The first New Zealand-based son of Makfi will go to stud this year with Savile Row to stand at Valachi Downs, the Matamata breeding operation of the stallion’s owner Kevin Hickman.

Waikato Stud’s champion resident stallion Pins passed away on Sunday due to complications from colic.

Maturity has been touted as the key to Golden Valkyrie breaking maiden ranks with the gavelhouse.com graduate successful at Wingatui last week with a smart performance over 1600m.

Expatriate New Zealand jockey Jason Collett has been booked to ride Ocean Emperor in Singapore next month.

Progressive staying mare Fawn will make her next appearance at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Patrick Campbell will be looking at his distance options with Scandalo in the future.

Connections of talented chaser Monarch Chimes are optimistic about his chances of feature success at Warrnambool after securing 11th hour qualification to contest the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) and Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m).

The first New Zealand-based son of Makfi will go to stud this year with Savile Row to stand at Valachi Downs, the Matamata breeding operation of the stallion’s owner Kevin Hickman.

After witnessing a stylish win by two-year-old Total Excess at Hastings on the weekend, co-trainer Stephen Autridge admitted his thoughts immediately turned to Riccarton in the spring.

Co-trainer Graham Richardson couldn’t be happier as he gets set to send his star mare Volpe Veloce to Queensland later in the week.

Gifted mare Rayas is on the hunt for more black type.

Group One winner Thee Auld Floozie has run her last race.

Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman are likely to be looking at suitable offshore targets for the quality mare Love Affair.

Danny Walker savoured a bonus win with the promising youngster Star Performance at Te Rapa.

Bold chestnut Karisto made his own luck at Te Rapa on Saturday to score an emphatic win at the expense of his fellow three-year-olds.

Te Akau rider Shafiq Rusof celebrated his first New Zealand black type victory on Saturday with a polished display aboard the stable runner Our Abbadean.

A long-range plan had a happy ending, but only just, when Power O’Hata prevailed at Te Rapa in her first black type outing.

Vinevale is in good order to open a new campaign at Hawke’s Bay on Saturday.

Less than two weeks out from New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2018 Karaka May Sale, low-priced graduates from the broodmare section of previous auctions have posted significant black-type upgrades.

Luck in the early running will be key to Merlini’s chances in Saturday’s Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa.

Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman will play another strong Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) hand on Saturday.

Not Usual Talent will attempt to end his three-year-old career unbeaten when he tackles Saturday's Maara Grange Rehabilitation and Fencing Premier 1600 at Te Rapa.

A trip across the Tasman for the talented three-year-old Sherrif remains in the balance.
 

The only negative Mike Breslin can find in assessing Ozil’s prospects at Te Rapa is the distance.

Savacool, one of the leading contenders for next weekend's Schweppes Oaks in Adelaide, might be further improved when she tackles the Group One after trialling impressively in blinkers at Flemington on Friday.

New Kranji trainer Donna Logan has not taken too long to saddle her first winner at her new base.

Billed as an exciting sprint race, the S$500,000 Merlion Trophy certainly lived up to that tag with Polytrack specialist Distinctive Darci charging late for a most thrilling win on Friday night.

Ruby Armani’s breakthrough black type victory at Awapuni has opened up options for trainers Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard.

More of the same is expected of Our Abbadean at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Brisbane is beckoning talented Cambridge stablemates Seventh Up and Go Nicholas if their trainer is willing to swallow her "brave pills."

Trainer Stephen Gray was looking forward to seeing a smart pair of four-year-olds of his race at Friday night’s meeting, but a virus will see him saddle only one in the end – Sky Rocket.

Michael and Matthew Pitman are already making plans for a return to Australia with Savvy Coup.

Three jockeys were fortunate to walk away from a nasty incident at Tauranga today.

Regular Queensland visitor Mark Du Plessis will ride at Doomben on Saturday.

Chocante will press on to Saturday week's Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast despite only beating one runner home in last weekend's Listed Tails Stakes (1600m) at Doomben.

Fortius has battled his way back from adversity and at Tauranga on Thursday he is presented with another opportunity to make up for lost time.

Changes to the lead-up programme to next season’s Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) have been confirmed.

