Thursday, March 31 2022
Clinton Isdale’s time with Big Story will be short and he is hoping to make an early impact with the youngster before he heads offshore.
Thursday, March 31 2022
New Zealand can now boast the world’s first dedicated national horse ambulance service, following the commissioning of the country’s ninth and final horse ambulance.
Thursday, March 31 2022
Emerging young stallions were again to the fore at Matamata on Wednesday, with debut three-year-old winners by Turn Me Loose and Vadamos in consecutive 1200m maidens, while earlier on the card Enraptured (NZ), a two-year-old by Preferment was an impressive debut winner.
Thursday, March 31 2022
Halston (NZ) (Reliable Man) was rewarded for his consistency with his maiden victory in the Matamata Function Centre 1600 on Wednesday.
Thursday, March 31 2022
Te Akau trainer Jamie Richards went out in style when three-year-old gelding Ragamuffin (NZ) (Belardo) won a Rating 65 Benchmark over 1400m at Matamata, with the race fittingly named the Good Luck Hong Kong Bound Jamie Richards.
Thursday, March 31 2022
Waverley trainer Bill Thurlow is looking forward to racing at his home track on Friday where he will have a trio of runners.
Tuesday, March 29 2022
Levante’s (NZ) (Proisir) domestic racing season isn’t over just yet with confirmation the high-class mare will be given the opportunity next month to add to her record at the elite level.
Tuesday, March 29 2022
Rising Matamata miler Mali Ston (NZ) (El Roca) will get a crack at a good Australian target next month – mainly because his best mate is making the journey with him.
Tuesday, March 29 2022
Adrian Clark may have found his next Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle).
Monday, March 28 2022
He may have racked up 53 Group One winners during his 6-1/2 years training for Te Akau Racing but Jamie Richards was back to being the boy at trackwork on Tuesday.
Sunday, March 27 2022
Murray Baker was delighted to see the progress that has been made by promising three-year-old Saint Bathans (Maurice) who took out his second race in a row for the stable when successful over 1400m on a Heavy 10 surface in the opening event at Tauranga on Saturday.
Sunday, March 27 2022
The ever-reliable Vernanme (NZ) (O’Reilly) has gone close to a Group One prize on multiple occasions this preparation and will chase a degree of compensation this weekend in a race that ideally fits his profile.
Sunday, March 27 2022
Fast-improving Riccarton three-year-old Fireglow (NZ) (Tavistock) could be set for some rich targets at next season’s New Zealand Cup carnival.
Saturday, March 26 2022
Underrated galloper Gino Severini provided a fitting tribute to his part-owner, the late Ray Wallace, when he produced a fighting performance to take out the Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga on Saturday.
Saturday, March 26 2022
Lynsey Satherley admitted to having a tear in her eye as she made her way back into the Tauranga birdcage following the running of the fourth race on the card on Saturday.
Saturday, March 26 2022
Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis is finding it hard to catch his breath at the moment.
Saturday, March 26 2022
The abandonment of racing at Rosehill on Saturday following the running of race three and subsequent rescheduling of the remaining seven races to Newcastle on Monday may work in the favour of the three runners engaged at the meeting for Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.
Saturday, March 26 2022
Stablemates Defiant (NZ) (Tavistock) and Kikimora (NZ) (Shamexpress) set themselves up for a return clash in stakes company later in the season after the pair provided a popular quinella for local trainers Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong at Riccarton.
Saturday, March 26 2022
Trainer Cliff Goss appears to have another promising galloper on his hands after three-year-old filly Casino Princess (NZ) (Casino Prince) shone with a seventh length victory at Tauranga on Saturday.
Friday, March 25 2022
The Masterton meeting scheduled for Tauherenikau on Sunday has been abandoned due to consistent heavy rain during the week and inconsistencies with the track surface.
Thursday, March 24 2022
Multiple Group One winner Callsign Mav is enjoying an easy time at the beach before a decision is made on his immediate future.
Thursday, March 24 2022
A smart new addition to the Karaka countryside is set to open its doors this Saturday with the official opening of New Zealand Bloodstock’s DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Hotel.
Thursday, March 24 2022
Kelsey Hannan is looking forward to kicking off her riding career at Tauranga on Saturday where she will have two rides for her employers Shaun and Craig Phelan.
Thursday, March 24 2022
Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman will have runners on both sides of the Tasman this weekend, with the common denominator being heavy tracks at both Tauranga and Rosehill.
