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Beluga banks Hong Kong win

Trainer David Hall continued his excellent late-season form when Beluga, triumphant in the Class 3 Mount Nicholson Handicap (1400m), lifted Hall’s seasonal tally to 35, a haul which includes four wins from his past eight runners. “He’s by Tavistock and you sort of think they’re going to run 2000m, but he’s out of a Written Tycoon mare so he might have too much brilliance to be staying but the new season we might try him again at the right time,” Hall said of the gelding’s suitabili...

Tofane takes out Tiara

Rejuvenated mare Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park) has become the third horse to claim the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap-Tattersall’s Tiara double on Saturday with a comfortable win in Saturday’s 1400m contest. Jockey Craig Williams described Tofane’s victory in the Tattersall’s Tiara as “quite easy” after the Michael Moroney-trained mare outclassed her rivals to land her second Group One win of the Brisbane winter carnival and third elite level win of her career. The five-year-old daughter of Oce...

Tiara tilt for Tofane

A third Group One scalp is in the offing for New Zealand-bred mare Tofane this weekend when she lines-up in the Gr.1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The daughter of Ocean Park won the Gr.1 All-Aged Stakes (1400m) last year, and on the cusp of being sold as a broodmare last month, her ownership group decided to retain her and were rewarded with a second placing in the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) and victory in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) last start. Trainer Michael Mo...

Tatts Tiara confirmed for Tofane

Moroney, who hasn’t been able to get up to Queensland, received positive reports from his team in the Sunshine State on Tuesday morning, helping his decision to push on for more Group One honours. “I spoke to Libby (travelling foreman) this morning. We hopped on her back for the first time and she said she felt terrific, you wouldn’t have known she had had a run. She is doing that way as far as the feed bin goes as well,” Moroney told SENTrack. “At this stage it is all systems go headi...

Tofane outclasses rivals to claim Stradbroke

Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park) was at her best on Saturday when claiming the second elite-level win of her career with a brave performance to secure the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). A few weeks ago the five-year-old mare was at a career crossroads. Having managed two Group placings since her Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) victory last autumn, her owners were weighing up whether to auction her at Queensland's national broodmare sale. Rupert Legh was one of those keen to sell but on Saturday at Eag...

Weekend Runners - 12.06.2021

Good luck to connections of all Cm graduates racing this weekend including the following: AUSTRALIA SATURDAY:BRC- Race 8 Stradbroke H. Gr.1, A$1500000 1400m Tofane (NZ) 2015 (F. by Ocean Park-Baggy Green) (trainer: M D Moroney)Darwin TC- Race 6 Bet365 H., A$18500 1100m Power Rush (NZ) 2015 (F. by Power-Maid of Tralee) (trainer: Philip Cole)MRC- Race 4 Ladbrokes H., A$125000 1300m Aimee's Jewel (NZ) 2016 (F. by Proisir-Aimee's Idol) (trainer: C J Cassar)        ...

Promising filly to step up at Te Rapa

Promising filly Tevere will step-up to 1400m for the first time at Te Rapa this weekend. The daughter of Contributer has pleased in her previous two starts over 1200m, culminating in a last start win at Te Rapa last month, and her connections believe she will appreciate the step up in distance on Saturday. Pam Gerard, who trains Tevere in partnership with Michael Moroney, has been impressed with the three-year-old from the outset and was pleased she was able to break maiden ranks at the second t...

Tofane on song ahead of Stradbroke

Michael Moroney believes Tofane is back to her best and he is hoping she can show that in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The daughter of Ocean Park ran back into form when runner-up the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben last month, with 60kg on her back, and Moroney said she has worked well since then. “I think she has trained on to her best,” he told SENTrack. “Our foreman, Olivia Miller, who was with her in Sydney when she won the All-Aged (Gr.1, 1400m),...

No Compromise caps Thurlow family’s special day

An impressive win by No Compromise at Randwick on Saturday added extra lustre to a momentous day for the Thurlow family. Previously trained by Bill Thurlow, and raced by his wife Patricia and brother Grant, the four-year-old Pins gelding crossed the Tasman a month ago to join Chris Waller’s stable.  After an eye-catching third on his Australian debut on May 15, No Compromise went two better on Saturday with a powerful come-from-behind performance in the hands of Tommy Berry in the Taylor ...

