Promising filly Val Di Zoldo (NZ) (War Decree) will kick-start a big period of feature race participation for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike when she tackles Wednesday’s Gr.2 Little Avondale Stud Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Awapuni.

Kelsey Hannan, the country’s leading apprentice jockey, has been sidelined following a fall at Riccarton last Friday.

It was a whirlwind trip to Saudi Arabia last week for New Zealand jockey Sam Spratt, but one that will live in her memory for some time.

It’s a case of one smart mare going out for a spell and another kicking off for Warrnambool-based trainer Matthew Williams, with Toregene (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) set to resume at Ladbrokes Park Sandown on Saturday.

Matamata-trained mare Levante added a fourth Group One victory to her résumé when she defeated another class performer in La Crique to take out the Gr.1 El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki.

Another daring ride by Jonathan Riddell provided the impetus for rejuvenated galloper Colorado Star to claim his second consecutive stakes victory when he cruised home to win the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.

Local mentor Mark Walker was on top of the podium at Matamata on Saturday when he claimed the two juvenile feature races on the day.

Group Two winner Dragon Queen (NZ) (Sweynesse) put her hand up for Australian assignments after winning the Lisa Chittick Plate (1400m) at Matamata on Saturday.

Manawatu horsewoman Tineke Balcombe came up smiling on her first raceday experience at Matamata on Saturday when Colorado Star (NZ) (Alamosa) won the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m).

Mark Walker is under no illusion about the enormity of the task ahead of Dynastic in this weekend’s Gr.1 Auckland Thoroughbred Racing New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Te Rapa.

Pennyweka will cross the Tararua Ranges on Wednesday in the hope of snaring Group glory at Awapuni.

Fresh from a top-level victory last weekend, Ken and Bev Kelso are looking forward to the challenge of another in Melbourne.

Craig Zackey has regrettably called time on his brief and highly successful riding stint in New Zealand that included a memorable victory in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) aboard undefeated youngster Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin).

Australian jockey Andrew Adkins has answered the call of trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott and will cross the Tasman next week to ride Jaffira (NZ) (Iffraaj) in the Gr.1 Auckland Thoroughbred Racing New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Te Rapa.

A heavy track is not the surface Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson wants as he looks for a black-type pathway for two promising three-year-old fillies slated to race on Friday.

The Chrissy Bambry-trained Chantilly Lace (NZ) ran out an impressive winner of the Palamountains Animal Nutrition 2YO 1200 at Wanganui on Thursday and in the process provided her sire, US Navy Flag, with his first southern hemisphere winner.

Northern hoop Ryan Elliot will head home to Horowhenua this weekend where he is favoured to bring home the lion’s share of the $300,000 purse in the Gr.1 El Cheapo Cars WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki on Saturday.

Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Pier will return to New Zealand on Sunday after finishing eighth in the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) won by Osipenko at Rosehill last Saturday.

A topsy-turvy week will hopefully take an upward swing for Little Avondale Stud this weekend ahead of an annual highlight next Wednesday.

Te Akau’s next move with top-class mare Imperatriz will be locked in after she works on her home track at Matamata on Saturday.

Entries for New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2023 National Online Yearling Sale are now open, with the Sale set to be held on NZB’s online subsidiary Gavelhouse Plus for the third year.

It’s a case of one smart mare going out for a spell and another kicking off for Warrnambool-based trainer Matthew Williams, with Toregene (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) set to resume at Ladbrokes Park Sandown on Saturday.

Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott celebrated a winning double at Kembla Grange on Thursday courtesy of Kiwi-breds The Years and Goldman.

Matamata trainer Graham Richardson has an eye on New Zealand’s longest juvenile Group One race as he prepares To Catch A Thief (U S Navy Flag) to resume racing at his home track this weekend.

Mustang Valley (NZ) (Vanbrugh) will be looking to get her campaign back on track when she heads to Randwick on Saturday.

Mark Walker would love nothing more than to see the jockey statue in the Matamata racecourse birdcage painted in the colours of a Te Akau Racing-trained winner.

Following the extension of the State of Emergency and ongoing recovery from the devastating effects of Cyclone Gabrielle on the Hawke’s Bay region, the decision has been made by Hawke’s Bay Racing and NZTR to transfer the Little Avondale Lowland Stakes Raceday from Hastings to Awapuni on Wednesday 1 March.

