BIG KAHUNA CHARITY PUNTERS CLUB CONTINUES THIS SATURDAY

richie
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richie reacted to nomates in Melbourne Cup Now 10 Million
Yeah exactly , getting a bit stupid .
Next both committee's will have to stand in a line opposite each other and bring out their whangers for measuring .
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richie got a reaction from Goodison in A Small Rant
When we were kids we would collect discarded tote tickets,Dad would write out the placings and we would check every one and would share the money between us.One day we found a treble ticket which you had first 2 leg then go round back of tote to exchange for numbers.Dad also had first 2leg in so between the 2 tickets we had enough to have field in last.When Dad was out back of tote exchanging there was a guy quite distraught trying to explain to operator he had lost his slip.Dad told him we may have it and had already exchanged and had field going in last, they came to agreement to split winnings .Turned out guy was Jim Lalor who apparently hardly ever bets.Outsider won and we had enough money for Dad to buy a cheap horse and gave to Jim to train.We soon found out why horse was cheap.Won first race then went mongrel and wouldnt let anybody on her back.Broke leg in paddock accident.We also had enough to go to Marlborough Sounds and stay in flash holiday home for a week.Yrebles back then paid well.
Was amazing how many good tickets we found,mainly small amounts but occasional one was very decent.
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richie got a reaction from meomy in A Small Rant
When we were kids we would collect discarded tote tickets,Dad would write out the placings and we would check every one and would share the money between us.One day we found a treble ticket which you had first 2 leg then go round back of tote to exchange for numbers.Dad also had first 2leg in so between the 2 tickets we had enough to have field in last.When Dad was out back of tote exchanging there was a guy quite distraught trying to explain to operator he had lost his slip.Dad told him we may have it and had already exchanged and had field going in last, they came to agreement to split winnings .Turned out guy was Jim Lalor who apparently hardly ever bets.Outsider won and we had enough money for Dad to buy a cheap horse and gave to Jim to train.We soon found out why horse was cheap.Won first race then went mongrel and wouldnt let anybody on her back.Broke leg in paddock accident.We also had enough to go to Marlborough Sounds and stay in flash holiday home for a week.Yrebles back then paid well.
Was amazing how many good tickets we found,mainly small amounts but occasional one was very decent.
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richie got a reaction from nomates in Big Kahuna Charity Punters Comp - Week 2 entry thread
Great work Maxi
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richie reacted to Maximus in Big Kahuna Charity Punters Comp - Week 2 entry thread
Big Kahunas W2 MEETING RACE # HORSE TIPSTER RESULT DIVIDEND TOTAL Trentham 1 Zeefa Zed Double R 2nd $1.20 $12.00 Trentham 2 Au Revoir The Lone Stranger Trentham 2 The Republican chiknsmack Trentham 3 Our Daymo Seakem Trentham 5 Autumn Beauty Al Feilding Trentham 6 Jesko Catalano Trentham 8 Wheelitin gubellini Trentham 8 Train Wreck nomates Trentham 10 Faustian Bargain Littletramp Trentham 10 Our Lady Brooke Ponderosa8 Ruakaka 1 Robbie Pete Lane Ruakaka 1 Top Dollar Pottsie Ruakaka 1 Kudos Manfield Ruakaka 2 Ammirati Winner 69 Ruakaka 4 Ashoka rdytdy Ruakaka 4 Miss Moet All kilcoyne Ruakaka 5 Super Dailo barryb Ruakaka 5 Full Noise Shad Ruakaka 5 Fernandez Ohokaman Ruakaka 6 Acapelago Baz NZ Ruakaka 6 Levakia Black Kirrama Ruakaka 7 Sterling Express Stoyd Ruakaka 7 Stoneybreck mr gee Ruakaka 7 St Bathans Blue Duck Ruakaka 8 No Plan Be Maximus Ruakaka 9 Shockatillatap Koriokaramea Rosehill 4 Super Norwest RacingJackReacher Rosehill 6 Green Shadow Blaird Rosehill 8 Kazalark Pegasus 9 Rosehill 10 Lady Extreme Foxnerts Rosehill 10 Red Rags To Bulls Montydrum Caulfield 2 Runlikenencryption Lucasduke Caulfield 2 Behaviour Peter R S Caulfield 5 Euphoria Richie Caulfield 5 Smokin' Romans Fredd002 Caulfield 8 Rolls Basil brush Caulfield 8 Dublin Journal Toddy Rosehill 1 Khumbila Sayer Rosehill 2 Salute Again Foxmerts Rosehill 4 Lady Boss Kloppite Rosehill 10 Snack Bar Goodison Rosehill 10 Iron Man Alf Riston Rosehill 10 Eye of the Fire KiwiGnome Eagle Farm 4 Pillow Fight Pak Star Eagle Farm 5 Manzoice FloydPink Eagle Farm 6 Pulchritudinous Houlahan's Dream Eagle Farm 7 Cranky Harry sunlineboy Eagle Farm 8 Olentia Idolmite Eagle Farm 8 Grinzinger Belle scooby 3051 Eagle Farm 8 Floozie Pheroz Eagle Farm 8 El Morzillo Jack Eagle Farm 8 Adellia Pure Steel Eagle Farm 9 Midnight in Tokyo say no more Eagle Farm 9 Prince of Boom jayar Eagle Farm 9 Austmarr We're Doomed Morphettville 3 Silver Lifestyle Dogzstar1 Morphettville 6 Yuri Royale Seddon Wodonga 8 Oh So Thrilling Insider Pinjarra 4 Li'l Capri catalano Pinjarra 6 Objectify ChittyChittyBangBang -
