Trudy Thornton ended her most successful season of race riding doing what she does best – winning.

Lance O’Sullivan got a Melbourne Cup reminder on Saturday morning when a delegation representing Victoria Racing Club stopped off at his Matamata stable.

Zabeel stallion Zed has undertaken a dramatic turnaround in the last five years, going from serving Clydesdales in the South Island of New Zealand to Group One sire and prolific staying influence.

Shelley Hale is giving Grant Cooksley the opportunity to get a line on both her stable stars at Te Rapa on Saturday.

The opportunity to add some valuable black-type to her promising career record is the goal for Saturday’s impressive Awapuni winner, Cape Du Jeu.

Gritty Matamata mare Hello M’Lady once again showed her love for the Rotorua surface when she pulled out all stops to gain victory in her first run for four months on Saturday.

Matamata trainer Toby Autridge firmly believes he has a very talented jumper on his hands after Tommyra picked up his second hurdle success from just three starts at Rotorua on the weekend.

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman trained Rodrico proved too strong in a thrilling three-way finish to the Woods Contracting Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) at Rotorua.

Local Awapuni galloper Atenartin proved too good for his age group compatriots when he led all the way to take out the final black-type feature of the season, the Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder Stakes (1200m).

A gritty front-running display has seen promising galloper The Poormanzabeel add to his burgeoning record with a victory at Rotorua.

Handy mare Shellez Ace bounced back from a poor performance at New Plymouth last weekend in the best possible style when she trounced her rating 85 rivals over 1400m at Rotorua.

Leading Central Districts rider Lisa Allpress gave her younger rivals a lesson when she guided rising winter star Rosewood to a comprehensive victory in open company at Awapuni.

A foot issue hasn’t disrupted plans to have the promising El Disparo at Te Rapa for the Schweppes Great Northern Hurdle (4150m).

The spring campaign of Cote D’Or gained momentum at Matamata this morning.

A weight-conscious Sean Cameron is taking every precaution to have Go Go Gonzo at the right place in the handicap for him to go one better in pursuit of his winter goal.

Mark Oulaghan will be keeping tabs on the opposition and the weather before confirming the new season programme for Shadows Cast.

New Zealand’s highest-profile galloper enjoyed a trip to Taupo this morning to further her preparation for a return to the Melbourne spring carnival.

John Bell will take care of business at home with Julius before pondering an overseas venture.

Stephen Marsh’s first day back at work following a European holiday was brightened by the arrival of a well-related youngster.

Excitement at Son Of Zac’s Australian campaign has turned to despair.

Top Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman has been booked to ride Hiflyer in Saturday’s Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) at Rosehill.

Iain Marks will be taking an ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ approach with his in-form five-year-old No Loitering.

Rafi Firdhaus’ riding stint in New Zealand has ended under a cloud.

Awapuni trainer Mike Breslin gained a healthy dose of satisfaction from Salamanca’s latest effort.

Talented mare Sensible Princess may go into next month’s Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) without a lead-up run.

Well performed mare Coldplay is coming to hand nicely in her new Sydney environment as she prepares for her last campaign on the track before commencing a breeding career.

Cambridge trainer John Bell had double the reason to smile after a successful day at Te Rapa on Saturday.

A never-say-die attitude saw promising three-year-old Verry Flash make it three wins from his last four starts when he held out all challenges to score over 1600m at Te Rapa on the weekend.

All-conquering trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman collected the 20th black type victory of their remarkable domestic season when the strapping mare New York Minute claimed top honours at New Plymouth.

Te Toro Pearl’s effort to extend her winning streak to four at New Plymouth on Saturday further emphasised the filly’s talent and determination.

Strolling Vagabond has booked her passage to the South Island.

Speedy youngster Nirvana In Fire has put himself in the mix for next season’s early three-year-old features.

Stacey Dougan’s winter of content with Charlie Horse continued at New Plymouth.

Contessa Vanessa will be given early opportunities to add to her black type record in the new season.

Buyers have hit a brick wall in their pursuit of Detentore.

Cambridge trainer Jon Miller has no hesitation in rating his emerging filly Te Toro Pearl as at least the equal of past stable star Dasoudi.

Nick Bishara is keen to push the distance boundary with the promising Verry Flash in the new season.

Champion trainer Andrew Forsman has given a glowing report on a trio of proven mares heading into Saturday's Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth, giving rise to the prospect of a repeat feature-race trifecta.

Guy Lowry was quick to deflect any praise for his part in Eastern Warrior’s successful North Island debut.

Racing Minister Winston Peters announced at a public meeting held in Invercargill on Wednesday night that three all-weather tracks have been earmarked for construction around New Zealand.

New Zealand race caller Tom Wood has been called up to the big leagues and will join Hong Kong’s broadcast team in the new season.

The progeny of the ever consistent The Oaks Stud stallion Darci Brahma have had another quality season.

Former New Zealand apprentice Hairi Marzuki has undergone two operations in Singapore following a race fall at Kranji on Sunday evening.

A Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) programme for Ladies First has been announced by trainer Allan Sharrock.

Injury has derailed this year’s plans for the exciting stayer Woodloveto.

