News
Racing: NZ Get Ready For The Full Monte
NZ Herald Tyla Hackett rides Majestic Ali (black, red and white) in a non-tote trial. Photo / Trish DunellTyla Don’t bother asking Michelle Wallis why New Zealand’s leading trotting stable would bother with Monte races, which have their historic first tote event of the modern era at Alexandra Park tomorrow night. Because for Wallis…
Read MoreWhatever Happened To … Galleons Sunset?
It’s hard to tell who’s enjoying it more, 17-year-old Neita Balle or the 17-year-old horse she’s riding. But here, at granddad’s place on top of Pukekohe hill, it’s a scene which is often played out when the family gathers for Christmas or Easter or birthdays. It’s one of racing’s best happily-ever-after stories, the daughter of…
Read MoreInterdominion Trotters Championship – Moonee Valley (Part Five)
This is the twenty second in a series of articles covering the Interdominion (ID) Trotters Championships conducted over the period 1948 – 2012. These articles will be presented on a track by track basis as opposed to a chronological order with the exception of the first (background and first championship) and last two articles (final…
Read MoreA Silver Lining
By Michael Guerin Best bet: Alta Leonie (R7, No.6): Back in lesser grade after $40,000 race, should lead and win. This time: Forever Pearl (R5, No.6): Hasn’t had a lot of luck but in the ideal race tonight. Suited: Puma Road (R2, No.9): Down in grade and Zac Butcher has on tonight. 10m handicap not…
Read MoreSuzie Pee Jay Surprises Punters and Trainer
By Garrick Knight It might be hard to believe, but brilliant Alexandra Park winner Suzie Pee Jay was a doubtful starter for most of the week leading up to Friday night’s race. Trainer Derek Balle had been unhappy with her blood after her previous start and says he only made the decision to start on…
Read MoreMachine Like Performance
By Duane Ranger Joanednobettor upset them in Wednesday’s Te Awamatu (Grass) Cup, but it was a highly regarded 3-year-old taking on the older four to 12-year-old trotters who stole the limelight at the Waipa Racecourse. Unlike Joanednobettor, who was the $8.50 sixth favourite, the Derek Balle trained and driven War Machine was favoured to win…
Read MoreKenrick Hard To Beat at Cambridge Raceway
By Duane Ranger Franklin trainer Derek Balle will make a hit-and-run attack on Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night (December 1) with the best horse in his 20-strong Pukekohe stable. Kenrick hasn’t raced since June 17 and is Balle’s only starter at the eight-race meeting. Balle thinks with a bit of luck in the running from…
Read MoreBalle Colts Shine at Franklin Yearling Parade
By Duane Ranger Pukekohe horseman Derek Balle looks set for a nice juvenile season in 2016-2017 if last Saturday’s annual Franklin Yearling Parade is anything to go by. Yearling colt Cullen’s Caviar (Christian Cullen – Callie O’Malley) was judged the top yearling at the Franklin Trotting Club’s track on Station Road. Balle cleaned up the…
Read MoreFollow The Derek Balle Trained Barn This Friday and You Could Go Home Winner
If you’re looking for some value for this Friday night at The Park, the Derek Balle trained team looks a barn to follow with three good chances engaged including the return to the track of open class trotter Cool Cobber who has been off the scene since December. The Alex Park newsdesk caught up with…
Read MoreBalle Poised for A Good Night
By Duane Ranger – Courtesy of HRNZ Pukekohe horseman Derek Balle only has three runners lining up at Alexandra Park tonight and he rated all three good each-way chances. Young Stranger (Balle), Janet Guthrie (James Stormont) and Sir George Grey (David Butcher) will line up in races one, three and six respectively. Balle is just…
Read More