It is difficult to complain about too much that went on in Christchurch last week, so here are some extra positives to focus on:
• Winners came from everywhere across the three days at Riccarton.
Plenty of swoopers won, while there were winners coming close to the rails, too. The rain came at the right time on Thursday to take a bit of sting out of the track for the final Saturday.
• It was great to see a good spread of winners at Show Day on Friday, with the winners of the 12 races coming from 10 different stables.
• While numbers were slightly light for the South Of The Waitaki race at Addington on Friday, good on Oamaru trainer Eion Latimer for starting two, and great effort by caller Mark McNamara to work a few Dave McDonald-isms in to his call to add to the southern feel.
This bird has flown . . .
Good luck to Kevin and Patricia Court, who said farewell to Smokin Bird yesterday.
She flies out of Christchurch today bound for Sydney.
The Courts are retaining ownership of the outstanding Southland Oaks winner from last season, and she will race out of the Luke McCarthy stable.
I would not be surprised to see her name in the ranks of the open-class pacing mares very quickly over there.
. . . it's no secret
Speaking of former Otago mares overseas, Secret's Out - formerly owned by Wingatui couple Graeme and Ann Mee - has acclimatised to New York faster than you can say ''forgettaboutit''.
She was a winner in 1.54.0 at the 800m Yonkers track on Saturday afternoon in her first race night start.
Central Courage Syndicate's beloved former favourite Al Raza ran second to the former Brent White pacer Sell A Bit in an earlier race.
Ears to you, Carol
Ears Carol has a pretty smart sense of timing.
Her standout product Who Shot Thebarman was brilliant in the Zipping Classic on Saturday, so what did she do on Monday?
She gave birth to a Raise The Flag filly.
White Robe Lodge stud manager Wayne Stewart said the filly is likely to be available to buy in future, as the stud already has a Raise The Flag filly out of the mare.
There's something to consider if you have cash sloshing around in a slush fund. She is likely to be covered by Ghibellines this coming season.
White Robe Lodge have also bought back Gallantly, a half-sister to Ears Carol, from her Australian owners and she has been covered by the Zabeel stallion Reset before returning home.
Lazy Fiver
Serena Miss was blocked more times than yours truly on the basketball court in last week's Guineas, so no luck for Jeff Smith.
I have put $25 to win on the Mosgiel-owned Its Oscar in race 3 at Alexandra Park tonight for Ian Rutherford of Te Anau.
This week's question: Who won last week's New Zealand Cup for greyhounds?
Answers with contact number and TAB account number to the address below:
- Check out Matt's two-minute racing tips video at www.odt.co.nz every Friday
