Well-respected racing industry identity Regan Donnison has been appointed General Manager of the Matamata Racing Club.

Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston will look to extend his lead in the South Island Trainer’s Premiership when he heads to Wingatui on Sunday.

TAB bookmakers are expecting Jo Rathbone to have a good day at Hastings on Saturday.

Ruakaka trainer Chris Gibbs admits Saturday’s Northbeam Stronger Stuff 2100 at Ruakaka isn’t an ideal fit for his talented galloper Chevron, but said the race is a means to an end.

The New Zealand thoroughbred industry is mourning the loss of one of its great characters with the passing of Stuart Hale on Friday, aged 74.

Te Akau has long been a dominant force in New Zealand flat racing with a vast list of achievements and at Hastings on Saturday they will bid to break new ground.

Treaty of Paris (NZ) (Tavistock) cleared maiden ranks in style at Cambridge on Wednesday when dominating his opposition in the Magnum Industries 2000.

Steven Cole is hoping to seal a place in the ITM/GIB Winter Championship Finals next month when he heads to Ruakaka on Saturday.

There will be no winter blues for veteran trainer Jim Wallace this year, who will shortly return from a well-deserved break overseas.

Leading South Island trainer Andrew Carston continued his stellar run on his local polytrack surface when recording a winning treble at Riccarton on Thursday.

A home track opportunity too good to pass up will present the capable mare One Dream One Soul (NZ) (Ekraar) with an ideal chance to end her campaign in perfect fashion.

Hastings trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal are hoping for a case of déjà vu when they head to their local feature jumping meeting this Saturday.

Top Brass (NZ) (Epaulette) is set to make his return to racing at Ruakaka on Saturday after more than a year away from the track.

It was a rewarding day for Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray at Cambridge on Wednesday, with the local training partnership heading home with a winning double.

Trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley are hoping third time’s a charm with Tru Planet (NZ) (Dalghar) when she heads to Cambridge on Wednesday.

Darryn Weatherley is eyeing an Australian spring raid with a couple of his stable’s leading lights, including Group One winner Pier (NZ) (Pier).

Riccarton’s all-weather track has provided Megalomaniac (NZ) (Pure Champion) with a lifeline he has grasped with all four hooves.

Stakes placed mares Jodelin Gal (NZ) (Swiss Ace) and Miss Cartier (NZ) (El Roca) will have points to prove when they go head-to-head in the open sprint at Ruakaka on Saturday.

Donovan Cooper may have only been in New Zealand for a little over six months, but it’s already become home for the expat South African.

Time has been called on the racing career of Group One winner On The Rocks.

Awapuni jumps jockey and trainer Shaun Fannin enjoyed a successful outing in the saddle at Woodville on Sunday, a hot run of form he hopes can continue heading into the AHD Hawke’s Bay Hunt Raceday at Hastings this Saturday.

A change in venue proved fruitful for Cleese (NZ) (Sweet Orange) on Saturday, with the local galloper taking out the Seeka Kiwifruit Cup (2000m) at Cambridge.

Having ridden bareback on the East Coast since he was a child, Ngakau Hailey has always felt at home on the back of a horse, and he is enjoying turning that passion into a career.

Five races, five favourites – that’s the scenario for Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman ahead of their hometrack meeting on Saturday. Now the task is finding five winners.

Promising staying prospect Arctic Glow showed she is a mare with a big future ahead of her when she took out the first event on the card at Riccarton on Saturday.

A superb front-running ride by Warren Kennedy paved the way for progressive three-year-old Caledonie to secure her third career victory, when she took out the Kiwi Bus Builders 3YO (1300m) at Cambridge on Saturday. 

Topweight Zelenski made light of his 58kg impost when he led all the way to take out the feature race at Riccarton on Saturday, the Greenwood Amberley Cup (1600m).

Hastings trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal head to Woodville this Sunday with a fresh team of jumpers, looking to replicate the feats of The Cossack and Nedwin who claimed each of the prestige jumping events at Te Rapa last Saturday.

David Greene will be heading into unknown territory with his capable staying mare Finest Wine on Saturday.