Weekend Runners - 29.05.2021

Good luck to connections of all Curraghmore graduates racing this weekend including:AUSTRALIA SATURDAYRandwick: Race 3 Taylor Construction H., A$125000 2400m No Compromise (NZ) 2016 (G. by Pins-Baggy Green) (trainer: C J Waller)Eagle Farm- Race 3 Fred Best Classic Gr.3, A$250000 1400m Not an Option (AUS) 2017 (C. by Not a Single Doubt-Chintz) (trainer: A W Pike)                     Race 7 Queensland Derby Gr.1, A$600000 2400m ...

Stradbroke likely for Tofane

A Group Three placing has helped extend the racing career of Tofane. Her owners were on the cusp of selling her as a broodmare proposition, but her runner-up effort in the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben last Saturday has altered that path. Trainer Mike Moroney is now leaning towards a tilt at the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) with her at Eagle Farm next month. Moroney’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull was delighted with last weekend’s run and is looking forward to her contesting the S...

Cunningham enjoys further success with Matamata partnership

Curraghmore Stud principal Gordon Cunningham continued his good form with Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard’s Ballymore Stables when Tevere broke her maiden status at just her second start when storming clear to win over 1200m at Te Rapa. “Tevere is the third horse I’ve had in training with Ballymore,” Cunningham said. “The first was Chicharita who won the Royal Stakes (Gr.2, 2000m) and she finished fourth in the New Zealand Derby (Gr. 1, 2400m). “The second was Tofane, who we sold afte...

Weekend Runners - 22.05.21

Good luck to connections of all Cm graduates racing this weekend including:AUSTRALIA SATURDAYDoomben - Race 8 BRC Sprint H. Gr.3, A$175000 1350m Tofane (NZ) 2015 (F. by Ocean Park-Baggy Green) (trainer: M D Moroney)Carnarvon RC - Race 6 Nor West Louisa Bay H., A$15000 1200m Tumut River (NZ) 2014 (G. by Choisir-Princess Jay) (trainer: Sean Rains)Darwin TC - Race 6 Silks Darwin H., A$17500 1100m Power Rush (NZ) 2015 (F. by Power-Maid of Tralee) (trainer: Philip Cole)Flemington - Race 9 Victorian J...

Tofane to reunite with Bosson

The last time Tofane was ridden by top Kiwi hoop Opie Bosson they won a Group One, and trainer Michael Moroney is hoping the pair can replicate their winning form at Doomben on Saturday. Bosson has flown to Queensland to partner Melody Belle in her final raceday appearance in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m), and has picked up the ride on Tofane in the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m). Bosson last rode the daughter of Ocean Park, who was bred by Gordon Cunnigham before being sold privately after an impressiv...

Allpress heads to Melbourne to retain ride on Kiwi mare

Four-time New Zealand champion jockey Lisa Allpress will reunite with Aimee's Jewel in Melbourne on May 1. Allpress was the Proisir four-year-old mare's regular rider in New Zealand, guiding her to three wins from her seven starts under the care of Stratford trainer Trudy Keegan. The highlight was her win in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders' Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton last November. Now with Kyneton trainer Charles Cassar, Aimee's Jewel has won two jumpouts in preparation for her Australian debut o...

Weekend Runners - 17.04.2021

Good luck to the connections of all Cm graduates racing this weekend including the following:AUSTRALIA SATURDAYRandwick- Race 5 Australian Oaks Gr.1, A$1114500 2400m Sassysav (NZ) 2017 (F. by Savabeel-Rock Diva) (trainer: C Maher & D Eustace)                  Race 10 Sapphire S. Gr.2, A$302000 1200m Tofane (NZ) 2015 (F. by Ocean Park-Baggy Green) (trainer: M D Moroney)Barcoo ARC- Amateur Race Club H., A$7450 1200m Granola State (NZ) 2013 (G....

Easy Caulfield win for Annavisto

Stakes winning filly Annavisto (NZ) (Reliable Man) turned a three-year-old handicap at Caulfield into a stroll in the park, when comfortably winning the Hylands Race Colours Handicap (1400m) on Saturday. Despite carrying topweight of 60kgs, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained filly sat outside the leader under a gun Mark Zahra ride and cruised to the line more than two lengths to the good of her rivals when asked to go in the home straight. The win advances Annavisto’s record to four ...

