There were emotional scenes in the Avondale birdcage on Saturday following the win of former Hong Kong galloper, Born Dragon.

After being denied by centimetres in two Group One races on Epsom Handicap day, Sydney's premier trainer Chris Waller has celebrated a big-race win with Patrick Erin (NZ) (Gallant Guru) in The Metropolitan.

Pocket rocket Bit Lippy carried on where he left off last season when he dealt to his three-year-old rivals over 1200m at Avondale on Saturday.

Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Ladies First’s trip to contest the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings next week is doubtful.

Group One performer Hiflyer will go for a spell following his sixth placing in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m).

New Zealand syndicator Albert Bosma is acutely aware of the lucrative prizemoney on offer in Australia and hopes to have an increasing presence in the lucky country with both visiting raiders and permanently domiciled runners.

Apprentice jockey Nik Bakar has made a whirlwind start to his career.

Respected bloodstock expert Steve Brem has passed away at 69, following a long-term illness

Underrated mare Santa Monica showed she was ready to tackle her biggest assignment next month after producing a comprehensive performance to win at New Plymouth on Saturday.

Group Three-winning mare Francaletta has a date with New Zealand’s Champion sire Savabeel this spring, but will be set to add to her black-type tally before her retirement.

Chelsea Burdan picked up her first win on debut at Waipukurau on Thursday.

Group One winner Sofia Rosa may be an even better mum than she was a racehorse.

Three-year-old Reliable Man gelding Hypnos got up to score on debut in the Michael Ormsby/Bernard Booth 3YO (1200m) at Waipukurau and it was a satisfying win for his connections.

Australian spring features are the immediate target for star Cambridge fillies Santa Catarina and Peaceful, but that's only one part of the plan.

Bonneval's defence of the Gr.1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) looms as a campaign-defining race for the dual New Zealand Horse of the Year.

A wide gate could delay the return of unbeaten filly Media Sensation.

Matamata trainer Glenn Old will have solid chances at two separate venues on Saturday, but he will head to New Plymouth to watch Our King Sway in the battle of the Greys.

If you spend ten minutes talking with Matamata-based apprentice jockey Jasmine Fawcett you will soon learn that her success is no fluke.

Group One winning mare Volpe Veloce stepped out at the Te Teko trials on Tuesday and was an impressive winner over 1010m.

The Cambridge stable of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman is set to kick-off another exciting stable runner’s spring campaign this week, but those plans are weather dependent.

Following a successful test on its course proper on Monday, the Auckland Racing Club have confirmed racing will resume at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday October 27. Ellerslie has not hosted any race meetings since Auckland Cup Week in March, to allow for a drainage upgrade to its track.

Group One winner Embellish and promising galloper Te Akau Shark pleased connections after their exhibition gallop at Ellerslie on Monday.

Group One winner Savvy Coup looks primed for the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) in a fortnight’s time after closing late to finish runner-up to Melody Belle in the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings on Saturday.

The Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) countdown for Sir Charles Road will become clearer for his connections on Tuesday.

The connections of Big Mike are pondering over a possible Melbourne trip as an option for the freegoer after his effort at Hastings on Saturday.

Consistent mare Tomelilla put further value into her future breeding prospects when she added the Listed Haunui Farm Karaka Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe to an already impressive career record.

Local galloper Mighty Me showed his penchant for his home track at Pukekohe when he downed a quality line-up of rating 82 runners over 1200m on Sunday.

Promising filly Princess Amelie provided an impressive first leg of a premier day double for trainer Lisa Latta when she opened a new campaign with an eye-catching victory at Hastings on the weekend.

Speedy filly Beauty Diva proved too quick for her juvenile rivals in the opening event at Pukekohe on Sunday.

Locally trained filly Emily Margaret showed all her fighting qualities as she withstood a fierce challenge from northern visitor Wekaforce to claim the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton.

Outstanding mare Melody Belle made it two Group One wins in succession as she dominated her rivals in Saturday’s Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings.

Last season’s champion two-year-old Avantage was back doing what she does best when she opened her three-year-old season with a dogged winning performance at Hastings.

Hardy sprinter Amarula returned to the scene of his biggest victory when he took out the open sprint at Hastings on Saturday.

Cambridge horsewoman Tarissa Mitchell will launch another chapter in her life at Riccarton on Saturday with a horse who seriously injured her 11 months ago.

The Tony Pike-trained debutant Bolt From The Blue made a winning start to his career when he scored at Taupo by nearly two lengths in the NZ Jumps Jockeys (1000m) on Friday.

Tony Pike is making no secret of the high regard he holds for Riccarton debutante Sacred Quartz.