Wanganui is becoming a happy hunting ground for the progeny of U S Navy Flag, with the The Oaks Stud stallion siring another two-year-old winner at the venue on Friday.

Diomedes (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) ended his season on a winning note at Pukekohe on Wednesday, capping what has been a fruitful preparation.

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai have extended their sponsorship of the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) for a further three years.

Group One performer Riodini (NZ) (Proisir) has returned home to New Zealand and will rejoin former trainer Nigel Tiley’s Pukekohe stable in the new season.

The Ashes test series will be all consuming for England coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes over the next month, but the looming debut of a racehorse in New Zealand may give them some reprieve.

Gavin Opie inched closer to reaching his career-best season’s tally when recording a winning double at Pukekohe on Wednesday.

Samantha Logan always knew Saltcoats (NZ) (Ardrossan) would be in her care for just a short time, so she made sure to enjoy every moment.

Stakes performer Redmond (NZ) (Ghibellines) will add further firepower to Andrew Forsman’s Macedon Lodge team this week, but whether he will arrive in time to race at Caulfield on Saturday is still up in the air.

Quality filly Wessex (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) will again take on older opposition on Saturday in a bid to add to her black-type record and she is in prime order for youth to again triumph over experience.

Last start Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) winner Poser (NZ) (Ocean Park) continued on her winning path on Saturday, when she proved too tough in testing conditions to score narrowly but well at Te Rapa. 

The powerful combination of trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal and rider Aaron Kuru swept all before them at Te Rapa on Saturday as they took out the two premier jumping events with The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) and Nedwin (NZ) (Niagara).

Local trainer Lisa Latta was to the fore on her home track at Awapuni on Saturday with a winning treble that included capturing one of the feature races on the card, the King Of Comedy @ Novara Park North Island Challenge Stakes (1400m) with Belardo Boy (NZ) (Belardo).

Cambridge mare Enchanted Elle (NZ) (Jakkalberry) has seen a fair stretch of the North Island over the last week, but that proved no concern at Awapuni on Saturday when she powered away to a decisive win in the New World Churton Park Parliamentary Handicap (2200m).

Trainer Bill Thurlow is excited about the future with promising jumper Whiskey Tango (NZ) (Proisir) following his dominant victory in the Taumaranui Racing Club @ Te Rapa 29/7 Steeples (3900m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

A son of Westbury Stud stallion Tarzino named after a former international footballer kicked another winning goal at Awapuni on Saturday.

Wordsworth continued his love affair with Te Rapa on Saturday when notching his seventh win at the Hamilton track in the Race A Horse With Te Akau Mile (1600m).

Te Aroha conditioner Peter Lock is hoping his success in the Central Districts on Saturday will continue when his team heads north to Pukekohe Park this week.

Stakes targets now await Cambridge sprinter Johny Johny following his dominant victory at Te Rapa last Saturday.

A Cambridge-based family training partnership will have its first runners in the 2023/24 season.

Promising juvenile Charmer (NZ) (Charm Spirit) is expected to give another bold account of herself when she runs at Pukekohe Park on Wednesday.

Riccarton trainers Kevin and Annette Hinton will head south to Oamaru on Thursday in search of better footing for their promising galloper Robbie Burns (NZ) (Wrote).

Awapuni wasn’t originally on All In All’s itinerary, but trainer Jade Zuppicich will be heading there on Saturday with confidence in the well-related stayer.

Expat Kiwi Aaron Kuru will once again return to his homeland this weekend to bolster the jumps jockey ranks at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Te Akau’s Mark Walker extended his unassailable lead in New Zealand Trainers’ Premiership when scoring a double at Awapuni’s synthetic meeting on Friday.

A strong Kiwi connection will be at play this Saturday at Flemington when New Zealand-bred three-year-old Artzino pairs with star apprentice Wiremu Pinn in the Sir Henry Bolte Handicap (2000m).

Another bold run from Johny Johny at Te Rapa this weekend will give Cambridge trainers Tim and Margaret Carter assurance that they can press on towards the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) with confidence.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has announced a $20.3 million stakes increase for the 2023-24 racing season.