Wednesday, March 23 2022
Hanging on to promising two-year-olds Defiant (NZ) (Tavistock) and Kikimora (NZ) (Shamexpress) might be half the battle for Riccarton trainers Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong as they prepare the duo for Saturday’s Petersens Jewellers Ladies Bracelet (1000m) on their home track.
Wednesday, March 23 2022
A link to one of New Zealand’s major training centres of last century has been lost with the recent death of former successful trainer Ray Wallace at age 92.
Tuesday, March 22 2022
Jamie Richards’ relentless dominance of New Zealand racing keeps rolling on into his final few weeks on these shores, saddling all of the first four placegetters in Saturday’s Gr.1 Wellington Seamarket Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham – the second time he has achieved that remarkable feat this season alone.
Tuesday, March 22 2022
The prospect of a heavily rain affected track at Tauranga this Saturday may see the connections of Group One performer Mali Ston (NZ) (El Roca) firming up plans for an Australian campaign.
Tuesday, March 22 2022
Northland trainer Kenny Rae says the blame would rest squarely with his daughter and co-trainer Krystal Williams-Tuhoro if their mare Irish Girl (NZ) (El Roca) was to be beaten in Saturday’s Gr.3 Valachi Downs South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton.
Monday, March 21 2022
Group One winning trainer Mark Sanders has been confirmed as one of five people to drown following an ill-fated charter fishing trip in Northland.
Monday, March 21 2022
Multiple Group winning jockey Sarah Macnab is counting herself fortunate, despite suffering serious injuries in a race fall at Trentham.
Monday, March 21 2022
Classy juvenile Wolverine (NZ) (Tivaci) showed she is on target for the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni next Saturday following her effortless trial win at Otaki on Tuesday.
Sunday, March 20 2022
With three premierships, countless big-race triumphs, more than $30 million in prize-money and Hong Kong beckoning, Jamie Richards has come a long way since taking out his training licence in 2015 – but it was a nod to his southern roots that played a big part in landing Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham with Belle En Rouge (NZ) (Burgundy).
Sunday, March 20 2022
High flying jockey Michael McNab is enjoying his best ever season and remains focussed on the immediate future, rather than becoming too caught up in the prospect of a first National Jockeys’ Premiership.
Saturday, March 19 2022
Jamie Richards made the penultimate weekend of his current training stint in New Zealand a memorable one when he produced a Group One winning double at Trentham on Saturday.
Saturday, March 19 2022
An attack on the riches of the New South Wales autumn carnival by trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman gathered momentum when stablemates The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel), Regal Lion (NZ) (Jakkalberry), White Noise (NZ) (El Roca) and Marroni (NZ) (Makfi) flew to Sydney on Saturday.
Saturday, March 19 2022
A determined win in the opening event at Trentham on Saturday may have secured promising two-year-old Slipper Island (No Nay Never) a berth in the team that trainer Tony Pike plans to take to the Queensland Winter Carnival this year.
Friday, March 18 2022
A well-timed run that saw her thrust her head in front just two strides prior to the winning post ensured rugged mare Sinarahma (NZ) (Darci Brahma) took victory in the Gr.3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.
Friday, March 18 2022
Six-year-old gelding Blandford Lad (NZ) (Savabeel) notched his sixth win from 37 career starts when coming from off the pace to land the Kennedy Grand Handicap Classic (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Friday, March 18 2022
Enigmatic performer Leaderboard (Street Cry) put his best foot forward when he produced a superior staying effort to take out the Listed Barneswood Farm New Zealand St Leger (2600m) at Trentham.
Friday, March 18 2022
Underrated sprinter Can I Get An Amen (NZ) (Hallowed Crown) justified some inspired support at Trentham on Saturday when she captured the Listed Race A Horse With Te Akau NZ’s No. 1 Stable Lightning Handicap (1200m).
Thursday, March 17 2022
Talented staying filly Achieve will be the sole runner for Cambridge trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood this weekend when she contests the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday.
Thursday, March 17 2022
Kelvin Tyler is preparing to escape the Southland cold this winter for the warmer climes of Queensland.
Thursday, March 17 2022
Darlington County (NZ) (So You Think) has got Waverley trainer Bill Thurlow daring to dream of another Auckland Cup triumph.
Thursday, March 17 2022
Last Sunday’s Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) marked the final public outings for high-class gallopers Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel) and Sound (Lando), who signed off by finishing second and third respectively behind Central Districts visitor Uareastar (NZ) (Jakkalberry).