richie got a reaction from We're Doomed in Jumps racing
Why did they have 2 openings to straight open.Surely one should have been closed off during race.Imo all horses that went wrong way should be late scratched,presenters dont even seem to know which way was right way.
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richie reacted to Chestnut in Whats your punting strategy?
Thinking on it.. a bit like the motherships wise words when I was going to a party... keep your hat on and your legs crossed.. still stick by that now too
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richie reacted to Alf Riston in Big Kahuna Charity Punters Comp - Week 1 entry thread
In fact - here's a pic of the last NZTR AGM
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richie got a reaction from Keneperu in Justin Evans
Agree,that's where we have been lucky in the past with our racing callers.Deadly accurate in a close finish and call the race.I don't feel we have that in any code now.Watched a sprint race at Addington on the synthetic couple of weeks ago and horse that won came from near last and first time it was mentioned was with 150m to go.Commentator was going on about the horse that was in trail and how well bred it was and race was nearly finished by time he got through field.Oh for the days of Reon Murtha
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richie reacted to scooby3051 in Paul Moroney Simply One Of The Best
Moroney 'raises the bat' after another 100 winner season
Written by
Dane McLeod
Paul Moroney has enjoyed a highly successful career as a bloodstock consultant, and the 2024/2025 season marked another significant milestone; his selected horses have now notched up over 100 wins on the track, and there is no doubt that number will continue to climb before the season is completed.
The 100th Winner: A classy one to boot
There was a special milestone for Paul Moroney at Canterbury on Wednesday, horses he selected at the sales reached over 100 wins for the season, and fittingly, the 100th was by a horse that is bred to be special, and maybe that is what he will become.The horse in question, Central Coast (Wootton Bassett {GB} ex Sunlight), is not only the most expensive yearling ever purchased by Moroney in his bloodstock career, but also a colt with an elite pedigree. He broke his maiden stylishly at his second start at Canterbury.
Purchased for $1.4 million at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on behalf of a syndicate including Coolmore Australia, Central Coast is trained by Chris Waller, who has hinted a Listed race over 1400 metres in Brisbane could be next on the agenda.
The blueblood colt becomes the tenth Australian winner for Wootton Bassett (GB) from his first Australian-bred crop. He is set to stand at Coolmore Australia this spring at a service fee of $385,000 (inc. GST).
Central Coast is the second foal out of champion 3YO filly Sunlight (Zoustar), an 11-time winner including Group 1 victories in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, Newmarket Handicap, and William Reid Stakes. She has made an excellent start to her broodmare career, her first foal, Dawn Service (Justify {USA}), is already a Listed winner at Flemington, and her third foal is a yearling filly by Home Affairs that topped the Magic Millions Yearling Sale this year when selling for $3.2million to Mitsu Nakauchida of Japan.
This colt also hails from a family rich in black type, closely related to stakes winners such as Clean Energy (Zoustar), Sisstar (Zoustar), Causeway Queen (Giant’s Causeway {USA}), and Solar Charged (Red Ransom).
Central Coast winning the Maiden Handicap at Canterbury | Image courtesy of Coolmore
Moroney reflected on the achievement:
“It was a very good result and a very nice win. I’ve been keeping statistics for about the last six seasons, and from purchases we’ve made, we’ve had over 100 wins every season.
