gubellini

Fire sale. He would have spent over $200,000 on Huckleberry Hussie. Will be lucky to get a grand back. Steep learning curve.

She is the second highest rated filly in the field but would be a quantum leap going from a Maiden fourth at Taupo to winning a Stakes race at Ellerslie.

weasel57 Star Delta was bred in 1973 by Sugar Apple out of the Bellborough mare Jenna Lee. Still researching but I think he won five races including the VRC Cup Day Hurdles at Flemington.

Blue a correction. Backfire won 12 races from his 71 starts. His first win was as a 2yo at Gisborne on the 8/5/65 ridden by Don Foley.

Blue yes Deep Stream was owned and trained by Alec Charleston a well known Amateur Rider. Trained at Karamu. His last win was the 1964 Pakuranga Cup owned, trained and ridden by Alec. Gold Tie and Baggy Hillis second. Rethea and Jim Gibbs third and Braemar and Jim Hely fourth.

Tauhei Notts correct. His owner JLWebb stood him briefly at Manurewa but then he was relocated to Tokomaru Bay.

Blue Firing Line was bred in 1945 by Foxbridge out of Caliente who was by Polazel out of Phar Lap’s full sister Fortune’s Wheel. He was owned by JL Webb and trained at Takanini by FE Hall. He raced 38 times for only one win. Remarkably that was at Avondale on the 14/1/50 when he won the Bollard Memorial over 11 furlongs creating a then NZ Record of 2.15.6. Larry Wiggins the jockey. From limited opportunities at stud he sired three winners. Remarkably they won 21 races between them. Backfire an East Coast specialist won 10. Awol 6 and Deep Stream 5.

Previous trainer won $91,650 with her from seven starts. Current trainers have won $500 with her from two starts.

Result was: 1. Battle Heights. Brian Andrews 2. Peg’s Pride. Kevin Langby 3. Fury’s Order. Bob Skelton 4. Kaukapakapa. Bill Skelton 5. Peter Puckle. Roy Higgins 6. Tea. Larry Olsen 7. Harleigh Blows. Gary Willetts 8. Count Kereru. Noel Harris 9. Wool Away. L. Duffy 10. Manchero. Lester Piggott 11. Curly Wave. Stan Aitken.

I remember that in the early 70’s they even had a hurdle race at their on course meeting.

Taupo had on course only racing until 1978. Not sure when they began. From 1979 on they have had a full TAB licence. The first Taupo Cup under the full licence was won by Dainty Oak trained at Matamata by Terry McDermott and raced by long time owner Alan Schaare. Ridden by Richard Marsh from Cambridge.

The John Allen comedy show continues to roll on. He is quoted in today’s Herald as saying when he retires “I think one one of the first things I will do is become a member of the Wellington Racing Club”. What’s stopping him from joining now? Perhaps he may even condescend to visit a TAB and place a bet in the new year.

Jape yes Opie rode Watch Officer in the 1998 Kiwifruit Cup at Tauranga. Quasin and Kim Taylor caught them on the line and won by a nose with 5 lengths back to Kings Ransom and Cath Treymane.

John Allen has resigned this morning. Payout figure will be interesting. Real worry is will his replacement have any racing/ gaming experience?

Special of the day: Oysters and caviar for John Allen Pipis and sushi for racing participants at the coalface