Despite a few anxious moments in running, outstanding jumper Berry The Cash made light work of his 73kg topweight to extend his winning streak to seven races on the trot as he captured his second Hospitality New Zealand Canterbury Grand National Hurdles (4200m) on Saturday.
Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal watched the Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) slip away at the final fence last Saturday with Dictation, but the promising hurdler was back a week later and got his redemption in the Michael ‘Mickey’ Beecroft Memorial 0-1 Win Hurdles (3100m).
Trans-Tasman Group One winner Prowess became the fifth mare to break the million-dollar barrier on Gavelhouse Plus when she sold for $1,452,500 on the online platform on Thursday evening.
Talented winter galloper Spencer will aim to continue on his upward trajectory at Te Rapa on Saturday, lining up in the Fulton Hogan 1200.
Captains Run flew under the radar in last year’s Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) and nearly caused a big upset, and he is heading into Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) with a goal of going one better.
Last year’s Tarzino Trophy Day at Hastings will live long in the memory of Sam Bergerson.
Mark Oulaghan reigned supreme with his star jumpers West Coast and Berry The Cash during the Grand National Carnival last year, and the Awapuni horseman is back and favoured to repeat his heroics on Saturday.
Leading jockey Lisa Allpress will be on the sidelines for an indefinite period after suffering a broken vertebra following a fall at Riccarton Park on Wednesday.
The $100,000 TAB 2000 was tailor-made for a horse like Heart Of Gold, and the Sam Mynott-trained gelding simply dominated the feature at Cambridge Synthetic on Thursday.
Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton barn were instrumental in their premiership defence last season, adding 64 victories to their 169 win haul, and their southern base have kicked of the new term in similar fashion.
Rudyard made impressive progress last campaign and further improvement is expected from the dependable performer this time around.
Two members of the current All Blacks rugby squad are hoping they will have cause for a double celebration this weekend.