“I’m guessing regularly before that it would have been the same case but without the statistics to back me up. Last year, we had 130, which was a record.
“It’s a real feather in our cap. Not many can say they get 100 wins each season, we strive for success right across the spectrum.
“He (Central Coast) has been our most expensive purchase. We’ve worked with Coolmore for well over a decade looking at their top-end yearling selections, and we’re delighted to be able to compete at that level.
“We also purchased a Frankel colt for $750,000 with Coolmore and Go Bloodstock, named Sarapo, who ran second on debut. Chris (Waller) rates that horse highly over a mile and beyond next year. Having these types of horses in work with Chris Waller is a real feather in our cap.”
Type comes first and foremost
Moroney is widely regarded for his focus on “type” - selecting horses based on their physical attributes and athleticism rather than just pedigree.
“Type comes first for me. I then look at pedigree to see if there is a pedigree mix or genetic physical mix for the type in front of me.
“I’ve built up a strong record buying by type, and I believe that enables value within a market without having to take the fashion of sires into account.”
That approach has yielded remarkable results: Moroney has now selected 39 individual Group 1 winners of 55 Group 1 races, including 13 Classic winners. His record also includes 157 individual stakes winners, and a total of 286 individual stakes performers.
“I’m more than happy to buy at the middle of the market and lower. I feel there is a major disconnect between pedigree hype and raceday return.
Paul Moroney | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“The scope of the industry has changed. There’s a lot of hype around syndicating horses with the ‘right’ pedigree formula, and at times buyers shy away from the athlete themselves.
“This actually helps us, the lower end is quite weak, and we’re able to find value in athletes that may not have a desirable page up close.”
A prime example is Yellow Brick (The Mission), purchased for just $20,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale. He recently finished second in the Stradbroke Handicap and has earned just shy of $2.5 million for connections.
Moroney is quick to credit praise towards Catheryne Bruggeman, who joined the business in 2013:
Yellow Brick | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“I believe it has become a lot easier since Catheryne joined. She has an eye I believe matches mine.
“Once I added her eye into the mix, everything became much more streamlined. We look at the same things, and often agree. It’s been a seamless fit.
“Yellow Brick is a great example, Catheryne said, ‘I’ve found one.’, On our second lap together, it became very apparent who the one was. It was very easy to give him a second tick. Tony Sears was the first person I asked to see if he wanted the horse, and he took the horse, look at the results he has achieved.”
Who does Moroney buy for, is he available for anyone?
There’s a common assumption that Paul Moroney bought primarily for his late brother Mike and Ballymore Stables, but that’s not entirely accurate.
“There was a feeling we were buying for Mike first and foremost, but that was never the case. I’ve always had a wide range of clients. People second-guessed that they wouldn’t come first, but in fact everyone gets the same shortlists, it just depends how much they were prepared to pay for each individual.
“I did buy a lot for Ballymore, and it’s now been six months since Mike passed away. It’s left a void both personally and professionally. As sad as it is, it has also opened up opportunities.”
Catheryne Bruggeman | Image courtesy of Paul Moroney Bloodstock
Catheryne Bruggeman recently relocated full-time to Virginia, in America, and the pair now have eyes on international growth.
“We’re looking to make a big push in America. Having Catheryne based there now will only help, whether it’s sourcing bloodstock to bring back to Australia or attracting American investment into the Australian market.
“We think we can make a real impact internationally. I’ve been buying from Europe and the UK since 1985. It never hurts to re-frame, adapt, and improve.”
Building strong client partnerships
Moroney has formed strong partnerships with trainers and syndicators alike. One notable relationship is with the Queensland-based, and recently Gold Coast re-located Tony & Maddysen Sears stable.
“They bought Yellow Brick sight unseen, and he’s probably their best horse. They genuinely trust my eye, and we’ve been buying quite a lot for them. The season has been a little disrupted due to their relocation, but the results will come.” Moroney said.
Newer clients include Monarch Racing Syndications, run by Jason and Tahlia Micallef.
Tony and Maddysen Sears | Image courtesy of Maddy Sears
Moroney commented “They’re a fledgling syndication company, bubbling away nicely. They’ve trusted us and we’ve bought them some really nice stock.”
“They had an open day with pony rides and bouncy castles, they’re passionate, family-first people doing things the right way.”