A pre-race plan was perfectly executed at Awapuni on Wednesday by rider Johnathan Parkes aboard King Cougar.

Smart three-year-old Bel Ragazzo is to continue his career overseas.

Multiple Group Two winner Ocean Emperor is making good progress ahead of an overseas mission.

Precocious youngster Media Sensation continues to write her own headlines.

Trainer Colin Little was as surprised as most racegoers with the breakthrough victory of Vassilator in a stakes race at Flemington.

Chris Gibbs was pleased with the results from his two representatives at Pukekohe and is already looking ahead to feature assignments next season.

Ringo’s connections were satisfied with his first-up run and further improvement is expected from the stakes winner and Group One performer.

Former successful jockey Chad Ormsby could line up his first Australian stakes contender at Flemington on Wednesday, but he won’t be training the horse afterwards.

Donna Logan’s hopes of a perfect opening to her Singapore training career will rest with a New Zealand-bred three-year-old.

Heni’s work is done for the season with the gifted daughter of Towkay enjoying a deserved break.

Monarch Chimes is in the right order to continue his winning form in Australia.

Jockey Umberto Rispoli hopes that his association with honest galloper Giant Turtle (Zabeel) can continue to reap rewards when he partners the stayer in the Class 3 Busan Handicap (2200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (25 April).

Shane Brown is taking a chance with Handfull in the Listed Manawatu ITM Anzac 1550m.

While North Canterbury trainers John and Karen Parsons had a frustrating day at Riccarton last Saturday, a couple of their apprentices achieved milestones.

Chris Johnson is planning to make a brief comeback over fences in a bid to improve his prospects of winning another New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership.

Shelley Hale’s Group One winner Close Up is quietly making his way towards another round of feature assignments.

The stakes-winner and multiple stakes placegetter Starvoia has been retired from racing and purchased by Waikato Stud.

It’s on to the Gr.1 Schweppes Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville on May 5 for Cambridge filly Belle du Nord after her strong performance on the same course last Saturday.

Promising stayer Blue Breeze gave his higher rated rivals a start and a comprehensive beating when he took out the opening event at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Ghostly grey gelding Kitaya relished the testing underfoot conditions as he sprang a minor upset in the feature sprint at Pukekohe on the weekend.

Trainer Roger James believes his promising three-year-old Hanger is finally starting to understand what the racing game is all about after he made it back-to-back victories when he took out the Fasttrack Insurance 1400 at Pukekohe.

Speedy two-year-old Khimar War credited former Highview Stud stallion, Sweet Orange with his first New Zealand winner when he dominated his rivals over 1000 metres at Riccarton.

Promising three-year-old Boss shrugged off a mediocre performance at Awapuni at his last start to register his second career victory when he took out the opening race over 1400m at Trentham on Sunday.

Trainer David Kok had the Singapore Guineas locked in for Terrific following his authoritative win in the $45,000 War Affair 2014 Stakes (1600m) on Sunday. 

The powerful Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman training partnership struck gold in the first stakes race on the card at Pukekohe on Saturday when Rubira and Ole Ole fought out the finish of the Listed Diamond Lodge Champagne Stakes (1600m).

A bold front-running ride by Jockey’s Premiership leader Samantha Collett landed local runner Azaboy a handsome winner of the Gr.2 Valachi Downs Championship Stakes (2200m) at Pukekohe.

Local trainer Nigel Tiley achieved a perfect result on his home patch when he provided the quinella in the day’s feature event, the Gr.2 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m).

Lisa Allpress was both surprised and full of praise for Saint Emilion after the Cambridge warhorse fought back to score in a thrilling finish to the Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton on Saturday.

Seabrook has shown she might be the toughest of this season's two-year-olds, claiming the Group One Champagne Stakes at Randwick after running in both the Golden Slipper and ATC Sires' Produce Stakes.

Otaki trainer Johno Benner is happy to put Boss' last-start failure behind him as he prepares for Sunday's Lincoln Farms Salute To The Stars (1400m) at Trentham.

The pressure again goes on three-year-old filly Caricature this weekend.

A couple of Cambridge gallopers preparing for Group One goals will hold most New Zealand interest in Australia on Saturday.

