Jonny Turner

Trainer Matt Purvis is hoping for more luck in the running for his stable at Addington tonight than he has received recently.

Firstly, I need to start this week's column with some important news.

Excitement is building at Wingatui ahead of the arrival of the Melbourne Cup later this month.

Singing played an unlikely and important role in helping rider Shaun Phelan produce a brilliant front-running ride to win the Grand National Steeplechase on It's A Wonder at Riccarton on Saturday.

Being on her best behaviour helped trotter Majestic Rose reward Kerry Kelly with her first training win at Gore on Saturday.

Southland veteran The Gordonian relished the splattering mud the Riccarton track offered on Saturday when winning the Winter Classic.

An exclamation mark was put at the end of freakish pacer U May Cullect's first season of racing when he was crowned Southland harness racing horse of the year in Invercargill last night.

Canterbury raiders look ready to make an impact on the first meeting of the new Southland harness racing season at Gore today.

Waipukurau galloper Dez will attempt to notch a double double when he contests the Winter Classic at Riccarton Park today.

Forbury Park trainer Darryn Simpson has done as the name of his emerging trotter, Havehorsewilltravel, suggests.

Rider Mathew Gillies will attempt to end an up-and-down week on a high with Gagarin in tomorrow's Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton.

The Grand National Carnival has been a success, so far, and hopefully that continues on Saturday.

Wingatui galloper Spectra stamped herself as a southern stayer to follow when she broke maidens at the Grand National Carnival yesterday.

Life is like a box of chocolates for South Canterbury horse of the year Clifden Clowers.

Bold frontrunning tactics paid off for rider Buddy Lammas when Alfie Dee clung on to win the Grand National Hurdles in a thrilling finish.

South Island hopes in today's Grand National Hurdles solely rest with versatile Riverton jumper Adequacy.

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.