Thursday, March 17 2022
Jamie Richards has already forged a successful association with a major Hong Kong thoroughbred identity and that combination could go to the highest level at Trentham on Saturday.
Wednesday, March 16 2022
Due to a high number of riders being unavailable to ride this weekend, the Racing Tauranga meeting scheduled for this Saturday will push back 24 hours to Sunday.
Wednesday, March 16 2022
A solidly run contest will give Glory Bound (NZ) (Tavistock) her best opportunity to live up to her name when she steps out in Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham.
Tuesday, March 15 2022
One More Time (NZ) (Per Incanto) has changed hands three times already and was the subject of further buyer interest in the lead-up to her impressive last-start open handicap victory at Ellerslie.
Tuesday, March 15 2022
Catherine Cameron is hoping Bellatrix Black (NZ) (Redwood) can work her magic again on Saturday when she heads to Trentham for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
Tuesday, March 15 2022
Allan Sharrock is hoping for a Group One victory to finish off an exciting three-year-old season for Shamus (NZ) (Shamexpress) on Saturday.
Tuesday, March 15 2022
For someone who was once asked if he found his trainer’s licence at the bottom of a Weet-Bix box, Riccarton trainer Michael Pitman has sure turned his racing dreams into a Kiwi-kid fairytale.
Tuesday, March 15 2022
Promising filly Le Villi will carry new colours when she lines-up in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on Saturday.
Monday, March 14 2022
Quality two-year-old filly Lickety Split (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) refused to yield to a sustained challenge when narrowly taking out the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Sunday.
Monday, March 14 2022
Classy mare Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress) was up to all of her cantankerous tricks in the pre-race buildup to Sunday’s Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie, but when it came time for business she was at her professional best as she claimed her second Group One victory.
Monday, March 14 2022
Apprentice Wiremu Pinn added another highlight to his burgeoning riding career when he produced a daring ride aboard Marton visitor Uareastar (NZ) (Jakkalberry) to take out the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie.
Monday, March 14 2022
Horses will be an absent sight from Ellerslie racecourse for at least the next 18 months.
Monday, March 14 2022
The Darrell Hollinshead-trained Super Sid (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) picked off some low-hanging fruit when landing the Wrightson/Vetmed 2100 at Ellerslie on Sunday in emphatic fashion.
Sunday, March 13 2022
The odds on Funtonic (Delago Deluxe) even reaching a racecourse would have been extremely high when he hurt his hind legs in a paddock accident eight months ago.
Saturday, March 12 2022
A future across the Tasman could be in the offing for Eyesonlyonme (Free Eagle) after her maiden win in the Haunui Farm 1400 at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Friday, March 11 2022
While Gucci Belt (NZ) (Burgundy) is living in the shadow of her well-credentialled half-sister Entriviere (NZ) (Tavistock), she is doing something her sibling failed to do, win at three.
Friday, March 11 2022
The persistence of local trainer Rudy Liefting paid dividends when Stars ‘N’ Cream (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) edged out the Nigel Tiley-trained pair of Midnight Mass (NZ) (Proisir) and Quicken Away (Vancouver) in the Sonia Macfarlane Memorial (1400m).
Thursday, March 10 2022
Group One winner Levante (NZ) (Proisir) has touched down in Melbourne ahead of her debut run on Australian soil this Saturday in the Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.
Thursday, March 10 2022
Trainer Stephen Marsh is hoping lightning can strike twice when he lines up Lincoln King and Starrybeel in Sunday’s Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie.
Thursday, March 10 2022
Trainer Robbie Patterson couldn’t be any happier with Coventina Bay ahead of the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Sunday.
Wednesday, March 09 2022
Punters on both sides of the Tasman will benefit from a change being made to the New Zealand Track Ratings early next month.
Wednesday, March 09 2022
Trainer Peter Williams is pleased with the success he and wife Dawn have had with their Byerley Park stable in recent weeks and is looking to his five runners at Ellerslie on Sunday to carry on their good work of late.
Wednesday, March 09 2022
A New Zealand racing dynasty has come to an end with the death last Sunday of popular Te Awamutu identity Des Riordan just weeks short of his 90th birthday.
Wednesday, March 09 2022
Trainer Robert Dennis has only one concern with The Gift (NZ) (Power) ahead of the MLT/Three Rivers Hotel/Pioneer Tavern Fireside Cup (1335mm) at Gore on Friday – weight.
Tuesday, March 08 2022
Although busy on day three of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling sale, trainer Andrew Forsman was keeping a wary eye on the final fields for the prestigious Auckland Cup raceday at Ellerslie on Sunday.