Cambridge trainer Roger James will take a walk down memory lane if his highly promising three-year-old Sherrif can live up to expectations in the Gr.2 Valachi Downs Championship Stakes (2100m) at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Love Affair was back in action at the Te Awamutu trials on Tuesday, but no set plans have been made for the Group Two placegetter.

Missing from Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning’s winter squad this year is veteran galloper Pump Up The Volume.  The 2016 Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) winner was retired after finishing second to Gentle Tonton in last year’s Listed Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m).

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is hoping the addition of blinkers will help his filly Pierrocity take a step to a possible Queensland trip this weekend.

A huge run for third at Awapuni last start has put the promising The Ice Knight in contention for the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday week.

Waikato NZTBA branch members Lloyd and Heather Monehan are celebrating the success of breeding their first stakes winner, thanks to the deeds of Won Won Too.

More Wonder will chase stakes success at Pukekohe on Saturday despite the persistence of Hong Kong interest in the Mossman colt.

It’s the changing of the guard at Ralph Manning’s Cambridge stable with his winter team gathering momentum, but he still has a few shots to fire with his out-going squad.

Adelaide trips have been canned for two of Team Rogerson's leading three-year-old fillies.

Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley is taking a cautious approach with his exciting three-year-old Demonetization.

Te Awamutu trainer Clayton Chipperfield notched up a welcome overdue win at Matamata on Wednesday with Obsessive and the promise of much more to come.

Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley is taking a cautious approach with his exciting three-year-old Demonetization.

The connections of Hiflyer are mulling over their options.

Talented jockey Andrew Calder has returned to New Zealand and will be out to make an immediate impression at Pukekohe on Saturday. 

A new-look Megablast will face a stern fresh-up test in the Gr.2 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Shaun Fannin is hoping one of his favourites can help him get back into the winner’s circle at Woodville on Thursday.

Haunui Farm in conjunction with Whitsbury Manor Stud have announced today that Showcasing will no longer shuttle to the Southern Hemisphere.

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is eyeing up his fourth straight win in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa next month.

Roll The Gold has prospered on past visits to the central districts and he will be heading back to Awapuni next week.

Leading trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman have switched their attention from the riches of Sydney racing to chasing five New Zealand features this weekend.

Few horses will carry a better first-up form line into a race than New Zealander Chocante at Doomben.

Cambridge trainer Shelley Hale hasn’t put all her eggs in one Easter basket.

It’s the changing of the guard at Ralph Manning’s Cambridge stable with his winter team gathering momentum, but he still has a few shots to fire with his out-going squad.

Adelaide trips have been canned for two of Team Rogerson's leading three-year-old fillies.

Gary Hennessy is preparing for another international tour of duty.

Unforgotten’s victory in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) provided a pair of New Zealand racing identities with a result to savour.

Wetter tracks won’t be inconveniencing the talented two-year-old Nirvana In Fire.

Brendon Hawtin is looking on the bright side with Simply Optimistic.

Cambridge trainers David and Emma-Lee Browne are on track for an Australian double.

Wet track specialist Art Deco is limbering up for her favourite time of the year.

Exciting four-year-old Mihaul has come through his latest outing in fine style.

Exciting two-year-old Madison County has been ear-marked as a potential Guineas candidate next season after clinching his first raceday success at Hastings on the weekend.

A bold ride from leading rider Samantha Collett paved the way for promising galloper Londaro to bounce back to winning form at Hastings on Saturday.

The powerful Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman partnership continued their inexorable march to a fourth National Trainer’s premiership title when they landed a winning double on the weekend.

Less than 24 hours after watching his pride and joy, Who Shot Thebarman, seal his first Sydney victory in thrilling fashion in the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m), part-owner Dan O’Leary admits he is still walking on air.

The Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) promises to be a hot three-year-old feature judging by Saturday’s dress rehearsal.

Roger James is bullish about the future staying prospects of the lightly-tried Fawn.

Ocean Knight (Ocean Park) defied a betting drift to register an impressive debut win at Caulfield.

A return to Te Rapa has worked wonders for last season’s Group One winner Ugo Foscolo.

Sydney filly Savacool has booked herself a ticket to the Australasian Oaks with her victory on a rain-soaked track at Caulfield.

