Levin-trained galloper Rock On Wood confirmed his status as one of the most promising horses in New Zealand when he came from near last on the home corner to down some talented rivals over 1600m at Awapuni on Saturday.

Kingsguard made a successful return to his homeland with a gritty victory over 1200m at Ellerslie on Saturday.

While he may not have witnessed a winning run, it was hard to take the smile off trainer Shaune Ritchie’s face after his gutsy two-year-old filly Bella Mente picked up an invaluable placing at Group One level when finishing third in Saturdays Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni

Veteran New Zealand trainer Murray Baker has won four of the past 12 editions of the Australian Derby and could be two-handed as he targets a fifth.

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman stable’s four-pronged attack on Saturday’s Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni paid a handsome dividend when they emerged with the quinella in the event.

Former Wellington and Auckland Cup placegetter Jacksstar made an emotional return to the winner’s enclosure when he out-stayed his rivals to capture the Gr.2 City Of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m) on his home turf on Saturday.

Flashy youngster Yourdeel produced a performance that had to be seen to be believed as he stormed home out wide to capture the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni.

Free-goer The Bandito delivered an all-the-way victory when he upset predictions in Saturday’s Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) at Awapuni.

Rondinella is in "faultless condition" ahead of Saturday's Gr.1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill according to Roger James, who trains in partnership with Robert Wellwood.

Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman will have a two-pronged attack in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni on Saturday.

If ever there was an ambassador for the benefits of the Bambry family’s water treadmill, then progressive sprinter Deerfield is it.

The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association are calling for final entries for the Pearl Series Early Bird special.

A pair of talented three-year-olds trained by Stephen Marsh will test the waters this weekend in the Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2000m) at Awapuni.

It will be take two for multiple Group One-winning three-year-old Madison County at Rosehill on Saturday when he lines-up in the Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m).

Group One performer Staphanos will join the stallion ranks of Novara Park Stud, just outside of Cambridge, in the new season.

Matamata trainer Jamie Richards said he has no reason not to give even-money favourite Yourdeel his chance to complete his set of domestic Group One two-year-old wins in Saturday's Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni.

Our Abbadean pleased her connections with her exhibition gallop at Matamata racecourse on Wednesday, her last hit-out before next weekend’s Gr.1 Fibre Fresh NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).

The colourful career of Mr Stunning has taken another dramatic twist with the news that champion jockey Zac Purton will replace Karis Teetan when Hong Kong’s highest rated sprinter contests the Gr.2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on 7 April.

Trainer Lance Noble is pleased with smart two-year-old Bavella heading into Saturday’s Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni and he is hopeful the weather will play its part.

Hastings trainer Patrick Campbell will contest two black-type races at Awapuni on Saturday and he is hoping both Hunta Pence and Scandalo can put in a good showing.

The Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard stable are likely to have a decent team aimed at Queensland this winter including multiple Group winner Pinmedown.

Fresh from saddling a stakes winner in Sydney last Saturday with Avantage winning the Gr.3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m), trainer Jamie Richards is hoping to pick-up some more Australian dollars this weekend.

The predicted rain towards the end of this week has brought a smile to the face of Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley.

Internationally successful jockey Grant Cooksley is the latest addition to the New Zealand training ranks.

Multiple Group One-winning trainer Karen Zimmerman will take a change in direction in coming weeks when she takes up the position of stable foreman for Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley.

While Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Gavin Parker were delighted with Volpe Veloce’s win in the Gr.2 Japan NZ International Trophy (1600m), they were less thrilled with the performance of stablemate Tiptronic.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Racing Australia (RA) met recently to discuss how a more collaborative approach might benefit both organisations and industry participants.

Southern jockey Samantha Wynne made a winning return to the saddle on Saturday aboard Diorissimo at Riccarton.

Lotto winner Lou Te Keeti could be poised to strike it lucky again this weekend with a first Group One prize on the racing stage.

Stephen Marsh’s focus on the rich Sydney Autumn Carnival will now switch to a feature sprint after having no joy last weekend with his staying three-year-olds.

Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards will take two fillies south to contest Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham and he believes they are both winning chances.

Group One-winning mare Danzdanzdance pushed star mare Melody Belle all the way in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Saturday and her connections believe that run has topped her off nicely ahead of her Sydney campaign.

Exciting three-year-old filly Avantage is on the brink of a race day return after winning her 1000m trial heat at Avondale on Tuesday.

Connections of six-time Group One winner Melody Belle are already eyeing up a spring campaign with their star mare.

Monday’s Gr.2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) winner Surprise Baby has provided a stunning return on investment for connections of the Kiwi stayer, who purchased the son of Shocking for just $5,500 from online auction gavelhouse.com as an unraced three-year-old.

Sam Collett is still on cloud nine after her first Group One victory on Saturday, when victorious aboard Glory Days in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m).

Progressive three-year-old Dawn Patrol showed he is ready to return to the racetrack after producing a stylish display over 1000m at the Rotorua trials last Tuesday.

Promising three-year-old filly Elate suffered a heart fibrillation in the Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) last start, causing concern for her connections leading into Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m).

Bill Thurlow is sticking to his policy when it comes to booking a rider for Glory Days in the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick next month.

A mud-spattered Cameron Lammas completed an early raceday double in the worst of the conditions at Ellerslie on Saturday when he guided promising mare Sandrine home in the second race of the day.

Outstanding race-mare Melody Belle capped a wonderful season when she beat a quality field in Saturday’s Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie.

Last year’s Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) runner-up Zacada is being aimed to replicate his autumn exploits of last year when he heads across the Tasman to compete in the A$2 million feature next month.

Group three-winning mare Supera will head to Te Aroha next month in an attempt to add a Group One victory to her resume.