Six years after being bought for just $8,500 from New Zealand Bloodstock’s South Island Sale, Live Drama (NZ) (Ghibellines) has retired with more than $330,000 in prize-money to her name and is being sold as a valuable broodmare proposition in the latest fortnightly auction on gavelhouse.com.

Promising stayer Trust In You (NZ) (Sweynesse) will have his second look at Ellerslie on Saturday before he returns to the Auckland track seven days later for the biggest test of his career, the Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m).

Prebbleton horsewoman Samantha Wynne will head south to Wingatui on Saturday where she will be trying to claim the lion’s share of the $200,000 prizemoney on offer in the ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m) with Turf War (NZ) (War Decree).

Guy Lowry has been enjoying watching the success of a few of his stable graduates across the Tasman of late, and he is hoping they are not done yet.

There were plenty of fireworks in the Karaka sales ring on Tuesday evening at the inaugural NZB Kiwi slot auction, with all nine lots up for grabs far exceeding their $450,000 reserve.

A memorable week for Wexford Stables has the potential to get even better at Ellerslie.

The emergence in Australia of the unbeaten three-year-old Immediacy has provided further impetus for breeders Cambridge Stud as they head into selling mode across the Tasman.

Lisa Latta celebrated a winning double at Otaki on Saturday, and the Awapuni trainer is hoping to continue that form at Hastings on Wednesday.

Harlow Rocks announced herself into the Oaks equation last-start behind Molly Bloom, and won’t have the star filly to contend with in Wednesday’s Gr.2 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings.

Tony Pike certainly knows how to win a Derby, but the Cambridge trainer is taking a philosophical approach into this year’s edition.

In-form filly Khanshe (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) is giving every indication she will continue to excel as she steps up in distance toward her grand final at Trentham.

It has been an anxious few months for the father-and-son training partnership of Ben and Ryan Foote with their star sprinter Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard).

Little Avondale will celebrate their 11^th year of sponsoring the Lowland Stakes at Hastings this week.

Expect to see promising stayer Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock) feature prominently in next season’s Cups, that’s the call from co-trainer Graham Richardson following her win in the Gavelhouse.com 2000 at Matamata on Saturday.

Katrina and Simon Alexander celebrated one of their most satisfying moments on a racetrack with La Crique’s (NZ) (Vadamos) triumphant turnaround in the Gr.1 Trackside Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) on Saturday.

Respected racing journalist and administrator Dave Bradford passed away peacefully in Auckland on Thursday, aged 91.

A patient ride by Jonathan Riddell was the key to a much improved performance from talented galloper Solidify (NZ) (Redwood) as he returned to winning form in the opening event at Otaki on Saturday, the Cavallo Farm Chris Rutten Bloodstock 3YO (1600m).

It was hard to think of a more fitting victory on Saturday than when Karman Line (NZ) (Myboycharlie) dashed home out wide to take out the Lisa Chittick Plate (1400m).

Up-and-coming stayer The Underbelly (NZ) (The Bold One) continued his rapid rise with a dominant front-running performance in Saturday’s New World Otaki New Zealand St Leger Trial (2300m) at Otaki, booking himself a ticket to a time-honoured feature at Trentham next month.

With Singapore Turf Club’s impending closure, there a more people exiting than entering the racing jurisdiction, but New Zealand-based jockey Darren Danis will be one of the few going against the tide.

Robbie Patterson is enjoying another stellar season and is firmly on target to eclipse the heroics of his stable in the 2022/23 term.

Trainer Andrew Forsman is looking forward to getting his Group One winner Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls) back to a mile at Otaki on Saturday in the Gr.1 Trackside Otaki-Maori WFA Classic.

The tangerine and blue silks of Te Akau Racing command respect at each Riccarton Park meeting, and the stable will present another strong team of runners across the 10-race card on Friday.

Miss Layla (NZ) (Burgundy) is already a black-type winner on her home track and the talented mare will be given the opportunity to double her tally next month.

There is plenty of hype surrounding the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) following her dominant debut win at Matamata earlier this month and she will return to her home track this weekend to try and secure black-type.

New Zealand syndicator Te Akau Racing are continuing to the climb in the Thoroughbred Racing Commentary Global Rankings, aided by the deeds if standout sprinter Imperatriz.

The countdown is well and truly on for New Zealand’s highly anticipated Slot Auction.

Waikato hoop Vinnie Colgan will trek down to Otaki on Saturday to partner exciting four-year-old Desert Lightning in the Gr.1 Trackside Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m), and he is hoping his charge can live up to his favourite’s tag.

