Hong Kong racing is the lifeblood for many New Zealand trainers, and Cambridge horsewoman Catherine Cameron is no exception.

Stephen Marsh is hoping a treble at Riccarton on Saturday can be the springboard to boost numbers in his South Island barn.

It may have taken plenty of effort and sacrifice, but Cambridge trainer Tony Pike finally has his temporary Sydney satellite barn in operation.

Former New Zealand jockey and trainer Ray Cleaver has died in Victoria just a few days after saddling up a runner at Mornington last Thursday.

Promising stayer Five Princes (NZ) (Red Giant) made it three wins from just five starts in his latest campaign when he produced a last-to-first performance to take out the rating 99 2000m event at Riccarton on Saturday.

Former champion South African apprentice Kersley Ramsamy put his first win on the board in New Zealand when he guided promising three-year-old Sheza Jakkal (NZ) (Jakkalberry) to victory at Tauranga on Saturday.

A never-say-die attitude from both horse and rider saw lightly raced stayer Junior (NZ) (Nom Du Jeu) pick up the biggest win of his career to date when he took out the Opal Kiwi Packaging Kiwifruit Cup (2100m) in the hands of Chelsea Burdan at Tauranga.

A brisk workout over 1000m between races at Tauranga on Saturday has quality sprinter Princess Kereru (NZ) (Pins) ready for her first-up assignment in the Gr.2 Valachi Downs Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa this coming Saturday.

Visiting northern trainer Ken Rae kicked off his day at Riccarton in the best possible style when promising galloper Eva James (NZ) (Super Easy) cruised to a comfortable victory.

Tony Pike had mixed luck earlier in the day with Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Sherwood Forest (Fastnet Rock) having a nice hit-out in a 1000m exhibition gallop for rider Troy Harris.

Trainer Tony Pike was delighted to pick up a victory with his only runner at Tauranga on Saturday but it was made even more special by the winning rider he had aboard.

Capable galloper Carson River (NZ) (Swiss Ace) provided the second leg of a winning double for the Michael and Matthew Pitman training partnership at Riccarton on Saturday.

NZTR Chairman Dr Alan Jackson has today signaled his intention to retire from the Board at the AGM on 17 November.

Group One performer Kiwi Ida (Squamosa) is set to fly the South Island flag in the Gr.2 Valachi Downs Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa on September 5.

New Zealand Bloodstock has today announced that the 95^th National Yearling Sales Series will be held in the original timeslot in January next year as a physical sale at Karaka.

The countdown to an historic Spring Racing Carnival has continued today with the closure of nominations for Australia’s premier staying races, the $5.15 million Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the $8 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m).

The start of the Spring Carnival Racing season will also mark a new beginning for TAB New Zealand as Dean McKenzie, Executive Chair, brings on a new executive leadership team.

The joy of achieving a winning double at Matamata on Saturday was tempered slightly for apprentice Tegan Newman when she copped a week’s suspension for a whip infraction at the Te Aroha meeting on Sunday.

Te Awamutu trainer Clint Isdale has stakes goals in mind for smart three-year-old Only Words (NZ) (Sweynesse), an impressive winner at Taupo last week.

Long-time owner-breeders Frank and Faye Drummond gave a couple of Irish horsemen their first wins in their new roles when celebrating a double last weekend.

Bay Of Plenty owner John Heale couldn’t have wished for a better tribute to one of his best friends when Bee Tee Junior (NZ) (Nom du Jeu) won the Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat on Sunday.

Star Kiwi mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) is returning home after finishing an inconclusive 11^th in Saturday’s Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) after enduring a troubled passage.

Rich Hill Stud reports that their first NZ-born foal by their magnificent dual Group 1 winner Ace High (High Chaparral) made her arrival at the stud on Saturday.

Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman are bucking the trend and sending Australian-bound gallopers The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) and Quick Thinker (So You Think) directly to Melbourne next week.

Trainer Jamie Richards was more than happy with the performance of stable stars Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) and Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) after analysing their respective runs at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Former Kiwi-galloper Bee Tee Junior (NZ) (Nom Du Jeu) took full advantage of a six-kilogram weight advantage over race favourite Ablaze (NZ) (Raise The Flag) as he galloped clear in the concluding stages to capture the A$350,000 Australian Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat on Sunday.

The newly minted training partnership of Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray put their first winner on the board at Matamata on Saturday when Claiborne strode clear in the final stages of a 1600m contest to score a convincing victory.

Promising four-year-old Timberlake showed he had taken plenty out of his first-up run at Te Aroha recently when he raced away with a 1400m maiden contest at Matamata on Saturday.

The Kevin Myers and Shaun Fannin combination proved nigh on impossible to beat over fences at Awapuni on Saturday when they took out four of the five jumping events including the two feature contests with Aigne winning the Manawatu ITM Awapuni Hurdles (2900m) before Game Percy added a second LJ Hooker Manawatu Steeplechase (4400m) to his record after success in the 2018 edition of the event.

The aptly named Captaintwinkletoes showed his race rivals a clean pair of heels as he put a maiden win on the board at Awapuni on Saturday.

