News

Changes to the Course

With the widening of the course proper at Pukekura Raceway, the True Position will remain the same and when the rail is out, the distance given will be from the True Position.

When a meeting races inside the True Position, this will be termed Inside Track (of which the circumference is 1569m).

Submission to draft NPDC Long Term Plan

Taranaki Thoroughbred Racing submitted to the New Plymouth District Council on their 2012 Long Term Plan.  Click here to view Taranaki Thoroughbred Racing submission.

TrackWalk for Catwalk

On 9 April 2012, Easter Monday, Lance O’Sullivan, Simon Cooper, Andre Klein and Jason Fleming ran around all 51 licensed thoroughbred racecourses in New Zealand to raise money for The Catwalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust www.catwalk.org.nz. The Catwalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust is a charity committed to raising funds to support the body of scientific opinion which says a cure for spinal cord injury will be found.

The ran began early morning on Easter Monday at Gore Racecourse and finished 6 days later on Saturday, 14 April 2012 at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland on Easter Handicap Race Day.  The runners arrived at Pukekura Raceway on Day 3 (11 April) at 5.25pm.

Thank you for your support of the efforts of Lance, Simon, Andre and Jason and donations to The Catwalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust.  If you woud still like to donate you can so at: www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/trackwalk/. 

When you donate at the above address, you will be asked to nominate your Race Club.  Please ensure you nominate Taranaki Thoroughbred Racing.

Many jockeys and track riders have suffered spinal injuries in the pursuit of their careers, so please show your support by donating to this Trust.

You are also invited to follow Lance, Simon, Andre and Jason at:

Trackwork – 15/05
Course Proper – Slow
Sand – Slushy
Zetow hit out nicely yesterday morning when preparing for her race day debut at Hawera tomorrow.  Another Hawera nominee Precious Poppy, had a Keeper filly for a galloping companion and the stablemates had no trouble coming in from the 600m marker in 39.81. On the sand, The Pooka and Keyora matched strides over the 800m and lengthened stride the final 600m to clock 39.20.  They are both not far away from lining up on raceday following layoffs.  Juliann, Chiva Royale and an unnamed Don Eduardo youngster in the Wheeler stable showed speed clocking the quickest final 600m of the session when dashing home in 37.88

Tony Bird, Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 2012

Trackwork – 08/05
Course Proper – Good
Cool Spur showed he has trained on nicely, galloping strongly yesterday morning, the final 600 in 37.07.  He appeared to have plenty in reserve at the line and is expected to contest the rating 75 1400m at his home meeting on Saturday.  Jetset Lad continued his preparation for a proposed Queensland winter campaign.  He is booked to fly to Brisbane on May 15 where his main mission is the group one Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm.  I Do was preparing for her home meeting on Saturday and pleased when striding effortlessly over 1200m, the final 600 in 38.20.  One of the smartest gallops came from I Am Sam and Our Jackpot, doing the final 600 in 37.93.  Stormin Norman is getting close to racing after eight months away from the racetrack.

Tony Bird, Taranaki Daily News, 09 May 2012

Track Update – 01/05
Course Proper – Dead
Sand – Slow
Stablemates I Am Sam and Our Jackpot impressed in preparation for their home track meeting on Saturday 12 May, the final 600 in 38.02.  An eye-catching effort by Our Jackpot whose saddle slipped down the home straight.  Don’t Gloat continues to thrive and appeared to be travelling a little better than an unnamed galloping partner clocking the final 600 in 37.33.  Rias Pride and Jokraar also showed plenty of speed, the final 600 in 37.45.

Tony Bird, Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 2012

Jumpouts at Pukekura Raceway Thursday April 26th

Heat 1 - 800m
1.  Bachelor Duke (I Kelly)
2.  Postponed g (A Sharrock)
3.  Postponed f (A Sharrock)
Time:  50.23

Heat 2:  800m
1.  Keeper g    ( I Kelly)
2.  Shaft g ( A Sharrock)
3.  Don Eduardo (J Wheeler)
Time:  49.10

Heat 3:  800m
1.  Bachelor Duke f (A Sharrock)
2.  Bachelor Duke (J Wheeler)
3.  Bachelor Duke g (A Sharrock)
Time:  49.25

Heat 4:  1000m
1.  Keeper f (B Crow)
2.  Duelled (I Kelly)
3.  Keeper f (J Millar)
Time:  60.0

Heat 5:  1000m
1.  Mr Nancho g (A Sharrock)
2.  Viking Ruler (S Dravitzki)
3.  Shinko King (P Fleming)
Time:  58.35

Heat 6:  1000m
1.  Remind g (A Sharrock)
2.  Duchess of Denby (D Dravitzki)
3.  Mr Nancho (A Sharrock)
Time:  59.67

Heat 7:  1000m
1.  Big Lucy (S Dravitzki)
2.  Keep Seeking (A Sharrock)
3.  Dont Gloat (A Sharrock)
Time:  59.10

Heat 8:  1000m
1.  Swinging Dixie (G Feaver)
2.  Perfect Blessing (A Sharrock)
3.  Yeshi Shinko (A Sharrock)
Time:  57.83

Heat 9:  1400m
1.  Torrado (P Fleming)
2.  Pascoe Brown (A Sharrock)
3.  Volkswagon (J Wheeler)
Time:  1.25

Track Update – 24/04
Course Proper – Good
Sand – Dead
Gold Cape impressed, hitting the line strongly at the end of a solid 1200m in 1:17:41 with stablemate I’ve Got A Feeling.  Both horses are expected to contest races at either Woodville or Te Rapa on Saturday.  Don’t Gloat was another to impress.  Local apprentice Miranda Dravitzki kicked off her riding career at Awapuni where she partnered New Plymouth trained Bavarian.  Bavarian went a bold race for second fresh up from a spell at Trentham last start.

Tony Bird, Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 2012

Track Update – 17/04
Course Proper – Good
Sand – Slow
Confrontational showed further improvement when galloping in company with last start maiden winner Cool Spur, running home their final 600 in 37.12.  Making Confrontational’s gallop even more noteworthy was that he had a big weight up with owner-trainer Don Caskey aboard.  Shez Sinsational showed she was on target to resume in the open sprint at Tauranga on Saturday.  Anna Karenina impressed working solo over 1000m, taking 39.14 for the final 600m.  She is expected to line up next at Hastings on Saturday where stablemate I Am Sam will be kicking off a fresh campaign.  I Am Sam has done plenty of work in preparation for a return to racing.  Woodville acceptors Bobby and Mr Charlie were not pushed to record 38.70 over the 600m.  Pascoe Brown is coming up nicely for his second jumping campaign and Hawke’s Bay candidates Our Jackpot and Jokraar were paired in a 1000m, doing the 600m in 39.84

Tony Bird, Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 2012

Track Update – 03/04
Course Proper – Good
Sand – Slow

La Muchacha looks ready to race well on her home track tomorrow.  Shez Sinsational took time honours with a 37.98 for the final 600m section and will most likely kick off a fresh campaign in the open 1400m sprint on April 21 before heading to Brisbane.  On the sand, Efteling Miss and Rampantexcuse were preparing for home track engagements when sprinting 600 together in 38.20.

Tony Bird, Taranaki Daily News, 4 April 2012