Stephen Autridge is in the enviable position of having a pair of well-performed three-year-olds in his stable and, if all goes to plan, they will give him a strong hand in the autumn fillies’ feature at Trentham.

Trainer Terry Kennedy is hoping the addition of some headgear will help sharpen his promising three-year-old Hakadecree (NZ) (War Decree) for Saturday’s Listed Dunedin City Motors Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui.

It has been a momentous week for Barneswood Farm’s Sarah Green, which kicked off on Saturday with a memorable double at Ellerslie.

The New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing administration ranks will receive an injection of youth and enthusiasm in April with the addition of Brad Taylor to the RACE team.

Renegade Rebel (NZ) (El Roca) will make the second middle distance appearance of his burgeoning career on Wednesday in his final lead-up to the country’s Blue Riband age group staying feature.

After reaching the 99 mark on Wednesday at Matamata, Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson were swift in recording their 100^th domestic winner for the 2023/24 season early at Riccarton’s Saturday meeting.

Terri Rae had plenty to celebrate on her home track of Riccarton Park on Saturday, recording a winning treble capped off by the ever-improving Sir Albert (NZ) (Savabeel).

A staggering jump in turnover has propelled the TAB Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie on Saturday to new heights, with $9.5 million wagered on the meeting – the most on any New Zealand meeting spanning back to at least 1998.
 

The good times are rolling for Roger James and Robert Wellwood and further feature race success beckons the duo at Te Rapa on Wednesday.

Progressive Awapuni mare La Bella Grande (NZ) (Per Incanto) will make the journey north to Te Rapa on Wednesday with a potentially lucrative goal in mind.

Feature races in Australia are on the agenda for star two-year-old Velocious (Written Tycoon) following her brilliant win in Saturday’s Karaka Million 2YO Classic.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has today revealed the initial New Zealand races that will allow the country’s fastest juveniles to compete for their share of an additional $1 million in bonuses associated with the country’s first Thoroughbred slot race, The NZB Kiwi.

On the eve of the blockbuster Karaka Millions twilight race meeting and the Karaka 2024 National Yearling Sales, an exciting three-year-old sourced from the New Zealand Bloodstock sale ring made a bold black-type statement on the other side of the Tasman.

Live Drama will be looking to get her summer preparation back on track at Riccarton on Saturday.

Peter and Dawn Williams will take on the Karaka Millions meeting’s two hottest favourites with their pair of runners at Ellerslie’s eagerly anticipated twilight blockbuster on Saturday.

Te Akau Racing have a rich history in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), having won the last seven editions of the race, and Sam Bergerson is hoping to extend their run in his first year at the helm of New Zealand’s leading stable, alongside co-trainer Mark Walker.

Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott will saddle more than a quarter of the field in Saturday’s $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie, with Group One-winning filly Molly Bloom a headline act among their talented quartet.

Diminutive gelding Tokyo Tycoon (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) will be vying for back-to-back Karaka Millions titles when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m).

While Te Akau prepares a four-pronged attack for the upcoming TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) on Saturday, another promising juvenile out of the Matamata stable impressed in his maiden victory on Wednesday.

Proven stayer Mahrajaan (Kitten’s Joy) will open his quest for another major distance title when he returns to action at Trentham on Saturday.

Trainers Ken and Bev Kelso couldn’t be happier with heir glamour mare Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) ahead of Saturday’s inaugural running of the $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m).

A return to a proven buying formula may once again deliver the ultimate reward for Albert Bosma’s Go Racing syndication company.

It will be a sentimental sale for Wentwood Grange at Karaka this year, with brothers Sean, Leigh, and Dean offering the final foal out of the mare that kicked everything off for the trio.

Favoured fillies Velocious (Written Tycoon) and Bellatrix Star (Star Witness) have strengthened their status as headline acts for Saturday’s $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) after drawing neighbouring midfield gates for the 17th running of the lucrative juvenile feature.