Trainer Nick Bishara admitted he woke up on Sunday morning and had to check his phone to make sure what he had seen at Royal Randwick on Saturday had actually taken place.

Trainer Tony Pike believes his star sprinter The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) has plenty to offer during his Sydney spring campaign following a satisfactory first-up performance in Saturday’s Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

New Zealand Bloodstock have announced the development of a new, robust online bidding platform specifically developed for the future of their thoroughbred and standardbred auction sales.

Talented six-year-old Sherrif (NZ) (High Chaparral) heads off on a journey on Saturday that could yet see him tackle the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on October 17.

The high quality of New Zealand’s three-year-old crop last season is illustrated by the finalists for the Champion Three-Year-Old category at the NZ Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards.

Wanganui trainer Raymond Connors has taken out two of the last three editions of the Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) with quality jumper Wise Men Say (NZ) (Yamanin Vital), and the marathon feature is once again his main target this year.

Evergreen galloper Irish Excuse (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) may be 10 years old but he is showing no signs of slowing down.

Savacool (Savabeel) has upstaged her more fancied stablemates to continue Chris Waller’s recent run of success in the Listed Rowley Mile (1600m) at Hawkesbury.

Waikato Stud’s star resident Savabeel has cracked another significant milestone in his remarkable career with daughter Savacool providing the multiple champion sire’s 100^th individual stakes winner.

Injured Waikato jockey Ryan Elliot is determined to be leaner and keener to make the most of his future on the flat as the new season unfolds.

Leading into the breeding season, we reflect on the volume of mares covered by stallion with 10+ mares in 2019.

When the going gets tough, you can count on the generosity of those involved in the racing industry.

Cambridge trainer Glen Harvey sent out his first raceday winner on Wednesday when Bounty (NZ) (Darci Brahma) proved too strong in the Te Akau 2019/2020 No 1 Stable 1100m maiden.

Multiple Group One winner The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) has drawn the ace barrier for Saturday’s Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m).

New Zealand’s champion trainer Jamie Richards is hoping high-class mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) can mirror the pattern of her previous campaigns.

Group One-winning mare Glory Days (NZ) (Red Giant) returned from retirement at the Foxton trials on Tuesday where she finished fourth in her 1000m heat.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has updated its Level 2 and 3 directives to introduce a requirement for the wearing of face coverings at race or trial meetings.

Lightly-tried four-year-old Aragon (NZ) (Ocean Park) will join the Cranbourne stable of Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young. 

The Mitigator (Master of Design) got a taste of Group One glory earlier this year and this spring he will be out for more.

An eye-catching run at the Taupo trials last week has trainer John Bell confident his stable star Julius (NZ) (Swiss Ace) is right on track for his first assignment of a new campaign.

One of the elder statesman of the South Island jockey ranks was to the fore at Riccarton as he collected a winning treble and went within a whisker of tearing off the major prize on the day.

Ruakaka trainer Kenny Rae enjoyed a red-letter day at Riccarton on Saturday as two of his three-horse team that he had brought south from his far north base took out feature events.

Quality short course galloper He Kin Fly (NZ) (Darci Brahma) reminded racing enthusiasts there is still plenty of life left in his eight-year-old legs when he boomed home to claim his tenth career victory when taking out the main sprint feature at Riccarton on Saturday.

Former North Island galloper Dr Velocious (NZ) (Haradasun) may have earned himself a tilt at the Gr.3 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup (3200m) after providing Singapore-born apprentice Yong Chew with his first victory at Riccarton on Saturday.

The four finalists for the Sir Patrick and Justine Lady Hogan Breeder of the Year Award were announced by the New Zealand Breeders Association this week.

The Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton Park on Saturday was Central Districts raider Floral Art’s main target this preparation, however, missing out on a start could work in her favour according to trainer Peter Didham.

Two of New Zealand’s leading thoroughbred nurseries will be keeping close tabs on Randwick on Saturday where trainer John O’Shea will kick-off the spring preparations of their talented mares.

Happy Star will be vying to keep his undefeated record intact this preparation when he contests the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton Park on Saturday.

The Canterbury Jockey Club together with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has made the decision to plan for Saturday’s race meeting to be run under the Emergency Regulations applicable to a Level 2 Alert.

Taranaki owner-trainer Marilyn Paewai would love nothing more than to see her star winter performer Rosewood (NZ) (Redwood) claim a deserved stakes win at Riccarton this weekend.

Kingsclere Stables’ Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) and Sherrif (NZ) (High Chaparral) trialled over 1100m at Taupo on Wednesday and co-trainer Robert Wellwood was happy enough with what he saw.

Andrew Bensley speaks with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chief executive Bernard Saundry following government announcements regarding COVID-19.

The Whangarei meeting at Ruakaka, which had been re-scheduled to Sunday, 16 August, has been cancelled.

In light of the government announcement on Tuesday night regarding the country returning to a combination of alert levels 2 and 3 from midday Wednesday, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has decided to postpone the Regional Roadshows scheduled for the South Island this week.

Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards had a strong contingent at the Taupo trials on Wednesday and he came away pleased with how his team performed.

