I Do on target for Group One challenge

4 November 2013

Grand racemare I Do showed she was on target for a crack at Group One company with a dominant sprint win at Awapuni on Saturday. The genuine daughter of No Excuse Needed had no trouble posting her eighth career victory when successful in the Redcraze Bowl.

Raced by WS with their co-breeder Allan Sharrock, who prepares the six-year-old with his son Kane, I Do has been set for the Captain Cook Stakes on December 7. Already the Listed winner of the Rotorua Stakes, a strong showing in the Trentham feature would significantly boost her future breeding value.

I Do was ridden today by apprentice Dylan Turner and he angled her widest on the turn before the mare let down strongly in the straight to account for fellow WS-bred Aldebaran Star. “She didn’t jump all that flash, but we got three back and one off the fence and she came home really well,” Turner said. “She’s got a good turn of foot.”

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.