There is plenty of excitement surrounding Saturday’s TAB Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie, and standout three-year-old Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) is expected to kick the night off with a bang when he lines-up in the opening race of the six-race card, the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m).

Leading New Zealand trainer Lance O’Sullivan is oozing confidence with Karaka Millions 3YO favourite Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High).

Graeme Rogerson doesn’t need go too far back in the archive to know Mark Zahra is a big-race rider.

Leading Sydney hoop James McDonald has been ticking up the air miles of late and will add some more to his tally when he heads home to New Zealand this weekend to ride at the TAB Karaka Millions race meeting at Ellerslie.

Excitement is mounting at Windsor Park Stud, not only for the imminent fall of the hammer to open New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka, but also for the future of the breeding and racing industries.

Mongolian Falcon recorded his first stakes win as a sire last Saturday and it couldn’t have come at a better time for Vicki Wilson, who stands the son of Fastnet Rock at her Hawke’s Bay property.

Group One winner La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) will make her return to racing this Saturday on New Zealand racing’s biggest stage, the TAB Karaka Millions twilight meeting.

Timaru trainer Stephanie Faulkner will head north to Riccarton on Saturday where she will line-up a quartet of runners on the nine-race card.

Melbourne Cup-winning hoop Mark Zahra will make his New Zealand riding debut when joining a starry line-up of Australian jockeys attending the TAB Karaka Millions meeting on Saturday at Ellerslie.

Local star Humbucker (NZ) (Iffraaj) provided a poignant result on Saturday with a successful defence of his title in the $50,000 MLT Gore Cup (2000m).

Ben Foote never doubted the ability of The Odyssey (NZ) (Zacinto), and his faith in the gelding was rewarded when he claimed the inaugural running of the $350,000 The Oaks Stud Remutaka Classic (2100m).

If there were two runners in Wexford Stables deserved of a maiden victory, Smokeshow and Tempest have certainly put their hands up through their recent performances.

The future of New Zealand racing is set to ignite next summer, with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), TAB New Zealand and Entain combining forces to launch the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race – ‘The NZB Kiwi’. Sponsored by New Zealand Bloodstock (NZB), the inaugural Thoroughbred slot race will headline a major revamp of the New Zealand summer racing calendar next year.

An $8,000 purchase in 2003 has continued to pay dividends for Gareth Downey over two decades later, when the filly’s son won the inaugural $350,000 The Oaks Stud Remutaka Classic (2100m) at Trentham last Saturday.

Westbury Stud has an enviable feature race roll of honour with graduates of the farm excelling to the highest level over a wide range of distances.

Chasing $2.5 million in stakes doesn’t happen every Saturday on the New Zealand calendar, and Graham Richardson is embracing having two runners chasing the major spoils on TAB Karaka Millions Night at Ellerslie.

Trainer Robbie Patterson has had his New Plymouth stable firing on all cylinders of late but even he couldn’t believe he would pick up the two feature events at Trentham on Saturday.

It was a timely win by Sudbina (NZ) (Almanzor) in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham last Saturday, with co-breeder and part-owner Haunui Farm gearing up for a busy week ahead of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales at Karaka, which kick-off on Sunday.

Taranaki couple Carole and John Lynskey are enjoying some time down in Queenstown this week toasting the success of their Group One winner Puntura (NZ) (Vespa) following his victory in the Thorndon Mile at Trentham last Saturday.

David Benjamin, a noted marketing innovator in the thoroughbred breeding industry, passed away on Friday.

Annabelle Johnson had a day to remember at Pukekohe Park on Sunday, saddling two impressive winners from as many starters.

Stakes targets await Pericles (NZ) (Rubick) after he recorded his second win from his last three starts in the Join The BGP KM Punters Club Via TAB.co.nz 1400 at Pukekohe on Sunday.

Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) confirmed today, Monday 22 January, that the TAB Karaka Millions on Saturday 27 January is officially sold out.

