A comprehensive three-length victory at Matamata on Saturday has set promising three-year-old Tar And Cement (NZ) (Reliable Man) on a path to the Gr.2 Fusion Electrical Wellington Guineas (1400m) at Trentham next month.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and the Auckland Racing Club (ARC) held discussions on Sunday morning regarding the impact of Saturday’s announcement that Auckland was moving back into Covid Alert Level 3 for seven days.

After a night of celebrations at his favourite local restaurant, Matamata trainer Graham Richardson made an understandably slow start to his Sunday morning schedule.

Taranaki trainer Robbie Patterson took time out on Sunday morning for a spot of fishing with a group of mates, safe in the knowledge he has progressive galloper Coventina Bay right where he wants her as a Group One target looms.

Local filly Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) carried the hopes of her breeder Sandy Moore and a mixture of racing newbies and experienced hands to victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).

Avantage (Fastnet Rock) continued her march into the realms of super stardom when she made it career Group One number eight with a gritty win in the Gr.1 El Cheapo Cars Weight-For-Age Classic (1600m).

Trainer Jamie Richards and the Te Akau Racing team entered Saturday’s Gr.3 Waikato Stud Slipper (1200m) on their home patch at Matamata on Saturday with a strong hand and played it to perfection when producing the quinella in the juvenile feature for the colts and geldings.

Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston picked up a quinella at his home meeting on Friday when The Garrison (NZ) (Alamosa) and Diceland (NZ) (Zacinto) went one-two in the Canterbury Equine Clinic Maiden (1400m).

Matamata trainer Chad Orsmby is looking forward to lining up debutant Mana Nui (NZ) (No Nay Never) in the Gr.3 Waikato Stud Slipper (1200m) at his home track on Saturday.

Trainer Lance Noble is shooting for back-to-back winners of the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) when he saddles Hinchinbrook filly Beldarra on Saturday.

Robert Wellwood reckons he might have a star autumn two-year-old on his hands.

It’s one all between Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) and Avantage (Fastnet Rock) this season, and the Gr.1 El Cheapo Cars Weight-For-Age Classic (1600m) at Otaki on Saturday is set to decide the deadlock between the pair.

Before Stephen Marsh’s focus turns to the feature races at Matamata on Saturday, the Cambridge trainer will have his attention on Friday’s Riccarton meeting where his southern stable continues to blossom.

Group Three winner Germanicus (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) showed he is in excellent order ahead of a return to racing, winning a 1000m trial at Pukekohe on Thursday that was restricted to stakes performers.

Pukekohe trainer Richard Collett marked a century of wins on his home track when promising three-year-old Captain Tom (NZ) (Showcasing) saluted in the Mount Shop 1200 maiden under jockey Andrew Calder on Thursday.  

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Frontman (NZ) (Makfi) will contest the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 6, with leading jockey Danielle Johnson booked to ride.

A Sydney autumn raid could still be on the cards for exciting three-year-old filly Force Of Will (NZ) (Power).

Rising star Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) will not be a late entrant for the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m).

Stephen Nickalls hopes to get exciting three-year-old filly Llanacord (NZ) (Contributer) to the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) next month as a tribute to her former trainer Glynn Brick.

Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall head to their local meeting on Saturday with talented yet unassuming filly Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) in the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders Stakes (1200m).

Former New Zealand jumper Magnanimous Man (NZ) (Nom Du Jeu) has joined Warrnambool trainer Patrick Ryan’s barn ahead of a likely tilt at a number of feature Victorian jumps races.

Group One winner Julius (NZ) (Swiss Ace) has been retired.

Allan Sharrock will be hoping it’s a case of like mother, like daughter, if Sinarahma (NZ) (Darci Brahma) lines-up in the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie next month.

The New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) Board has agreed that Cameron George
will remain as chairman until the 2021 AGM.

Racing fans will have their chance to live their Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) dream next month.

For the second year running, Hermitage Thoroughbreds has a three-year-old with a huge chance to win the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m).

The Ballymore stables of Mike Moroney and Pam Gerard have plenty to look forward to over the Auckland Cup Carnival, following the performances of proven stayer Sound (Lando) and progressive mare Tia d’Or (NZ) (Tavistock) von Saturday.

