Endless Drama holds out Te Akau Shark in last year’s Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa.
How the early feature calendar looks - Te Rapa to host first Group races of the new season
By Barry Lichter • 21 April 2020
The first Group races of the new season will be run at Te Rapa on September 5 in the proposed draft calendar for 2020-21.
With the Listed Winter Cup not being run at Riccarton in August, the first big day at Te Rapa will see the Group II Foxbridge Plate held plus the Group III Northern Breeders’ Stakes, a three-year-old race traditionally held at Ruakaka, which has been allocated no dates during the period.
The Hawkes Bay Group I Triple Crown remains unchanged with the Tarzino Trophy on September 19, the Windsor Park Plate on October 3 and Livamol Classic on October 17.
Gone from the calendar are Trentham’s traditional late October date, meaning no Thompson Handicap (Group III) but the Wellesley Stakes (Listed) is set to be moved to Levin Classic day in January.
Other casualties are the Arawa Stakes (Group III wfa) and Trudy Thompson Memorial (Listed).
The jumping season opens and closes at Wanganui, with the first day on July 10 and last, national jumps day, on November 1.
The Great Northern Hurdles and Steeples will be run at Ellerslie on October 17, the same day as the third leg of the Hawkes Bay Triple Crown.
Gone are the Grand National Hurdles and Steeples at Riccarton, with no South Island jumps racing programmed.
This draft programme will be confirmed by July after the decision of the RITA dates committee and an assessment by the NZTR Board of the COVID-19 restrictions in place at that time and likely to be in place for the 2020-21 racing year.
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Lisa’s comments
Thursday at Otaki
Race 7: Lincoln Falls
4.23pm
“I thought it was a great run at Otaki where he was beaten on the line coming off a one week back-up. He sets up a lot nicer here with 12 days between races. He came through that last run really well and drops down to 53kg. Ace Lawson-Carroll should be able to get into a nice position from the six draw and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him right in the finish again.”
Lisa’s comments
Saturday at Wanganui
Race 2: Lincoln’s Kruz
12.45pm
“ I thought he was very gallant last start finishing fifth on a heavy track, which we know doesn’t suit him. We should be running on a track in the soft range on Saturday which I think will play into his favour. He is going to need a touch of luck from the nine draw, but this is certainly the weakest field he has come up against for some time. Ace Lawson-Carroll will ride claiming 2kg.”
Stephen’s comments
Saturday at Te Rapa
Race 1: Billy Lincoln
11.55am
“His work has been good - he galloped beautifully in company last Saturday. It looks like the track will be playing quite well which will really suit him. He’s had a terrific prep and can go out for a spell after this run. I love a horse that keeps improving and he certainly has.”