Evergreen galloper Big Mike (NZ) (Don Eduardo) will commence what will likely be his last preparation when he lines-up in the Floyd & Toy Real Estate Property Brokers Open 2060.

Training racehorses was never in the plan for Paul Pertab but on Friday he recorded his first win courtesy of Exzello (NZ) (Shamexpress) in the Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup 14^th May (1400m) at Arawa Park.

Matamata filly Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) showed just how tough she is when she overcame a wide trip in transit to deliver a comprehensive victory in the Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa.

Trainer Stephen Autridge believes the trip away to Wanganui on Saturday which resulted in a comfortable victory for his talented filly Aris Aris (NZ) (Contributer) has her primed for a possible stakes target at her next start.

If Saturday’s Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa is to be the last race for class mare Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) then she has signed off a stellar career in the best possible fashion with a dominant victory.

Southland trainer Robert Dennis is in the process of winding down his stable, but he won’t be completely lost to the industry and is hoping to land a few more winning blows on both sides of the Tasman.

With two Group One wins in the four weeks since he has returned to the New Zealand trainers’ ranks, Mark Walker has well and truly announced his arrival and he’s set to further make his presence felt with five runners in Saturday’s Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa.

The Cambridge Jockey Club, Waikato Racing Club, and Waipa Racing Club have signalled a new era for racing in the Waikato region with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the establishment of a single racing club for the Waikato region.

Three-year-old filly Florencenightngale (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) made the perfect start to her career when winning on debut at Rotorua on Friday.

It was an exciting day for Lily Sutherland at Hawera on Wednesday when she recorded her first riding win.

Charms Star (NZ) (Per Incanto) has quickly returned to winning form to lay a disappointing spring to rest and she will front up at Te Rapa on Saturday in first class order.

The New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Handicapping Review Committee has made a number of recommendations following their recent meeting.

Class sprinter Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard) is joining Tony Pike’s team for the next couple of months in order to take on some of Australia’s best sprinters in Queensland.

Valuable filly Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) is in prime order for Saturday’s Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa where she will bid to add to her burgeoning record.

Hard off one of the best days of his career at Riccarton on Saturday, you’d forgive Canterbury jockey Terry Moseley for lacking motivation heading to Timaru for an industry Thursday meeting.

Closely-related mares Sinarahma (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and Our Hail Mary (NZ) (Ocean Park) may be signing off on their racing careers this weekend.

Top quality performer Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) will be chasing the perfect end to a stellar racing career when she steps out in Saturday’s Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa.

Debutant two-year-old filly Rionach (NZ) (Darci Brahma) showed she had inherited the family ability when she produced a powerful home straight surge to claim victory at Avondale on Monday.

Promising juvenile filly Enraptured (NZ) (Preferment) looks to be on track for her first tilt at stakes level next week after pleasing co-trainer Shaune Ritchie with her track gallop at Te Rapa on Tuesday.

A barnstorming late run carried progressive mare Carolina Reaper (NZ) (Vespa) to her biggest career victory when she took out the Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Quality performer Prise De Fer (NZ) (Savabeel) put a week of uncertainty behind him in style at Riccarton on Saturday, taking his career earnings past $500,000 with a record-breaking victory in the Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m).

Despite feeling completely drained of energy after his day at the races at Pukekohe on Saturday, Nick Bishara had a broad smile on his face as he reclined on his couch at home that evening.

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is looking forward to a Queensland winter campaign with smart three-year-old El Vencedor (NZ) after the son of Rich Hill Stud stallion Shocking made it back-to-back victories with a win over 1400m at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Promising juvenile Defiant (NZ) (Tavistock) overcame several unsettling incidents prior to the start of the NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1100m) race at Riccarton on Saturday to register an impressive victory that has her ready to tackle stakes company at her next assignment.

A brave front-running performance by underrated galloper Sergio (NZ) (Swiss Ace) was rewarded with a first victory at stakes level when he took out the Listed Manawatu ITM Anzac Mile (1550m) at Awapuni on Sunday.

While he failed to win a race in his three-year-old campaign, trainer Johno Benner is excited about the future prospects for promising stayer Titled (Exceed And Excel).

