Broadcast legends take over TAB Trackside on Daffodil Raceday

Hawke’s Bay Racing is excited to announce that two legends of New Zealand broadcasting will attend Tarzino Trophy TAB Daffodil Raceday on Saturday August 31 at Hastings.

SKY Sport commentators Grant Nisbett and Ian Smith have taken time away from Mitre 10 Cup duties to step in as guest presenters for TAB Trackside.

This year’s event is a celebration of ‘Rugby, Racing and Volunteers’ to raise money for the Hawke’s Bay Cancer Society.

“Their involvement in the day certainly creates another talking point and underlines what an important cause it is we are raising money for,” Hawke’s Bay Racing chief executive Andrew Castles said.

Smith will provide his infamous ‘pitch report’ reviewing conditions on track before the commencement of the days racing, then the pair will replace regular presenters Brendan Popplewell and Bevan Sweeney and preview the El Roca Sir Colin Meads Trophy.

“They both have a real interest in and passion for thoroughbred racing so I’m sure they will transfer their world class broadcasting skills to their preview of the El Roca Sir Colin Meads trophy,” Castles said.

Tarzino Trophy TAB Daffodil Raceday is the opening day of the Bostock New Zealand Spring Carnival.

Admission on the day is by $5 donation to the Hawke’s Bay Cancer Society. For more information go to www.daffodilraceday.co.nz

Talented stayer retired

Promising staying mare Shared Secrets has been forced into retirement on a winning note.

The daughter of Nadeem was on target to chase a sought-after black type win after scoring over 2500m at Hastings on April 13, but instead her connections are now working on plans for her as a broodmare.

“About a week after she won at Hastings she sprained the ligament over her back hock,” trainer Mark Oulaghan said. 

“She was all set to go down to Riccarton in early May, but instead she ended up at Massey University. 

“The outcome is that she would have to have a long time out, probably a year, and even then there was no certainty she would be right, so there was no choice but to retire her. 

“She was a good stayer and I’d love to have won a black type race with her.”

Shared Secrets won five of her 24 starts, including the St Leger Trial (2100m) at Otaki two years ago after finishing fourth in Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham, and last season she won three races, including the Summer Cup (2400m) at Trentham.

Brighthill Farm stallion parade

Brighthill Farm will parade their stallions at their Waikato property (1352 Tauwhare Road, Hamilton) this Friday, August 16, at 2pm. 

Breeders will be able to view Brighthill’s four resident stallion, including the farm’s new season stallion Eminent.

The son of Frankel won three of his 14 careers starts, including the Gr.2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano (2000) and Gr.3 Craven Stakes (1600m), and was Group One placed in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and Irish Champion Stakes (2000m).

He will stand for a fee of $8,000+gst this season, alongside Preferment at $12,500+gst, Dalghar at $5,000+gst, and Perfectly Ready at $3,000+gst.