Roger James and Robert Wellwood turned their Wellington Cup Carnival fortunes around with an impressive victory by Sudbina (NZ) (Almanzor) in the Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday.

A first-time winner at Group Three and Group Two level in his previous two starts, Puntura (NZ) (Vespa) took his career-best campaign to even greater heights in Saturday’s Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham.

Te Akau Racing continue to make their presence felt in Australia since opening a Cranbourne stable in the spring and four-year-old mare Sans Doute (Not A Single Doubt) made it back-to-back wins at Flemington when a game winner of the Black Caviar Lightning Race Day, 17 February (1100m). 

Promising filly Aberlour (NZ) (Mongolian Falcon) added plenty of value to a future breeding career when she won a tooth and nail battle against the heavily supported Hakadecree (NZ) (War Decree) to capture the Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas (1335m).

Trainer Robbie Patterson has had his New Plymouth stable firing on all cylinders of late but even he couldn’t believe he would pick up the two feature events at Trentham on Saturday.

Waisake has had his share of ups and downs in the Gr.3 NZ Campus of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m), but the Taranaki nine-year-old is set to step out as favourite for the 2024 edition of the famous two-miler at Trentham on Saturday.

Fashion Icon will be looking to turn the tables on Sudbina when the pair meet in the Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday.

Proven black-type performer Illicit Dreams has bounced back from a failed Group One mission over 1600m and brings last-start winning form into Saturday’s Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas (1335m).

The team at Waikato Stud is gearing up for an exciting few weeks, both on the racetrack and in the sale ring.

While all eyes were on Molly Bloom on Boxing Day at Pukekohe, stablemate Grail Seeker put on a performance worthy of near-favouritism in Saturday’s Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham.

Howie Mathews dared to dream of competing in this year’s $300,000 Gr.3 NZCIS Wellington Cup (3200m) with Weneedashock, and while that plan didn’t come to fruition, the talented gelding has ended up qualifying for a race on the undercard worth $50,000 more in prizemoney.

Becoming a trainer was never in the plan for Kelly Van Dyk, but on Wednesday she found herself welcoming back her first winner at Te Rapa.

Nervous anticipation has been in the air in Ebony Turner’s barn this week as the Riverton horsewoman gets set to line-up her first stakes runner at Gore this weekend.

Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson believe Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer) has turned into the perfect package ahead of the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday.

Well-performed four-year-old Holymanz (NZ) (Almanzor) has arrived at part-owner Cambridge Stud’s training facility at Karaka to continue his build-up toward a potentially lucrative hit-and-run mission.

Buoyed by a satisfying midweek success, Stephen Marsh will be hoping to add to his tally on Saturday with a four-strong team engaged at Trentham, including a pair of strong Group One chances.

Canheroc (NZ) (El Roca) will be seeking to add another trophy to trainer Chris Wood’s mantle when he heads to Trentham on Saturday.

Group Three winner Burn To Shine (NZ) (So You Think) made a pleasing return to the trials at Tauranga on Tuesday when taking out his 950m heat under a hold, beating Group Two performer Wessex (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) by a nose.

No Compromise (NZ) (Pins) was a two-time winner from a handful of starts for Bill Thurlow before successfully continuing his career in Australia and now looks primed to star in his second stint for the Waverley trainer.

Rangiora trainer Kenny Moore is looking for a fairytale ending with his evergreen galloper Bluey’s Chance when he heads to Trentham on Saturday.

Puntura (NZ) (Vespa) and One Bold Cat (NZ) (The Bold One) have played a starring role in Robbie Patterson’s successful season and the talented pair will cross paths for the first time this preparation in Saturday’s Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham.

Andrew Forsman is hopeful a drop back in distance will produce the best of Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls) when the talented galloper contests the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday.

After more than a decade training in partnership with Danny Champion, Kezia Murphy has enjoyed spreading her wings over the last month and tackling training under her own account.

