Time Central
Fresh up from an injury layoff, Big Time Central ($9) made ground late for third behind Dark Smoke.
Racing Wrap 2nd February 2025
Performance of the Day Hunter Karen
Hunter Karen flew the lids and cut out the first section in slick 4.49*. In a quality C5 field, just as it looked like it was ‘race over’ she moved wider on the track and had to call on all reserves and held a ½ length margin at the money line.
Trained by Glennis Farrell for the S.S.W Syndicate, this was Hunter Karen’s tenth career win. She now leads the win tally in the Romantic Dancer litter.
Noteworthy Performances
· Mark & John Smith enjoyed a good day at the office.
Mark & John Smith runners saluted the judge on three occasions during the meeting. Firstly, Joe Bananas showed he is a force to be reckoned with in the Veterans’ races from box 5. Then they produced two class acts Gone Walkabout and Unique Sunrise for strong 527m wins.
Gone Walkabout made it two wins for the week, and it looks like he will soar through the grades.
Unique Sunrise graduated to C5; after dawdling out of the boxes he showed good track sense to secure the lead and waved goodbye. He will be a welcome addition to the C5 ranks at the Manukau Stadium.
· Foxtrot Mila
Foxtrot Mila had the box speed to cross the field in the C1 ‘All the News on Trackside Sprint and she simply said ‘tat ta’ to win by 4 lengths.
· Portland Johnny
With GRNZ Box 1 Vacant Policy, Portland Johnny was always going to secure a rails passage, but the ‘big boy’ copped a bump, and he had to apply the after burners late to secure the victory.
Times
318m Best of Day Hunter Karen 18.52
First Section Hunter Karen 4.49
Run Home Thrilling Amalie 14.02
527m Best of the Day Unique Sunrise 30.68
Run Home Unique Sunrise 15.05
*Overall times were slower than at recent grade meetings
Trainers 3 Wins: Sean Codlin
Mark & John Smith
Dog to Follow
Thrilling Amalie
Thrilling Amalie recorded a classy win on debut. While leading throughout the race, careering away to win by 11 lengths she will derive huge benefit from the experience. The noteworthy factor is she recorded the fastest run home time on the day.acing Wrap 26th January 2025
Performance of the Day Everest Sky
The Railway Sprint field jumped in unison and for a Group 1 race cut out the first section in a sedate 4.62. The shuffling of the pack entering the first turn enabled Everest Sky to slip the field and she simply waved goodbye winning by an ever increasing eight lengths. Her overall time was 18.14, the run home a sizzling 13.52.
Noteworthy Performances
The entire card delivered on ‘Premier Racing Status’, well received by the punters and evidenced by nine of the SP favourites being even money or better. Oncourse and off course turnovers were strong.
The winners were spread over all regions: -Northern 6 wins, Central 4 wins and Southern 2 wins.
Feature race winners
Auckland Cup
More Magic Brendon Cole Lisa Cole 30.36
Delys Van Meeuwen Memorial Stakes
Turtle Watch Katacha Jordana Syndicate Tracey & Lisa Craik 30.43
Winsome Ashley
Russian Ahead Funky’s Boy Syndicate Lisa Cole 30.62
Railway Sprint
Everest Sky Jean & Dave Fahey Dave Fahey & Katie Wyllie 18.14
Invitation Sprint
Big Tim Tactics Brendon Cole Lisa Cole 18.33
Silver Bracelet Trophy
Big Time Lena Stacy McCarthy Peter Heterick 18.33
Auckland Stayers Cup
Boom Lateral G Miller Robert Roper 47.30
Times
318m Best of Day Everest Sky 18.14
First Section Big Time Lena 4.56
Run Home Everest Sky 13.52
527m Best of the Day More Magic 30.36
Run Home More Magic 14.79
Trainers 4 Wins: Lisa Cole
Dog to Follow
Paw Bradley
Huge run for second in the Cup. Group 1 glory awaits.
Racing Wrap 19th January 2025
Performance of the Day Jerry Cola
What a speed merchant, what a statement. Jerry Cola, trained by Dave Fahey & Katie Wylie, spreadeagled the field in the Railway Sprint Heat 4.