The well-travelled Lightning Jack (NZ) (Per Incanto) was a luckless placegetter at the highest level at his most recent appearance and will have an opportunity to turn his fortunes this weekend.

Byerley Park trainers Danny Walker and Arron Tata look to have a smart juvenile on their hands in the form of Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto), who was successful in the Dad’s Pies 1100m at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Top mare La Crique has bounced back from an uncomfortable experience when resuming at Te Rapa and will head south later this week with connections looking for a confidence-boosting result in the Central Districts.

In the midst of recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle, Hawke’s Bay Racing is showing that they are much more than an organisation for racing horses.

Classy three-year-old Desert Lightning thrust himself to the forefront of discussions surrounding the Gr.1 Auckland Thoroughbred Racing New Zealand Derby (2400m) when he narrowly defeated Waitak to claim victory in the Gr.2 AJC Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Pukekohe.

In-form staying mare Aquacade declared she is the horse to beat in the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) with an emphatic statement as she powered home to take out the Gr.2 ATR Avondale Cup (2400m) at Pukekohe.

An aggressive display of front running riding by Lisa Allpress paved the way for lightly raced three-year-old Press Charges to upset the applecart when taking the Listed ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1600m) at odds of better than $21.

Describing emerging galloper Sokanon as the best horse he has trained is not a claim Wingatui conditioner Terry Kennedy makes lightly.

Major domestic opportunities await the progressive three-year-old Bitcoin before he continues his career offshore.

Amid the devastation and destruction to her property which has decimated her business, Hawke’s Bay trainer Vicki Wilson is counting herself lucky.

Never-say-die South Canterbury three-year-old Specialty (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) could earn himself a shot at another Group One race if he can snare a Guineas double at Invercargill on Saturday.

Stephen Marsh will work through his future options with the in-form Zee Falls after she runs at Pukekohe on Saturday with handicap and weight-for-age avenues to consider.

The thoroughbred industry are looking to provide some immediate relief for those affected by Cyclone Gabrielle in the Hawke’s Bay region via a partnership between New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, Dunstan Horse Feeds and the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association. 

Group One performer Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride of Dubai) is unlikely to get his preferred footing at Pukekohe in Saturday’s Gr.2 AJC Avondale Guineas (2000m), but will start regardless with his future grand final in mind.

With Hawke’s Bay ravaged by Cyclone Gabrielle, the decision has been made to abandon Wairoa’s meeting at Hastings on Sunday with the AFFCO NZ LTD Wairoa Cup (1900m) transferred to New Plymouth Raceway’s meeting on Friday.

Sam Spratt is gearing up for what will be an exciting week abroad when she heads to Saudi Arabia next week to compete in the international jockeys’ challenge.

Increased opportunities for Polygon (NZ) (Highly Recommended) to add to her stakes record have encouraged her connections to lock in an autumn campaign in Australia.

Smart stayer Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed) will back up in consecutive weeks in his attempt to win the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie on March 11.

In a field that oozed quality from top to bottom with half of the twelve runners boasting wins at Group One level it was flying four-year-old Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) who proved best on the day when she took out the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.

Matamata trainer Darryn Weatherley was in Sydney on Sunday awaiting the impending arrival of stable star Pier (NZ) (Proisir) who will contest the Gr.2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Cambridge trainer Ben Foote was pondering a raft of options for his bonny mare Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard) on Sunday after yet another game performance with a familiar result.

Roger James and Robert Wellwood have one confirmed Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) contender and will take their time before deciding if they double their hand.

Veteran trainer Alby MacGregor got to savour a three-generational triumph when Times Ticking won at Riccarton on Saturday.

After a dazzling performance in winning Saturday’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa, connections of star four-year-old Imperatriz have decided to raise the bar.

Prowess (NZ) (Proisir), who started the hottest favourite of the day at Te Rapa on Saturday, justified her $1.20 quote when she gave her three-year-old counterparts a complete shellacking in the Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m).

Outstanding three-year-old Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) overcame a wide run in transit against a quality field of middle distance performers to capture the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa in a performance that had to be seen to be believed.

Rockland could be rewarded with a trip to Trentham should he bounce back to winning form at Riccarton on Saturday.