The New Zealand racing industry is chomping at the bit to get to Ellerslie next week for the biggest show in town over Auckland Anniversary Weekend, and Levin trainer Josh Shaw is looking forward to being a part of the action.

Emerging three-year-old Renegade Rebel (NZ) (El Roca) stepped up from a last-start maiden win and scored a determined front-running victory in Sunday’s Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie.

Trainers Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley will head to the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie in a fortnight with a bit more confidence with their juvenile So Naive following his win in the Stella Artois 1200 at the Auckland track on Sunday.

Reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart got his preparation back on track at Ellerslie on Sunday when running third behind glamour mare Legarto in the Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic Preview (1400m).

Perfect Scenario is set to return to Wingatui next month to try and retain his crown in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight-For-Age (1600m) following his win at the Dunedin track on Saturday.

Ellerslie has been a happy hunting ground for Andrew Forsman is years past, and the Cambridge trainer was thrilled to find success swiftly during the track’s reopening meeting on Sunday.

Topweight Capo Dell Impero (NZ) (Ghibellines) made light work of his 60kg impost when he gave his rivals weight and a beating in the feature race at Wingatui, the WAE Waikouaiti Cup (2200m).

Amber Sims considers her consistent stayer Coruba Jak (NZ) (Jakkalberry) as a part of the family, and a trip across the Tasman could be on the cards after the gelding’s hard-fought victory at Tauranga on Friday.

The highly-anticipated reopening of Ellerslie was celebrated in style on Sunday, with Merchant Queen (Merchant Navy) writing her name into the history books as the first to salute in a new era for the iconic venue.

Two Group Ones at Trentham and the eagerly anticipated reopening of Ellerslie provided plenty of potential highlights across a blockbuster weekend of racing, but top-class mare Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) towered above all other talking points with a commanding performance in Sunday’s Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic Preview (1400m).

Victory in the Listed IRT Wellesley Stakes (1100m) is becoming a force of habit for Michael McNab as the northern hoop claimed a third-straight win in the two-year-old feature at Trentham with impressive filly Archaic Smile (Saxon Warrior).

Cambridge trainer Tony Pike made a flying start to racing at Trentham on Saturday when he produced the winners of the first two stakes races on a day featuring five black type events.

Popular Opaki trainer Alby MacGregor was full of emotion as he welcomed his stable favourite Times Ticking (NZ) (Tavistock) back to the winners’ enclosure after a thrilling victory in the Gr.3 Mode Technology Trentham Stakes (2100m).

Sam Spratt teamed up with arguably New Zealand’s most improved racehorse to land a boilover victory in Saturday’s Gr.1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham – her third time triumphing in a meeting that once came close to claiming her life.

Te Akau Racing’s dominance of the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (1600m) continued at Trentham on Saturday with Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) clinging on in an unforgettable finish.

Wingatui local Capo Dell Impero will be vying for more Cups success when he heads to his home track on Saturday to contest the WAE Waikouaiti Cup (2200m).

Matamata trainer Graham Richardson has previously had much better luck in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) than the Gr.1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m), but he is hoping to flip that script with Bonny Lass at Trentham on Saturday.

A bumper contingent of 29 entries this weekend for Te Akau Racing includes three-pronged attacks on a pair of races that hold special recent memories for the syndication juggernaut.

Chris Bothwell has got his hands on the final golden ticket for the $350,000 Remutaka Classic (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday-week, and the Stratford trainer couldn’t be more excited.

It’s been a long road back to the racetrack for six-year-old gelding Master Fay (Deep Field), but he made a winning return at Tauranga on Friday when taking out the Ray White Pukehina 1200 for owner-trainer Chad Ormsby.

Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock) may be the form horse in Saturday’s Gr.3 Dixon & Dunlop Anniversary Handicap (1600m) at Trentham, but the mare’s stablemate Sindacato (NZ) (Per Incanto) may pose as her biggest challenge.

Event rider Monica Spencer has always been a big fan of Thoroughbreds due to their speed, stamina and willingness which makes them great sport horse prospects.

