Shaun and Emma Clotworthy are hoping the addition of headgear may enable Quirky Habits (NZ) (Belardo) to avenge a last start defeat when he runs in Saturday’s Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).

Stakes winner Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancover) will kick-off her preparation toward the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November when she heads to Riccarton on Saturday to contest the NZ Cup Meeting Tickets On Sale Now Three-Year-Old (1000m).

Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson is upbeat about his stable’s chances at their two local meetings this week.

Te Akau Racing’s star mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) touched down in Australia on Tuesday morning ahead of her spring preparation.

Itza Charmdeel (NZ) (Charm Spirit) will bid to complete a hat-trick of wins and a brace at stakes level when he returns to the Central Districts on Saturday.

My Degree (NZ) (War Decree) will be looking to graduate from maiden ranks when she heads to Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday to tackle the CJC Stallion Tender Open Now Maiden (1400m).

Howie Mathews is heading to Wanganui on Saturday full of confidence with his sole representative, Free Spirit (NZ) (Charm Spirit).

San Simeon displayed shades of his talented stablemate Johny Johny when producing a dominant front-running maiden victory in the Saddlery Warehouse 1300 at Cambridge on Wednesday.

Clinton Isdale was delighted to see the form of his talented sprinter Is That So (NZ) (Sufficient) stack up nicely over the weekend and hopes to see the best of the seven-year-old on Saturday at Wanganui.

Elsdon Park have pledged their support to the TAB Karaka Million night, with the Matamata farm announced as the inaugural sponsor of the newly established $1 million open 4YO race.

Pearl Of Alsace (NZ) (Tavistock) stamped herself as one of the country’s most progressive mares last season and she is thriving ahead of her reappearance.

Cambridge trainer Janenne Dalley is looking forward to heading to her local synthetic meeting on Wednesday where Imprevu (NZ) (Wrote) will resume in the Horse Transport Services 1300.

The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) reminded racegoers just what a class jumper he is when he strode away from his rivals carrying the topweight of 71.5kgs to capture the CLC Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4800m) at Te Rapa.

Graeme Rogerson can’t wait to tackle spring racing with his star galloper Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) following his pleasing exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Cambridge trainer Lauren Brennan is contemplating a tilt at next month’s Peter Kelly – Bayleys Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) with English Gambler (Casino Prince) following his win at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Bringing up milestones is nothing new to Jim Collett, but scoring his 100^th training win at Matamata on Sunday proved more sentimental than most.

It was a case of déjà vu with Good Oil (NZ) (Dalghar) at Te Rapa on Saturday, with the five-year-old gelding taking out the Super Seth Mile (1600m) for the second consecutive year.

Allan Sharrock is setting his sights on bigger things with promising filly Crickets Chirping following her maiden win at Awapuni on Saturday.

Sam Spratt was both delighted and relieved to post a winning double at Matamata on Sunday to reach a notable personal milestone.

Lupo Solitario made the perfect start to his career when taking out the Banquo 3YO 1200 at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Te Akau apprentice Niranjan Parmar didn’t have to travel far to celebrate his winning treble on Sunday, scoring a hat-trick in successive races at the Matamata stable’s home track.

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) today announced a partnership with Elsdon Park, with the New Zealand stud signing on to sponsor the newly created $1m open 4YO race to take place on TAB Karaka Millions night.
 

Punters got it spot on in the feature event at Te Rapa on Saturday, as favourite Dragon Leap defeated second elect Skew Wiff in a thrilling finish to the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m).

Trainer Stephen Ralph is banking on Tahuroa Height’s (NZ) (Zed) fondness for Te Rapa to see him in the thick of the jumping action on Saturday.

Tavi Mac’s little sister is poised to confirm her place as best racehorse of the family.

Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh goes into Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa quietly confident he can spring a surprise with his runners El Vencedor and Jodelin Gal.

Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott are hoping an improved track and an impressive first-up victory will see their classy galloper Dragon Leap (Pierro) add the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (100m) to his record on Saturday at Te Rapa.

Te Akau made their presence known in the south on Thursday, with the Matamata operation’s southern-based horses claiming a hat-trick on the seven-race card at Riccarton Park Synthetic.

Promising filly Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) continued her winning ways at Taupo on Wednesday when taking out the Taupo Pak N Save Fillies (1100m).

Matamata horseman Kurtis Pertab will head to Te Rapa on Saturday with just the one runner, but he is quietly confident one is enough to bring home a winning cheque.

Roger Allen couldn’t believe his luck when he saw the fields for Awapuni on Saturday.

Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston continued his winning ways on Riccarton’s synthetic track on Thursday when recording a winning treble.

A healthy dose of realism is keeping Darryn Weatherley’s feet firmly on the ground as far as spring plans for stable star Pier (NZ) (Proisir) are concerned.

Top Expat-Kiwi jumps jockey Aaron Kuru will be clocking some miles in the air this weekend aiming to take Trans-Tasman feature jumps victories, first when he returns to New Zealand shores to partner with Nedwin (NZ) (Niagara) and The Cossack (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Jumps jockey Sam Mynott was rapt to score her first win aboard Mondorani (NZ) (Burgundy) in the KT Myers Racing Stables Steeplechase (3500m) at Arawa Park on Tuesday, but it wasn’t without drama.

Group One winner La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) showed a change in home has done nothing to hinder her spring preparation when she put in an eye-catching runner-up performance in her 1100m heat at the Taupo trials on Wednesday.

Imperatriz’s (I Am Invincible) impending trip across the Tasman is full of optimism following her pleasing hit-out at the Taupo trials on Wednesday.

The competitive nature of Bonny Lass was showcased at Taupo where the gifted short course performer was a runaway trial winner on Wednesday.

Stakes-winning filly Loch Katrine (NZ) (Ardrossan) will kick-off the new season for a new stable when she heads to Taupo on Wednesday.

Leading apprentice jockey Kelsey Hannan is heading across the Tasman this week to test the waters in Australia, where she will be on loan to Murray Bridge trainer Michael Hickmott.

Discovery Bay (No Nay Never) achieved targets set for him by trainer Bruce Harvey last season and will take his first step toward higher honours this term when he resumes at Taupo on Wednesday.

Jakama Krystal (NZ) (Jakkalberry) put on a jumping clinic at Arawa Park on Tuesday when comfortably taking out the Team Wealleans Hurdle (3000m).

Underrated mare Shelbyrock’n (NZ) (Rock ‘N’ Pop) carried the colours of her home province to an upset victory in the main event at New Plymouth on Saturday, the ITM New Plymouth Interprovincial (1600m).

Ken Rae has introduced another promising three-year-old to the winner’s circle, with Bezique (NZ) (Ace High) breaking his maiden in style against the older horses in the Harcourts Bream Bay and Waipu (1200m) on Saturday at Ruakaka.

New Zealand Bloodstock is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Sham as the latest addition to the international agents representing the premier New Zealand auction house and its brands around the world. 

Sarah Fahy was delighted to record her first winner as a trainer at Ruakaka on Saturday, when Let Fly (NZ) (Raise The Flag) produced a determined victory in the Harcourts Supporting North Haven Hospice (1600m).

Guy Lowry is hoping fitness will be on Wewillrock’s side when he heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m).

Sam Collett will brave New Zealand’s winter for a fortnight to catch up with family and friends and will be available for rides this weekend.

Cambridge trainer Ken Harrison is dreaming of bigger things with Husk and King Khan following their quinella in the PSP 2000 at New Plymouth on Saturday.

Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal are making the most of Rotorua’s meeting postponement to prepare for Te Rapa on Saturday where they will have several of their talented team featuring in the iconic Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4800m).

Last start Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m) winner White Noise (NZ) (El Roca) made an emphatic start to his latest campaign with a comfortable victory at Ruakaka.