Glen Thompson, formerly Mike Moroney’s co-trainer, is another key client.
“He’s a good young trainer starting a new venture, and we’ll support him. He’s one to watch.”
Moroney went on to comment about the Hayes boys and how that may create new opportunities, “The Hayes boys now have many of the ex-Ballymore horses I purchased, so that may open up new opportunities too. Even though they have their own bloodstock team, success could see owners returning for more.”
Glen Thompson | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Weanling Sales: A new frontier for Moroney
Later in his career, Moroney has also had outstanding success buying weanlings. Of the 25 weanlings he has purchased that have reached racing age, 14 are winners, eight have been placed, three are unraced, and just one is unplaced.
Four are stakes winners, giving him a stakes-winners-to-runners ratio of 18 per cent, and a stakes-performers-to-runners rate of 27.3 per cent.
“It hasn’t translated into this year’s weanling sales, but I’m sure it will. Pinhookers often do it themselves and are wary of extra costs like agent fees and commission - and that can affect overall results.
“But we think there’s a real market for buying weanlings to race as end users, that’s where we’ve done well. We want to use weanling sales to find fillies with potential to get black type - the upside is enormous.
“Race fillies with black type now sell for more than proven mares. The market is booming, and we want to maximise that.”
The emotional Stradbroke Handicap
This year’s $3 million G1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm was an emotional race for Moroney. War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel {Ire}), a former Ballymore horse, beat Yellow Brick, who Moroney and Bruggeman purchased for only $20,000.
War Machine was bought by Steven Pinfold, affectionately known as “Pinny”, who strapped Moroney’s first Derby winner, Second Coming (NZ) (Oak Ridge {Fr}), in 1997. It marked Pinfold’s first Group 1 winner as a buyer.
The Wallace family of Ardsley Stud, New Zealand, retained a share in War Machine. They had recently suffered a heartbreaking loss with the death of Michael Wallace, a fellow New Zealand bloodstock agent. Jockey Tim Clark wore a black armband in tribute to both Michael Wallace and Mike Moroney.
War Machine (NZ) | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“I can’t remember who I told,” Moroney laughed, “but I’m two years younger than Mike, and I’ve been used to running second to him all my life, and would you believe it, it happened again in the Stradbroke.
“I really didn’t know who to cheer for. It was so close for Yellow Brick and the Sears Racing team, who are great clients. But it was also great for War Machine, who came through the Ballymore system.
“It’s been a sad time for the Wallace family. Hopefully that win lifted their spirits a little.”
Alabama Express - A source of pride
One stallion Moroney takes great pride in is Alabama Express, he has made such a strong start at stud for Yulong.
The Group 1-winning son of Redoute’s Choice has already produced four stakes winners, including triple Group 1 star Treasurethemoment, and talented gallopers Alabama Lass, Glasgow Lass, and Discretion Rules.
“He’s fourth on the second-season sire premiership and has left a super filly. He’s a very good sire, purchased by us for $280,000, trained by Mike to win a Group 1, and now successful at stud. We can develop a stallion as well.
“It’s a lovely string to our bow, and I’ve taken great pleasure following him.”
Alabama Express | Standing at Yulong Stud
As Moroney looks to the future, there’s no question that the closure of Ballymore Stables has marked the end of a major chapter.
“It was a stable close to my heart, and it’s left a bit of a void. But Mike would have wanted me to carry on and do my best. It’s hard to get to the top in this game and even harder to stay there. That’s what I plan to do.”
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richie got a reaction from Chestnut in Big Kahuna Charity Punters Comp - Week 1 entry thread
Flemington R3 #7 MRS CHRISSIE
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richie got a reaction from Pak Star in Justin Evans
Agree,that's where we have been lucky in the past with our racing callers.Deadly accurate in a close finish and call the race.I don't feel we have that in any code now.Watched a sprint race at Addington on the synthetic couple of weeks ago and horse that won came from near last and first time it was mentioned was with 150m to go.Commentator was going on about the horse that was in trail and how well bred it was and race was nearly finished by time he got through field.Oh for the days of Reon Murtha
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richie reacted to Palliser in Justin Evans
Maybe that is why he's there and Tony isn't. They all tend to dribble on about things, Popplewell American football. Evans, Rosanowski, Pip, Simon, Fogarty and others league etc.
But Evans takes it to another level, you almost forget there are races on and go to turn the bloody TV off.
Can you imagine T.Lee agreeing to prattle on about anything but the racing, which we as customers are paying to hear.