Singapore-based ex-pat Kiwi trainer Donna Logan is revelling being back in New Zealand for the first time in over three years.

Two-year-old galloper Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) put his best foot forward at Pukekohe when he dashed home late in the piece to capture the Listed Staphanos By Deep Impact Champagne Stakes (1600m).

Promising three-year-old stayer Pinarello (NZ) (Tavistock) shook off the disappointment of being late scratched at the barrier earlier this month with a stunning win in the Gr.2 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m) at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Reputabelle’s (NZ) (Pins) bid for a rare clean sweep of the South Island’s autumn three-year-old filly features was impressively thwarted by up-and-comer Burgie (NZ) (Ghibellines) in Saturday’s Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton.

With the first race meeting on the Riccarton Park Racecourse Polytrack to be held on Thursday May 5, the Canterbury Jockey Club has arranged an open day to have an up-close look at the new racing, trialling, and training surface.

Amusez Moi made an immediate impact from his new quarters and will bid to remain unbeaten for Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard when he fronts up for the sternest test of his career at Awapuni on Sunday.

Reputabelle is in prime order for her bid to become just the third filly to sweep the autumn legs of the South Island filly of the year series.

The Nigel Tiley-trained Demonetization will be out to defend his title in Saturday’s Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) and the seven-year-old gelding enters the race off a similar campaign to last year. 

A proposed development of the Trentham racecourse that promises to revitalise the venue and futureproof racing at the track has been described as “a development of a kind that the city has never seen before”.

Saint Bathans (Maurice) will attempt to bounce back to winning ways at Pukekohe on Saturday following an indifferent display at his most recent appearance.

Hoard The Bourbon (NZ) (Iffraaj) will have a chance to collect further travelling expenses for a planned trip to Brisbane when his staying qualities are put to the test for the first time on Saturday.

Paul Richards is ensuring the family name won’t be absent from the New Zealand training ranks now his premiership-winning son Jamie is moving to Hong Kong.

Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston has long circled Saturday’s Gr.3 Coca Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) as the grand final for quality galloper Hasabro (NZ) (Savabeel). 

Game mare Wannabe ‘N’ Paris (NZ) (Reliable Man) capped a wonderful day at Riverton on Monday for trainer Paul Harris....

Trainer Robbie Patterson is thrilled with how his star mare Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress) has come through her effort to finish runner-up behind Imperatriz in Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and is itching to get her on a plane to Queensland.

A special pre-race plan helped Sergio (NZ) (Swiss Ace) become Kamada Bloodstock’s 100th race winner when he led all the way in Sunday’s Woodville-Pahiatua Cup (1600m).

Quality three-year-old Meritable (Snitzel) pleased connections when winning a 1200m trial at Taupo on Tuesday.

Champion jockey Opie Bosson completed a full house of Group One wins in New Zealand when Imperatriz (I Am Invincilbe) cruised to victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Progressive three-year-old filly Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) is back on track for a tilt at the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa on April 30, galloping between races at the Hamilton venue on Saturday after recovering from the effects of a stone bruise.

While there may be only a couple of weeks left before Murray Baker hands over the stable reins to training partner Andrew Forsman, the pair are still churning out a regular stream of winners as evidenced on Saturday.

A resolute run for second at Te Rapa on Saturday could see promising two-year Rudyard (NZ) (Charm Spirit) added to the team that Cambridge trainer Tony Pike will take to Brisbane next month for an assault on the Queensland Winter Carnival.

Isla Bank trainers Ian and Kerry Taplin are looking to make the most of an interrupted weekend of racing on their nearby home patch at Riverton on Monday before heading for a ten-day break in Queensland to secure a new base for their future training aspirations.

Speedy Cambridge sprinter Johny Johny ran his rivals off their feet to take out the Listed Power Turf Sprint (1200m) at Hastings on Saturday.

Outstanding three-year-old filly Imperatriz blew her older rivals off the track at Te Rapa on Saturday when she bolted clear to win the Gr.1 Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).

A decision to bypass a start in an open 2100m event at Te Rapa on Saturday with enigmatic stayer Swords Drawn paid a handsome dividend when the six-year-old stormed home from near last to capture the Listed Power Farming Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) at Hastings.