He’s A Doozy has proved to be a quality 1600m performer and Lisa Latta believes the timing is now ideal for him to make his mark over a middle distance.

Trainer Mark Walker is looking forward to Saturday’s bumper meeting at Te Rapa where he has strong chances in both Group One races – the BCD Group Sprint (1400m) and the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m).

Plans have been made for Asterix (NZ) (Tavistock) and Dragon Leap (Pierro) to cross the Tasman this year, but first the stablemates face ultra-competitive line-ups in their respective Group One engagements at Te Rapa.

The roll of honour for the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame is set to be enhanced by champion racemare Verry Elleegant, who will be on the list of 2023 inductees at the Hall of Fame Dinner in Hamilton on May 7.

Saturday’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa shapes as one of the races of the season as New Zealand’s weight-for-age stars go head-to-head.

Matamata trainer Graham Richardson recorded an elite-level scalp with his homebred Defibrillate in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m) on Boxing Day, and he is hoping he can get another at Te Rapa this week.

A long road of recovery will come to an end for Hyspec (NZ) (Proisir) when she lines-up in the Ascot Park Hotel Handicap (1200m) on Thursday.

Foxton horsewoman Chrissy Bambry doesn’t plan to die wondering this season with her exciting three-year-old Opawa Jack (NZ) (War Decree).

Mark Walker’s rip-roaring season produced another milestone victory at Taupo on Tuesday when the Te Akau head trainer unveiled a highly regarded juvenile to deliver on debut.

Specialty (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) returned to winning ways at Wingatui on Saturday with a dominant performance in the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) to revive future Group One hopes.

A cagey ride by Ryan Elliot and a never-say-die attitude from his mount Colorado Star (NZ) (Alamosa) saw the pair upset the applecart at odds of $32 as they combined for victory in the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m) at New Plymouth.

Mark Walker and the Te Akau Racing team brought up an inter-island stakes double in the space of 15 minutes as Perfect Scenario (NZ) (Iffraaj) took out the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge (1600m) at Wingatui hot on the heels of Family Ties (NZ) (Contributer) scoring in the Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth.

A textbook ride from in-form jockey Jasmine Fawcett aided eight-year-old mare Honesty (NZ) (Postponed) to land the prize in the Listed Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) at Wingatui on Saturday.

Smart stayer Aquacade (NZ) (Dundeel) put her rivals to the sword at Tauranga on Sunday, cruising to a six-and-a-half length win in the J.A. Russell Ltd 2100 on a Heavy 10 surface.

Promising three-year-old Sacred Satono will join the team of Kiwis planning a raid on the riches of the Sydney Autumn Carnival when he returns to racing after a recent break.

Race favourite Tulsi justified some inspired support when she made a successful debut at Tauherenikau on Monday.

Three-year-old gelding Humboldt (NZ) (Sacred Falls) made a winning debut at Tauranga when landing the Kiwi Truck Tyres Maiden 3YO (1400m) and looks to have a bright future over ground.

A piece of Michael McNab magic paved the way for underrated mare Belclare to take out the Listed Clubs NZ Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) on Monday.

Toowoomba trainers Tony and Maddysen Sears have made their presence felt at Karaka this week, securing six horses across the Book 1 and 2 Sales at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales.

Promising mare Mary Louise will have the biggest test of her career when she heads to New Plymouth Raceway on Saturday.

Ben Foote’s upcoming feature race prospects were given significant boosts on Friday at Te Rapa where his lightly tried three-year-old Loosespender and top sprinter Babylon Berlin delivered everything expected of them.

Speedy filly Ulanova (NZ) (Santos) gave her rivals a good old-fashioned beating as she led all the way to take out the Gr.3 Platinum Homes New Plymouth Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) in effortless fashion.

Cambridge trainer Paul Mirabelli will head south to New Plymouth with a more welcoming storm on Saturday.

A lucrative Plan B might come into play for stakes-winning filly Polygon (NZ) (Highly Recommended) with connections considering a trip to Australia for the in-form three-year-old.

A pair of Classic-bound contenders for Stephen Marsh will bid to add further momentum to their Group One campaigns at Te Rapa on Friday.

Mark Jones is hungry for further black-type success.