Trainer Tina Egan was hard at work on raceday at New Plymouth on Saturday but was looking forward to getting home and celebrating the win of her stable star Chajaba (NZ) (Keano), who showed plenty of determination to take out the open 1200m event on the card.

Exciting three-year-old Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) displayed his classic credentials once again with another front-running demolition of his rivals to take out the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka on Saturday.

Moet Down can count on a sizeable support crew when the Stephen Marsh-prepared filly makes her seasonal debut at Ruakaka this Saturday.

There will be a distinct Hong Kong flavour to Caitlin McKee’s training debut this weekend.

Brian Crow spent a decade away from training, but he is now having the time of his life with the horse who brought him back to the game he loves.

Two-Year-Old of the Year nominee Trobriand (Kermadec) will begin his three-year-old season this Saturday at Ruakaka when the starry colt contests the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).

A change of tactics with Seajetz (NZ) (Iffraaj) has enabled the six-year-old to turn his recent form around and emerge as a leading contender for the big prize on offer at New Plymouth on Saturday.

Trainers Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley are hoping a big spring is in-store for their Group Three winner Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin).

A lucrative payoff awaits connections of Belardo filly Vita Amorosa (NZ) if the Chris Gibbs-trained three-year-old can cause a major upset in Saturday’s Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.

Brontes Gold (NZ) (Zacinto) continued his great association with Cambridge’s synthetic track on Wednesday when winning the Saddlery Warehouse 2000.

Ryan Foote will have a leading hope in his quest for a first winner in partnership with his father Ben, with polytrack specialist Jimmy Dean (NZ) (Tivaci) lining up at Cambridge on Wednesday.

A trip to the New Zealand Cup carnival may be on the cards for Group winner Val Di Zoldo (NZ) (War Decree).

Wairarapa galloper Times Ticking (NZ) (Tavistock) showed he is on target for the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival following his pleasing hit-out at Awapuni’s synthetic trials on Tuesday.

The breeding career of Handsome Ransom mare Hostage (NZ) could be resurrected following the deeds of her son Chajaba (NZ) (Keano).

Top-flight targets await the talented Soldier Boy (NZ) (Proisir) if, as expected, he produces a bold showing at New Plymouth on Saturday.

Former northern galloper Notabadpony (NZ) (Mulaazem) is well and truly living up to his name according to trainer John Blackadder.

A trip across the Tasman could be on the cards for Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto), with the Lisa Latta-trained mare set to chase a A$1 million bonus on offer if successful in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 4.

Exciting three-year-old Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) will put his unbeaten record on the line when he returns to Ruakaka this weekend to tackle the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).

Stonybreck (NZ) (Tavistock) continued his dominant run of form on the country’s synthetic tracks on Wednesday, when securing a comfortable victory in the Richard Bright Memorial Cup 1550 at Cambridge.

The racing community is mourning the death on Saturday morning of Lorraine Anderton, the matriarch of one of New Zealand’s most celebrated racing families.

Kiwi mare Polly Grey is returning home, but this time it is for good.

Kenny Rae had hoped to have multiple representation in Saturday’s three-year-old feature on his home track at Ruakaka but the stable is now down to a sole contender.

Turn The Ace extended a glittering run of form on the heavy conditions at Te Rapa on Saturday, producing a fifth career victory for trainer Andrew Forsman.

The 2023-24 season is off to a perfect start for new Highview stallion Divine Prophet, whose daughter See You In Heaven scored a dominant win in Saturday’s Gr.3 Behemoth Stakes (1200m) in Adelaide.

Diamond Jak (NZ) (Jakkalberry) continued his purple patch of form at Te Rapa on Saturday when taking out the Dunstan Horsefeeds 2100.

Wanganui hurdler Lord Spencer (NZ) (Zed) was rewarded for his consistency at Riccarton on Saturday when breaking through for his maiden hurdle victory in the Speight’s Summit Ultra On Tap 0-1 Win Hurdles (3100m).

