
Friday, September 30 2022
Mark Walker prepared three winners of the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in his first stint as head trainer for Te Akau’s Matamata barn and holds pole position to add to his classic tally. Friday, September 30 2022
Three-time champion jumps jockey Shaun Fannin has made a sizzling start to the new jumps season and will aim to head for the summer break as the clubhouse leader when the curtain falls on 2022 jumps racing at Woodville on Sunday. Friday, September 30 2022
Promising filly Legarto has put herself firmly into Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) calculations with her first-up victory at Te Rapa on Friday. Friday, September 30 2022
Waikato Stud stallion Tivaci has the chance of recording back-to-back wins in the Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. Friday, September 30 2022
Le Sablier is in the twilight of her racing career and she made the most of one of her few remaining opportunities when she trounced her open handicap rivals at Te Rapa on Friday. Friday, September 30 2022
Group One winner Imperatriz pleased in her exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Friday prior to her impending trip across the Tasman. Thursday, September 29 2022
Wednesday, September 28 2022
Sheez Dominant (NZ) (Vanbrugh) lived up to her name when beating the boys in the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1340m) earlier this month and trainer Fraser Auret is hoping for a repeat dose this weekend. Wednesday, September 28 2022
Connections of exciting Vespa three-year-old Charbano (NZ) have turned down offers that have dwarfed his purchase price as they chase their shot at a Group One dream this spring. Tuesday, September 27 2022
Connections of the capable Amusez Moi (NZ) (Dalghar) have erred on the side of caution and resisted the temptation to deviate from their original Hastings plan with the proven wet ground performer. Tuesday, September 27 2022
John Bary is confident Spring Tide (NZ) (Darci Brahma) won’t find the distance beyond him when he contests the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Hastings on Saturday. Monday, September 26 2022
Today at Te Rapa, the Adjudicative Committee of the Racing Integrity Board (RIB) found jockey Sam Weatherley guilty of reckless riding after a racing incident in Cambridge on 3 August 2022. Monday, September 26 2022
Impressive last start Hastings winner Mustang Valley lifted her game several notches on Saturday as she claimed her first success at stakes level when taking out the Gr.3 Boehringer Ingelheim Metric Mile (1550m) at Awapuni. Monday, September 26 2022
Promising galloper Sacred Satono remains unbeaten in two starts as a three-year-old after putting away his rivals in emphatic fashion at Ruakaka. Monday, September 26 2022
Three-year-old gelding Denby Road (NZ) (Shamexpress) is yet another example to never judge a book by its cover. Monday, September 26 2022
The Steven Cole-trained New Arrangement (New Approach) provided his connections with a quick return on investment when defeating a strong line-up in the Tote N Poke Sports Bar (1400m) at Ruakaka on Saturday. Monday, September 26 2022
Graham Richardson is hoping for the perfect homecoming for Defibrillate (NZ) (Shocking) when he contests the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Hastings on Saturday. Saturday, September 24 2022
Te Akau Racing’s New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) is the latest high-profile mare to be listed for sale on Gavelhouse Plus. Saturday, September 24 2022
Cambridge Stud resident stallion Embellish made the perfect start to his stud career on Saturday when debut runner Luberon lead all the way to land the Bear Morgan @ Harcourts Bream Bay 2YO over 800m at Ruakaka. Friday, September 23 2022
Six weeks of farm work has Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Sherwood Forest (Fastnet Rock) in good fettle for a spring preparation, according to his new trainer Bill Thurlow. Friday, September 23 2022
A patient approach with Mr Jay Eight was rewarded last season with a Group credit and the lightly raced four-year-old will attract plenty of interest when he returns to action at Ruakaka on Saturday. Friday, September 23 2022
The Racing Integrity Board will convene at Te Rapa racecourse next Tuesday to hear a charge of reckless riding against jockey Sam Weatherley. Thursday, September 22 2022
Te Akau once again enjoyed a bumper day at their home track on Thursday, winning five races on the eight-race card at Matamata. Thursday, September 22 2022
Due to consistent rain and a water-logged track the race meeting at Woodville on Thursday has been abandoned. Thursday, September 22 2022
Gore Guineas runner-up Ruby’s Lad will return to the scene of his career-best performance to kick off a preparation aimed at some of the South Island’s best races this season. Thursday, September 22 2022
Thursday, September 22 2022
Tony Pike’s bid to win a second Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) rests on the shoulders of Slipper Island, who will open his campaign at Ruakaka on Saturday. Thursday, September 22 2022
Cambridge horseman Tony Pike is keeping a close watch on the Hawke’s Bay forecast for Saturday week for his Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) contender Field Of Gold. Thursday, September 22 2022
Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor sired a winning double at Matamata on Wednesday and also enjoyed further success in Victoria with another first crop representative. Wednesday, September 21 2022
A quick back-up into the second day of the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival hasn’t been ruled out for the widely travelled Gino Severini (Fastnet Rock). Wednesday, September 21 2022
