It’s been a unique year for most but leading Kiwi jockey Opie Bosson could be excused for not knowing whether he is coming or going.

Palmerston North trainer Roydon Bergerson is looking forward to racing returning to Awapuni Racecourse on Saturday after a near four month hiatus as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.

Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie is likely to have runners before the end of the season but his stable has yet to be represented at any of the four northern trials meetings since the COVID-19 hiatus.

Jockey Michael Coleman suffered a leg injury at the Rotorua trials on Tuesday.

Southland trainer Kelvin Tyler may have lost one of his star three-year-olds to Australia, but he is excited about the prospects of another.

Apprentice jockey Rohan Mudhoo proved to be the star of the show at Riccarton on Saturday when he produced a winning treble of rides on the first day of racing in the South Island following the easing of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

Globe-trotting jockey Alan Munro partnered two-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding Mighty New (NZ) (Red Giant) to an impressive Class 4 victory in a 1200m race at Seoul last weekend, which may pave the way for further Kiwi exports to South Korea.

A typically patient ride from the evergreen Chris Johnson paved the way for local runner Yannick (NZ) (Burgundy) to take out the opening event at Riccarton on Saturday as racing returned to the South Island for the first time since the easing of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

Rising ten-year-old Irish Excuse (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) peeled back the years as he gave his rivals weight and a beating to land his 16th career victory when taking out a rating 93 1200m contest at Riccarton

The leading South Island training combination of Michael and Matthew Pitman made the best possible start to their day on Saturday when they produced a race-to-race double early on the card on their home turf at Riccarton.

The Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) today advised New Zealand racing codes of forecasted funding in 2020/21 of $139.6m which is the same level as was budgeted for the 2019/2020 season before the impacts of COVID-19. This is despite fewer thoroughbred and harness races planned for the upcoming season.

Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman have a host of horses ready to race and the stable will be well represented when racing returns in the South Island on Saturday on their hometrack.

The Ross Beckett-trained Blair Flight (NZ) (Zacinto) will meet a Heavy track for the first time when lines-up at Riccarton on Saturday, but that hasn’t deterred TAB bookmakers.

Racing Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the Racing Industry Bill passing its third reading, creating the legislative framework for revitalising the racing industry while limiting the need for future government intervention.

Group One-winning jockey Racha Cuneen has returned to New Zealand to boost the Canterbury riding ranks and he couldn’t be any happier about it.

It’s been more than nine months since Isaac Lupton last rode at a race meeting and he is looking forward to breaking that dry spell at Wanganui on Thursday.

New Zealand Bloodstock have extended their entry cut-off date for the 2020 Ready To Run Sale of Two-Year-Olds till August 7.

New Zealand Bloodstock sales topping colt No Limits (NZ) (Savabeel) continued his strong trials record at Te Rapa on Tuesday when taking out his 900m heat.

Southland trainer Robert Dennis is bullish on the prospects of his growing team of horses despite the relocation of his best performer to Australia.

Tallyho Twinkletoe (NZ) (St Reims) summitted the peak of Australasian jumps racing last year when taking out the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) and Steeplechase (4500m) double.

South Auckland trainer Rudy Liefting added another string to his bow when Fast Mover (NZ) (Move Faster) recorded his maiden victory over 1100m at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.

Group One-winning miler Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj) will take up stud duties at Grangewilliam Stud in South Taranaki this spring where he will stand for a fee of $7,500 plus GST.

It may have been a mid-winter’s day at Pukekohe Park on Saturday, but it will live long in the memory of apprentice jockey Callum Jones.

Trainer Cody Cole was straight back in the winning groove on Saturday when he produced promising staying mare Vainglory (NZ) (Makfi) to win over 1600m at Pukekohe.

Te Akau Racing’s Jamie Richards is looking forward to a further set of trials at Te Rapa this week as he goes about getting his winter/spring racing team in order for a racetrack resumption.

Thoroughbred racing returned in New Zealand on Saturday following a COVID-19 induced hiatus of 84 days with an 11-race programme at Pukekohe Park.