Trelawney Stud enjoyed a stellar Saturday with a stakes double at Hastings following results to savour in Australia.

Unforgotten's uneasy start to the autumn is now a distant memory.

New Zealand-bred gelding Won Won Too has outplugged his stablemate Rezealient to claim the Galilee Series Final at Caulfield.

Trainer Darren Weir was happy to see the heavy showers rain down on Caulfield and soften the track for Reilmartini.

Grand stayer Who Shot Thebarman has finally had his day in the sun with a last-stride win in the $2 million Sydney Cup at his fifth attempt.

Stakes-winning stayer Kaharau is in the running for a trip to Queensland.

Australian racing expert John Messara is to review the New Zealand racing industry’s governance structures and provide recommendations on future directions for the industry.

A new partnership made the perfect start at Rotorua on Friday.

Graeme Rogerson says talented filly Contessa Vanessa makes his job easy.

Sydney’s weather is playing against Danzdanzdance’s bid for glory in Saturday’s A$1 million Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.

Bill Thurlow is hoping a home track victory today with Wee Gilly will be the forerunner to further success at the weekend.

Malo Bik has his share of tricks and trainer Allan Sharrock believes he can put them to good use at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Sydney Cup winner Gallante won't run again till he strikes a wet track, Hamilton trainer Graeme Rogerson said.

The Savvy Coup team have turned to one of the best to further their chances of success in Saturday’s A$1 million Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Who Shot Thebarman will run in his fifth Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick in a career that has seen him race over more than 113 kilometres.

The stage looks set this weekend for the capable stayer Nymph Monte to return to his best form.  

Luck has more often than not gone against Trudy Keegan this season.

Stablemates Mark Two and Pierrocity are a run away from booking trips to Brisbane.

Cheeky Bee followed up a trial win with a debut success at Te Awamutu on Wednesday.

The connections of Five To Midnight had an added incentive for aiming the stayer at Saturday’s A$2 million Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick.

Promising three-year-old Rock On Wood has come a long way in a short time and his progress has been rewarded with a spell.

Spoiling Winx’s party at Randwick on Saturday is the last thing on Stephen McKee’s mind.

Progressive mare Sacred Rhythm is on target for a Group Two feature.

Connections of the Group performer Promise To Reign are happy to err on the side of caution.

In-form mare Thee Auld Floozie will make her next appearance at Te Rapa.

Miss Wilson significantly boosted her value at Te Aroha and she isn’t finished yet.

Australia beckons the emerging three-year-old staying star Sherrif.

Caricature will use a southern age group event as a possible springboard to Adelaide.

Stakes winner Haussmann will head to Pukekohe Park for his next appearance.

The Gr.2 Easter Handicap (1600m) is the goal for the talented All Roads.

Andrew Adkins has been confirmed as the rider for Sir Charles Road in Saturday’s A$2 million Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick.

Local trainer Terri Rae was quietly cursing her bad luck at Riccarton on Saturday afternoon when she received a pleasant surprise.

A copybook display from rider Sam Spratt paved the way for promising stayer Blue Breeze to notch his second career victory when he took out the opening event over 2200m at Te Aroha on Saturday.

Local filly Kailani Sunset sprang a minor upset when she led all the way to take out the Haunui Farm 2YO (800m), the opening event at Pukekohe on Sunday.

The benefit of two raceday starts was clearly in evidence as the Richard Yuill trained runner hugged the rail throughout after jumping from an inside barrier. As her more inexperienced rivals struggled to get balanced after rounding the home bend, Kailani Sunset established a winning break before repelling a stout challenge from Matamata visitor Cavallo Veloce to notch her first career victory.

Yuill admitted to plenty of pre-race confidence in the Swiss Ace filly’s chances as she returned from a brief summer break after showing promise behind Melt and Nirvana In Fire in her earlier races.

“I was a little bit confident as she is a nice filly who is only going to get better with age,” he said.

“The raceday experience made a big difference as the rest were all trial performers who hadn’t been to the races.

“She jumped and led on the rail well and did everything right.”

Yuill is keen to continue the current programme with the filly although he believes she will furnish into a classy three-year-old next season.

“She’s in work now so we will press on with her,” he said.

“We’ll keep her going for as long as we can before turning her out for the winter and then bringing her back in the spring.