Matamata trainer Vicki Prendergast has struck up a great association with breeder Scott Williams with his M’Lady breed and has tipped bright futures for exciting three-year-old Easy M’Lady and stakes performer Hello M’Lady.

Red-hot trainer Jamie Richards isn't getting ahead of himself despite having the favourites for both feature races at Hastings on Saturday.

Group Three winner Sherrif will return to the races this weekend when he steps out in the Rating 82 Bay Ford NZ Punter Of The Year 6 October (1400m) at Hawke’s Bay on Saturday, but Roger James, who trains in partnership with Robert Wellwood, believes the son of High Chaparral will derive plenty of improvement from the run.

Matamata-trained stayer Sir Charles Road will step out at Caulfield on Saturday in the Gr.3 East Malvern Bendigo Bank MRC Foundation Cup (2000m), a race where the winner gains ballot exempt status for next month's Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).

Tony Pike had three starters in all of August. Over the next three days, he will have 20.

Otaki trainers Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard will have two strong chances in Saturday’s Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings, and the couple couldn’t be happier with their charges heading into the mile feature.

Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley is pleased with the way in which Melt has come through her win in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders' Stakes (1200m) last Saturday and her next assignment will likely be the Gr.2 Sacred Falls Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings on October 6.

Three three-year-old races have been upgraded by the New Zealand Pattern Committee.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing provided an update on Waikato jockey Maija Vance who suffered damage to five vertebrae a fall at Rotorua on Sunday.

Group Three-winning mare Francaletta will have the opportunity to enhance her broodmare value when she lines up in Saturday’s Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings.

One month after his comeback seventh in the Group 2 Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa on August 18, former Singapore champion galloper War Affair came out for a smart barrier trial win at Te Rapa on Tuesday.

Hastings trainers Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen have a team of five entered for Thursday’s Wanganui meeting, including a pair of promising three-year-old fillies.

Te Rapa trainer John Morell was pleased with Florence Jean’s trial win on his home track on Tuesday and is aiming at starting the four-year-old in a week’s time

Saturday’s Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings has received an injection of international flavour with the late entry of the Darren Weir-trained stakes winner Raw Impulse.

Te Aroha trainer Peter Lock is over the moon with how his talented galloper Hiflyer has progressed and is looking forward to lining up the six-year-old in the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings on Saturday.

Group Two-winning filly Xpression is set to tackle Saturday’s Gr.3 Hawke's Bay Breeders Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) and has pleased trainers Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen since her successful seasonal return at Taupo last month.

Ardmore Lodge-trainer Nick Bishara has confirmed that his talented three-year-old filly Verry Elleegant has been sold to a Trans-Tasman syndicate and will do her future racing in Australia.

Speed machine Prom Queen was back doing what she does best when she scorched her rivals over 1200m at Ruakaka on the weekend.

Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman’s assault on the riches of the Melbourne Spring Carnival is starting to gain momentum as witnessed by Jon Snow’s game performance at Flemington on Saturday.

Promising galloper King Cougar delivered an emphatic statement to those who questioned his credentials on firmer ground when he stormed to victory on his home turf on Saturday.

Wanganui raider She’s Poppy overcame a horror trip in transit to claim her biggest victory on Saturday when she prevailed in the Gr.3 Boehringer Ingelheim 1550 at Awapuni.

Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley’s decision to take his exciting three-year-old Melt back to Ruakaka on Saturday paid off handsomely when she dealt to her rivals in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeder’s Stakes (1200m).

Allan Sharrock has few concerns with Ladies First sitting at 51st on the order of entry for this year's A$7 million Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Group One winning entire Jon Snow will face a strong field when he contests Saturday’s Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, with Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman hoping the son of Iffraaj can show solid progression from his first-up fourth in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) a fortnight ago.

The Lisa Latta-trained three-year-old Lincoln Falls looks to have a bright future after an impressive debut performance when successful at Woodville on Friday.

Talented three-year-old Madison County will resume in Saturday’s Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders' Stakes (1200m) and trainer Andrew Forsman believes the son of Pins will need the run.

Ryan Elliot is set to partner Hamilton filly Contessa Vanessa in Saturday week's Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings.

Hamilton trainer Graeme Rogerson is excited to produce a bigger, stronger version of talented sprinter Gift Of Power at Awapuni on Saturday.

Red Giant gelding Major Tom enjoys racing on his home track of Ruakaka, but if he fails to fire in Saturday’s Logan Racing Ruakaka Cup (2200m) it could spell the end of his Gr.3 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup (3200m) campaign.

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai in association with the Canterbury Jockey Club, Wellington Racing Club and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, have today announced a competition which will reward four lucky racegoers with a trip to the United Arab Emirates for the 2019 Dubai World Cup.

