Hong Kong Winner

Heroic Guru, a product of White Robe Lodge, won a $HK760,000 ($NZ144,000)  1600m race at Sha Tin on Saturday (27/6/2015).

The gelded son of Gallant Guru - Enzed was sold late in 2013 after winning two of his three starts as a 3yr-old. Heroic Guru, now trained by David Hall, was ridden by Joao Moreira, who has assured of the Hong Kong jockeys' premiership with a month of the season remaining, The Brazilian has won 139 races and eclipsed the seasonal record of 114 by Douglas Whyte.

Gallant Guru, who stands at WR, is also the sire of Grey Guru, winner of the Duke Of Gloucester Cup at Hastings on Saturday. Heroic Guru and Grey Guru were both bred by Brian and Lorraine Anderton.

Grey Guru extended the good record of horses bought from White Robe Lodge by Mark and Raymond Connors, of Wanganui.  Earlier purchases include Hypnotize (Yamanin Vital -Auburn Rose), winner of the Great Northern Steelechase and Pakuranga Hunt Cup in 2007, 08 and 10; Our Jonty (Random Chance - Lal's Gift), winner of the 1998 Great Northern Steeple and Blood Brotha (Danzighill - Laura Dee), winner of the NZ Cup in 2012 and 13 and the 2013 Wellington Cup.  Grey Guru was a $45,000 purchase at the NZ Bloodstock festival sale. He is the first surviving foal of Pernella (Personal Escort - Tawnella), who won eight races to 1600m for WR.

Arya, a 3yr-old filly by Gallant Guru - Mene, having her second start, cleared maiden ranks at Waverley on Friday.

The WR-trained Harry Hill (Danzighill - Extra Happy) capped a string of minor placings with a win in a $15,000 open hurdle at Wingatui on 25/6/15. Harry Hill is raced by co-trainer Shane Anderton and his wife, Sharon and Kylie Batten.

High Forty (Danzighill - Rubiette),  a winner over country at Riverton (Great Western Steeple), Wingatui (Otago Steeple) and Washdyke this winter for Brian and Lorraine Anderton and Terry Burke, of Tamworth, continued his preparation for the  Grand National with  a fourth  on the flat over 2200m on Thursday.

The White Robe Lodge principal, Brian Anderton extended a winning association with the Otago Steeplechase to 59 years.

Brian rode The Tongs (1956) and Delarmo (1959), both trained by his father, Hector, to win the Otago Steeplechase.  He has won the race five times as a trainer, Bijoumai (1988) and in partnership with Shane, Boroma (1996,97)  and Melomai (2001). Shane rode Bijoumai, Boroma and Melomai and the 1992 winner, Point The Way.

Hector Anderton won the Otago Steeple as a jockey on Cartoon (1927) and Red Lance (1936).

The Otago Steeplechase has been over 3200m (about two miles) in recent years but earlier was over three miles.

WR apprentice Jacob Lowry had his first cup win on a metropolitan track when he rode Timy Tyler to win the Amberley Cup at Riccarton this month.

Courtney Barnes, another WR apprentice, leaves for Victoria on Saturday for a two week stint with the stable of Pat Carey at Mornington. Barnes has won 78 races in three seasons and topped $1 million in stakes. She partnered Include to win the Dunedin and Southland Guineas and South Island Breeders' Stakes. She rode Include (Gallant Guru - She's Snubbed) in her 10 wins.

Ghebellines has arrived at WR to begin a stud career and his physique has been  the subject  of favourable comment.