IN Racing
Summer Racing Day 2 Review - 25 January
David Walsh gets first winner back training
January 27, 2025
David Walsh and jockey, Leah Hemi post-race with Zelia
  • Predicted rain never arrived on the second day of the Summer Racing Season with the meeting being held in warm muggy conditions.

  • Champion rider and a Group 1 winning trainer David Walsh has recently returned to training based locally at Riccarton Park. The Karaka 2025 Two-year-old provided the opportunity for his first winner back and ZELIA duly obliged by out-finishing the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson trained BEST ROSE in the five-horse field.

  • The going had been upgraded to Good4 for the running of the feature the Speight’s Timaru Stakes. John and Karen Parsons are rarely without a very good horse and they may have another with TUMUCH impressively winning the Listed 1200 metres sprint. Promising TEXAS DOLLY ran second with the ever-honest ADANNAYA also getting black type by running third. TUMUCH is race by John Parsons and Peter Lyon a great supporter of the stable over the years.

  • The Woodbourne Tavern & Motels Bottle-O Renwick Marlborough Cup is held at Riccarton Park with the support of the Marlborough Racing Club. Grand Galloper TIMES TICKING returned from a northern campaign to lump 62kg to victory on what is his favourite course. The nine-year-old was a most popular winner with the crowd and his three generations of owners – Original trainer Alby MacGregor, his son and current trainer Dean of Rangiora and his son Matt who provided the strapper duties.

  • Frenchman and former Singapore base rider Marc Lerner is now riding in New Zealand and made his first trip to Riccarton Park a winning one. He partnered TOUGH TIMES to win the Inglewood Stud at Karaka 2025 Rating 65. Club Life Member and great sponsor, Barry Thomas CNZM owns the gelding.