A solid showing in his 1100m trial at Taupo on Wednesday has Catalyst’s (NZ) (Darci Brahma) connections excited ahead of his Sydney spring campaign.

Shaune Ritchie has resisted the temptation to campaign last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) in Sydney, despite receiving a travel exemption to do so.

Following a meeting between NZTR, stewards and club representatives it has been decided that Wednesday’s meeting at Taupo and Friday’s at Waverley will be closed-door events.

There was an echoed sigh of relief in Waikato today with a handful of trainers receiving travel exemptions for their staff to fly to Australia.

Breeze Up dates for NZB’s Ready to Run Sale of Two-Year-Olds have been adjusted and will now take place on Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 October at Te Rapa Racecourse, with all prospective buyers welcome to attend.

The construction of the Cambridge Jockey Club’s synthetic track is back on target.

Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman will roll out some of their highly regarded unraced three-year-olds as well as a few proven stars at Taupo on Wednesday, while they wait to finalise plans for an Australian-bound contingent.

NZ Thoroughbred Racing will be conducting regional roadshows around the country as the industry adapts to the changes brought about by the Racing Industry Act 2020

Dual Group One winner Hello Youmzain (Kodiac) just came up short of adding a third elite-level victory to his burgeoning CV when finishing runner-up to Space Blues in Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest (1300m) at Deauville over the weekend.

Wanganui trainer Jo Rathbone has been riding the crest of a wave with quality jumper Tallyho Twinkletoe (NZ) (St Reims) and she may have unearthed another top prospect in his half-brother, Captaintwinkletoes (NZ) (Sufficient).

South Auckland horseman Nicholas Bishara is tickled pink with the way his boutique stable has started the new season.

The two open class trials to be held before the Taupo racemeeting on Wednesday will see a host of New Zealand’s top galloping talent step out for their first serious hit out, including a high-class trio from the Roger James and Robert Wellwood stable.

Talented young rider Hazel Schofer was enjoying a relaxing day on Sunday as she tried to put into perspective what had transpired at Hawera twenty-four hours earlier.

Trainer Allan Sharrock and his apprentice Hazel Schofer claimed all the plaudits at Hawera on Saturday with the pair dominating proceedings on the day.

In a thrilling finish to the day’s second feature jumping event, Waverley visitor It’s A Wonder fought back in the final few strides to down South Island raider Delacroix in the Signature Homes Waikato Steeplechase (3900m).

A plan set by trainer Toby Autridge back in November came to fruition at Te Rapa when Tommyra bolted home in the Fairview Motors Waikato Hurdle (3200m).

Impressive Riccarton debut winner Matchmaker will continue her career in Sydney this spring after breeder-owners Gus and Bianca Wigley reached a deal to sell a half-share in the filly.

Shaun Phelan won’t enjoy watching his fellow jumps jockeys compete in two of the country’s feature jumps races at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Evergreen galloper Sampson will kick-off his 11-year-old season at Hawera on Saturday and trainer Howie Mathews said his pride and joy is training like a horse half his age.

Matamata trainer Jamie Richards is comfortable with star mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) carrying the favourite tag into Saturday’s Gr.2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill.

Southland trainer Lisa Vaughan is on the hunt this season to secure an elusive stakes victory with seven-year-old mare Shirley Maude (NZ) (Fully Fledged).

Shaune Ritchie was beaming after Jennifer Eccles’ (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) 1050m trial at Ruakaka on Tuesday.

It is with a heavy heart that Windsor Park Stud announce the loss of their very successful sire Rip Van Winkle following a short illness.

Group One winner Sentimental Miss will head across the Tasman this spring to try and add to her burgeoning CV.

It may have only been a maiden race at Te Aroha on Sunday, but Justastate earned her photo spot amongst Rogan Norvall’s gallery of the memorable feature winners he rode during his career in the saddle.

With just two more days until he arrives on farm, Haunui’s exciting young sire Belardo (Lope De Vega) is making his presence felt in both hemispheres.

Trainer David Greene received a pleasant surprise at Te Aroha on Sunday when debutant Judy’s Song (NZ) (Niagara) raced away in the closing stages of a maiden 1200m contest to score an unexpected victory.

Quality gallopers Charles Road (Myboycharlie) and Dragon Leap (Pierro) are making good progress ahead of their spring campaigns.

Leading New Zealand jockey Opie Bosson is looking forward to his imminent return to raceday riding.

The Auckland Racing Club (ARC) has today announced that it will be increasing stakes above minimum levels for this season by contributing close to $1,000,000 of its own monies.

Trainer David Greene received a pleasant surprise at Te Aroha on Sunday when debutant Judy’s Song (NZ) (Niagara) raced away in the closing stages of a maiden 1200m contest to score an unexpected victory.

It is with a heavy heart that Windsor Park Stud announce the loss of their very successful sire Rip Van Winkle following a short illness.

Kim Coxon couldn’t have scripted a better end to her current time as a licensed trainer when Tammie Wynette (NZ) (Tobique) provided her with the perfect farewell at Matamata on Saturday.

Talented winter galloper London Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) bounced back from an unlucky run first-up at Te Rapa last month with a determined effort to score over 1200m at Matamata.