Saturday’s meeting at Riverton was abandoned after just two races due to high winds.

Hastings trainer Patrick Campbell has unfinished business with Saturday’s Listed Power Farming Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) on his home track.

Matamata-trained Mali Ston will make his Australian debut on Saturday, with the son of El Roca to step out in the Silverdale Farm Handicap (1400m) at Randwick.

Trainer Janelle Millar was aiming Zola Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) towards the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa later this month, however, a lack of entrants for the Gr.1 Fiber Fresh NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) on Saturday convinced her to change tack.

The combination of a warm personality and a wide reach across thoroughbred racing made Stewart McGrail one of the best-known and well-liked members of the lower North Island racing fraternity.

A pair of talented stablemates are rated genuine prospects to add to their stakes records when they tackle feature events on their home turf on Saturday.

The aptly named Hokkaido credited Satono Aladdin with his second Southern Hemisphere winner from limited representatives when he made an impressive debut at Otaki on Thursday.

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is gearing up for another Queensland Carnival raid this winter, which will include a few runners from outside stables.

Talented Matamata mare Dragon Queen (NZ) (Sweynesse) will be given her chance against the best in the country in Saturday’s Gr.1 Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa.

There have been exciting changes made to the NZB Insurance Pearl Series for the 2022/23 season.

The strong win by Hoard the Bourbon (NZ) (Iffraaj) last week and the possibility of a Queensland campaign isn’t the only good news part-owner Jen Campin has had lately.

A minor leg issue has forced Levante (NZ) (Proisir) out of Saturday’s Gr.1 Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa.

Asathought (So You Think) will crown herself as Queen of Southland’s stayers with success in Saturday’s Listed Carriers Arms Hotel Riverton Cup (2147m).

Robbie Patterson has sounded an ominous warning to rival connections ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).

Roydon Bergerson has resisted the urge to head to Australia this autumn with exciting juvenile Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci).

A rescheduled date for family and friends to gather and celebrate the life of New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Laurie Laxon has been set for next month.

High-quality galloper Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock) and up and coming middle distance performer Soprano Supreme (NZ) (Contributer) have been locked in by Te Akau for the Queensland winter carnival.

Group Two performer Familia (NZ) (Makfi) has been retired.

Further rationalisation to maximise the full potential of remaining assets is paramount to the future success of the New Zealand racing industry.

Group Two winner Letzbeglam (Snitzel) will likely make her raceday return later this month following an 18-month hiatus.

A slashing run for second in an open trial has class mare Levante (NZ) (Proisir) primed and ready for the Gr.1 Fibre Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa next weekend.

Exciting three-year-old Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir) is ready to make his raceday return in the Listed Daybreak Lover (1400m) at Eagle Farm this coming weekend.

First year apprentice Jim Chung won’t forget Saturday’s racemeeting at Rotorua in a hurry as he opened his winning account as a jockey aboard the Tim and Margaret Carter-trained Show Courage (NZ) (Showcasing) in the last race on the card.

Former Group One winner On the Rocks (NZ) (Alamosa) returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in over two years when he took out an open 1400m contest at Rotorua on Saturday.

Feisty five-year-old Irish Girl showed all her fighting qualities as she bravely held out the challenges of Beneficial and Seriously to win the Listed Avon City Ford Easter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton.

It may not have been the five-length romp of her last start success but leading South Island three-year-old filly Reputabelle was even more impressive as she took out the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday.

A comfortable victory at Rotorua on Saturday could pave the way for the lightly raced four-year-old mare Soprano Supreme to tackle stakes company at her next start.

Grand Annual Steeplechase hero Gold Medals has run his last race, with trainer Symon Wilde confirming the gelding’s retirement from racing on Friday.

A stakes target is now in the offing for promising filly Candle after her impressive win in the Rich Hill Stud Autumn Sprint Series Qualifier (1100m) at Awapuni on Friday.

Trainer Lisa Latta was confident of a good showing from Group One performer Charms Star in Friday’s Gr.3 JAPAC Homes Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m) at Awapuni and under a positive Wiremu Pinn ride the four-year-old mare narrowly saluted from the fast-finishing favourite Sinarahma, with Samiam Seussie back in third. 