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richie got a reaction from Insider in JMac confirmed for Rothfire's incredible Stradbroke bid
I will have to go with one of my favourite all time horses ,and Ashburton owned,not to mention it's my boss that owns it.
Desert Lightening who we know will try his guts out and might get an easy run from the draw
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richie got a reaction from Blaird in JMac confirmed for Rothfire's incredible Stradbroke bid
I will have to go with one of my favourite all time horses ,and Ashburton owned,not to mention it's my boss that owns it.
Desert Lightening who we know will try his guts out and might get an easy run from the draw
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richie got a reaction from Ponderosa8 in JMac confirmed for Rothfire's incredible Stradbroke bid
I will have to go with one of my favourite all time horses ,and Ashburton owned,not to mention it's my boss that owns it.
Desert Lightening who we know will try his guts out and might get an easy run from the draw
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richie got a reaction from scooby3051 in JMac confirmed for Rothfire's incredible Stradbroke bid
I will have to go with one of my favourite all time horses ,and Ashburton owned,not to mention it's my boss that owns it.
Desert Lightening who we know will try his guts out and might get an easy run from the draw
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richie reacted to scooby3051 in BIG KAHUNA PUNTERS CLUB COMP STARTS 21st JUNE
New Punting comp running over 10 weeks starting 21st June.
Free entry and all you need to do is pick 1 horse racing in New Zealand or Metropolitan Australia on the Saturday. You will have an imaginary $10.00 each way on the horse.
To stop any dead heats the first to post the horse will be used in the comp, so get those selections in early. I am sure we can find enough horses on all those meetings not to have the same choice.
The top earner each week will get a $50.00, that I will put up, to bet the following Saturday to be used as they wish on a single horse.
ALL monies raised will go to charity and the RC team will choose a different charity whenever there is a winning amount, lets hope there is plenty.
I will put up 10 x $50.00 bets so the comp will run for 10 weeks and at the end of it we will have our BIG KAHUNA punting champ here at Racecafe, the person who has the highest total from their bets over the 10 week period, bragging rights for sure!!!!.
Just a bit of fun and hopefully some good banter amongst the competitors.
There will be a $100 prize for the overall Racecafe Big Kahuna after the 10 weeks too.
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richie got a reaction from say no more in Queensland Carnival comp - Week 5 entry thread
ELLERSLIE R3 2,6
ELLERSLIE R4 13,16
EAGLE FARM R1 2,8
EAGLE FARM R2 2,13
EAGLE FARM R3 2,8 BB
EAGLE FARM R4 7,13
EAGLE FARM R5 7,10
EAGLE FARM R6 1 BB
EAGLE FARM R7 8,10
EAGLE FARM R8 3,6
EAGLE FARM R9 3,17
EAGLE FARM R10 1,6
Thanks SNM and Scooby
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richie got a reaction from Rodas in Todays Outage While We Upgrade
I was same,like having withdrawal symptoms.
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richie got a reaction from Pam Robson in Waldron and Fannin homeward bound
Ashburton is the best track in South Island but has had the guts raced out of it.We have had a lot of jumpouts,trials and races in last 9 months.If had been looked after could still have had Winter racing there
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richie got a reaction from Pete Lane in RaceCafe Tips Thread Updated Daily
Like Ohokaman I like Hayate in R4 at Cambridge @$4.80 .
Bet of the day Sandown R5 Justaboom @$9,stable said last year that she will be quite good as a mature mare.
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richie reacted to gubellini in Te Aroha Steeplechase
1975 Queen's Birthday Weekend 3 meetings 7 jumps races: Winners- Ellerslie Panmure Hurdles Prince Beau ridden by Peter Yovich. Great Northern Steeplechase Loch Linnie ridden by Bill Hillis. Tamaki Steeplechase Prince Arthur ridden by Dennis Gray. Wanganui Birthday Brush Hurdles The Ruler ridden by B Brown. Wanganui Steeplechase Kip Again ridden by Choc Hounsell. Otago- Dunedin Brush Hurdles Proud Note ridden by Aly Robinson. Otago Steeplechase Distant Blaze ridden by Doug Holden.
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richie got a reaction from TurnyTom in Waldron and Fannin homeward bound
Ashburton is the best track in South Island but has had the guts raced out of it.We have had a lot of jumpouts,trials and races in last 9 months.If had been looked after could still have had Winter racing there