Local filly Orgullo (Pride of Dubai) continued her strong polytrack form at Cambridge on Wednesday when taking out the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden 2YO (1300m).

Ken Kelso is a bit overwhelmed by the number of options ahead of his Group One winner Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) this spring, but one thing is assured, she’s returning to Australia.

Kelly Coe (NZ) (Proisir) has already gained some valuable black-type this term, but trainer Ashley Meadows is hoping to capture an elusive stakes win with his mare before season’s end.

Leading jumps rider Shaun Fannin is enjoying another top season in the saddle and is also making his mark as a trainer from his Awapuni base.

The race for the South Island Trainers’ Premiership is starting to heat up.

Abu Dhabi (NZ) (Haradasun) will be back doing what he does best when he steps out at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy have called time on their outstanding money-spinner Justacanta (NZ) (Per Incanto).

Local trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman are hoping they can put some breathing room between themselves and Andrew Carston in the race to the South Island Trainers’ Premiership when they head to Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday.

New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock will escape New Zealand’s winter chill for a couple of weeks as he heads to North America for a well-deserved break, and he is looking forward to welcoming back some of his stable stars on his return.

Hawera trainer Anna Clement is having a season to remember.

New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock will escape New Zealand’s winter chill for a couple of weeks as he heads to North America for a well-deserved break, and he is looking forward to welcoming back some of his stable stars on his return.

Abu Dhabi (NZ) (Haradasun) will be back doing what he does best when he steps out at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Consistent campaigner Paisley Park rewarded trainer Graham Richardson’s decision to head north to Ruakaka on Saturday with victory in the Marsden Metals Bream Bay Sprint (1400m).

Rick Wells added plenty of local flavour to Ruakaka’s meeting on Saturday, with the Northland trainer scoring success in the Mathias Currie Insurance (1200m) with Patricia.

Millefiori (NZ) (Iffraaj) will get the chance to add some valuable black-type to her record following her victory in the Cartown 1100 at Awapuni on Saturday.

Zelenski (NZ) (Shocking) added another Cup to his owner’s mantle when he took out the Dunstan Horsefeeds Waimate Cup (1600m) at Phar Lap Raceway on Sunday.

Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson left Phar Lap Raceway a happy man on Sunday following Adannaya’s win in the Dianne Goodeve Open (1200m).

Promising mare Watch Out kept her unbeaten record intact at Phar Lap Raceway on Sunday, continuing Karen and John Parsons’ 100 percent success rate with the four-year-old’s family.

Stakes targets a looming on the horizon for Stallone following his win at Awapuni on Saturday.

Classy three-year-old Devastate returned to winning form at Ruakaka on Saturday when taking out the One Tree Point 3YO (1400m) for trainer Andrew Forsman.

Fabian Hawk’s star continued to rise at Awapuni on Saturday when he comfortably took out the Manawatu ITM Frame & Truss 2100.

Timaru trainer Leonard Stewart has his sights set on a third straight Dunstan Feeds Waimate Cup (1600m) on his home track on Sunday.

Graeme Rogerson is confident of a bold showing from Solidify (NZ) (Redwood) at Eagle Farm on Saturday and he’s also looking forward to the longer-term benefits from the Queensland venture.

Following the approval of the TAB NZ Entain strategic partnering arrangement by Minister for Racing Kieran McAnulty, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing intends to announce its planned initiatives and stakes funding for the 2023-24 racing season to the wider industry on Thursday 15 June.

Trainer Kurtis Pertab is hoping to keep his winning momentum going when he heads to Ruakaka on Saturday.

An opportunity to race on a better surface has convinced Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall to head north on a rare excursion to Ruakaka this weekend.

New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock is looking forward to stepping out a trio of regally-bred debutants at his home meeting on Thursday.

It has been a season to remember for young trainer Kurtis Pertab, but he hasn’t finished winning just yet.

Former Hong Kong galloper Not Ideal (NZ) (Nicconi) will make a return to New Zealand racing when he heads to Ruakaka on Saturday to contest the Marsden Metals Group Bream Bay Sprint (1400m).