Promising four-year-old Dark Alley (NZ) (Per Incanto) looked a galloper capable of going through the grades over the next few months when he scored an impressive victory on his home track at Hastings on Sunday.

Consistent sprinter Justacanta (NZ) (Per Incanto) got his just rewards for some outstanding efforts of late when he closed out a stylish victory in open company over 1200m at Ellerslie on Saturday.

A victory on rugged mare Robusto (NZ) (Zed) in Saturday’s Gr.2 Wallen Concreting Avondale Cup (2400m) added another chapter in a flourishing body of work being put together by jockey Sam Collett in New Zealand’s major staying events in the last few years.

Well fancied Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) candidate Rocket Spade threw down the gauntlet to his three-year-old rivals when he produced a strong staying performance to capture the Gr.2 AJC Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie.

A brave front-running effort paid dividends for Timaru visitor Chokito as she captured her first stakes victory in the Listed ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1600m) at Invercargill.

Rugged stayer Robusto (NZ) (Zed) upset the applecart when she produced a well-timed finish to deny Aussie raider Sound a victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Wallen Concreting Avondale Cup (2400m).

Group Three-winning mare Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress) had a gallop between races at Whanganui on Friday after the trials were called off at Te Rapa earlier in the week. 

The Jamie Richards-trained Noverre (NZ) (Savabeel) was backed into $1.40 favouritism for the Palamountain Scientific Nutrition Maiden 2YO 1200m at Whanganui on Friday, and he duly delivered.

Central Districts stayer Platinum Invador (NZ) (Redwood) has a number of factors in his favour when he contests the Gr.2 Wallen Concreting Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Regally-bred filly Aquaoir (NZ) (Ocean Park) will head to Ellerslie on Saturday in preparation for a tilt at the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) next month.

Group One placed son of Contributer, Lion’s Roar (NZ) will resume in Saturday’s Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill for trainer John O’Shea, where he takes on a strong line-up which features Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls), North Pacific (Brazen Beau) and Peltzer (So You Think).

Former Kiwi galloper Subpoenaed (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) will line-up in the Gr.2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday ahead of the Gr.1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) next month.

Il Affare’s (NZ) (Dundeel) iron constitution will serve her well as she continues her Classic preparation at Ellerslie this weekend.

Former studmaster and trainer Sam Brosnan has passed away aged 99.

Former jockey Peter Johnson may have ridden 1370 winners in New Zealand, but it was at Te Aroha on Wednesday that he experienced one of his proudest moments in racing.

Undefeated Kiwi three-year-old Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls) will make his Australian debut on Saturday when he contests the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.

Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston will launch a three-pronged attack at the Listed ILF Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1600m) at Ascot Park on Saturday.

The closer the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) gets, the more excited Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh is about the chances of Milford (NZ) (Savabeel).

If you are a member of the Avondale Jockey Club, your club will communicate directly with you regarding this event

Progressive three-year-old Shockallia (NZ) (Shocking) will not contest the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) but could be seen in Classic races later in the season according to trainer Shaune Ritchie, who prepares the son of Shocking in partnership with Colm Murray.

The significance of riding 1000 New Zealand winners is dawning on Cambridge jockey Danielle Johnson.

A spring resumption is likely for talented galloper Catalyst (NZ) (Darci Brahma).

Jonathan Riddell didn’t have a great start at Te Rapa on Saturday, failing to make the weight for two of his six booked rides.

Nick Wigley and Kayla Milnes had an exciting spring with stakes-winning three-year-old Matchmaker (NZ) (Makfi), and now promising two-year-old Mozzarella (NZ) (Capitalist) is giving the Rangiora trainers something to look forward to in the autumn.

Group One winner Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel) is still being aimed towards an Australian campaign, but her connections are just figuring out which path to take.

Group Three-winning mare Aimee’s Jewel (NZ) (Proisir) has joined the stable of Kyneton trainer Charles Cassar as she looks to add Australian black-type to her CV.

NZTR is presently working through the implications of the announcement that for three days from midnight 14 February 2021, the Auckland region will be placed in Alert Level 3 and the remainder of the country in Alert Level 2.

Former champion jockey Bob Vance got to experience the thrill of winning a Group One race from the other side of the fence on Saturday and he loved every minute of it.

Trainers Ken and Bev Kelso left Te Rapa racecourse on Saturday evening with mixed emotions after contrasting performances from their two runners on the day.

