Latest news with #Interdominion
Otago Daily Times
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Butt determined to lead with Bet N Win
Bob Butt has a plan. The top Kiwi horseman is heading into his first Interdominion final drive with serious intent aboard young trotting star Bet N Win at Albion Park on Saturday night. Bet N Win has drawn gate 5 in the $A500,000 ($NZ548,000) final but will move into gate 4 if emergency Sir Fahrenheit does not get a run, while main danger Arcee Phoenix has the pole. "It's a good draw but not great with Arcee Phoenix drawn one," Butt said. "I have to have a crack for a lead and ask more of my horse at the start than I ever have before. "It could go a long way to deciding who wins the race. "All series, we've seen the huge advantage of being on the markers' pegs at Albion Park." While Bet N Win has run to the front from similar draws in both heats, Butt said he did not know just how far out the 5-year-old could be. "No, because I've basically let him run to the front rather than ask him every time he's led so far. I'm sure there's more speed there, but just how much is the question. "This is the time to find out. It's a $500,000 race and we've got a good draw. I have to give it a serious crack to try and lead." Butt said Bet N Win's professionalism gave him the confidence to be daring at the start. "He's a great racehorse, almost your perfect racehorse," he said. "A lot of horses you'd be worried about pushing them off the gate hard, but not him. "You can use him early and then he'll just spit the bit out and relax again. It's probably his greatest quality. "Even if I go hard this week and don't get across, he'll relax in the running line and be somewhere handy." Butt, who is back in New Zealand with his team and returns to Brisbane tomorrow, said it was a huge buzz just being part of his first Interdominion. "Absolutely, in so many ways," he said. "Obviously Bet N Win's preparation couldn't have gone better and he won both races comfortably. "But also just to be part of a series with so much history and one I grew up watching and dreaming of winning. "Lyell Creek's win [Moonee Valley in 2000] is the first one I really remember. How could you not love that?" The other New Zealand trotting finalist, Oscar Bonavena, has landed gate 12 after being ruled out of the draw following another gallop in his second-round heat. "It's a good thing. He seems to make his mistakes when he's off the front," co-trainer Nathan Purdon said. "We thrilled he managed to sneak into the final and we know he's good enough to be right in the finish if he gets it all right." — HRNZ By Adam Hamilton
Otago Daily Times
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Not even barrier 1 should stop champ
Not even the worst possible barrier draw should stop champion pacer Leap To Fame from winning a second Interdominion pacing title. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon initially shook his head in disbelief when Leap To Fame drew gate one in Saturday night's final at Albion Park after having barrier 8 [inside of the back row] in both qualifying heats. "Most horses would love the pole, but it's the one draw we didn't want," he said. That is because Leap To Fame has only average early gate speed and, if he is crossed at the start, traffic and luck in running becomes a potential issue in the $A1 million ($NZ1.1m) race. But Dixon's initial look at the rivals drawn on the front row, eased his frustration somewhat. "It's not a really fast front row. There's nothing explosive, who looks certain to get across us," he said. "I think we're a chance to hold up and lead. That's what I'll be trying to do anyway. "At least it's a real staying race [3157m] so if he is crossed, we've got plenty of time to find some clear air." Leap To Fame eased from $1.10 to $1.25 after drawing the pole. The 6-year-old has not been beaten at Albion Park since November 4, 2023. He has won 20 successive races at the track since. Just as he did in the 2023 Brisbane Interdominion, Leap To Fame is aiming for a clean sweep after winning all his qualifying heats. Leap To Fame missed last year's Sydney Interdominion through illness, which paved the way for Don Hugo to win. Don Hugo then upset Leap To Fame in the Miracle Mile on March 8, but Leap To Fame has beaten him in all three other clashes, including last Saturday night's heat when Don Hugo had torrid run and tired for seventh. Don Hugo has gate 6 and loads of early speed, but will trainer-driver Luke McCarthy dare to unleash him over an untried marathon distance? Leap To Fame is one of three finalists for Dixon. His wife Trista will drive Aroda (gate 13) and Jack Chapple will partner Tims A Trooper (gate eight). Queensland trainer Shannon Price said "ask me Thursday" who stable driver Adam Sanderson will partner out of Speak The Truth (gate 3) and Sure Thing Captain (12). Menangle trainers Kerry Ann and Robbie Morris also have two runners, Cya Art (gate 4) and old marvel Petes Said So, who will contest his fourth consecutive grand final at his 215th start. Victorian star Catch A Wave drew gate 7 and is a $21 shot. — HRNZ By Adam Hamilton
Otago Daily Times
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Orr enjoying catching up that goes with winning
In-form pacer Tua Lipa has propelled Northern Southland breeder-owner Noddy Orr back into the winner's circle. The 4-year-old has made the perfect return to racing for the Shane Matheson stable, winning at both Winton and Ascot Park in two winter starts. Orr had been through a quiet patch on the ownership front, Tua Lipa having around six months in the paddock being part of the reason why. But the past month has been far from quiet as the Balfour owner's phone has run hot after each of his horse's victories. "Things had been very quiet, but that is just the way things work out with horses sometimes," Orr said. "It is great to be back having a horse racing, and winning is even better." "I've had a lot of messages from people. That is probably the best part — catching up with everyone." Tua Lipa was confined to the spelling paddock after a minor injury put his racing career on hold. But so far it has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. "He had a slight injury so we put him out for six months, but it has actually done him the world of good," Orr said. "He is a lot stronger now. He used to get down on his bumpers but Shane says he is not doing that any more. "The break seems to have been the making of him." Orr races Tua Lipa with wife Jane, Matheson and his partner, Lisa Barrie. When the 4-year-old ran to victory at Ascot Park last weekend, he headed the first quinella for the Matheson stable. Rylan Charlie was second. Jane Orr gave Tua Lipa his name, which stems from pop singer Dua Lipa. The Orrs bred Tua Lipa by sending their mare Tara Delight to Sweet Lou. Tara Delight's fourth dam is Petronella, an outstanding producer who has been a foundation line for many branches of her highly successful family. There are no better examples of this than the mare also being the fourth dam of Interdominion champion Tiger Tara. Petronella was bred and raced in the 1960s by former Balfour horseman Ronnie West. "My mum was a West, so for us to get this mare and get into Ronnie's breed makes it a bit special," Orr said. The Orrs own Tara Delight with Ken Scott, and they take turnabout with her breeding. Tara Delight slipped a Bulldog Hanover foal last breeding season and is now in foal to Stay Hungry for Scott. When the Orrs get their turn with the broodmare, the choice of stallion looks easy judging by recent results. "We would probably have to go back to Sweet Lou, the way Tua Lipa is going," Orr said. "We were actually lucky to breed him because Sweet Lou was fully booked that year. "But Paul Pierce had a service and I was able to use it. "I have thanked him for it, but I probably owe him a couple more jugs now." Tua Lipa's back-to-back wins have earned him a shot at Addington's feature night of racing on Friday. "He has got a bit of a tricky draw, but Sam Ottley is driving and she knows him. "She will have it all figured out. "With his rating, we might as well go and have a crack at a nice stake up there." "It has been a wee while since I have won a race at Addington. Suzie Rocks would be the last one." Suzie Rocks is from Orr's successful racemare, The Receptionist. The breeder-owner has a 4-year-old half-sister to her to come through next.