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s 2023 Thoroughbred Welfare Forum took place at Cambridge Stud last week, an event well attended by different racing industry sectors, government representatives, partnering organisations, researchers and the wider equine community at large.

Allan Sharrock will take full advantage of apprentice jockey Jim Chung’s four-kilogram claim at Awapuni on Saturday.

Te Akau Racing will establish an operation in Victoria.

Trainers Kenny Rae and Krystal Williams will have a sizeable presence at their home meeting at Ruakaka on Saturday with their team headed by Group One performer Mischief Managed (NZ) (Derryn).

New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock is looking forward to stepping out a trio of regally-bred debutants at his home meeting on Thursday.

It has been a season to remember for young trainer Kurtis Pertab, but he hasn’t finished winning just yet.

Cambridge trainer Lauren Brennan didn’t know what to expect from her promising hurdler English Gambler at Hastings on Monday, but she needn’t have worried.

Local trainer Paul Nelson was pleasantly surprised to welcome back The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) a victor following The TLJ Handicap (2200m) at Hastings on Monday.

Wewillrock (NZ) (El Roca) will be given an opportunity to add to his stakes record when the four-year-old steps out at Randwick on Saturday.

Promising jumper Shackeltons Edge (NZ) (Thano) made a pleasing return to racing at Hastings on Monday following a two-year hiatus.

The Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) has entered calculations for Hit The Road Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) following his win in the ITM/GIB Championship Open Handicap (1600m) at Avondale on Saturday.

By Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

South Auckland apprentice jockey Kendra Bakker is still on cloud nine after recording her first win at Avondale on Saturday.

The Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton in August is now firmly in the sights of Sea Shepherd (NZ) (Zacinto) following his win at Wingatui on Sunday.

Opie Bosson’s decorated riding career has been further acknowledged in the 2023 King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours list.

You won’t find a more unique pairing in racing than Brian Marriott and Bellissimo.

Former jumps jockey Reece Cole has enjoyed his transition into a career as a trainer and celebrated his first win in that role at Avondale last Saturday.

Southern galloper Sea Shepherd (NZ) (Zacinto) will take one step closer to his major Winter target when he heads to Wingatui on Sunday to contest The Mosgiel Tavern (1400m).

Tenacious filly Chantilly Lace (NZ) (US Navy Flag) will be chasing further black type honours when she signs off for the season at Wanganui on Saturday.

Leading Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker is hoping to get one up over his old mates from Cambridge.

It was a popular win at Wanganui on Saturday when Chantilly Lace (NZ) (US Navy Flag) demolished her rivals in the Listed John Turkington Forestry LTD Castletown Stakes (1200m).

Taranaki galloper Justaskme(NZ) (No Excuse Needed) continued his purple patch of form at Wanganui on Saturday when taking out the Listed AGC Training Stakes WFA (1600m).

At the beginning of the 2022-23 racing season, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing announced a proposed amendment to the Rules of Racing, around the naming of horses before being allowed to trial or presented for barrier certification.

New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson has once again elected to escape the winter chill of his homeland in favour of the warmer climes of Queensland.

Southern galloper Sea Shepherd (NZ) (Zacinto) will take one step closer to his major Winter target when he heads to Wingatui on Sunday to contest The Mosgiel Tavern (1400m).

Tenacious filly Chantilly Lace (NZ) (US Navy Flag) will be chasing further black type honours when she signs off for the season at Wanganui on Saturday.

Deserving of victory, three-year-old filly Angels Wings (Heroic Valour) took out the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Maiden Fillies & Mares (1300m) at Cambridge of Wednesday for trainer Mark Walker.

Stephen Marsh has spread his young troops far and wide this weekend with two-year-old representation at Flemington and at both domestic venues.

Last-start Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) winner She’s A Con is on her way to Australia following the sale of a majority share to clients of Grahame Begg’s Victorian stable.

When Ross Lao first laid eyes on Sakura Girl (NZ) (Iffraaj) at Karaka two years ago, just two words entered his mind – Oaks filly.

Group Three performer Secret Amour will be hunting an elusive stakes victory when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday.

Carbonados, the warm favourite for Saturday’s Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui has been scratched due to his sale to Australia.