With the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) in their sights, Te Akau Racing were thrilled to see a classy staying performance by Ascend The Throne (NZ) (Savabeel) to break maidens at Matamata on Wednesday.

Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor) is due to go one better and claim a black-type title and the gifted filly is heavily favoured to rise to the challenge in Saturday’s Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham.

Attending a New Zealand stud tour could turn into a lucrative payday for Queensland trainers Maddysen and Tony Sears.

Danny Frye will have an eye on each of the islands on Saturday, with the Balcairn trainer set to be represented at both Trentham and Wingatui.

Group One-winning sprinter Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) is continuing a proud and successful association between veteran breeder and owner Colin Devine and the O’Sullivan family.

In-form short course performer Mercurial (NZ) (Burgundy) has been given the green light for another crack at a major prize on Saturday.

Matamata trainer Wayne Hillis is looking forward to heading to his home track on Wednesday where he will be represented by a pair of runners in the Waikato Stud 1200.

The ever-consistent Celtic Echo (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) will attempt to gain a spot in the coveted $350,000 Remutaka Classic (1600m) at Trentham later this month when she heads to Wanganui on Thursday.

Follow Your Dreams (NZ) (Contributer) has been absent from the winner’s circle for the last 12 months, but he broke that drought, almost to the day, when victorious in the Ken Gray Memorial Reefton Cup (1400m) on Tuesday.

Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott will on Saturday bid to complete a premier sprinting double with Dragon Leap (Pierro) expected to be ideally suited at Trentham in his quest for top-flight honours in the Gr.1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph (1200m).

Russian Fable (NZ) (Zacinto) was set to head to the spelling paddock following her last start fifth placing at Greymouth, but trainer Nayton Mitchell was pleased he made the decision to have one final roll of the dice with his mare.

Cambridge Stud are getting excited about autumn racing with their star Australian-based fillies Joliestar and Zourion after they returned to work this week.

Diane Andersen spent the best part of two decades away from training, but she is loving being back.

Michael and Matthew Pitman will be represented by a big team of runners at Tuesday’s Reefton meeting and the prospect of a drying track will be welcomed by their feature race contender.

Wiremu Pinn will be a welcome addition to the New Zealand jockey ranks, with the talented hoop returning to his homeland after a stint riding in Melbourne.

Impendabelle came ever so close to picking up a maiden Group One crown at Riccarton last November, and Tony Pike is hoping the filly can go one better in Saturday’s Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Levin Classic (1600m).

Leading Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman played a starring role on one of the South Island’s most famous racedays at Kumara on Saturday.

A day after his connections took a leap of faith with a late nomination for the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m), emerging stayer Canheroc (NZ) (El Roca) rewarded their confidence with a powerful lead-up performance in the Listed Marton Jockey Club Marton Cup (2200m) at Hastings on Saturday.

Impressive three-year-old debutant Testwin (NZ) (Time Test) justified some solid support when he took out the opening event on the card at Hastings on Saturday.

The father and daughter training partnership of Ken Rae and Krystal Williams will take a two-pronged attack into the main race at Reefton on Tuesday, the Ken Gray Memorial Reefton Cup (1400m).

Champion Sydney jockey James McDonald is set to return to his homeland to ride at the revamped TAB Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie on January 27.

The Dunstan Stayers’ Championship Final (2400m) has become renowned as a strong form reference for feature staying races every season, and trainer Chris Wood is hoping that trend continues when Canheroc contests the Listed Marton Jockey Club Marton Cup (2200m) at Hastings on Saturday.

Robbie Patterson’s stable has been firing on all cylinders since Boxing Day, including a four-win haul at Otaki on Thursday, and now the New Plymouth trainer has Saturday’s iconic Kumara Gold Nuggets meeting in his sights.

There will be plenty of local interest at the Hastings meeting on Saturday, with Candle looking to prove she is a black-type mare in the making in the Complete Flooring HB Handicap (1200m).