Weekend Runners - 10.04.2021

Good luck to the connections of all Cm runners competing over the weekend including:AUSTRALIA SATURDAYATC-  Race 7 Australian Derby Gr.1 , A$2137500 2400m Toscanini (AUS) 2017 (C. by Fastnet Rock-Soubrettes) (trainer: C Maher & D Eustace)BRC- Race 6 Doomben Cup Day H., A$75000 1615m Calm Seeker (NZ) 2017 (C. by Complacent-Attention Seeker) (trainer: M A Kropp)Longreach JC- Race 3 Fruit Barn P., A$7450 1200m Granola State (NZ) 2013 (G. by Cape Blanco-Tip the Wink) (trainer: David R...

Weekend Runners - 3.3.2021

Good luck to connections of Cm graduates racing over Easter weekend.AUSTRALIA FRIDAYAscot- Race 7 Morley Growers Market H., A$30000 2200m Queen Takes King (NZ) 2016 (F. by Charm Spirit-Egeria) (trainer: L Smith) AUSTRALIA SATURDAYDongara Irwin RC- Race 3 Pinkmoon H., A$12000 1100m Tumut River (NZ) 2014 (G. by Choisir-Princess Jay) (trainer: Sean Rains)Moruya JC- Race 5 Bay Coast Cleaning H., A$12000 1020m Spring Season (AUS) 2015 (G. by Sebring-Private Steer) (trainer: J W Marzol)MRC- Race ...

Filly scores fitting win

Annavisto’s (Reliable Man x Avisto) win in the Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m) last Saturday proved to be more than just a highlight for her big group of owners. The Reliable Man filly provided her breeder Greg Tomlinson of Nearco Stud with a very significant treble. Tomlinson bred her dam Avisto (Tavistock-Miraculous Miss[AUS]) and she has the honour of being the first stakes winner for Nearco Stud, she was also the first stakes winner for Tavistock, and now she has given Tavistock his first s...

Weekend Wrap Up - March 27/28 2021

It was a big weekend of results and as well as success from Curraghmore graduates, it was brilliant to see Verry Elleegant achieve at elite level again for her successful connections that include breeder Don Goodwin, former trainer and part-owner Nick Bishara, John, Mark and Rachel Carter, Grangewilliam Stud who stand her sire Zed, James McDonald, Chris Waller and the rest of her ownership group.Mo'unga was also successful on Saturday, giving Annabel Neasham her first Group One win and another e...

Stakes win for Annavisto

Annavisto (NZ) (Reliable Man) has secured some important black-type for her connections with an all-the-way victory in the Listed Bendigo Guineas (1600m) on Saturday. And the Mick Price And Michael Kent Jr-trained filly was on her best behaviour, giving rider Jamie Kah an easy steer. Sent out the $2.50 favourite, Annavisto scored by 1-¾ lengths from Mozzie Monster ($4.80) with Air Defence ($31) 2-¼ lengths away third. Annavisto has been her own worst enemy on occasions and blew the start whe...

Weekend Wrap Up- 23.3.2021

Curraghmore added three new wins to the season tally over the weekend. The Stephen Marsh-trained Rip Em Up was first to post success when winning at Tauranga on Saturday in the Worlds End Bar and Restaurant Fraser Cove 2100. Bred by Darrel Hollinshead, Rip Em Up was purchased by Go Racing out of Curraghmore's 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale draft. Rip Em Up has been in good form this campaign and was coming off the back of a last start second at Matamata. She now has four wins to her c...

Curraghmore graduate looking to conquer Hong Kong Derby

David Hayes will saddle Conqueror in Sunday's BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin. The son of Fastnet Rock was a solid fourth in an 1800m Class 2 behind Butterfield on 7 March, 2021. “Conqueror ran a good race last start and his trackwork with Shadow Hero on Tuesday morning on the course proper was really good. He’ll get the blinkers back on – I think he’s a better horse in blinkers,” Hayes said. “His run in the winkers was good, but he sort of dropped the bit with 600m to ru...

Weekend Runners - 12.3.21

Good luck to connections of all Curraghmore graduates racing this weekend including:AUSTRALIA FRIDAYIllawarra TC- Race 6 TAB Conditional H., A$35000 1400m Aspect Ratio (AUS) 2016 (F. by Declaration of War-Poste Restante) (trainer: J G Sargent)Lockyer RC- Race 7 Laidley Cup Ticket Online H., A$17000 1400m Celtic Tiger (NZ) 2012 (G. by O'Reilly-Miraculous Miss) (trainer: Douglas Lane) AUSTRALIA SATURDAYATC- Race 1 Catanachs H., A$125000 1900m Toscanini (AUS) 2017 (C. by Fastnet Rock-Soubrette...