SCU teams with Chinese researchers to study genetic make-up of racehorses
January 21, 2010
The racehorse breeding industry in Australia and overseas is set to benefit from genetic research being undertaken by a team of scientists from Southern Cross University.
The research pioneers a new understanding of the genetic make-up of high-performance thoroughbred horses, with the outcomes also having application to human athletic performance.
Tweed Tourism hosts a Mad Hatter’s race day at Murwillumbah
December 23, 2009
It may be too hot for the traditional Fashions on the Field, but Tweed Tourism is asking racegoers to go crazy with their headwear for the Mad Hatter’s Competition being held as part of the annual Tweed Tourism Race Day on Sunday, January 3, at the Murwillumbah race track.
Tweed Tourism General Manager, Phil Villiers (pictured), is hoping the traditional country race meeting will attract a strong contingent of locals and visitors looking for a great value family day out during the holidays.
“We’ll have lots of tourists here who will probably be ready for a break from the beach and, at $10 per person, a day at the beautiful Murwillumbah racetrack would have to be the best-value day out available in the region,” said Mr Villiers.
Forestreno named NRRA Horse of the Year
October 30, 2009
Forestreno has won the coveted Westlawn Finance 2008/09 Northern Rivers Racing Association Horse of the Year.
The award was announced at the awards luncheon held at the Ballina Jockey Club.
Forestreno, who is trained in Grafton by Phil Mcleod, beat four other horses that are trained on the Northern Rivers including turf legend Takeover Target, promising youngster One Lickety Split, and Ballina-trained Multire Music and Shuffle the Cash.
He boasted a record for the 2008 09 racing season that included a win at Eagle Farm in a $100,000 Quality race, second in the $200,000 Doomben Stakes and an outstanding 0.8 length second behind Battlefield in the Ramornie Handicap.
Melbourne Cup Tour visits Ballina, Bangalow
October 3, 2009
As part of its annual journey across Australasia, the 2009 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour will visit Ballina and Bangalow on Sunday, 4 October, providing the local community with an opportunity to experience the coveted Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy first hand.
Ballina is one of 23 host destinations on this year’s Tour, which celebrates the cultural and social significance of the iconic trophy in the lead-up to the highly anticipated Melbourne Cup Carnival.
During its visit, the 2009 Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour will participate in a range of community events planned by racing groups and local organisations.
The Tour’s entourage will include racing legend Jim Johnson, three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey in 1963 (Gatum Gatum) and in 1968 and 1969 (Rain Lover), who will participate in events whilst the Cup is in Ballina, and will be available for interview and photo opportunities with the 2009 Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy.
Jockeys suspended over diuretic
August 27, 2009
Three Northern Rivers jockeys have been suspended for taking a diuretic, after a stewards’ inquiry in Grafton this week.
INQUIRY 1: Stewards inquired into the analyst’s finding of furosemide, in the urine sample taken from licensed apprentice Adam Hyeronimus at the Tweed River Jockey Club’s race meeting at Murwillumbah on Monday, 10th August 2009.
Evidence was taken from Adam Hyeronimus and licensed trainer John Shelton (Master).
Adam Hyeronimus, in the presence of his master John Shelton, pleaded guilty to a charge under AR81A(1)(a) in that he provided a sample of his urine at the Tweed River Jockey Club’s race meeting on Monday, 10th August 2009, which was found to contain a substance banned under AR81B.
Stawell Gift winner Aaron Stubbs races and beats racehorse
July 17, 2009
Southern Cross University Sport and Exercise Science student and elite athlete Aaron Stubbs has made history as one of the few people to have raced a horse – and won.
Aaron made his historic win against the racehorse Bonboneire Lady this week at the XXXX Gold Grafton Racing Carnival’s WHK Ramornie Handicap Day, one of country racing’s biggest race meetings.
Winston wins the Iris Neilsen Invitation Cup
January 25, 2009
Winston proved to be the bookmakers’ friend and jockey Tasha Chambers’ best buddy when the six-year-old gelding won today’s Iris Neilsen Ladies Invitation Cup at the Ballina Jockey Club meeting today.
The $27,000 race was held in memory of pioneering female jockey Iris Neilsen, who was killed in a race fall at Lismore in 1988.
The race was for female riders only and attracted the country’s best women jockeys.
Winston, trained by Nicholas Randall, beat Stormy Youth (Lorna Cook) and Magique Mine (Kathy O’Hara).
Mr Gold Fire wins Lismore Cup
September 25, 2008
Prolific cups winner Mr Gold Fire has won today’s $60,000 Lismore Cup.
Ridden by Jasen Watkins, Mr Gold Fire ($5.80) beat Olympic Time and Currigee.
Included in Mr Gold Fire’s cup wins have been Coffs Harbour and Ballina successes.
It was the seven-year-old’s first start at Lismore.
Bann Ruby takes the Ballina Cup
September 11, 2008
Brisbane-trained Bann Ruby has upset a strong field to win today’s Carlton Draught Ballina Cup (1600m).
Ridden by Matthew Paget, Bann Ruby started at the long odds of $14.50 to win from Montana Hilton ($6.20) and Burgundy Prince ($2).
In a great result for the bookies, favoured starters Cedar Manor, Felixtrinidad and Ready When You Are finished out of the placings.
A big crowd was on hand to watch today’s Cup.
Ballina racehorses cleared of Hendra virus
August 7, 2008
Test results from horses stabled adjacent the Ballina racecourse have cleared the horses of Hendra virus infection.
Samples taken from 15 horses have today returned negative results for Hendra virus from a range of tests.
“All quarantine restrictions at the affected stable have now been lifted,” NSW acting chief veterinary officer, Ian Roth, said.
“The potential human and animal health implications of this disease are so serious that we could not afford to take any risks in relaxing quarantine and biosecurity measures until we received this result.”