Malcolm Hill rolled the dice when lining up Guessing Game (NZ) (Derryn) at Awapuni’s synthetic meeting on Friday and it proved a fruitful decision for the Wanganui trainer.

Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson were pleased with what they saw from their quartet of exhibition gallopers at Te Rapa on Saturday.

The track may not be entirely to Jodelin Gal’s liking on Saturday, but the talented mare will take her place at Te Rapa with a view to a return in a fortnight’s time for a stakes assignment.

JJ Rayner has often been the bridesmaid on her ventures to Riccarton Park for National week and hopes consistent jumper Lord Spencer can break her runner-up streak this Saturday.

Adding to the list of further boosts Entain and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing have made to New Zealand’s racing industry in recent months is the delivery of enhanced Pearl Series bonuses for fillies and mares. 

The Thoroughbreds in Equestrian Sport programme (TiES) will receive a significant boost for the 2023/24 season with over $76,000 on offer to eligible competitors across two Series.

Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan provided the highlight of the final day of the Riccarton Grand National meeting as he produced a winning double in the feature jumps events with stablemates West Coast and Berry The Cash.

Prince Alby improved from a game effort in last weekend’s Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton to charge home out wide and win the major flat event at the venue on Saturday, the Heatstore Open Handicap (1800m).

A change of stable environment seems to have worked the oracle for talented mare Jodelin Gal as she made her way back into the winners’ enclosure at Te Rapa on Saturday when successful in the Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate Day 26 August (1200m).

Riccarton Park has been a happy hunting ground for the I See Red Syndicate and the large contingent hope to add to their Grand National Hurdle-winning record with talented hurdler Suliman (NZ) (Redwood) this Saturday.

Cliff Goss will head to Te Rapa on Saturday full of confidence that he can pull off another jackpot result with his gifted mare Casino Princess (NZ) (Casino Prince).

Trainer Steven Woodsford may not have got the result he wanted with Louie Louie (NZ) (Zacinto) in the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) last weekend, but he is hoping for a consolation prize when he returns to Riccarton with the gelding on Saturday.

Matamata mare Anela (NZ) (El Roca) will be trying to book her passage to Hastings next month when she heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Fairview Motors 1400.

Former stakes-winning apprentice jockey Ashley Frye will be back in the saddle at Riccarton on Wednesday, but this time in the amateur ranks.

Dawn Parade (Dawn Approach) has often left trainer Tony Pike scratching his head, but his last two performances have been more in line with the talent he possesses.

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike is going through a rebuilding phase at present and is excited about the prospects of a number of youngsters in his barn.

Bruce Sarginson has always held ambitions of becoming a trainer and at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday he recorded his first win in that role.

Howie Mathews is hoping he can come up roses at Awapuni on Friday when he takes three runners to the Palmerston North synthetic meeting.

Oaks heroine Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) has returned a bigger and stronger animal in the eyes of trainer Jim Wallace and he is looking forward to tackling some big spring assignments with the now four-year-old.

Promising mare Watch Out (NZ) (Highly Recommended) will face the sternest test of her brief career when she steps out in Rating 80 company at Riccarton on Wednesday.

Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan has quickly turned his attention to next weekend’s Grand National meeting following West Coast’s (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) disappointing third placing in the Koral Steeplechase (4250m) at Riccarton on Saturday.

Matamata mare Cork is on her way home after a pleasing hit-and-run mission on Saturday’s Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton where she finished runner-up to Belardo Boy.

Sarah Hurrell took out her trainer’s license to continue Half Of Nothing’s racing career, and the grey mare rewarded her efforts when recording her first training win at Hawera on Sunday.

Local trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman made a pleasing start to the Grand National Festival of Racing on Saturday with Makabar taking out the Winter Fashions Here 12 August Open Handicap (1200m).