Six-year-old gelding Magnanimous Man showed his staying prowess when taking out the Dunstan 100% NZ Owned (2100m) for new trainers Craig and Shaun Phelan at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Pukekohe is somewhat of a poor substitute for Italy at this time of year, but Byerley Park trainer Danny Walker was just happy to be back racing on Saturday.

Hello Youmzain landed the second Group One sprint of his career when taking the Gr.1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot overnight (Sunday morning NZ time), sporting the colours of Cambridge Stud proprietors Brendan and Jo Lindsay.

The beaming smile on the face of Cambridge apprentice Ashvin Goindasamy said it all as he made his way back to the Pukekohe birdcage after taking out the opening event on Saturday aboard outsider Keep It Real (NZ) (Keeper).

Top quality sprinting colt Hello Youmzain (Kodiac) is in fine fettle ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot where he will sport the colours of part-owner Cambridge Stud for the first time.

It’s been a long time between runners for Te Aroha trainers Keith and Gavin Opie.

Entries for New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2021 National Yearling Sales Series are now open with the Sale set to take place next summer at the Karaka Sales Centre from Sunday 24 January until Friday 29 January.

Promising jumper Trisha Lea (NZ) (Zed) will kick-off her winter campaign at Pukekohe on Saturday, but it is at another Auckland track trainer Kylie Little is hoping the mare will feature prominently in the coming months.

Nigel Tiley would usually be enjoying the warmer climate of Queensland at this time of year, however, the Pukekohe trainer is getting set to line-up a handful of his team at his home track on Saturday.

Saturday’s Counties meeting will mark thoroughbred racing’s return in New Zealand and while a lot of trainers are excited to be back, the day will mean a little bit more to Team Rogerson.

Wingatui trainers Brian and Shane Anderton are trying to put a forgettable season behind them as they look towards the new term.

Five-year-old gelding Demonetization (All Too Hard) has been plagued by issues throughout his racing career and trainer Nigel Tiley believes he finally has him back to somewhere near his best.

Rich Hill Stud shuttle stallion Vadamos has secured his first win as a sire when Sa Pala Umbrossa won on debut over 1200m at Chilivani, in Italy, on Monday.

Te Akau’s Australian-based team of Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) and Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) have returned to work in Sydney under the care of Te Akau Racing’s Ashey Handley, and trainer Jamie Richards said their early progress would determine their spring paths.

Trans-Tasman Group One winner Te Akau Shark’s return to training has been delayed due to impending surgery on a rare eye condition.

Group Three winner Who Dares Wins (NZ) (Iffraaj) is set to be one of the first open class horses to resume after racing’s COVID-19 enforced hiatus.

Racing identity George Simon admits it is a very long time since he has felt as excited about calling at a midweek trial day as he did on the morning of the 33-heat meeting at Te Rapa last Tuesday.

Waikato trainer and jumps jockey Shaun Phelan got a little taste of racing at Waverley’s point-to-point meeting last week and now he wants more.

In a strong message of support to the New Zealand breeding industry, Valachi Downs have announced two new additions to their stallion roster for the coming breeding season.

The constant barrage of riding can take its toll on the enjoyment factor for many jockeys, however, the COVID-19 enforced hiatus from their grueling schedule has revitalised many riders passion for the sport.

Chequers Stud have reported the death of their resident sire Battle Paint, with the son of Tale of the Cat humanely euthanised on Tuesday after a battle with colic.

New Zealand’s Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee has put forward a number of proposed changes to the country’s new Racing Industry Bill, with the legislation now expected to pass into law a month later than originally planned.

Byerley Park trainers Peter and Dawn Williams are looking forward to a productive spring with a promising group of young horses.

Central Districts trainer Chrissy Bambry believes there will be a surplus of horses ready to go in the lower North Island when racing resumes in the coming weeks.

Byerley Park trainers Peter and Dawn Williams are looking forward to a productive spring with a promising group of young horses.

