Last-start runner-up Eridani went one better at Waipa on Wednesday to secure her maiden victory in the Waipa Home of Champions (1150m).

Nymph Monte made light work of his opposition in the Egmont Cup (2100m) at Hawera last-start and his trainer and part-owner, Grant Nicholson, is hoping he can continue that form into the Listed Ricoh Feilding Gold Cup (2100m) at Awapuni on Saturday.

The racing future of tough stayer Pentathlon is in doubt after the seven-year-old pulled up a bit scratchy following his sixth-placing in the Egmont Cup (2100m) earlier this month.

Ruakaka Cup (2200m) winner He’s Cavalier is in fine form of late and he could add another Cup to his tally at Waipa on Wednesday when he lines-up in the Cal Isuzu Te Awamutu Cup (2000m).

Ace sprinter Julius has been retired.

Shaun Clotworthy was quick to recognise Annie Okay's potential - now he's hoping she's swift enough to claim a stakes win at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Peter Williams, co-trainer of Media Sensation who cemented her claims for the Gr.1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas with a stylish victory in the Gr.3 Partners Life Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Jeff Lynds, trainer of impressive Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) winner Dark Princess.

Stephen Marsh about Listed Wellesley Stakes (1000m) winner Exhuberant

Jockey Opie Bosson is likely to make a return to race day riding next week at Ellerslie after injuring his foot in a barrier incident when riding Andoyas at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Maija Vance hopes to be leaving the Otara Spinal Unit before Christmas.

Ladies First will have one further throw of the dice in Melbourne before returning home to be set to defend her Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) crown.

Trainer John Bary found the answer he was looking for when promising stayer High Spirits scored a decisive win at Trentham on Saturday.

A win by talented mare Yearn over 1400m at Ellerslie on Saturday provided the perfect gift for trainer Karen Fursdon who was celebrating her 34th wedding anniversary on the day.

Cambridge Stud proprietors Brendan and Jo Lindsay dominated proceedings at Ellerslie on Saturday with three individual winners before signing off their red-letter day with a Group Three victory for a member of their broodmare band at Trentham.

Stephen Marsh trained first starter Exuberant made a winning debut with a gritty victory in the Listed Hanley Formula Wellesley Stakes (1000m).

Progressive mare Dark Princess continued her rise up the ranks with her first victory at stakes level when successful in Saturday’s Gr.3 Gee & Hickton Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham.

Cambridge stable of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman will have another strong contender for next month’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) after The Chosen One’s dominant victory in the Listed Zacinto Stakes (1600m).

Te Akau Racing capped off a strong day at Riccarton on Saturday with a brave win by Swing Note in the Listed Christchurch Casino Spring Classic (2000m).

The Peter and Dawn Williams trained Media Sensation cemented her claims for next month’s Gr.1 Gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton with a stylish victory at Ellerslie.

A cautiously excited Michael Pitman has been given the green light from his surgeon to travel to Melbourne on Friday to watch Savvy Coup contest the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

Allan Sharrock is stretching his resources like never before but is hoping for a landmark weekend of success as he produces runners in stakes races at three different venues for the first time in his career this weekend.

Apprentice jockey Zubair Bholah picked up his first win in New Zealand on Wednesday when he rode Flicka of Gold to victory in the Clair Anderton (1400m) at Wingatui for boss Steve Tyler.

Unbeaten three-year-old gelding Dawn Patrol will now head to Riccarton next month to contest the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) after pleasing trainer Frank Ritchie in his 1200m trial at Te Aroha on Thursday.

Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman will find out in the next week if they will contest classic spoils over Melbourne Cup week with stable three-year-olds Botti and Rubira.

In form three-year-old filly Emily Margaret has already one stakes victory to her name this spring and she will be looking to add the Listed Zacinto Stakes (1600m) to that tally at Riccarton on Saturday.

gavelhouse.com graduate Kauri Cove provided a special milestone win for Kelvin and Aimee Tyler’s newly minted father/daughter training partnership at Winton last week.

Cody Cole’s rise in the training ranks could include a Group One contender next month.

Stephen Marsh’s long-range plan to campaign a couple of promising mares off-carnival in New South Wales steps up a notch this week with Campari and Mark Two tackling city assignments.

Jon Snow’s Melbourne spring campaign has come to an end after he tailed the field home in Saturday’s Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).

Embellish showed a glimpse of his talent at last week’s Te Awamutu trials, but he won’t be part of the Te Akau Racing Stables squad competing at the New Zealand Cup meeting at Riccarton next month

Former top juvenile Sword Of Osman was back in the winning groove at Te Rapa where he took out the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) with a bold front-running performance.

Talented galloper Rhinestone Cowboy was on his best behaviour at Te Rapa today to land his first career victory.

Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie doesn’t know where maiden winner Magic Condor sits in the pecking order of three-year-old fillies, but is happy to find out in Saturday’s Gr.3 Partners Life Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie.

Talented three-year-old Media Sensation furthered her preparation for a tilt at the Gr.1 Gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month when she downed her age-group rivals over 1400m at Rotorua on Saturday.

Favouritism for next months Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton could be decided at Te Rapa on Monday afternoon when several of the leading contenders clash in the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m).

A desperate finish to the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua was decided by the photo-finish camera in favour of underrated mare Volks Lightning.

North Island raider Xpression underlined why she is the favourite to take out next month’s Gr.1 Gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) when she handed out a beating to her age group rivals at Ashburton on Saturday

A rails-hugging ride paved the way for Hastings visitor Peso to land his biggest career win when he took out the Listed Jakkalberry Classic (1950m) at Rotorua.

Injured jockey Alysha Collett underwent successful surgery to her fractured vertebra on Thursday.

Last season’s Champion Two-Year-Old Avantage has suffered a set-back which has seen her ruled out of the Gr.1 Gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month.

The winner of six of her seven starts, including an impressive victory in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) last month, Avantage did not pull-up particularly well after the win and a decision was made to carry out a bone scan after she was examined by Te Akau’s veterinarian Dr Douglas Black.

"The report of the bone scan has now been received and it identified a muscular issue which will rule her out of the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas,” Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards said.

"While this is a huge disappointment to her owners and our team, as well all her supporters, the good news is that there is nothing more serious. 

“Avantage has today travelled to a speciality equine rehabilitation facility for a five to six week period of paddock rest. We look forward to her return to the stable and the track in due course."

A graduate of the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, Avantage was purchased by David Ellis for $210,000 and the Group One winning daughter of Fastnet Rock has won in excess of $800,000 in prizemoney.

Melt and Xpression now head the futures betting for the 1000 Guineas at $4 apiece.

Meanwhile, Richards will be hoping three-year-old colts Our Flying Ace and Sword Of Osman can flag themselves as genuine Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) contenders.

Rated at $6 and $26 respectively for the Guineas, Our Flying Ace will contest the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton on Saturday, while Sword Of Osman will step out in Monday’s Gr.2 James And Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa.

"Our Flying Ace is going well, and it will be a good test for him against the northerners to see if his form is as good as some of the others,” Richards said.

“I’m pleased with Sword of Osman and hopefully he will roll forward, but Madison County is the one to beat.

“His work has been good but we're still learning about him at 1400m, whether he's going to relax and run it out. I don't think he lost any admirers the other day. He was taken on early and he stuck to it when he was beaten." 

Impressive last start winner Te Akau Shark will tackle the Gr.2 Coupland’s Bakeries Mile (1600m) at Riccarton in preference to a trip across the Tasman.

Otaki-based trainer Johno Benner, who trains in partnership with Hollie Wynyard, is looking forward to the return of racing at their home track on Sunday.

Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Vin De Dance will not contest the two-mile feature and will return home to New Zealand after a below par performance in last Sunday’s Listed Cranbourne Cup (2025m).

A bright and content Charles Road is poised to enhance his Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) claims with a bold run in Saturday's Gr.3 Coongy Cup (2000m), according to Matamata trainer Lance O'Sullivan.

Cambridge trainer Martin Da Cruz is taking a cautious approach with his talented sprinters Packing Eagle and Elusive Treasure going into Saturday's Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua.

Unbeaten three-year-old Dawn Patrol pleased trainer Frank Ritchie with his last-start victory over 1400m at Matamata on Saturday but his path towards the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) is currently undecided.

Stakes-placed galloper Bocce is set to resume on Saturday in the Faulkner Drainage 3YO (1215m) at Rotorua and has won a trial to fit him for his return to racing.

Five-year-old gelding Excalibur heads into Saturday’s Listed Jakkalberry Classic (1950m) at Rotorua in fine fettle according to trainer Shaune Ritchie, but the wide draw of barrier 11 will ensure he is ridden conservatively once again.  

Group Two-winning filly Xpression will have one final hit-out at Ashburton on Saturday before she contests her main target of the spring, next month’s Gr.1 Gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m).

European import Igraine has hardly put a foot wrong since joining Robert Priscott’s Te Awamutu barn earlier this year and she is set to tackle stakes company for the first time in the Listed Jakkalberry Classic (1950m) at Rotorua on Saturday.

Jockey Alysha Collett suffered a fractured lower backbone and right heel after a race fall at Kranji on Sunday.

Radio Trackside’s Des Coppins catches up with Frank Ritchie about exciting galloper Dawn Patrol who recorded his second win from as many starts on Matamata on Saturday.

Co-trainer Andrew Forsman discusses the stable’s stakes-winning double of Nicoletta in the Gr.3 Rich Hill Stud Taranaki Breeders' Stakes (1400m) and Deals in Heels in the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m).  He also gives an update on the progress of Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) hopeful, Jon Snow.

