The first-ever running of the A$130,000 Alf Kneebone Trans-Tasman Trophy (1850m) will be a key component of Saturday’s New Zealand-themed raceday at Newcastle in the Hunter Valley, proudly sponsored by New Zealand Bloodstock.
The new race is restricted to trainers born in either New Zealand or Australia. Named after the highly respected racing journalist Alf Kneebone, it celebrates the talented trainers produced by both countries. The winning trainer will receive a NZ$5,000 NZB credit towards the Karaka 2022 yearling sale.
Fittingly, four of the 12 starters for Saturday’s inaugural running are trained by Chris Waller. The expat New Zealander has swept all before him since setting up a stable in Sydney in the early 21st century, earning induction into the Racing Hall of Fame on both sides of the Tasman.
Waller has enjoyed another stellar spring, winning the A$15 million The Everest (1200m) with Nature Strip (Nicconi) and last week’s Group One Melbourne Cup (3200m) with his champion kiwi-bred mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed).
Other trainers represented in Saturday’s field are Richard and Michael Freedman, Matthew Smith, Richard Litt, Ian Finn, Clint Lundholm and Greg Preston. The Alf Kneebone Trans-Tasman Trophy will be run as Race 5 at Newcastle on Saturday, with a start time of 2.40pm AEDT (4.40pm NZT).
Saturday’s New Zealand-themed races are part of Newcastle’s rapidly growing The Hunter raceday. NZB is proud to be at the forefront of developing the innovative concept, playing an integral part as the principal sponsor of the entire meeting and four undercard races.
NZB’s Director of Business Development, Mike Kneebone, has been a driving force behind the sponsorship and major investment in Australia.
“This is something I have been determined to see happen for a number of years now,” he said. “This is so much more than just another raceday, it will be totally unique with the aim of taking NZB and the New Zealand industry in general to a new level in Australia.
“We are delighted to be working alongside NJC and its Committee, who are in my opinion, the most progressive and forward-thinking race club in New South Wales,” he said.
Another notable race is the A$300,000 Visit Karaka 2022 The Beauford (2300m), featuring the Argentinian Group One winner He Runs Away (Heliostatic), along with local Group Two performers Shared Ambition (Born To Sea), Yonkers (Medaglia d’Oro), Sweet Thomas (Dylan Thomas) and Hush Writer (Rulership).
The A$160,000 Group Three New Zealand Bloodstock NJC Spring Stakes (1600m) has attracted an exciting field of emerging three-year-old talent, while Saturday’s other New Zealand-themed races are the A$130,000 NZB Airfreight Max Lees Classic (900m) and the A$130,000 Te Akau NZ/Australia/Singapore (1600m).
The overall feature race of the day is the A$1m The Hunter (1300m), which has three New Zealand-bred contenders including the early favourite Lost And Running (NZ) (Per Incanto).
Bred and part-owned by Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock, the exciting sprinter has won six of his 11 starts including the Listed Luskin Star (1300m). In his last two starts, he has finished fourth in The Everest and second in the A$1m Classique Legend Stakes (1300m).