Last year’s Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) place-getter Kaharau will bypass this year’s two-mile feature in favour of a lighter spring preparation.

Riverton trainer Kelvin Tyler will bookend Thursday’s PGG Wrightson Real Estate South Otago Cup (1400m) field at Wingatui with What’s Up Alf and Timy Tyler, and he thinks both horses will be competitive fresh-up.

The Kelvin Tyler-trained Flying Sardine impressed with her fresh-up win in the Christchurch Casino Open Handicap (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday, in what was an oddly run race.

Ardmore Lodge trainer Nick Bishara has fielded some big offers for talented Zed filly Verry Elleegant and they were justified on Wednesday with an easy win in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1400m) at Matamata.

Multiple stakes-winning filly Melt has plenty of black-type options ahead of her heading to her main target of the spring, the Gr.1 Gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November.

Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta is hoping it’s a case of third time lucky when her Group One galloper Authentic Paddy tackles Saturday’s Gr.3 Boehringer Ingelheim 1550m on his home track.

Leading jumps trainer Paul Nelson will have strong chances in each of the two feature jumps races at Te Aroha on Sunday, but he still holds some reservations ahead of the event.

Sometimes in life things simply fall into place and that’s the case with trainer Lee Somervell’s decision to move to Hastings.

Promising four-year-old English Gambler has pleased trainer Lauren Brennan in his four career starts to date and she believes he has the potential to reach cups class in New Zealand.

Iffraaj mare Elfee is heading into Saturday’s Christchurch Casino Open Handicap (1600m) at Riccarton in good form, having run in the money on all but one occasion this preparation.

New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock is plumping for race favourite London Express in Saturday's Listed The O'Learys Fillies Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui - but only just.

Riccarton conditioner Michael Pitman, who trains in partnership with his son Matthew, was over the moon with Savvy Coup’s fifth-placing in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) behind Melody Belle at Hastings on Saturday and he is eyeing a crack at the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) next month with his mare if everything goes to plan.

Stakes winner Magnum made a winning return to the track at Ruakaka on Saturday when taking out the Harcourts Whangarei (1200m) and more black-type could be in-store for the Per Incanto gelding when he heads to Hastings next month.

Dual New Zealand Horse of the Year Bonneval is back in Melbourne to launch her spring campaign at Moonee Valley in the same race she won first-up a year ago.

Talented galloper Mihaul was euthanised on Monday after sustaining multiple knee fractures on Saturday.

The Steven Cole-trained Ohceedee was able to turn the tables on Aim Smart in the Paul Bayes Livestock Mile (1600m) at Hastings on Saturday.

Tavistock filly Loose Cannon made an impressive start to her raceday career at Ruakaka on Saturday when taking out the Northland Rural Mechanical Services (1200m).

Champion jumps jockey Michael Mitchell has answered an SOS call from the other side of the world to take the ride on Gallante in Sunday's Schweppes Great Northern Hurdle (4150m) at Te Aroha

Dual New Zealand Horse of the Year Bonneval has arrived safely in Melbourne and is set to kick-off her spring campaign in the Gr.2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Otaki conditioner Johno Benner, who trains in partnership with Hollie Wynyard, was pleased with both of his runners performances in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) on Saturday and can’t wait until the next two days of the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival.

Te Aroha trainer Peter Lock was impressed with Hiflyer’s runner-up performance in Saturday’s Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) behind Melody Belle and believes the six-year-old will benefit from the added distance in the Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) on the second day of the carnival.

Outstanding juvenile Melt is back bigger and better if Saturday’s winning performance at Ruakaka is anything to go by.

Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman will bolster their Melbourne spring carnival arsenal later this week with the addition of Group One winner Jon Snow.

Champion two-year-old Avantage and stakes winner Chance to Dance took the opportunity of an exhibition gallop between races at Hastings on Saturday, a day that saw the powerful Te Akau Racing team produce a notable winning double.

Recently crowned New Zealand  Champion Stayer for 2017-18, Charles Road, showed he was ready for some big spring assignments when he downed a talented field over 1600m at Hastings on Saturday.

Local galloper Danzdanzdance showed she has come back in fine fettle for her four-year-old campaign with an impressive first-up win on her home track at Ruakaka on the weekend.

The grit and determination of high-class galloper Melody Belle was plain for all to see at Hastings today as she triumphed in the season’s opening Group One feature, the Tarzino Trophy (1400m).

The first black-type prize of the Hastings Spring Carnival is heading back to Cambridge after the Tony Pike trained Cyber Attack claimed the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on Saturday.

Exciting four-year-old Te Akau Shark put his future spring rivals on notice with a stunning return to the racetrack at Hastings today.