Ashvin Goindasamy has swapped tailor-made miniature jockey’s colours for the real item and he’s now living a childhood dream.

Lightly raced speedster Sleeping Beauty was back to her brilliant best when she dominated her rivals from in front over 1200m at Matamata on Saturday.

Malaysian-born rider Shafiq Rusof continued his red-hot run of form when he guided handy stayer Nymph Monte to victory in Saturday’s South Taranaki Club Egmont Cup (2100m) at Hawera.

With less than a week until the gates open for this years A$5m Caulfield Cup (2400m), kiwi contender Jon Snow is ready to tackle the slew of international raiders set to contest the event.

The powerful Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman stable completed a stakes double for the day when Nicoletta took out the Gr.3 Rich Hill Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera.

If ever a horse deserved to break through at stakes level it is talented mare Deals In Heels.

Progressive galloper Dawn Patrol overcame a wide run and some talented opposition to register his second win from as many starts when he scored over 1400m at Matamata.

Inglewood owner-trainer Marilyn Paewai is hopeful her bonny mare Rosewood can land some richly deserved Group success this weekend.

Four-year-old entire Demonetization has pleased trainer Nigel Tiley and will have his second run back from an injury-enforced break when he tackles the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m) on Saturday.

Breeze Ups for New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale of Two-Year-Olds will take place next week on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 October with each day commencing at 10am.

The Stephen Marsh-trained mares Campari and Mark Two both successfully broke their maidens at Gosford last week and the Cambridge conditioner is looking forward to their next starts and winning further Australian prizemoney.

Talented sprinter Julius prepared for a return to racing in the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua on Saturday week with an exhibition gallop at Taupo on Wednesday under regular rider Jason Waddell.

A week after two-year-old Showcasing filly Last Sight won on debut at Ruakaka, Valachi Downs principal Kevin Hickman struck again with another filly by the same sire, The Tailors Niece, on debut at Tauherenikau.

A trip to Riccarton awaits progressive Matamata mare Livin' On A Prayer if she proves competitive in Saturday's Gr.3 Rich Hill Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera.

Three of the heavyweights of New Zealand racing have gathered to plan their assault on the Melbourne Spring Racing carnival.

Matamata trainer Peter McKay has taken a patient approach with a pair of progressive three-year-olds.

Group One winner Embellish is on target to have a further trial this month as is stablemate Chance To Dance.

Allan Sharrock says he has nobody but himself to blame after missing the first acceptance payment for next month's A$7 million Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), rendering Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Ladies First ineligible to start.

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh will get a better guide to his Classic prospects following Saturday’s Matamata meeting.

One of the biggest selling points at the NZB Ready to Run Sale of Two-Year-Old's is the sire power of 110 varied stallion profiles, each offering unique value. Amongst this selection are internationally renowned Group One producers whose high profiles offer buyers the opportunity to capitalise on their sought after progeny.

Kiwi stayer Sir Charles Road spiked a temperature after finishing fourth in the Gr.3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield last month, but is back on track according to co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan.

Early indications are positive for Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman, who underwent surgery for bowel cancer on Monday.

Our Abbadean is set to continue along the Group One path after enjoying a well-earned brief let-up, while plans for the exciting stablemate Te Akau Shark are still to be confirmed.

Last season’s champion two-year-old Avantage is likely to step out over 1400m at Matamata on Saturday as she continues her build-up towards the Gr.1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November.

Trainer Peter McKay discusses the win of Langkawi at Hawke’s Bay on Saturday

Radio Trackside’s Des Coppins talks to Chris Johnson about his great day in the saddle at Hastings on Saturday including his win on Savvy Coup in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m)

Te Akau principal David Ellis discusses the win of exciting galloper Te Akau Shark in the Gr.3 Red Badge Sprint at Hawke’s Bay on Saturday and an update on a host of the stable’s stars.

While many may consider the task of beating Winx in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) in three weeks to be a monumental challenge, for Michael Pitman, trainer of rival Savvy Coup, it is nowhere near as daunting as the personal battle he is about to undertake.

Royally bred three-year-old Langkawi took the first step on a path towards some of the feature age group events later in the summer when he landed his first victory at Hastings on the weekend.

Waikato Stud has won the race to purchase the two-time New Zealand Horse of the Year and multiple Group One winner Bonneval

Dual Group One winner Savvy Coup might not be the only Livamol Classic contestant to compete at Moonee Valley on October 27.

A brother to exciting Kiwi filly Verry Elleegant was welcomed into the world just hours after his three-year-old sister stamped herself as a leading contender for the Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m).

The Sunday race-meeting at Te Awamutu has been abandoned after problems with horses slipping were identified following the completion of the second event.