Local trainer Lisa Latta will have a strong team lining up at Awapuni on Friday, including Group One performer Charms Star (NZ) (Per Incanto), who is back in the stable after a stint with Chris Waller across the Tasman. 

Trainer Stephen Marsh was delighted with the performance of promising three-year-old Hoard The Bourbon, who took out The Oaks Stud 3YO 1600 at Awapuni on Friday.

Peter Didham’s stable was in imperious form at Wanganui on Thursday and he is bullish about adding black type to his haul at Riccarton this weekend when progressive filly Mazzini opens a two-race southern campaign.

Promising filly Victoria Roc (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) is set to continue her racing career in Australia.

Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning is hoping one of his favourite tracks can again prove a happy hunting ground for Saturday’s Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton.

The immediate future for Hasabro has been locked in, but the longer-term options for the genuine son of Savabeel is cause for consideration for connections.

Astute trainer Moira Murdoch heads to Rotorua this weekend with two horses raced by prominent owners that she’s been able to turn around through her successful beach training operation near Auckland.

Smart three-year-old Amalfi Prince (Sebring) will continue on a black-type path after his upset win in Saturday’s Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni.

Racegoers won’t see any more of the promising Pukekohe three-year-old Midnight Mass (NZ) (Proisir) this season despite a nice victory for the firm track specialist at Avondale last Saturday.

Canterbury jockey Samantha Wynne can’t wait to make her return to riding at Ashburton on Wednesday.

Kylie Bax is going down a familiar path with her latest Group One performer Aspen Colorado (NZ) (Proisir) with the lightly raced filly joining Chris Waller’s Sydney stable.

Gifted filly Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci) is in the mix to cross the Tasman in a bid to gate crash Fireburn’s (Rebel Dane) party in the final leg of Sydney’s two-year-old Triple Crown series.

A stakes target is in the offing for Tavattack (NZ) (Tavistock) after he made it back-to-back wins in the Resonant Premier (1600m) at Awapuni on Saturday.

Trainer Janelle Millar was trying hard to keep her emotions in check as she waited for her gallant mare Zola Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) to return to the Awapuni birdcage after providing the New Plymouth mentor with her biggest career victory in the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m).

Drama surrounded the finish to Saturday’s Group One feature at Awapuni when the final result was settled by the judicial committee after a protest was lodged by the connections of runner-up Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci) against first-past-the-post Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy).

Sam Weatherley went into the 2021/22 racing season with two major goals. One was to ride the winner of a $1 million race in New Zealand and the other was to add a second Group One victory to his career record.

As he made his way home from Palmerston North on Sunday morning, trainer Murray Baker was reflecting on some mixed results for his Cambridge stable the previous day.

Phoenix Park principal Janine Dunlop is hoping the second day of The Championships at Royal Randwick this weekend can provide even greater celebrations than those she had after day one on Saturday.

Enigmatic galloper Germanicus (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) was back to his best when he produced an irresistible finish to take out the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni.

Mark Walker kicked off his return to the New Zealand training ranks in the best possible way when Amalfi Prince (Sebring) upset the applecart when he took out the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni at outside odds.

It will be a rare occurrence for Tony Pike on Saturday when he heads to Avondale to line-up five runners.

It is a case of back to the future as Mark Walker assumes control of Te Akau Racing’s Matamata stable with the ushering in of April and the champion horseman will have a strong hand to play at Saturday’s Group One meeting at Awapuni.

With Ellerslie out of commission for next year’s Karaka Million meeting, New Zealand Bloodstock has announced the rich twilight fixture will be held at Pukekohe on January 21.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s new chief executive, Bruce Sharrock, officially takes up his role on Monday, 4 April.

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR), formerly Auckland Racing Club, has selected Fletcher Living to develop a 6.2ha parcel of land at Ellerslie Racecourse known as The Hill, for residential housing. 

Southland trainer Robert Dennis will this weekend host a celebration to mark the happy ending of a turbulent journey to reunite his Ukrainian stablehand Alex with his wife Olena.