New Zealand colt Not An Option (Not A Single Doubt) will return to his homeland later this month after finishing tailed off in a roughhouse affair in last Saturday’s Gr.1 J.J. Atkins Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm.

Progeny of Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Belardo have made an impressive start to their careers as racing resumes in Europe.

Kevin Hughes was excited to have Group Two-winning mare Emily Margaret back at the trials on Thursday.

Group One-winning jockey Chad Ormsby is making a comeback to the saddle, some eight years after he last rode on raceday.

Stakes-winning mare Polly Grey has joined the stable of leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller.

Thoroughbreds were a step closer to racing in the Waikato on Tuesday with a bumper set of trials conducted at Te Rapa.

After going through New Zealand’s strict Covid-19 quarantine protocol following his return from the USA, Michael Wallace is enjoying the chance to relax in more familiar surroundings back in Cambridge.

Young trainer Daniel Miller is looking forward to a return to racing and has three runners engaged at a bumper set of trials at Te Rapa on Tuesday.

While many jockeys will be looking to get back raceday riding later this month, southern hoop Jacob Lowry has set his sights towards the new season for his return.

New Zealand-bred two-year-old Scenic Warrior scored a hard-fought maiden win when successful in the Iron Jack Plate (1200m) at Warwick Farm on Monday.

Central Districts trainer Chrissy Bambry wasted no time putting wins on the board at the first Lower North Island thoroughbred meeting following a COVID-19 enforced hiatus.

A pair of impressive trial winners at Foxton during the week has Otaki trainer Johno Benner looking forward to the return of racing in the Central Districts next month.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has completed testing all adult horses considered at risk of contracting Theileria equi infection through association with an infected imported thoroughbred mare at Cambridge Stud.

Timaru-based Clearview Park Stud will offer four lots at the New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale, which is being conducted online for the first time in its history due to COVID-19 disruptions.

The Poverty Bay Turf Club committee knew the odds and took them.

Brighthill Farm have come up with a unique offering for breeders leading into the new breeding season.

Promising rider Temyia Taiaroa is proud to be the third-generation of her family to become a jockey.

Dunstan Horsefeeds are proud to be supporting a return to racing by sponsoring the entire card at Counties Racing Club on Saturday, June 20. This will be the first race meeting for the galloping code since Covid-19 lockdown.

Chris Luoni, one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame and a past chairman has passed away in Hamilton overnight after a battle with illness.

Kiwi galloper Not An Option will wear blinkers for the first time in an effort to get him to race closer to the pace in the Gr.1 JJ Atkins (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Thoroughbred racing will resume earlier than anticipated with the Counties Racing Club hosting a meeting on Saturday 20 June.

As racing is set to ramp back up after the COVID-19 enforced break, trainer Alex Oliveira is reflecting on a standout season from his Cambridge team.

Minister for Racing Winston Peters has announced that the terms for the directors of the Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) have been extended to 30 June 2021.

Apprentice jockey Sam Weatherley is champing at the bit to get back raceday riding.

Retired Te Akau racehorse Chambord has continued showing his finesse off the track in both the show-jumping arena and hunting field.

Respected central districts trainer Mark Oulaghan will have a small team of jumpers set to compete this winter, including improving steeplechaser Des De Jeu.

One of racing’s senior statesman, Frank Ritchie is looking forward to welcoming back a couple of his better quality gallopers in the coming weeks as the Cambridge trainer prepares for spring racing.

Milan Park principal Tony Rider has had a busy time of late.

Te Akau principal David Ellis, who received the Outstanding Contribution to Racing Award in 2017, has added further distinction to his lifetime of work within New Zealand’s thoroughbred racing industry with his appointment as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

The successful completion of a set of jumpouts at Hastings last Friday has local trainer John Bary fizzing as he awaits a return to racing next month.

Popular Japanese-born apprentice Taiki Yanagida has been working hard on his fitness as the countdown continues to the resumption of thoroughbred racing in New Zealand.