Racing

The heat was on at the Ardlethan Picnic Races on Saturday and trainer, Connie Greig, was on fire with a trifecta in the Cup. The brilliant team of Greig and jockey Leandro Ribeiro saw Valadyum cross the line of the 1600m Nutrien Ag Solutions Ardlethan Picnic Race Cup, half a length in front of Inzagh ridden by Breanna Bourke, and Merdeka, ridden by Sally Faulks, both also trained by Connie Greig.

Not even jet lag ... could distract Grafton’s busiest and most determined eight-year-old from putting her foot down and kick-starting her 2023 racing season with three podium finishes earlier this month ... After finishing third in both races in her Stock Polaris RZR 200, Ruby decided to drive her Polaris Off-Road RZR 570 to familiarise herself with her new vehicle under race conditions in the Endurance Race, and was happy to cross the finish line in second place.

While spectators are used to watching youngsters mounted on their ponies doing all sorts of things, pony trots is attracting more and more young drivers. Pony trots is for children aged six to 17 years old with ponies who are no bigger than 13hh in height, and the races are conducted at meetings in the same way as the big guns.

Midway through the Towong Cup on Elveena, apprentice jockey, Hannah Edgley, was thinking how lucky she was that the horse’s trainer Ben Brisbourne was not on track as the five-year-old mare ($4.60) travelled wide at the rear of the field ... "All I could think of during the run was the spray I was going to get from Ben": Hannah Edgley laughed.

With the benefit of a strong performance at Tamworth last month, Athena Nyx is set to bounce back to the winner’s circle in the Class 2 Handicap on Master Builders Association Race Day at Port Macquarie on Friday. The flashy chestnut broke her maiden status with a comprehensive victory over Civil War at the north west circuit last September and then doubled down when accounting for Champagne Tastes at Beaudesert a fortnight later.

Pingrup Racing Club

With no thanks to the Animal Justice Party, all Victorian racetracks, race meetings, trial meetings and racing precincts just got safer. The recent passing in the Victorian Parliament of the Racing Amendment Bill 2022 prohibits the unauthorised access to these places and events and any acts that make them unsafe ... Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, said the legislation targeting the radical, animal rights activists, was overdue.

Peter Hibberd. The Boort Club, which dates back to 1891, again had a very good sized crowd to watch the eight scheduled races. Trainers again showed their support, coming from all parts of Victoria and South Australia.

Penong Farmers Cup Races, 11 March 2023

Karen Jones. Congratulations to our four juniors who made the NT Title A Main. A first for three of them it was a learning curve racing against some very experienced quick drivers.

Shane’s lucky break came as a result of his carer Samantha De Jersey’s encouragement for Shane to apply for a stable hand position with Clear Mountain Fairview Thoroughbred Horse Stud at Greenmount ... Mick liked the boy’s enthusiasm, respectful nature and willingness to learn and he soon became an important team member.

If you are fortunate in life, you meet that person who is humble, genuine, passionate and a great friend to guide you on your journey and help you achieve your dreams. Deane Lester, a respected industry form analyst, as well as a mentor for Jye McNeil, passed away on Thursday after a short battle with cancer; he was 54 ... “He's going to be riding with me in every race today,” said an emotional McNeil.

After being forced to the sidelines following a racing accident last April, Cejay Graham returned triumphantly with a riding double at the Port Macquarie race meeting on Sunday. At her first track appearance since an injury enforced layoff, the popular apprentice was able to steer Heir Apparent to the lead down the home running to score in the ATM2HIRE Handicap.

With interest continuing to build towards the Newhaven Park Country Championship series, Lisztomania is set to take the next step in the Carlton Dry Mid North Coast Preview at Port Macquarie on Sunday.

Dederang Picnic Race Club

Condobolin Picnic Race Club

The honest Standardbred was once the poor relation of the racehorse world. While the Thoroughbreds had a chance of finding a life after racing, the Standardbred was far less likely to get that opportunity. In the past 20 years – and especially since 2015 when Harness Racing Victoria set up its “HERO” rehoming program – things have really changed and they can be found in any number of occupations, without a sulky in sight.

Helen Whiteman. Last Saturday saw the third and final race in the Pacer Series, designed to introduce our new and novice sailors to the rules of racing and competitive sailing ... Rob Champion also took the opportunity to bring along a friend and bring his father's Fireball out of retirement to race with the rest of the fleet.

Jeff Hanson. Jake Myers created history at Summernats 35, winning his second Burnout Masters crown. Tearing up the asphalt in his 1966 Mustang, known fondly as S1CKO, in front of the 100,000-strong crowd in Canberra earlier this month, Myers didn’t disappoint, defeating winner of both the Masters and Championship at 'Nats 33 Rick Fuller and his new ride FULLONX, ahead of Michael Pratten in SPASTIC.

Racing SA is offering those living in the state’s South-East and wanting a career in thoroughbred racing a great opportunity to expand their knowledge ... Multiple Group 1 winning jockey and Racing SA’s industry, development and training officer Clare Lindop will be joined by Racing SA’s Jockey Coach Dean Pettit to host the day which will encourage and support students with the knowledge to progress their career in the Racing Industry.

Emma Pritchard. Ruby Howell has her sights firmly set on a bright future. And the enthusiastic eight-year-old from Grafton is on track to achieve her dreams ... Ruby recently travelled overseas with her family to take part in the Competitive Off-Road Racing Series 2022 National Race Event at Carolina Adventure World in Winnsboro, South Carolina ...

Following a great start to the racing season, the Ceduna Racing Club is looking forward to the staging of the Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Ceduna Cup in January. The second meet in the West Coast racing season, the Ceduna Cup will be a six-race outing and also feature the usual trackside fun.