This Saturday’s juvenile features at Matamata are set to paint a clearer picture for upcoming Group One targets, and Te Akau Racing co-trainer Sam Bergerson is hoping for good showings from his high-class trio.

Hall of Fame trainer Graeme Rogerson has bigger and better things in mind for all three of his runners at Otaki on Saturday, including a potential quick back-up into next weekend’s Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie.

Extra distance and a switch to weight-for-age for Saturday’s Gr.1 Trackside Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) are steps in the right direction for Ladies Man, but his trainer Allan Sharrock is looking a few weeks further down the road.

Roger James and Robert Wellwood already have the $1.40 favourite for the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m), and a trip to Otaki this weekend could earn them an even greater share of the spotlight during the upcoming Ellerslie carnival.

A fruitless summer saw Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) slip under the radar in this season’s two-year-old crop, but that all changed with a brilliant upset victory in Saturday’s Gr.3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m) on his home track.

Underrated mare Saint Alice (So You Think) added valuable winning black-type to her blossoming career record when she took out the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Equine Kaimai Stakes (2000m) in a blanket finish.

All roads now lead to the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) for Captured By Love (Written Tycoon), after the talented juvenile maintained her unbeaten status in the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors LTD Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).

Emerging talent Aberlour extended her winning sequence to three and completed a southern Guineas double with a tour de force in Saturday’s Listed ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1600m) at Ascot Park.

Talented performer Ears Back (NZ) (Jakkalberry) maintained her perfect record at Invercargill when she produced a game effort to take out the Cruickshank Pryde Southland Stakes (1400m).

Local trainer Lisa Vaughan added to her proud record in a hometown feature when lightweight runner Lochnaberry (NZ) (Jakkalberry) scored a runaway victory in Saturday’s $60,000 Baillie & Lewis Pharmacy Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m).

Ellerslie’s new StrathAyr track has certainly got the tick of approval from Daniel Nakhle and Barneswood Farm’s Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer, with their silks to the fore once more at the Auckland venue on Saturday.

Talented stayer Asterix returned to the scene of his greatest triumph when he stormed home to take out the Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie.

An emerging star of New Zealand’s staying ranks has returned from a short summer break and will shoot for a pair of Group Two prizes at Ellerslie over the coming weeks.

Now 10 years old and with 90 starts under his belt across seven seasons of racing, the remarkable Pep Torque is showing no signs of slowing down.

Bill Thurlow has enjoyed some of his greatest successes at Ellerslie and will return to the Auckland track on Saturday with a promising filly on the rise in No Rain Ever.

The tireless efforts of co-trainer and part-owner Hollie Wynyard were rewarded at New Plymouth on Friday when comeback galloper Titled took out the Landmark City of New Plymouth Cup (1800m).

The Pam Gerard and Mike Moroney stable have been enjoying considerable success of late including with class three-year-old Pendragon, however, it was his stablemate of the same age in Pericles who stole the limelight on Saturday with an eye-catching victory in the Listed SKYCITY Horizon Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie.

Three weeks after announcing her arrival among the season’s elite three-year-olds in breathtaking style on Karaka Millions night, Orchestral treated Ellerslie to an encore in Saturday’s Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas (2100m).

Roger James and Robert Wellwood are still in awe of what Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) produced when winning last month’s $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie, and the Cambridge trainers are looking forward to stepping her out once more at the Auckland venue on Saturday.

Ascend The Throne (NZ) (Savabeel) scored his first stakes scalp when triumphant in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa earlier this month, and the Savabeel gelding will look to double his Guineas haul when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday.

A line has been ruled through an Australian autumn campaign for Crocetti (NZ), with the son of Zacinto heading to the spelling paddock after a standout three-year-old term.

Taranaki trainer Robbie Patterson is looking forward to heading north to Ellerslie with Mary Lousie (NZ) (The Bold One) and Nom De Plume (NZ) (El Roca) this weekend after they pleased in their 1200m trial at Foxton on Tuesday.

Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are following a familiar path back to their homeland with the New Zealand-bred Interlinked (NZ) (Savabeel) in the hope of completing unfinished Classic business.

Newly-crowned Group One winner Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) will continue her campaign in New Zealand after the mare’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) triumph last Saturday.

Shaune Ritchie is bullish about kicking off a new association on a top note at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The wine was flowing for Peter and Dawn Williams and owner Daniel Nakhle following Ellerslie’s TAB Karka Millions meeting last month, and they are hoping their run of luck continues at the Auckland track this weekend.

Riverton trainer Kelvin Tyler will head to Ascot Park with a number of strong chances on Saturday, headlined by promising filly Aberlour (NZ) (Mongolian Falcon), who will attempt to score back-to-back Guineas wins.