Multiple stakes winner Longchamp has run his last race.

Banbury Lad has made an instant impact in his new role.

Graeme Rogerson believes apprentice Ryan Elliot’s career can go to another level next season.

Valachi Downs are significantly increasing their holdings in the thoroughbred industry.

Iffitel didn’t come through the Wellington Hurdles (3400m) at Trentham unscathed.

Smart mare Rayas is progressing well to kick off another campaign.

Te Akau’s newly established head trainer Jamie Richards took a strong team to the Te Rapa trials on Tuesday, showcasing the potential prominence the tangerine and blue silks will have in the spring.

Lightly-raced six-year-old Dez won’t race again before next month’s Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton.

Hiflyer will make his final appearance in Australia, for the time being, at Rosehill on Saturday week.

Last year’s Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) winner Close Up made his first appearance on a race track in nine months at the Te Rapa trials on Tuesday and could be set for a race day return as soon as Saturday.

Samantha Logan will be staying closer to home with her in-form team for the rest of the jumping season.

Johnathan Parkes was more than happy with Hiflyer’s effort in his Australian debut.

A pair of stakes winners are making good progress toward their returns to action for Gary Vile.

Well-performed overseas performer Giovanni Canaletto won’t be a player at the Hawke’s Bay carnival.

Tayla Wenn is preparing for the transition from jockey to trainer.

A gritty win at Trentham on Saturday has confirmed a start in the Gr.3 eStar Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton for promising mare Red Sierra.

Classy customer Aim Smart made the best possible start from his new base at Lauren Brennan’s Cambridge operation when he gave his rating 75 rivals a beating after leading most of the way over 1400m at Ruakaka.

Waipukurau galloper Dez added his name to the conversation around next month’s Gr.3 eStar Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton when he took out the Hanley Formula Whyte Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on the weekend.

Precocious juvenile Von Trapp didn’t disappoint Andrew Calder in his first serious test.

El Luchador and Major Tom were open handicap winners at opposite ends of the North Island on Saturday, but they are destined to meet in the middle next time out.

Raymond Connors is likely to forego the defence of a prestige event title with Wise Men Say in favour of chasing a southern feature.

Zedeedudadeeko’s return to form at Trentham may force part-owner and trainer Jamie Phillips to change tack.

The in-form Vinevale ensured New Zealand’s newest training partnership got away to a dream start when she struck again on her home track.

The breeder of the winner of this year’s Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) will receive a bonus.

Allan Sharrock was feeling both sad and relieved in the wake of his decision to retire star galloper Kawi.

South Island stayer Son Of Zac is to do his future racing from the powerful Darren Weir stable.

Scott Lucock and Sally Gillespie will be handing in their trainers’ licences at the end of this season.

Next month's Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton is already the target for one member of David and Emma Haworth's team, but it could become the aim for another with further success at Trentham on Saturday.

Next Up continued his family’s winning ways when victorious in the Waterview 1360m at Avondale on Wednesday.

Talented filly Santa Catarina has begun her build-up toward a proposed trip to Australia.

Chocolate Fish is in the mix for a return trip to Christchurch.

Gallagher will open a new campaign at Ruakaka on Saturday with the hope of a return to black type competition in the new season.

Point Proven is living up to his name and carrying on a proud family tradition that covers more than four decades.

Paul Nelson is backing himself to have got The Shackler's Wellington Hurdle (3400m) preparation pin-point perfect as he bids for a feature jumps "double-double" on Saturday.

Trainer Peter Lock is looking forward to stable star Hiflyer stepping out in Saturday’s Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill, while stablemates Mr Luigi and Dougie also have metropolitan assignments in the coming weeks.

New stable recruit Andoyas will make his first New Zealand public appearance at Tuesday’s Te Rapa trials.

Former top jockey Jim Cassidy will be the guest speaker at a charity dinner next month with proceeds to go to the General Trust Fund.

Marilyn Paewai has opted to go to Trentham on Saturday with her stable star Rosewood.

Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley is confident consistent stayer Megablast can exit his stable on a high-note.

Cossack Warrior’s later than anticipated start to his racing career has proved to be a blessing in disguise.

Sleeping Beauty is in the right form to rise to the challenge of stakes racing.

Major Tom has been a tough nut to crack and perseverance is now paying off.

A course of hurdling sparked Delegate to further flat success at Avondale.

Multiple Group winner Hiflyer and his stablemates Dougie and Mr Luigi have touched down safely in Australia.

Anyone in the market for a progressive stayer might be well-advised to take note of Vittachi.

The Poormanzabeel is in good order for Avondale on Wednesday.

All roads will lead to Riccarton next season for the promising staying prospect Felaar.

Courage and determination are two qualities that apprentice jockey Holly Andrew has in spades.

A Deep Impact colt out of the 2011 Champion New Zealand three-year-old filly King's Rose topped the yearling session of the JRHA Select Sale in Hokkaido, Japan on Monday.

Te Aroha trainer Peter Lock has arrived in Sydney to get Hiflyer ready for the Winter Stakes.

Co-trainer Graeme Rogerson is expecting Pasabache to make her mark in stronger company.

