Trans-Tasman trainer Mike Moroney is strongly considering a tilt at the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Elleslie on March 9 with imported stayer Vengeur Masque.

Dual Group One-winning three-year-old Madison County will head to Sydney in preparation for an autumn campaign after his sale to Hong Kong fell through.

Last-start Listed Southland Guineas (1600m) winner Weaponry is being set to add another Guineas scalp to his record.

Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman has never been afraid to travel his horses in search of lucrative prizemoney and the right conditions.

Andrew Carston’s prospects of winning the Gr.2 J. Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) were dashed late last week.

Stephen Marsh is preparing to stage a two-pronged attack on Saturday’s Gr.2 J. Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), while breathing a sigh of relief over his Derby prospect Vernanme.

Triple Group One winning sprinter Start Wondering has been retired after suffering a minor tendon strain. 

Former top juvenile She’s A Thief made a welcome return to winning form when she took out the opening event at Ellerslie on the weekend.

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike left Ellerslie racecourse on Saturday evening flush with the success of producing a winning treble on the day along with the anticipation of potentially snagging an even bigger prize in two weeks’ time.

Apprentice rider Shiarna Johnson was the quintessential picture of calm as she scored the first winner of her fledgling career when guiding home royally-bred filly Simogramor at Gisborne.

In-form apprentice jockey Ryan Elliot has set himself a Group One target for his return to raceday riding.

Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott will have horses at opposite ends of the form scale when they stage a two-pronged attack on the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Kinshasa may not be as clearly focused as other horses, but that isn’t stopping the promising Matamata filly from being a deserved candidate for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham.

Smart Matamata sprinter Spring Heat’s racing career is back on track.

Impressive maiden winner Vigor Winner defied a wide barrier to win Saturday’s $80,000 Platinum Homes Taranaki Summer Challenge (1400m) at New Plymouth and looks destined for stakes company.

Underrated sprinter Johnny Jones showed just what he is capable of when he pummelled a handy field of open-class sprinters over 1200m at Wingatui.

Progressive two-year-old filly Bella Mente set herself up for a tilt at stakes company later this month with a determined victory at Matamata on Sunday.

Group One mare Consensus made it successive Group Three victories with a tough win in the Platinum Homes Taranaki Cup (1800m) on Saturday.

Cambridge trainers Roger James and Rob Wellwood narrowly missed out on taking out the Gr.3 Woburn Farm 2YO Classic (1200m) at New Plymouth on Saturday, but managed to go one better two races later when taking out the Listed Fasttrack Insurance Oaks Prelude (1800m) with Elate.

Promising stayer Orepuki Lad scored the biggest win of his career when he led all the way in Saturday’s Listed Fire & Mechanical Contracting Ltd Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) at Wingatui.

Talented three-year-old Air Max doubled his winning tally at stakes level when he burst between runners to claim a comfortable victory in the Listed Mediaworks Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui.

Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston made the bold decision to bypass the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) last week with Miss Federer in favour of the Gr.3 Woburn Farm 2YO Classic (1200m) at New Plymouth on Saturday and his charge duly delivered for her connections.

Despite some tough times in the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding and racing industry at present, experienced bloodstock agent Paul Moroney believes there are opportunities out there that can be capitalised on.

The Cambridge stable of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman will be well represented in Saturday’s Taranaki Cup meeting, with a host of runners in the feature events.