On a day that promised much, Te Akau Racing trainer Jamie Richards was left wondering what might have been when racing concluded on Saturday evening.

In what most pundits deemed a match race between Avantage and Levante, it was marvellous mare Avantage who triumphed as she made it seven career Group One wins when taking out a superb victory in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.

Consistent performer Tokorangi finally got the luck she needed when she stormed to victory in the Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa.

Exciting galloper Amarelinha bounced back to her very best after suffering a narrow defeat at her most recent start, when she captured the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa.

Well-travelled galloper Royal Performer spoilt the party for the many supporters of race favourite Melody Belle when he caused an upset by racing away with Saturday’s Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa.

Callsign Mav (NZ) (Atlante) upset the apple cart when winning at odds of 82-1 in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings last September, but he won’t start at such a lucrative price when he contests another 1400m weight-for-age feature on Saturday.

Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard have yet to saddle a winner at Te Rapa, but classy three-year-olds Montre Moi (NZ) (Showcasing) and Key (Exceed and Excel) give them two chances to open their account with Group Two success on Saturday.

Southern Ocean (NZ) (Ocean Park) is riding the crest of a wave at the moment.

Promising filly Force Of Will’s (NZ) (Power) path to the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld New Zealand Oaks (2400m) has hit a snag just a month out from the Trentham Classic.

Riccarton galloper Khimar War (NZ) (Sweet Orange) will return to his home track on Saturday where he will resume in the Rangiora Equine Services Open Handicap (1100m).

Ali Arc (NZ) (Bullbars) cleared maiden ranks at Matamata on Wednesday with a comfortable one length victory in her 1600m contest.

Champion trainer Jamie Richards is hoping he will witness history being made at Te Rapa on Saturday when Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) contests the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m).

Ken Kelso is looking forward to seeing his exciting mare Levante (NZ) (Proisir) take on Avantage (Fastnet Rock) again, this time at 1400m in the Gr.1 BCD Sprint at Te Rapa.

Multiple Group Two winner Sound (Lando) travels to New Zealand on Wednesday night as he bids to add some Cup wins to his record for trainers Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard.

Co-trainer Pam Gerard is weighing up her options with talented filly Tokorangi (NZ) (Redwood).

Cambridge trainer Catherine Cameron has a promising three-year-old filly on her hands in the form of Comme Bella Fille (NZ) (Complacent), who was successful in the Lyndhurst Farm 1400m at Matamata on Wednesday.

Group Two performer Sword Of State (Snitzel) recorded his second win from just three starts when taking out the Stable Books 1100 at Matamata on Wednesday.

Shane Kennedy says the credit for Showemhowitsdone’s (NZ) (Showcasing) two Guineas successes should all go to his co-trainer Anna Furlong.

Leading trainer Jamie Richards has been the dominant force with his juveniles this season and has another pair of smart youngsters stepping out in the Stable Books 1100 at Matamata on Wednesday.

Group One winner Tiptronic (NZ) (O’Reilly) has taken the underdog tag into the last two editions of the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), and he will once again carry that label in the feature race at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Multiple Group One performer Deerfield (NZ) (Falkirk) was amongst the late nominations for Saturday’s Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa, with trainer Chrissy Bambry confident her hardy gelding will give a good account in the $400,000 weight-for-age feature.

Co-trainer Andrew Forsman isn’t quite sure what to expect from top stayer The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel) when he tackles the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa this weekend.

Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard took three horses to Tauherenikau on Monday and went within inches of a winning treble on the day.

Progressive mare Tabata (NZ) (Savabeel) collected her first stakes success when she prevailed in a desperate finish to the Listed Property Brokers Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Tauherenikau on Monday.

Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM retained his leading buyer status for the 16^th consecutive year at the recently completed New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.

Well-travelled mare House Of Cartier (Alamosa) will have her second start back in New Zealand at Tauherenikau on Monday with trainer and co-owner Peter Didham looking for her to provide some answers on future plans he has for the valuable broodmare prospect.

Trainer Roger James admits he feared the worst as he watched his star mare Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel) crash through the outside fence at New Plymouth on Saturday after escaping from the starting gates prior to the start of the Gr.3 Powerworx Taranaki Cup (1800m).

After producing a Group One winner in just his second season of training, young Byerley Park-based conditioner Steven Cole has had an extended wait to add to his black type success.