High-class mare Levante is being readied for a fresh-up tilt at the Gr.1 Darley Champions Sprint (1200m) on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington. Tuesday, September 20 2022
Lance Robinson has big plans at the Riccarton November carnival for Saturday’s New Zealand Cup Trial (1800m) winner Burnvue, but not for the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m). Tuesday, September 20 2022
Opie Bosson will have a tough decision to make in the coming months in the lead-up to the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November. Tuesday, September 20 2022
Beaufort Downs may be one of the youngest thoroughbred nurseries in New Zealand, but they are already starting to leave their mark on the Australasian racing landscape. Tuesday, September 20 2022
Following in-depth discussions and widespread monitoring of weather patterns, the connections of multiple Group winner La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) have committed to a return trip to the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival. Tuesday, September 20 2022
A patient approach has helped Pam Gerard get Cork (NZ) (Complacent) to a position where she is a force in stakes company. The improving five-year-old mare will have her second go at securing a black type victory when she contests the Gr.3 Boehringer Ingelheim Metric Mile (1550m) at Awapuni on Saturday. The five-year-old first went after black type three starts back in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m), where she beat all but Helena Baby (Guillotine). She’s raced twice since then, finishing down the track at Te Rapa earlier this month but then bounced back six days later to finish second to Deerfield (NZ) (Falkirk) in an open 1600m handicap at Hastings. “I thought on the corner she was going to go past him, but every time she got near he just kicked again. But it was still a very good run – Deerfield’s won 13 races and he’s a tough horse to beat when he’s got his confidence up,” Gerard said. “She’s done well since Hastings and I’m really happy with her.” Gerard, who trains at Matamata in partnership with Mike Moroney, said Cork had required a lot of time to grow into her frame. “She was quite backward when we got her, and she wasn’t very robust – we needed to give her at least a month after racing before sending her out again in her early years,” Gerard said. “But she’s matured a lot and she’s now as good as we’re ever going to see her.” Temyia Taiaroa, who partnered Cork into second place in the Listed Opunake Cup behind Helena Baby on July 3, will be back in the saddle at Awapuni. Once she’s through the Boehringer Ingelheim Metric Mile, Gerard hopes to step Cork up over a middle distance, possibly in the Listed Staphanos Classic (1950m) at Rotorua on October 16. “If she was going really well and the tracks stayed wet she could go for the Livamol Classic, but that would be a big ask at weight-for-age,” she said. “The race at Rotorua should really suit her. She’s crying out for more ground.” The more likely horse from the Moroney-Gerard team to head for the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) on October 15 is Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma), who was runner-up to Savy Yong Blonk (NZ) (Savabeel) in the race last year. Gerard said Harlech, who resumed with a fifth-place finish at Te Rapa on Sunday, had come back in great style. He is set to run next in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Hastings on October 1 but the continuation of wet tracks was not helping him. “When we got him last spring he’d had a few starts in Australia in that campaign so he wasn’t as fresh as he might have been. He’d never really had a proper spell until this year,” she said. “I was really rapt with his run the other day with 62kg on his back and he’s on track for the second day at Hastings, and hopefully the weather clears up. “If the weather stays wet, the owners are happy to wait until he gets the right track. If we miss these races at Hastings there’s still plenty more Group One races over summer.” Potentially joining Harlech at Hastings on October 1 is the three-year-old Battle Sound (NZ) (Belardo), who is likely to contest the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) after coming from last to win at 28-1 odds on his debut at Matamata on September 7. “He was super impressive that day and earned a shot at the Hawke’s Bay Guineas. We’ll make a call from there whether he goes to Riccarton,” Gerard said. Also potentially heading for stakes company is Metrical (NZ) (Time Test), who finished second to the highly-rated Stella Splendida (NZ) (Zoustar) on debut at Taupo on September 16. Gerard said he was likely to contest a maiden at Te Rapa on September 30, and then possibly the Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) on October 22. “He was taking ground off Stella Splendida at the finish on debut and looks to have a bit of a future.” Monday, September 19 2022
Veteran galloper No Loitering (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) defied Father Time (NZ) (Shocking) to produce a superb front-running effort as he led throughout in Saturday’s ITM Interprovincial Championship (1800m) at New Plymouth. Monday, September 19 2022
An aggressive Hamish McNeill ride laid the platform for an upset as $29 shot Abu Dhabi (NZ) (Haradasun) carried a set of famous colours to victory in the $150,000 Peter Kelly – Bayleys Great Northern Hurdle at Te Rapa on Sunday. Monday, September 19 2022
Kiddo, a horse written off all of four years ago and recently on the verge of retirement, completed what can only be described as the greatest of comebacks in the Ben Foote Racing Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) at Te Rapa on Sunday. Sunday, September 18 2022