“We’re looking forward to a nice three-year-old campaign with her.”

Rider Sam Spratt, fresh off a winning double at Te Aroha on Saturday, was pleased with the effort.

“She’s had a few starts now and knows what she is doing,” she said.

“She flew out of the gates and put herself there.

“She did try to lug out a little when the other one came at her, but she fought on really well.”

Race 1 @HaunuiFarm 2yo 800m goes to local trainer Richard Yuill and ridden by Sam Spratt. Congratulations to owners Cliff Matson and David Taming 🐎🐎👊#pukekoheparktrained pic.twitter.com/6BzRrAXInh

— Pukekohe Park (@PukekohePark) April 8, 2018

Enigmatic stayer Highlad returned to winning form on Saturday with a heart-stopping victory in the J. Swap Te Aroha Cup (2200m).

Talented three-year-old Upperhand moved a step closer to an Australian venture when he resumed in fine style at Riccarton.

In-form filly Le Castile is delivering exactly what trainer Mark Blackie has been expecting.

He's regarded as one of the greatest riders to come out of New Zealand and on Saturday Lance O'Sullivan combined with Andrew Scott to train his first Sydney winner when Sir Charles Road outstayed his rivals to win the Gr.2 Chairman's Quality (2600m) at Randwick.

John Bary was back in the Group One groove at Te Aroha on Saturday.

Sultan Of Swing will head to his target race for the season in prime condition.

La Fille En Jeu has bagged a southern stakes double and consideration will be given to giving the Wanganui mare an opportunity to complete a hat-trick.

Talented filly Rondinella is facing a lengthy break from racing.

Flamingo will be back in stakes company next time out following her success at Awapuni on Friday.

Lisa Latta wasn’t surprised by a career-best performance from longshot China Star on her home track on Friday.

Lessons learned from last year's tilt at the Gr.1 Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) could be the catalyst for Miss Wilson landing a valuable elite-level win at Te Aroha on Saturday.

Smart mare Donizetti has a gilt-edged opportunity to add black type to her record on her favourite track on Friday.

Stakes performer Rising Shot is ticking over at Te Rapa while connections decide their next move.

Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards’ golden season with their two-year-olds continued at New Plymouth on Thursday.

A return to riding trackwork and trials has a reinvigorated James McDonald fizzing about his raceday comeback next month.

Any improvement in the conditions at New Plymouth will boost the chances of consecutive wins for Virtuoso Lad.

The focus of an international thoroughbred operation with a major New Zealand presence will centre on Sydney this weekend.

David Greene can see Dama Zorro making her presence felt in black type company in the future.

Speedy southern two-year-old Xpressmymind will be on trial next time out for a stakes assignment.

Stakes-performed filly She’s A Thief won’t be seen again this season after she was forced out of Saturday’s Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

Fresh legs were the key to The Gordonian producing a career-best last-start performance.

More Wonder has been courting offshore attention and his popularity will have been further boosted by his performance at Rotorua.

Stephen Marsh has tipped a bright future for Not Usual Talent, although he is unsure if it will be from his Cambridge stable.

Go Nicholas strengthened trainer Shelley Hale’s hand in the upcoming Gr.2 Easter Handicap (1600m) when he came from last to win at Rotorua on Monday.

Local trainer Bill Pomare broke a lengthy run of outs on his home track when Donna Anne Billy was successful in the opening event at Rotorua on Monday.

Local three-year-old Ozil sprang a major upset when he downed hot favourite Gift Of Power in a driving finish to The Oaks Stud/Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy (1200m) at Awapuni on Saturday.

Lightly raced staying prospect Sacred Rhythm put a disappointing last start performance well behind her when she produced a gritty victory to open the day at Awapuni on Saturday.

Promising two-year-old Nirvana in Fire resumes from a short summer break when he takes on a small but select line-up in the juvenile event over 1215m at Rotorua on Monday.

The powerful Brian and Shane Anderton operation made their presence felt at Riverton on Saturday when they produced Fascinate and Raise You Ten for a winning double.

The powerful stable of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman could have four runners in next weekend’s rich Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) after Weather With You and Mongolian Marshal performed with credit at Rosehill on Saturday.