The stable had a good innings during Cup week at Riccarton. On the first day Imhappyaboutthat was third in the Gr 3 Metropolitan handicap, and we had several other minor placings.
On the second day of the meeting, Ali Gee won and qualified for the G1 2000 Guineas on the final day; and there were three second placings for the stable.
The meeting culminated in the final day, with the New Zealand Cup the main attraction. Stable runer Live the Reality produced a brilliant run for third, and the two-year-old Justlikethat was second in the Welcome Stakes, going down by only a short neck. Several other runners gained minor placings.
Live the Reality is now being aimed for the Wellington Cup, in mid January.
Slinky Planet set to resume
(Tayler Strong/ODT, 6 Oct 2004)
Slinky Planet, the winner of eight races last season, the most by a galloper, is due to resume at Riccarton on Saturday.
Vanessa Johnston, who can claim 3kg, has been engaged to ride Slinky Planet in an open 1000m.
"She [Slinky Planet] is fresh and hopefully starting a campaign that will lead to the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham with the Stewards’ Handicap at Riccarton her immediate target," Paul Harris, her Rangiora trainer, said.
The Danehill Dancer mare won fresh up over 1100m at the corresponding meeting last season.
She had a further 14 starts through May with wins at Rangiora (two), Kumara, Reefton, Riccarton (two) and Riverton.
Slinky Planet won the listed Timaru Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton in January.
September stable news:
Senorita Dane (by Senor Pete) was a convincing winner in the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes at Riccarton today. Lady Matilda ran a very good fourth in the race. Senorita Dane is raced by the Bend the Arm No.3 Syndicate, which is also shares in Slinky Planet. Senorita Dane led home Innate and Blooming in the 1200m. The filly is on track for the Group 3 Lowland Stakes at Trentham in October, and in November the Group 1 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas.
Kiwi Courage had a fantastic win at Ashburton on September 5.
New barn: the clearing of the barn site began on October 4.
Walker: the area for the new walker has also been cleared. It will be ready for use soon.
Rangiora trials: we had encouraging results at the trials on our home track on September 14, with five winners. The young horses in the stable are showing some huge potential and are all on their way to running some good races.
1.9.04: Jet-black speedster Sinky Planet was the most successful racehorse in New Zealand last season on the basis of wins. The Danehill Dancer mare won eight of her 15 starts.
31.5.04: Hustler (by Al Akbar) proved he was back to his best with a win in the $15,000 ING 1400 at Trentham on Saturday. He was topweight with 57kg and had not raced before on heavy ground. Hustler went into the Trentham race as a proven Gr. 1 performer, having won the 2002 New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton, and with a career record of six wins and six seconds from 19 starts.
5.5.04: The highlight of the final day of the CJC meeting was the impressive victory of Branson in the Group 3 Coca Cola Canterbury Gold Cup. He is raced by Six Sigma Racing. Branson was a purchase from the Premier Sale at Karaka.
19.12.03: Slinky Planet ran a track record at Rangiora, going 1000m in 56.98sec. The country’s top jockey, Michael Walker, was aboard. Walker won three races on the day to make his trip south rewarding. Success on the day was an appropriate lead in for Harris to his staff and owners Christmas function held on the course after the completion of racing.
Media articles
(copyright of these articles remains with the original writer and publication. These articles are reprinted here for information only).
The stable received a boost in June 2001 when jockey Michael Walker won on Equity Rose at Wingatui -- the win gave him the most wins of any jockey in one season in the country's racing history. And the season still has several weeks to go.