Michelle Bradley picked up where she left off from last season when scoring a winning double at Ruakaka on Saturday.

Taranaki mare The Dutch Dame (NZ) (Redwood) broke through for a deserved maiden victory at Hawera on Sunday when taking out the Racing Again Sunday Sept 3^rd (2100m).

A fortunate encounter at Karaka led Chris Gibbs the way of Warsaw, who is proving himself to be a sound investment.

Wexford Stables have locked in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) as Dragon Leap’s next major target following his convincing win at Ruakaka on Saturday.

Exciting galloper Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) put his name to the forefront for the upcoming three-year-old features with a convincing return to racing at Ruakaka.

Outstanding hurdler Happy Star (NZ) (Fabulous) showed he was at peak fitness to defend his Hospitality NZ Grand National Hurdles (4200m) crown next weekend when he cruised away to win the traditional lead-up event at Riccarton on Saturday, the Avon City Ford Sydenham Hurdles (3100m).

Awapuni visitor Belardo Boy (NZ) (Belardo) claimed the first stakes race of the new racing season when he came with a determined late run to capture the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton.

Secret Amour (NZ) (Niagara) will be vying to shed her perennial bridesmaid tag in what could potentially be her last raceday outing in the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 126^th Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday.

Exciting jumper West Coast has arrived at the scene of his biggest victory and he will attempt to replicate his feats from last year.

Local trainer Michelle Bradley celebrated a winning double at Ruakaka last month with Bosch and Sulabella and they promise to be strong chances again on their home track on Saturday.

Former Hong Kong galloper Not Ideal will once again return to the winterless north this weekend to try and extend his blossoming home record.

It’s only natural for yearling managers to have their favourites when preparing for the sales, but it’s rare they get to call them their own.

Nicole Shailer has put in the long hours and hard yards over her career as a Stablehand and Foreman with New Zealand’s leading stable Te Akau Racing and was duly rewarded with not only the title of NZTR’s 2021/22 Stablehand of the Year, but also recently appointed as Te Akau’s assistant trainer.

Champion jockey Opie Bosson’s post-race summation of Dragon Leap’s (Pierro) resuming run at Ruakaka on Saturday will influence the direction of the seven-year-old’s spring campaign.

It will take a modern weight-carrying record for Justaskme (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) to win Saturday’s Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 126th Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton but trainer Allan Sharrock reckons he can.

Judge Dick Hunt’s voice has been a staple at Central Districts race meetings for the best part of half a century, but at Otaki on Saturday he signed off for the last time.

New Zealand Bloodstock has announced the running of NZB’s Ready to Run Sale Trainers Series will continue this season, with incentivised prize packages awarded to trainers across a series of domestic race sponsorships.

Group One winner Pier (NZ) (Proisir) made a pleasing return at the Te Rapa trials on Tuesday, comfortably winning his star-studded 900m heat on the Heavy9 surface.

Top-class mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) will be given another trial outing before she heads to Melbourne to spearhead Te Akau Racing’s new stable at Cranbourne.

Last season’s standout three-year-old filly Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) pleased trainers Ken and Bev Kelso with her first public hit-out this preparation at Te Rapa on Tuesday.

Sam Bergerson made a winning start to his training career at Cambridge on Wednesday when Cote de Beaune took out the Kingsclere Stables 970.

Local trainer Michael Wallace is looking forward to heading to Cambridge’s Synthetic meeting on Wednesday where he will be represented by With You (NZ) (Rageese) in the Pryde’s Easifeed 1300.

While kicking off Sharp ‘N’ Smart’s (NZ) (Redwood) spring campaign in the 29^th heat on a Heavy9 track wasn’t ideal, Graeme Rogerson was pleased with what he saw from his Group One winner at the Te Rapa trials on Tuesday.

Dual top-flight winner Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) took her first steps toward another trip across the Tasman when she enjoyed a quiet trial at Te Rapa on Tuesday.