Polo and thoroughbreds have been the two biggest passions in Kit Brooks’ life, and this week he will combine the two when he competes in the NZ Polo Open in Clevedon, Auckland.

Wexford Stables will be looking to continue their golden run when they head to Taupo on Wednesday.

John Blackadder is intent on gaining some black-type for his mare Ears Back (NZ) (Jakkalberry) and will trek down to Ascot Park this weekend to ready her for her next stakes assignment.

Long-standing New Plymouth thoroughbred identity John Wheeler will don an extra hat at his local meeting this week to mark a memorable milestone.

It was a day of doubles for Ballymore Stables and owner Sir Peter Vela, of Pencarrow Stud, at Tauranga on Sunday, with the pair combining to score in the Pure Lighting Maiden (1200m) with debutant Naxos.

Exciting sprinter Master Fay is set to test his talents across the Tasman, with the six-year-old gelding booked to fly to Melbourne next week to chase elite-level targets.

Tony Pike’s classy pair of Harlow Rocks and Vera Rose put their hands up for loftier targets after playing the bridesmaid role at Te Rapa on Saturday.

While the headliners of Te Akau Racing were chasing black-type honours at Te Rapa on Saturday, four of the first six victors at Riccarton Park donned the tangerine silks.

Progressive intermediate galloper Kingfisher (NZ) (Savabeel) bounced back to winning form with an impressive victory in Rating75 company over 1200m at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Promising southern galloper Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) set himself up for a potentially lucrative payday on his home track at Riccarton in April when bolting home in the TAB Southern Alps Golden Ticket (1400m) qualifier at the venue on Saturday.

It was a magical ten minutes for broodmare Geordie Girl on Saturday as two of her progeny won feature races in succession.

If Saturday’s Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) at Te Rapa was the final New Zealand appearance for Molly Bloom (NZ) (Ace High), the Group One-winning filly farewelled her homeland on a high.

One of the unluckiest horses in the top echelon of New Zealand racing in recent times, Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) turned things around with a supreme front-running performance in Saturday’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa.

Matamata trainers Ken and Bev Kelso have long believed Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) had the potential to excel over 2000m, and their stable star proved them right on Saturday with a sparkling performance in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa.

Promising galloper Wallen produced one of the standout performances on Legends Day at Te Rapa, claiming the inaugural Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) in sensational fashion.

Nine-race winner Eptimum will make his first start in close to a year when he lines up in Saturday’s $50,000 C S Stevens Memorial Banks Peninsula Cup (1100m) at Riccarton.

Te Akau Racing has landed at least one of Legends Day’s major prizes in each of the last five editions of the showpiece Te Rapa meeting, and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson have assembled another formidable contingent for Saturday’s 2024 version.

The brand-new $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) has received an enthusiastic endorsement from Matamata trainer Glenn Old, who will saddle a pair of promising four-year-olds in the inaugural running of the race at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Molly Bloom has had the measure of Mary Shan in two of their three meetings to date, and the latter’s trainer Andrew Forsman is hoping the step-up to 2000m in Saturday’s Gr.2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic at Te Rapa will help even the ledger between the pair.

European import Skyman will be aiming to record his first New Zealand win when he heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m).

Progressive stayer The Underbelly commenced what could be a highly successful weekend for Robbie Patterson and underrated sire The Bold One.

After being nothing short of spectacular in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe on New Year’s Day, emerging sprinter Waitak will hunt a Group One double in Saturday’s BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.

Habana turned in an uncharacteristically below-par effort at his most recent outing and Lance Noble is understandably prepared to give the five-year-old the benefit of the doubt and move on.

A trip to Melbourne last year not only gave Ken and Bev Kelso their biggest moment in racing, courtesy of Legarto’s (NZ) (Proisir) victory in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m), but also a filly that could prove to be just as exciting.

Kingsclere Stables couldn’t have won last year’s Gr.2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) more convincingly with Prowess (NZ) (Prowess), and have a chance to go back-to-back on Saturday with Sudbina (NZ) (Almanzor).

Eight-year-old gelding Ace Royale (NZ) (Per Incanto) is set to make his raceday return following a three-year absence when he heads to Wanganui on Friday to contest the Liquorland Wanganui R86 1200.

Well-known Australian owner Ozzie Kheir has had plenty of success buying thoroughbreds out of New Zealand, and now he is looking to boost his investment across the Tasman.

A tilt at Group company is now on the cards for Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor) following her convincing maiden win in the Wexford Stables (1600m) at Matamata on Wednesday.

Champion jockey Per-Anders Graberg is hoping to make an impression in New Zealand to add to the list of countries he has successfully ridden in.