Cambridge trainer Roger James has high hopes for the new season.

Consistent galloper Dougie rewarded his many supporters when he delivered an emphatic victory in open company at Te Rapa on the weekend.

Storming The Tower’s latest success at Te Rapa has delayed his return to jumping.

Imported German racemare Igraine, who was bought as a future broodmare prospect for leading Waikato breeders Trelawney Stud, made a winning start to her local racing career when she won over 1400m Te Rapa on Saturday.

Marilyn Paewai’s pre-race concerns with Rosewood were dispelled in style by her diminutive mare at Awapuni.

Tony Pike is keeping his stakes options open with Cyber Attack.

Andrew Forsman was in a jocular mood following Ambitious Winner’s hollow victory at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Atenartin will front up for a black type challenge at the top of his game after breaking his duck on his home track.

Emily Farr can’t hide her admiration for the rising jumping star Laekeeper.

Two below-par runs from the capable Banbury Lad have almost certainly forced a different role upon the Mitchelson Cup (2200m) winner.

Multiple stakes winner Prom Queen has returned home from Queensland for a break.

Rising nine-year-old Itsagem has earned a reprieve.

Notabadrooster’s debut win over the big fences for part-owner and trainer Christopher Faulkner at Te Aroha on Friday came as no surprise to rider Will Gordon.

Tarissa Mitchell has enjoyed past success at Riccarton with her boutique team and she is making plans for a permanent move south.

Allan Sharrock is noticing a far more mature Tutta La Classe in training as the last-start winner prepares to take her campaign to black-type level.

New Zealand’s leading stables dominate the first batch of finalists for the 2018 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards.

The story of Kiwi’s dramatic victory in the 1983 Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) will be screened on TVNZ 1 on Sunday at 8:30pm.

An emphatic flat victory at Wanganui won’t change plans for the five-year-old Donardo.

Matamata trainer Glenn Old spent the best part of a decade working in Macau at the turn of the century and that association is reaping dividends for the Waikato conditioner.

Outstanding mare Bonneval is making good progress during the early stages of a new preparation that is hoped to see her cross the Tasman again.

Pukekohe trainer Jim Hatton might have unearthed a filly to provide him with a first stakes win.

Cambridge trainer Craig Phelan has his sights set on next month’s Grand National carnival.

With last week’s impressive Rotorua winner Lady Lira (Per Incanto-Miss Moneytree by Pins) lifting to nine the number of individual 2YO winners this season either raised and or sold off the farm and another seven placed, some may be excused for thinking that the Masterton nursery Little Avondale

Comeback galloper Dez is an outside chance to head south for a stakes feature.

Durable galloper Taurus has become a permanent fixture in two winter black type events and he’s on target to continue that trend.

Ishinktaatledo has opened her account from her new southern quarters.

Prince Oz has maintained his unbeaten record in the South Island with his fifth consecutive win.

Kelvin Tyler’s hopes of a second Group success during the Grand National carnival at Riccarton have been boosted.

Loyalty runs deep with Peter Lock and the owners of the Australian-bound Hiflyer.

Multiple stakes winner On The Rocks may be given the opportunity to add Australian black type to his record.

Champion sprinter Start Wondering will make an appearance on his home track on Thursday.

Well-regarded filly Stella Noire will be chasing black type features in the new season.

Twoznotenough will be out to make the most of her remaining opportunities in the South Island.

The progeny of deceased stallion Shinko King had a standout day on Saturday, with Megablast taking out the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m), while Monarch Chimes and Justa Charlie won the two feature jumps races at Hawke’s Bay.

Sacred Master’s next preparation will decide the future of the Group winner.

Further success this month may send Fairlight on a Group One path to Hawke’s Bay.

The former Stephen Marsh-trained duo Pierrocity and I Am Queen have joined Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young’s Cranbourne stable in the hope of gaining black type.

She’s A Thief’s lucrative juvenile campaign is being rewarded with an extended break.

Awapuni Hurdles winner (2900m) Iffitel will make her next appearance in this month's Wellington Hurdles (3400m) at Trentham as Matamata trainer Glynn Brick plots a path toward the Schweppes Great Northern Hurdles (4150m) at Te Rapa in September.

Exciting jumper Monarch Chimes is almost certain to make a return visit to Australia.

Ruakaka trainer Chris Gibbs had another strong day on Saturday at his local meeting, winning four of the nine races, while saddling a further seven placegetters.

Prominent owner and breeder David Archer tasted further Australian success on Saturday when the Tony Pike trained The Bostonian landed the Gr.3 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m).

The two highest-rated horses in the Cambridge yard of Shaune Ritchie will make later returns to racing in the new season.

Good things come to those who wait and that certainly played true on the weekend when promising four-year-old Fogarty Fegen made his way back to the winner’s enclosure at Hastings.

Luck finally played the way of promising galloper Ohceedee who prevailed in a blanket finish to the rating 65 Tanalised Mile (1600m) at Ruakaka on Saturday.

Impressive maiden winner Copper Mine took the first step on his journey to a future career in Hong Kong when he blitzed his rivals with a powerful front-running performance over 1200m at Ruakaka on the weekend.