Trainer Andrew Forsman has managed to find a Victoria Derby runner in Mr Maestro (NZ) (Savabeel), only five months after branching out on his own as a trainer. Saturday, September 17 2022
Local debutant Stan (NZ) (Shamexpress) lived up to the expectations of his trainer Robbie Patterson when he made a winning start to his racing career at New Plymouth. Saturday, September 17 2022
The CHRISTCHURCH CASINO South Island Racing Awards for the 2021/22 Racing Season were presented at function held at Riccarton Park Racecourse on Friday 16 September 2022. The awards were made on behalf the Southern Region Racing Clubs with the support of the Canterbury Westland Racing Owners Association and the Canterbury Marlborough Westland Otago Thoroughbred Breeders. Saturday, September 17 2022
Lightly raced three-year-old One Kiss (NZ) (Tivaci) strengthened her claim for higher honours when she dominated proceedings to take out the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton. Friday, September 16 2022
Three weeks on from a spectacular debut on Riccarton’s synthetic track, exciting local filly Miss Take is switching to the turf and stepping up to stakes class for Saturday’s Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m). Friday, September 16 2022
Shaun Phelan will gain an extra dose of satisfaction if he can guide the in-form Kajino (NZ) (Raise The Flag) to victory in Sunday’s Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) at Te Rapa. Friday, September 16 2022
Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller will have a two-pronged New Zealand-bred attack in the Gr.3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday with No Compromise and Kukeracha. Friday, September 16 2022
Impeccably-bred filly Stella Splendida justified her $1.30 favouritism when running away to a 1-1/2 length victory in the Taupo Veterinary Centre (1200m) at Taupo on Friday. Thursday, September 15 2022
Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong are well-served in the three-year-old fillies’ ranks and will attack Saturday’s feature age group event at Riccarton with an enviable mix of quality and quantity. Thursday, September 15 2022
Former Champion New Zealand jumps jockey Aaron Kuru has enjoyed being home for the last couple of weeks, and the Melbourne-based hoop is hoping to end his trip with a couple of feature jumping scalps at Te Rapa on Sunday. Thursday, September 15 2022
After two years of logistical restraints due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the dream of trans-Tasman competition in the Jericho Cup (4600m) is alive again – and Saturday’s $30,000 NZB Airfreight Road to Jericho (3210m) at New Plymouth is a crucial step along that road. Thursday, September 15 2022
A number of unique and collectable items will be up for auction at The Ellie Stokes Trust Fundraising Dinner on Thursday 22 September 2022. Wednesday, September 14 2022
Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston is leaning to the softer option for promising filly Seven Eleven (NZ) (Proisir), an entrant for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) on her home track in November. Wednesday, September 14 2022
Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood are confident their promising filly Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) can make a winning start to her spring preparation at Cambridge on Wednesday. Wednesday, September 14 2022
Cambridge Stud stallion Embellish was represented by his first trial winner on Tuesday when home-bred and raced filly Luberon (NZ) gave a professional display to claim her two-year-old heat on the synthetic track at Cambridge. Wednesday, September 14 2022
Allan Sharrock acknowledges Tavi Mac (NZ) (Tavistock) and Justaskme (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) are victims of their own success and hasn’t hesitated to utilise apprentice claims to lighten their loads on their home track on Saturday. Wednesday, September 14 2022
The Roger James and Robert Wellwood trained three-year-old Prowess made a winning start to her classic campaign when running out an impressive winner of the Cambridge Equine Hospital (1300m) on Wednesday. Wednesday, September 14 2022
Belle of the Ball justified her $1.50 favouritism in her 1400m contest at Riccarton on Wednesday when running out a clear 2-1/4 length victor in the hands of Joe Kamaruddin. Tuesday, September 13 2022
Impressive debut winner Japanese Emperor (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) will get his first look at Caulfield on Saturday where he will be out to continue his winning ways in the Gr.3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m). Monday, September 12 2022
Jockey Craig Grylls joined a select group of riders on Saturday when piloting Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh) to victory in the last at Hastings. Monday, September 12 2022
Monday, September 12 2022
Given time to reflect, Rich Hill Stud boss John Thompson is getting immense satisfaction from Saturday’s red-letter day for the Matamata farm. Monday, September 12 2022
Former successful apprentice jockey Alex Forbes now wears a number of hats within the thoroughbred industry and has successfully added to his variety of roles with his first winner as a trainer. Monday, September 12 2022
Darryn Weatherley is looking forward to heading back to Hastings next month with Pier after his runner-up effort behind Dynastic in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on Saturday. Sunday, September 11 2022
Dark Destroyer, one of last season’s top three-year-olds showed he has come back as a spring four-year-old in fine fettle as he produced a resolute finish to take out the first Group One of the New Zealand season, the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings. Saturday, September 10 2022