A classy front-running ride from Tegan Newman provided Steven Cole with a special victory at Ruakaka on Friday with Per La Vita.

The lightly raced Blissfull Lady boasts the pedigree of a quality stayer, and she stepped up in distance on Friday and produced a performance worthy of those bloodlines in the Trigg Construction Northland Cup (2200m) at Ruakaka.

Well-related filly Sudbina (NZ) (Almanzor) took advantage of a step-out of stakes company at Hastings on Saturday, taking an eye-catching victory in the CACI Hawke’s Bay 3YO (1400m).

Regal Dice (NZ) (Zed) capped a dream first week of 2024 for trainer Robbie Patterson with her victory in the iconic $40,000 Vernon & Vazey Truck Parts Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m) on Saturday.

James Chapman’s luck with his well-credentialled broodmare Savaria (NZ) (Savabeel) has taken a turn for the better with the prospect of another healthy return on his investment later this month.

Our Absolute (NZ) (Niagara) scored a popular win at Te Aroha on Wednesday when taking out the Pencarrow Stud 1100.

A daring ride by Lee Callaway on Kahma Suitsya (NZ) (Tavistock) in the Recreation Hotel Greymouth Cup (2000m) well and truly paid off on Wednesday, with the mare scoring a comfortable victory in the Omoto feature.

Exciting four-year-old Adam I Am (NZ) (Almanzor) was just toying with his rivals in the closing stages of the Coastwood Homes Lockwood Thames Cup (1600m), with his dominance far exceeding his half-length winning margin.

Exciting filly Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) was on song at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day when downing a quality line-up in the Barfoot & Thompson 1600, including last start vanquisher Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin).

Stakes targets could be in the offing for promising filly Grande Gallo (NZ) (Belardo) following her eye-catching win in the Eagle Technology 1500 at Pukekohe on Monday.

Well performed former Sydney galloper Skyman (Mukhadram) stepped out for his first New Zealand outing at Tauranga on Tuesday with new trainer Stephen Marsh and his owners, the Go Racing Elton Syndicate, keen for him to display the same competitive spirit that he showcased during his numerous Australian campaigns.

Trainer John Blackadder is hopeful the long trek to Omoto racecourse from his Rangiora base will pay a winning dividend when he lines-up consistent mare Kahma Suitsya (NZ) (Tavistock) in the feature event there on Wednesday, the Recreation Hotel Greymouth Cup (2000m).

Promising four-year-old Adam I Am (NZ) (Almanzor) has some lofty goals ahead of him for the rest of the summer but his immediate goal is the feature event at Te Aroha on Wednesday, the Coastwood Homes Lockwood Thames Cup (1600m).

Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) may not be the only New Zealand mare set to sizzle at Flemington this autumn with last year’s Australian Guineas winner Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) being aimed for a return to the track for the Gr.1 Australian Cup.

Consistent filly Bellatrix Star (Star Witness) showed she will be a force to be reckoned with in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) later his month as she took out the first black-type event for the new year, the Gr.2 SKYCITY Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Pukekohe on Monday.

It was a fitting win in the inaugural Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m), formerly known as the Royal Stakes, at Pukekohe on Monday, with the Cambridge Stud-bred and owned About Time (American Pharoah) taking out the fillies feature named after the farm’s founder.

Ex-pat Kiwi jockey Jason Collett well and truly paid for a flying visit home from his Sydney base when he guided promising stayer Trust In You (NZ) (Sweynesse) to a gritty victory in the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) on New Year’s Day.

Former champion jockey Lance O’Sullivan captured five Gr.1 Railway (1200m) successes in the saddle and on Monday he finally got his hands on the silverware as a trainer, courtesy of Waitak’s (NZ) (Proisir) explosive victory in the Sistema-sponsored feature.

Warren Kennedy has stamped an indelible mark on New Zealand racing with the ex-pat South African jockey dominating proceedings at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day with seven wins, including four of the five feature events on the card.