Dreamy Win For Pins Mare

12 December 2011

Pins four-year-old Shandream added another string to her bow when she came from off the pace to record an impressive victory at Ellerslie on Sunday evening. She had previously led or raced on the speed for her previous three wins from Richard Collett’s Pukekohe stable.

“She’s always ended up doing the hard work in front and there was genuine tempo in the race today,” Collett said.

“She keeps holding her form and is very resilient – Pins mares are tough.” Bred by WS, Shandream was a $280,000 yearling at Karaka in 2009 and is out of the Centaine mare Pyjamas whose four foals to race have all been winners.

Ridden by Leith Innes, Shandream settled third last and found the line strongly after improving widest on the turn. “We usually ride her on the speed but she was a little slow away and she relaxed and came home well,” he said.

Pure Alpha delivers again as Ardrossan continues to rise

Ardrossan gelding Pure Alpha led throughout to win by 1.29 lengths at Eagle Farm for owner Ozzie Kheir, taking his earnings past $300,000. The result caps a stellar run for sire Ardrossan, whose yearlings fetched up to $450,000 this year on strong Hong Kong form.

28 August 2026

The Corner with Garry Chittick

It is difficult to maintain momentum when sitting in judgment of racing’s governance. After all, I get no pleasure in searching for non-credible decisions, but one is perpetually bewildered by the rationale behind many of the positions that make little sense.