Last season’s Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner Dynastic made a successful return to racing when he displayed a touch of class in taking out the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m). Saturday, September 10 2022
Local filly Best Seller showed she had taken plenty of benefit out of her first up victory at Taupo last month when she produced a resolute finish to win the Gr.3 HB/PB Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings. Friday, September 09 2022
Racing followers will welcome the new-look RaceForm weekly edition released ahead of the new season’s first day of Group One racing at Hawke’s Bay this weekend. Friday, September 09 2022
Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is looking forward to round five of an engaging battle between his in-form stayer River Run and his arch-nemesis Hit The Road Jack in Saturday’s Harcourts Tai Tokerau Cup (2200m) at Ruakaka. Friday, September 09 2022
Verry Flash will continue to show his diverse skillset when he heads to Waverley on Sunday to contest the Wanganui Steel Formers Waverley Cup (2000m). Friday, September 09 2022
The Thoroughbred Racing industry will acknowledge Her Majesty The Queen’s passing at its two race meetings on Saturday. Thursday, September 08 2022
Wingatui trainer Terry Kennedy has his sights set on producing 100 winners on his home track and he’s hoping to edge closer to that milestone at Wingatui on Friday. Thursday, September 08 2022
Opie Bosson hasn’t been aboard Imperatriz since their demolition job in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m), but that doesn’t mean the mighty mare has been out of sight, out of the champion jockey’s mind. Wednesday, September 07 2022
Punters are looking to Hastings in anticipation on Saturday where star mares La Crique and Imperatriz will meet for the first time in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). Wednesday, September 07 2022
Pinarello has already proven himself at elite level in Australia and he will bid to add to his record across the Tasman later this month with a three-start campaign locked in by trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood. Tuesday, September 06 2022
Helena Baby (NZ) (Guillotine) turned heads when he enjoyed a trip away on Tuesday morning to further his build-up toward a second tilt at the opening Group One contest of the new season. Tuesday, September 06 2022
Promising gelding Regazzo (NZ) (Tavistock) broke through for his maiden win at Te Rapa on Sunday when victorious in The Patron’s 1400. Tuesday, September 06 2022
Last season’s Champion two-year-old Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy) has been ruled out of the spring care of a chip in a fetlock. Monday, September 05 2022
Talented stayer Marroni (NZ) (Makfi) bounced back from an underwhelming autumn campaign in Sydney to open his spring account with a strong win at Te Rapa on Sunday. Monday, September 05 2022
Monday, September 05 2022
Outstanding mare Probabeel has joined an elite club with her second successive New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Award. Monday, September 05 2022
Monday, September 05 2022
Sunday, September 04 2022
Champion jumps trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal took out the jumping features on Sunday at Te Rapa, headlined by No Tip’s (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) thrilling victory in the CLC Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4800m). Saturday, September 03 2022
Local trainer Terri Rae got her day off to the best possible start at Riccarton when new stable runner Four Queens (NZ) (Tavistock) narrowly headed stablemate Sacred Giant (NZ) (Sacred Falls) over 1400m in the second race of the day. Saturday, September 03 2022
Lightly raced filly Rocababy (NZ) (El Roca) upset the applecart at Wanganui on Saturday when she came with a determined late finish to take out one of the feature events on the day, the Listed The O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (1200m). Saturday, September 03 2022
Trainer Fraser Auret has had a big opinion of promising three-year-old Sheez Dominant (NZ) since she first entered his Marton stable and the daughter of Vanbrugh went a long way to living up to his expectations when she broke her maiden status with a stunning victory in the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1340m) on Saturday. Friday, September 02 2022
Secret Amour (NZ) (Niagara) has fashioned a tidy record with five wins from limited opportunities and trainer Robbie Patterson is on a mission to guide the black-type placegetter to major stakes success this preparation. Friday, September 02 2022
It’s been a busy week for top jumps jockey Shaun Phelan, and he is hoping to cap it with some prestige jumping titles at the Pakuranga Hunt meeting at Te Rapa on Sunday. Thursday, September 01 2022
Matamata trainer Mark Walker has doubled his team in Christchurch as he builds to lucrative spring targets in the south. Thursday, September 01 2022
Shaun McKay is on the board as a trainer after guiding Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini) to a 3-1/4 length victory in the Enigma Farm 1300 on the Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday. Thursday, September 01 2022
The respective distances of the feature age group events at Wanganui on Saturday made it an easy call for trainer Allan Sharrock to split his pair of gifted fillies. Thursday, September 01 2022
Graeme Rogerson has lavished praise on the Te Awamutu track and thrown his support behind the rejuvenation of the Waikato venue. Thursday, September 01 2022
Mark Walker might yet turn his back on a $A1 million bonus with his superstar mare Imperatriz in favour of an even more lucrative Australian prize. |