A masterclass from rider Chris Johnson paved the way for progressive galloper Dark Princess to secure victory over a talented line-up in Saturday’s Hastings Heart Of The Hawke’s Bay Mile (1600m).

Hastings racegoers got to witness something special on Saturday when exciting four-year-old Te Akau Shark scorched to victory in the Gr.3 Red Badge Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings.

Pre-post favourite Savvy Coup left no room for excuses when she dominated her rivals in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings.

The well-known colours of the powerful China Horse Club were to the fore at Hastings on Saturday when Madison County produced a devastating sprint to capture the Gr.2 Sacred Falls Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m).

Talented four-year-old galloper Te Akau Shark will be looking to secure his first stakes victory on Saturday when he lines-up in the Gr.3 Red Badge Spring Sprint (1400m) at Hastings.

Consistent three-year-old Cyber Attack heads in to Saturday’s Gr.2 Sacred Falls Hawke's Bay Guineas (1400m) in good form for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike, but will have to overcome a horror barrier draw (15).

The Nigel Tiley-trained three-year-old Spirits Aubeer continues to make good progress, making it back to back victories this term when successful at Tauranga on Friday.

Riccarton-trained three-year-old Emily Margaret will take another step towards the Gr.1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) when she tackles the Inglewood Stud Guineas Trial (1400m) on her home track on Saturday.

Multiple Group Two-winning mare Our Abbadean is after her first Group One scalp at Hastings on Saturday after impressing with her two fresh-up runs at Hawke’s Bay’s spring carnival.

The curtain has come down on the outstanding racing career of dual New Zealand Horse of the Year Bonneval and a change in ownership looks likely in the near future.

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh made a flying visit to Gosford, just outside of Sydney, on Thursday to saddle a pair of maiden gallopers and walked away with the lion’s share of prizemoney.

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh will be hoping that Ugo Foscolo can recapture his black-type form in the Gr.3 Red Badge Sprint (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday.

Racing is set to resume at the Otaki racecourse on October 22 after it withstood a track test on Wednesday where 18 horses worked on the renovated track over a variety of distances from the inside rail.

Everything's apples with Opie Bosson ahead of his comeback to race-riding at Hastings on Saturday.

Johno Benner has no doubt he is taking a horse to the races capable of winning Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings.

Just 12 months ago she loomed as New Zealand's best spring Cups chance but Bonneval's racing days are over after a lacklustre comeback to racing this spring.

Ruakaka trainers Chris Gibbs and Michelle Bradley are taking a strong team down to Hastings for the last day of the Hawke’s Bay carnival, but their biggest chances may be in the Bay For NZ Punter of the Year 2200.

Two-year-old Showcasing filly Last Sight made the perfect start to her racing career with a debut win in the Burgundy @ Cambridge Stud 2YO (900m) at Ruakaka on Wednesday. 

Hastings trainer John Bary is pleased with the talent in his yard at present and is looking forward to showcasing some of it on the final day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival on Saturday. 

Lisa Latta has a strong hand to play at Hastings on Saturday with a team of eight entered for the premier meeting, including Authentic Paddy and Five To Midnight in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m). 

Co-trainer Andrew Forsman expects classy Kiwi stayer Jon Snow to appreciate the big open spaces at Flemington when he lines up against Winx in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on Saturday. 

Byerley Park trainers Peter and Dawn Williams will take three horses north to Ruakaka on Wednesday in the hope of recording their maiden victories.

Talented Te Awamutu trainer Joe Waldron is set to relocate to Victoria at the end of the month. 

Trainer Stephen McKee is weighing up his options as to how progressive three-year-old Hasabro proceeds to the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on November 3. 

Two New Zealand three-year-olds have begun Derby campaigns in Victoria with contrasting fortunes in races at Geelong

Sam Logan got off the mark for the season with a double over the weekend and is looking forward to the return of the promising Woodloveto later this year.

Chris Gibbs is keeping an eye on the Hawke’s Bay weather reports leading up to his stable’s two-pronged attack on the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) on Saturday.

The Stephen McKee-trained Hasabro remains a maiden following a luckless second behind Regal Hawk at Geelong on Monday. 

Promising chaser The Arabian Duke showed he could be a force to be reckoned with in next season’s major jumping events with a devastating victory in Sunday’s Bayleys Waikato Hunt Cup Steeplechase (4250m) at Te Aroha.

Outstanding Kiwi galloper Patrick Erin sat atop the Sydney staying ranks on Saturday afternoon after he produced a devastating sprint to capture the Gr.1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick.

Enigmatic galloper Stratocaster booked his ticket for a crack at the riches of the Melbourne spring carnival when he cruised to victory at New Plymouth on the weekend.

Fans of exciting mare Love Affair will have to wait another seven days to see her commence her spring campaign.