Racing: Halobelle ready for Gore

Halobelle is on target to resume racing at Gore on October 11 after a trial win at Wingatui.

Halobelle was soon a clear leader in the open 1000m trial and won by 1 lengths.

The winner of eight races, including the listed Eclipse Stakes at Wingatui in January, Halobelle has not raced since the end of March.

"She got down in the float when she was returning from a North Island campaign," Wayne Stevens, her trainer, said.

Claire Anderson, who rode Haal Mary to win a trial on Tuesday, has announced her retirement from race riding.

"I have ridden 98 winners and achieved what I wanted to do," Anderson said.

Anderson, 27, won the listed Archer Classic on Sound The Alarm at Pukekohe in 2003 and the 2005 Opunake Cup on Hamilton Road.

She began her apprenticeship with Richard Otto at Te Awamutu after emigrating from Scotland.

She rode her first winner, Pacific Music, at Te Rapa in February, 2002.

She completed her time with the Tuhikaramea stable of Graeme Rogerson.

Anderson, who shifted to Wingatui 18 months ago, trained and rode her own horse, Strisan, to win at Wingatui in January. She is preparing Strisan for a fresh campaign.

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES