Matt Smith

There will be no jockey more grateful than KC Walters to hear the gates open in race 1 at Riverton today.

The flip of the coin that is shootout time in hockey went against the Southern men's side on day two of the national under-21 tournament in Dunedin yesterday.

Phil Williamson will decide in the next week whether he has one runner or two at the Harness Jewels at Cambridge next month.

Harness Jewels favourite Field Marshal might be enjoying a short breather in the paddock right now after his dual group 1 successes at Alexandra Park in the last fortnight.

The first-up raid has worked again for Dunedin man Ray Chalklin and Westwood Beach trainer Graeme Anderson.

Ivanskavinskyvar must have stolen a glance at Steven Prince's stable notes this week, because he was on his last chance when he lined up in the rating 65 1600m at Wingatui yesterday.

He might have been a late starter to the racing game but Franco Exeter can continue to shine for Canterbury trainer Mark Jones at Forbury Park tonight.

It seems some Sams in the world have a culinary weakness.

Wingatui jockey Toni Direen is on the hunt for some last-minute spending money when she rides at Wingatui today.

Barry Kitto has been everpresent around racetracks in the South Island for more than 30 years. But he has hung up his boots. Racing reporter Matt Smith catches up with Kitto and the job he put a full stop on.

Samantha Wynne could be the pride of the South if she guides Miss Three Stars to a third straight win at Riccarton tomorrow.

The Forbury Park Trotting Club will begin searching for a new general manager after John Ayoub resigned this week to re-enter the tourism industry.

They might have finished close together, but Dancing Dixie and Extend will have targets in different provinces after the Otago Racing Club jumpouts at Wingatui yesterday.

Titan Banner is Harness Jewels-bound - it just remains to be seen who trains him for his northern sojourn to Cambridge on Queen's Birthday weekend.

Mitchell Scott has a need for speed.

The weights might finally be falling in the favour of Tommy Tucker.