Jonny Turner

Conceding a big weight disadvantage did not stop Gore veteran Irish Excuse handing out a thrashing to the open-grade sprinters at the first day of the Grand National Carnival at Riccarton on Saturday.

The brilliance of champion rider Chris Johnson helped Central Districts raider Dez score a last-stride victory in the group 3 Winter Cup at Riccarton on Saturday.

The beach-trained duo of Four Starzzz Shiraz and Anothersuperstar made it a day for the veterans with spectacular victories in the feature races at Forbury Park yesterday.

Oamaru trotting maestro Phil Williamson is looking to cash in on a day that looks tailor-made for him in Victoria tomorrow.

Trainers Cran Dalgety and Nathan Purdon will attempt to start a new partnership in style at Forbury Park tomorrow.

Hastings trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal have not got their hopes up before the feature jumping races on the first day of the Grand National carnival at Riccarton.

The timing is right for Central Districts raiders Rosewood and Dez to make their mark on tomorrow's group 3 Winter Cup at Riccarton.

I think it is fair to say July will not go down as one of the great months in Otago or Oamaru racing history.

Gore steeplechaser Tai Ho's Grand National Carnival plans have been shelved after the horse sustained a minor injury in training.

Champion reinsman Blair Orange sealed his emphatic victory in the national drivers premiership with a five-win haul at Oamaru yesterday.

Woodend Beach pacer Homebush Lad showed his stablemates Monbet and Enghien how to make a stylish comeback when winning at Oamaru yesterday.

Woodend Beach trainer Regan Todd can finish his season in style at Oamaru tomorrow.

Riccarton galloper Albut Me all but sealed a start in next weekend's group 3 Winter Cup when he won at Timaru yesterday.

Canterbury driver Samantha Ottley and Southland pacer Unloaded will attempt to continue their winning combination in tonight's South Of The Waitaki Series final at Addington.

New Zealand racing, and in particular the South Island's thoroughbred racing community, was a big loser when last Sunday's Oamaru meeting was abandoned.

Oamaru trotter Liberty Stride stunned Australian harness racing fans with a phenomenal win from a seemingly hopeless position at Shepparton on Tuesday.

The stallion ranks at Northern Southland stud Macca Lodge have continued to expand following the addition of former star North American pacer Fear The Dragon.

Riccarton galloper Dipomat did 100-year-old trainer Barbara Blackie proud, but was not able to grab a world record-breaking win at Ashburton yesterday.

West Melton galloper Trudeau could go from being one of the buys of the year to one of the buys of the decade after his win in yesterday's Oamaru Cup at Ashburton.

Central Districts trainer Mike Breslin's search for the best possible winter track for his team may hit a road bump at Ashburton today.