His winning time 18.06 was the fastest 318m since the 2023 camber reset included a sizzling 13.54 run home.
Noteworthy Performances
Auckland Cup Heats
Simply sensational racing in all heats of the Auckland Cup
· One Hot Bandit Strong tradesman performance in 30.38, NZ Cup winner can join an elite group of Auckland-NZ Cup winners.
· Paw Bradley the Young Gun step up to C5 with all ‘guns’ blazing to outsprint Fear To Tread in 30.43.
· Chief Dribble improved around the field only to be shifted wide on the track down the back straight by Portland Jessie. Recovered with strong rails run to record fastest heat win in 30.27.
· Xisco Bale, the surprise package, with an all the way the dominant win in 30.29.
What a field generated by the heats for the Auckland Cup.
Times
318m Best of Day Jerry Cola 18.06
First Section Quintessential 4.47
Run Home Jerry Cola 13.54
527m Best of the Day Chief Dribble 30.27
Run Home Xisco Bale 15.41
Trainers 4 Wins: Dave Fahey & Katie Wyllie
2 wins Lisa Cole, Craig Roberts & Matt Roberts
Dog to Follow
Johnny Football
Total forgive run as he copped the shuffle on the first turn.
Racing Wrap 16th January 2025
Performance of the Day Where’s Neville
A sentimental win for a courageous old warrior gets the Performance of the Day.
Where’s Neville, in the twilight of racing career, has bypassed the Railway Sprint Series for this midweek C5 race. But had to be at his best to secure the win from kennelmate Red Goes Faster who dictated the race. His time 18.40, shared with Waerenga Ritchie the ‘Best of the Day Time.
Noteworthy Performances
Chief Dribble
It was mere stroll in the park for Chief Dribble, the 2024 Duke of Edinburgh Silver Collar winner, in the Mt Wellington TAB Stakes. His 30.45 time indicates he can be competitive in the Auckland Cup Series.
Waerenga Ritchie
Waerenga Ritchie, trained by Jared Udy & Denise Cottam, looks to have the Subic Bay Final as his race to lose. His BOD 18.40 indicated he has a class edge on the Final.
Times
318m Best of Day Where’s Neville & Waerenga Ritchie 18.40
First Section Jean Genie 4.54
Run Home Where’s Neville 13.72
527m Best of the Day Chief Dribble 30.45
Trainers 2 Wins Sean Codlin, Ron & Nyomi O’Regan and Rob Roper
Dog to Follow
Opawa Thunder
Looks primed to strike at Cambridge
Racing Wrap 12th January 2025
Performance of the Day Quintessential
What a return to racing by Quintessential.
Last sighted on the 15th December, it was race over when Quintessential flew the lids and cleared out to win the Hewlett Electrical Sprint from a brave Hunter Lou. . His time 18.27 (BOD), sectionals 4.49 and 13.78.
Quintessential looks primed for the Railway Sprint Series. A win in the Railway Sprint would create a special moment as he is the son of Just One Smile, the 2019 Railway Sprint winner.
Noteworthy Performances
Kiwi Moments
Kiwi Moments hunted the rails and appeared to have control of the race, but she had to call on all reserves to withstand the strong finish of Portland Mark.
Certainly, one of the finds of summer racing at the Manukau Stadium, this win was Kiwi Moment fourth win since reverting to back to sprinting on the 15th December and qualified her for the rich Railway Sprint Series.
Unique Sunrise
Unique Sunrise was an eye-catching winner on debut at the Manukau Stadium. From box 7 he did not receive the best passage throughout the race and stormed home to out finish Grand Vue Ace. A recent Aussie import into Mark & John Smith’s kennel he will progress quickly through the grades here.
Big Time Ronald
Big Time Ronald was last on leaving the boxes but secured a superb run along the rails and proved too strong winning Sportsbowl Function Centre Sprint Final in 18.73. Trained by Peter Heterick Big Time Ronald has certainly turned his form around racing at the Manukau Stadium.