Darryn and Briar Weatherley have been well-represented in stakes events this season and that trend will continue at Te Rapa on Saturday with a trio of feature race contenders.

Wexford Stables have enjoyed a myriad of success in the three-year-old age group ranks this season but will turn to an exciting juvenile prospect in Zelezniak (Hellbent) on Wednesday in pursuit of home-track success.

Robert Dennis is enjoying being back training in the deep south and is excited about the prospects of his growing stable.

Fans of the New Zealand thoroughbred will get a special treat at Te Rapa this Saturday when the Waikato Racing Club host their aptly named Legends Raceday.

Local Opaki mare Ruby Rocks (NZ) (Burgundy) put her best foot forward as she dominated the closing stages when taking out the TAB Bonus Back Wairarapa Cup (2050m) at Tauherenikau on Tuesday.

A stunning display of resilience and courage in the heat of battle was on display at Tauherenikau on Tuesday as progressive mare Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock) claimed the Listed Clubs NZ @ The Races Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) in a torrid three-way tussle.

Sugah Sweet has been acquitting herself well, despite having little luck in strong company this preparation, and she looks well-placed to turn her fortunes around at Tauherenikau on Tuesday.

Windsor Park Stud’s ‘Rugby, Racing and Beer’ South Island Sale has proven to be a fruitful initiative for the Cambridge thoroughbred nursery over the last couple of years, which was further enhanced over the weekend when sales graduate Collect Your Cash took out the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui.

Kelly Coe could be set for another crack at elite-level if she performs well in the Listed Clubs NZ @ The Races Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Tauherenikau on Tuesday.

Leading jockey Warren Kennedy had a tough decision to make heading into Saturday’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa, with the option of riding either Waitak or Crocetti, with the expat South African ultimately choosing the latter.

Two years after Kilowatt claimed the Listed Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m), Shockallia emulated that performance in carrying the same green and white silks to victory on Saturday at Wingatui.

Local apprentice jockey Ciel Butler had an unforgettable day in the saddle at New Plymouth on Saturday, riding a winning double that included her first victory at black-type level.

The retirement of stable star Live Drama has left some large shoes to fill in Lance Robinson’s stable, though there could be a new mare on the rise in Adannaya.

With a powerful burst from the back of the field, Collect Your Cash delivered an unforgettable result for local horseman Shankar Muniandy in Saturday’s Listed Dunedin City Motors Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui.

The sensational summer form of Robbie Patterson’s New Plymouth stable kept on rolling on Saturday with his first win in the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m) on his home track.

Lightly raced filly Khanshe displayed her staying credentials ahead of a potential tilt at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham next month when she captured the Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth.

Despite clearly not enjoying the testing underfoot conditions on offer at New Plymouth, exciting juvenile filly Captured by Love showed plenty of courage to retain her unbeaten record when taking out the Gr.3 Platinum Homes New Plymouth Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m).

Consistent performer Perfect Scenario made it back-to-back victories in the feature event at Wingatui on Saturday when he captured his second Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m) title.

Trainer Chad Ormsby has long earmarked Lord Weyburn as his Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) prospect this season, but whether he will continue down that path all hinges on his performance at New Plymouth on Saturday.

A pair of last-start winners loom as leading chances for Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong in Saturday’s Listed Dunedin City Motors Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui – a race the Riccarton trainers have won twice in the last six years.

A week after teaming up for a million-dollar triumph at Ellerslie, trainers Peter and Dawn Williams and owners Barneswood Farm are searching for more feature spoils this weekend.

Alby MacGregor is hopeful his well-travelled gelding Times Ticking can wind back the clock in Saturday’s Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) at Wingatui.

New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock has given a glowing report on the condition of Group One winner Ladies Man as he prepares to resume on his home track this weekend.

Ascend The Throne (NZ) (Savabeel) struck during his black-type debut on Wednesday winning the Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa.

The Anderton family will bid to add to their impressive tally of victories in Saturday’s Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight-For-Age (1600m) with stakes winner Burgie (NZ) (Ghibellines) at Wingatui on Saturday.

Te Akau will have at least one leading contender in Saturday’s feature race at New Plymouth, with the weather to decide if they strengthen their hand.

Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole is hoping Chicago Jack (All Too Hard) can make the perfect start to his racing career when he contests the Gr.3 Platinum Homes New Plymouth Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m) at New Plymouth on Saturday.

Cambridge trainer Sam Mynott has sent her mare Verismo (NZ) (Puccini) south in a bid to capture some black-type at Wingatui this weekend.

Trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson are pleased they have a live chance in the inaugural $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) at Te Rapa on Saturday-week following Chaource’s (NZ) (Reliable Man) win at the Hamilton track on Wednesday.