Latest news with #TuaLipa
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.
Otago Daily Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
A star is born as Tua Lipa does Matheson stable proud
When Tua Lipa started his new campaign on the best possible note at Winton yesterday it came at the perfect time. The pacer was clearly on song when charging out of the pack to score an impressive, penalty-free victory for junior Ellie Barron in his first start since September. Tua Lipa is trained by Shane Matheson and partner Lisa Barrie, who race the 4-year-old with their Northern Southland neighbours, Noddy and Jane Orr. The win elevated Tua Lipa to the position of Matheson's stable star after the retirement of one of the Matheson stable's most talented pacers. Judaque was one of the big improvers in the Southland pacing ranks through last season, putting six wins on her record for another Northern Southland owner, Judy Dillon. "Judaque bowed a tendon recently, so she has been retired," Barrie said. "Judy isn't going to try her again, so hopefully she can leave a lovely foal. "We were all a bit sad because she was a special horse to us, so Tua Lipa has come back in at the right time." Tua Lipa showed promise when winning one of his first five starts around a year ago. After a good spell, the pacer has returned bigger and stronger, judging by his victory. As much as he impressed on Sunday, Tua Lipa should only be better for his Winton outing. "He had only had the one workout. Shane had taken him to Gore to work with a couple of our other horses, so he had had his workouts at home really," Barrie said. "He should definitely improve with that run though. It is quite exciting. "We don't have anything planned out for him; we will just keep racing him and let him tell us where to go." Tua Lipa completed a winning double for driver Barron, who scored earlier at Winton with Bombay Glacier. The mare capped consistent form for trainer Alan Paisley when sustaining a three-wide run from the 1000m to clinch a deserved victory after a string of consistent efforts.