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh struck Group Three gold in both islands within the space of one special hour on Saturday afternoon.

A joint venture between owner-breeder John Phillips and Riccarton trainer Danny Crozier produced a dream result in Saturday’s Listed Nellies Restaurant and Bar Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m).

Lightly raced filly Spine Tingle (NZ) (Super Easy) sent shivers down the backs of plenty of her potential Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) rivals with a stunning victory at New Plymouth on Saturday.

A rematch of last month’s Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) produced the exact same result on Saturday as Showemhowitsdone (NZ) (Showcasing) edged out The Gift (NZ) (Power) in a tight finish to the Listed Mediaworks Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui.

Promising colt Magneto (NZ) (Showcasing) turned the tables on race rivals Quattro Quinta (NZ) (Darci Brahma) and Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini) when he stormed home along the fence to take out the Gr.3 Woburn Farm 2YO Classic (1200m) at New Plymouth.

Wingatui trainer Terry Kennedy will have a host of runners on a bumper day at his home track on Saturday, including in-form galloper Ray’s In Command in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m).

Well-related filly Lily’s Lady contests Saturday’s Listed Fasttrack Insurance Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth and trainers Stephen Autridge and Kris Shailer are hopeful the daughter of Contributer can bank some more black-type and emerge as a serious Oaks contender in the process.

Cambridge trainer Roger James will produce Concert Hall in Saturday’s Gr.3 Powerworx Taranaki Cup (1800m) at New Plymouth as a springboard to a campaign in Melbourne, just days after the death of his last star performer in Australia, Silent Achiever.

Wingatui trainer Steven Prince may not be partial to a Mint Julep, but he can’t get enough of his in-form galloper by the same name.

Woodlands trainer Robert Dennis ventures to Wingatui on Saturday shouldering a degree of pressure.

A tilt at the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie next month is on the line for City Slicker (NZ) (Shocking) at Wingatui on Saturday.

New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock will use a home-track feature as a potential launching pad to next month’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham.

Kevin and Joanna Hickman’s four-time Group One-winning mare Silent Achiever (NZ) (O’Reilly) died at their Valachi Downs property on Thursday morning aged 12.

Te Akau Racing (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) has announced the death of dual Group One winner Te Akau Shark after he succumbed to a series of health complications.

A number of contenders for the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 6 were in action at Te Rapa on Wednesday, where $3.50 Derby favourite Rocket Spade pleased connections when running second over 2100m, lumping eight kilograms more than victorious older rival Vedo Rosso.

The TAB has rewarded punters who followed the omen bet at Te Rapa when backing the Richard Collett-trained Captain Tom (NZ) in race three, despite the son of Showcasing being relegated from first after causing interference over the concluding stages.

Avantage (Fastnet Rock) pleased trainer Jamie Richards with her exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Wednesday ahead of her tilt at a seventh elite-level victory at the Waikato track in 10 days’ time.

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh has lower North Island assignments for a pair of his higher profile gallopers over the coming weeks.

Peter McKay reached the pinnacle of New Zealand racing with Puccini and now the Matamata trainer is vying to reach the same heights with his son, Wolfgang (NZ).

White Robe Lodge principal Brian Anderton is looking forward to racing at Wingatui on Saturday, a meeting that has long been one of his favourite days on the racing calendar.

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is looking forward to autumn racing with a couple of last season’s Classic winners after their pleasing trials at Rotorua on Tuesday.

Exciting three-year-old Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock) is tackling older horses at Te Rapa on Wednesday as part of his preparation for the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m).

Diminutive galloper Fiscal Fantasy (Skilled) will be vying to boost her pedigree page even further at New Plymouth on Saturday when she contests the Gr.3 Powerworx Taranaki Cup (1800m).

Promising two-year-old Mozzarella (NZ) (Capitalist) could have booked a trip north for a juvenile feature later this month after her impressive victory over 800m at Riccarton on Saturday.

Promising three-year-olds Slave To Love (NZ) (Savabeel) and Il Affare (NZ) (Dundeel) provided trainers Peter and Dawn Williams with plenty of encouragement ahead of some upcoming Group One assignments when producing solid performances at Pukekohe on Sunday.

Back in full swing after being sofa-bound for three months, it’s onwards and upwards for astute trainer John Bary.