DREAMFLIGHT runs in the Maiden Hurdles over 3200 m with Jordan Hart to ride – is the relative newcomer to the jumping game but has shown steady improvement in his two starts to date – is looking for a wet track and gets it here with the track currently rated at a heavy 10 – can certainly feature in the finish here if things go right – TAB says “improvement needed to feature ” – No odds showing yet.
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Guest Selector – Des Coppins
Des has delivered some great results for his regular subscribers recently – Last Sunday, he provided the winners of the first six races on the seven race card (two selections per race) and at the Tuesday double header meetings, 16 collects out of the 18 races
Here is what Des has for our readers this week
Greetings John and Fortuna followers
Hard on the heels of some wonderful jumping at Trentham on Saturday with stand out showings by Billy Boy, Jesko and Yolo, we move on to Te Rapa for the Waikato Hurdles and Steeples amongst two other jumps races.
It goes without saying that the three horses mentioned above are all top liners in the making and they’ll be winning their share this winter. Also worth noting there wasn’t one fall last Saturday although a few jockeys did the right thing and pulled their horses out of the race when clearly beaten.
Here are my 3 jumpers worth following this weekend and beyond:
The Cossack: he’s aiming for three Waikato Steeples in a row and get this he’s either won the Waikato Hurdles, the Brown Memorial ‘Chase or two Waikato Steeples at this meeting since 2021. He will have to get past stablemate Nedwin but many fans will be cheering him on.
Taika: Waikato Hurdles
He has now won 4 hurdles and as it was only his second run this year when winning on the track a fortnight ago he should continue to improve. He’s another who likes it here.
Countryman: Roger and Ken Browne Memorial:
His third over hurdles at Trentham last Saturday was the pointer for the bigger fences in the Roger and Ken Browne Memorial. He’s a big player.
There’s so much going on in the news of racing and some of its sad. I’ve dissected the week the best way possible with a question time scenario.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
1 What an emotional time it’s been for racing. A week ago the CD team lost long respected owner Denis Leamy of Ashhurst; he was 81. Those heavenly skies shone 6 days following his passing at Trentham last Saturday with his horse Billy Boy a convincing winner of the Awapuni Hurdles?
2. Speaking of Billy Boy, did you know that a horse with the same won the Wellington Steeples in 1932 and 1934?
3. While the track was a heavy 10 “officially” last Saturday at Trentham and at New Plymouth on Tuesday
“unofficially” it was a heavy 11 at both venues. I’m not convinced the official change is in the best of interest of punters, are you?
4. The passing of bloodstock agent Michael Wallace, Herb Rauhihi and a fortnight ago, the hall of famer, Syd Brown, who all played a major role in the CD and often further afield, adds so much sadness to the region wouldn’t you say?
5. What a legacy Syd Brown left? Recently Bjorn Baker, who’s low flying in Sydney, mentioned how he learnt from his dad, the great man, Murray, who in turn learnt from another great man, Noel Eales, who himself was a prodigy of Syd Brown. All champions wouldn’t you agree. With so much historical hand me down knowledge no wonder Bjorn is a beaut!
6. Did you know outstanding winger Stu Wilson answered the call to play alongside Bernie Fraser in a charity racing – rugby match at Fraser Park in Wellington about 45 years ago? It was the day after a test match at Eden Park? “Just kick off and run off” I said to Stu. He replied “nah, I’ll bring my boots and play half a game” – and he did! ( check out Noel Harris’s book; it was the day Noel sidestepped Bernie Fraser to score a try)! RIP Stu!
7. Will Per Incanto hold on to win his first Centaine award over Savabeel this season? For the record the Centaine criteria is around all stallions whose Nz conceived progeny have accumulated the highest stake earnings world wide. Per Incanto currently sits on $19m and change to Savabeel’s $17.2m. Savabeel has won this award 9 years on the trot!
8. Per Incanto, by the way, is the dam sire of world champion sprinter’s Ka Ying Rising who’s been confirmed as a definite starter in $20m Everest in the spring. Who would’ve thought his dam, Missy Moo, who ran second last in her very last race start in the 2019 Wellington Cup, would ultimately become more famous than the Wellington Cup winner, Gorbachev?
9. Chris Waller, with 19 group ones in a season, has the most elite wins of any trainer in a season in Australian history after Joliestar’s big win last Saturday in Brisbane . How good when it was achieved with fellow kiwis J-Mac and Brendan and Jo Lyndsay?
10. Lisa Allpress, who turned 50 the other week, is not finished with riding. She’s keen to make it a softly-softly return to the track in her quest to ride 2000 winners and she’s progessing well after that nasty kick behind the barrier on Cup Day at Trentham. She has 44 wins to go to reach her personal goal and significant milestone.
In the meantime why don’t you seriously consider joining Lisa and myself on the Sporting Tours Melbourne Cup Tour this year? If it’s on your bucket list this will be a great year to tick it off. Email me if you’re keen dcoppins@xtra.co.nz
Have a great weekend and good punting!
Des Coppins
021 448 052
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