Tuesday, March 08 2022
Tony Pike feels the time is right to take on older horses at weight-for-age with his top three-year-old Field Of Gold (Starspangledbanner).
Monday, March 07 2022
Te Akau has been the all-conquering force in New Zealand juvenile racing for some time and they have another Group One two-year-old title firmly in their sights at Ellerslie this weekend.
Monday, March 07 2022
The connections of Mohaka (NZ) (Nadeem) are hoping she can repay their faith on Sunday after they made the late nomination payment for the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie this weekend.
Monday, March 07 2022
Last start Gr.1 El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic (1600m) winner Mascarpone (NZ) (Shooting To Win) has had his latest campaign halted after suffering a suspensory injury during an exhibition gallop at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Sunday, March 06 2022
Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott are eyeing a tilt at the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in spring with Asterix (NZ) (Tavistock) after his victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Sunday, March 06 2022
A narrow but emphatic win in the traditional Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) lead-up event, the Nathans Memorial (2200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, has trainer Shaune Ritchie convinced he has enigmatic stayer Swords Drawn (Camelot) near his peak for the two-mile challenge.
Sunday, March 06 2022
Syndication is proving an invaluable tool in aiding Little Avondale Stud’s ongoing commitment to build on the quality of its broodmare band.
Sunday, March 06 2022
On the eve of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Curraghmore’s Gordon Cunningham was again pleased to see the farm’s past-graduates do the talking on the track, no doubt paving the way for further confidence for the product he will present at auction this week.
Sunday, March 06 2022
A steady influx of ex-pat Kiwi trainers and Bloodstock Agents that have arrived at the Karaka sales complex in the past 24 hours has put a bigger smile on the face of New Zealand Bloodstock Director of Sales, Danny Rolston.
Saturday, March 05 2022
Lightly raced filly Bellatrix Black ($17.20) upset the applecart at Ellerslie on Saturday when she stepped up from a maiden victory at Tauranga at her last start to take out the Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m).
Saturday, March 05 2022
Classy colt Sword Of State displayed all of his fighting qualities when he downed speedy mare Babylon Berlin to win the Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie, after the pair went head-to-head over the final 300m of the contest.
Saturday, March 05 2022
With a dominant performance at Wingatui by a rising star of the South Island’s three-year-old ranks, Michael and Matthew Pitman have added some black-type glow to a highly successful family association.
Saturday, March 05 2022
Twelve months after living up to expectations with a Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) favourite, Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott went back-to-back with a very different kind of triumph at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Thursday, March 03 2022
After experiencing the highest of highs and deepest of lows at Ellerslie over the years, on Saturday Trudy Thornton will be on a mission to claim one of racing’s biggest prizes at the country’s premier track.
Thursday, March 03 2022
The long and winding road to The All-Star Mile finally reaches that critical fork-in-the-road on Saturday for Western Australian star Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man), who is primed to peak in the Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
Thursday, March 03 2022
When Dean McKenzie completes the formal hand-over to new TAB CEO Mike Tod in the next fortnight, he isn’t quite sure exactly what he is going to do next.
Thursday, March 03 2022
Bulls trainer Raymond Connors has posted the not for sale sign on promising juvenile Trav after the son of Almanzor closed too well for his rivals to score by a neck from Havarti in the Milton Park Stables 2YO (1200m) at Awapuni on Friday.
Wednesday, March 02 2022
Katrina and Simon Alexander are experiencing the ride of a lifetime with their star filly La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) and they are hoping that golden run continues at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Wednesday, March 02 2022
Michael and Matthew Pitman will attack Saturday’s Wingatui features in threes.
Wednesday, March 02 2022
Mark Brosnan will attempt to honour an old mate when he produces Arjay’s Flight (NZ) (Highly Recommended) as the sole maiden runner in Saturday’s Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie.
Wednesday, March 02 2022
The Jamie Richards-trained Self Obsession (NZ) (Shocking) cemented her place at the top of the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) market with yet another game victory when landing the Gr.2 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings on Wednesday.
Tuesday, March 01 2022
A minor injury and inclement weather ruled out a traditional Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) path for Pinarello (NZ) (Tavistock), but he will nevertheless front up at Ellerslie on Saturday in prime order.
Tuesday, March 01 2022
Vinnie Colgan will be taking an easier day of riding than normal at Ellerslie this Saturday to ensure he’s at his best for the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Saturday.
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