Times
318m Best of Day Quintessential 18.27
First section Quintessential 4.49
Run Home Suffice 13.73
527m Best of the Day Unique Sunrise 30.97
Trainers 2 Wins Mark & John Smith (Sober Driver & Unique Sunrise)
Dog to Follow
Zipping Bestow
Zipping Bestow made ground late after running into trouble clearing the pack.
Racing Wrap 5th January 2025
Performance of the Day Opawa Kirsten
Opawa Kirsten strong finish, from last to first in the home straight, secured for her the Performance of the Day.
In a slowly run race 30.99 (St 30.77) she jumped well to via for the lead only to cop a check on the turn and drifted off the pace. Down the backstraight her progress was impeded by wide runners and her supporters started to shake their heads in dismay. Once she got clear air, she found overdrive heading to the judge and it was off to the payout window.
Trainer Sean Codlin had a good day at the office bagging four wins, his other winners being Go Cohen, Opawa Ryan and Chance To Shine.
Noteworthy Performances
Aldebaran
Aldebaran made life difficult for himself when he completely bombed the start. Recovering quickly, he weaved a passage through the field to be a clear leader on the turn. Then he had to call on all reserves to withstand Dapper Jabber’s finishing burst. His winning margin a neck.
Opawa Ryan
From box 8 Opawa Ryan had the box speed to lead throughout to win the C2 Sprint 1n an 18.58 (ST 18.75). His 5½ length winning margin would have been greater had he negotiated the home turn better.
Blazin’ Master
Blazin’ Master, the reigning Auckland Cup Champ, showed he is on target to defend his title. The win was a mere ‘stroll in the park’ in a sedate 30.57.
Times
318m Best of Day Portland Ding Us 18.37
527m Best of the Day Blazin’ Master 30.57
Trainers 4 Wins: Sean Codlin
3 Wins Tracey & Lisa Craik
Dog to Follow
Go Cohen
Go Cohen was a meritorious heat winner, repeat that run and he wins the C1 Sportsbowl Sprint Series Final
Racing Wrap 29th December 2024
Performance of the Day Just One Grin
Just One Grin, a recent graduate to C5, took control of the Hewlett Electrical Sprint from the outset and quickly gained a break on the field. While Midnight Brockie taking a tumble disrupted the pack Just One Grin was never in danger of defeat. His time 18.37, with a PBRT of 18.16 he looks to have a bright future in the open class races.
It was a good result all round for trainers Tracey & Lisa Craik who trained the first five placegetters in the race.
Noteworthy Performances
Thrilling Tommy
Thrilling Tommy led throughout to win the Thanks Manukau Faithful Sprint in an 18.43. This was his tenth win and no doubt a satisfying win for trainers Mark & John Smith as this was Thrilling Tommy’s second win after an extended break from racing.
Romantic Intent
A focused Romantic Intent recaptured winning form, he scooted around the field to clear out and win the C3 Sportsbowl Function Centre Sprint by 3½ lengths, his time 18.52. A member of the Romantic Dancer litter he is now crafting good track stats at Manukau.
Trainer Dannielle Elder enjoyed a perfect day, two runners two winners, at the track with Suffice winning a C1 Sprint
Times
318m Best of Day Just One Grin 18.37
First sectional Thrilling Tommy & Patch It Up 4.51
527m Best of the Day Russian Ahead 30.58
Trainers 3 Wins: Lisa Cole
2 Wins Dannielle Elder and Ron & Nyomi O’Regan
Dogs to Follow
Cole is on target for eighth.
Team Cole have ventured north at the last two meetings to fine tune their team for the forthcoming Auckland Cup Carnival (19th and 26th January 2025).
Firstly, Fear to Thread showed no mercy as she waved goodbye to the locals on the 22nd December.
The on Sunday Russian Ahead, from box eight, circled the field for a decisive win in 30.58. While the pin up boy He’s All Go suffered his first defeat at the track after a tardy beginning from box six.
What have we learnt so far Team Cole is ready to take their eighth Auckland Cup. Just wait for the box draws before investing..Dog to Follow