Racing
While breeze-up analysis and physical inspections will come closer to sale time, the recent release of the catalogue for the 2026 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka has given buyers plenty to think about as they begin to compile their shortlists. The 2026 edition of the Ready to
Australia
Metropolitan fancy Thebudgiesmugla (NZ) (Redwood) is unbeaten in five starts over 2400 metres and he will be out to make it six when he lines up in the Listed Drinkwise Cup (2400m) at Randwick. The six-year-old was one of the revelations of the off-season, winning three of
Racing
Following his heroics in last month’s Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton, Lord Spencer (NZ) (Zed) will return to the flat at New Plymouth on Saturday in the NZB Airfreight Road To Jericho (3210m). The JJ Rayner-trained gelding has been the standout jumper over winter, posting four successive
The emergence of unbeaten filly Proxima Dea (Tarzino) has added another chapter to a breeding venture that began with the racetrack deeds of outstanding mare Montefilia and has its sights set firmly on producing elite middle-distance horses. Proxima Dea, a daughter of Westbury Stud stallion Tarzino and Redoute’s
Yulong Investments will have a strong New Zealand flavour to its spring assault, with quality mares Well Written and Ohope Wins both poised for major assignments on either side of the Tasman. Unbeaten four-year-old Well Written (Written Tycoon) will put her perfect record on the line when she
Group One-winning trainer Bev Kelso passed away on Saturday, aged 80. She was one half of one of the most revered training partnerships in the country, alongside her husband Ken, with the Matamata couple having a strike-rate envied by many. Hailing from Bay of Plenty, Bev was a
It’s just over a week out from the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie, and trainer Stephen Marsh couldn’t be any happier with hot favourite Well Written (Written Tycoon). The unbeaten mare is set to kick-off her spring preparation in the $400,000 feature and had
Exciting four-year-old Mr Miller (NZ) (Alamanzor) will take another step towards a potential Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) tilt when he lines up at Rosehill on Saturday. The lightly-raced son of Almanzor will contest the Bankstown Sports Handicap (1500m), with Tommy Berry taking the ride as trainer
New Zealand-bred sprinter Fast Network (NZ) (Wrote) departed Hong Kong for Japan on Tuesday as the talented five-year-old prepares for a two-race campaign culminating in the Gr.1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) at Nakayama. The Dennis Yip-trained gelding will have his first start in Japan in
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It is often said that a picture paints a thousand words, and one in particular has been speaking volumes to Ruakaka trainer Michelle Bradley as she prepares She’s No Saint (Prague) for the Gr.3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. “I took a
Expat Australian jockey Matt Cartwright is living the dream in New Zealand as he gets set to partner two favourites on Proisir Plate Day at Ellerslie on Saturday. The Cambridge-based hoop will reunite with New Zealand’s darling of the turf, Well Written (Written Tycoon), in the Gr.1
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable has high hopes for Zambardo (NZ) (Belardo) but also concede the galloper needs to again rise to a new level. Entered for both the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup, Zambardo makes his return in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Sandown
Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young are hoping promising New Zealand-bred three-year-old Blind Raise (NZ) (Ace High) can lay the foundations for a Group One spring campaign when he resumes in Saturday’s Listed McKenzie Stakes (1300m) at Sandown. The son of Ace High created a strong impression
Chris Wood won the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4300m) as a jockey in 1980 aboard Le Roy (NZ) (Sovereign Ruler), and 46 years on he matched that feat as a trainer courtesy of Smug (NZ) (Complacent) in Thursday’s The Valley Toyota-sponsored feature. The nine-year-old son of Complacent
Amateur jockey Lucy Klee had a memorable day at Te Aroha on Thursday when recording her first win in the saddle aboard Because (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Jason Roberts BYL Livestock Amateur Riders 2200, and the aspiring apprentice is hoping it is the first of many. “It was a great
Fast Network (NZ) (Wrote) will begin his two-race campaign in Japan this Sunday when the six-year-old contests the G2 Centaur Stakes (1200m) at Hanshin, serving as his final lead-up race before the G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) on 27 September at Nakayama. After arriving in Japan on
Matamata trainers Peter and Jessica Brosnan scored the perfect result at Te Aroha on Thursday when they quinellaed the Vet Associates Equine Pakuranga Hunt Open Hurdle (3100m) with Squire (NZ) (Savile Row) and Jake (NZ) (War Decree). Squire, who finished runner-up in the race last year behind Hill Of
The booking of a champion rider combined with the inside gate and a smooth preparation has Shaune Ritchie confident that Tuxedo (NZ) (Tivaci) will be in the frame in Saturday’s Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie. The Cambridge trainer, who operates in partnership with Colm Murray, will have
Roger James and Robert Wellwood will launch the spring campaigns of a trio of quality gallopers at Ellerslie on Saturday, headed by Group One-winning mare She’s A Dealer (NZ) (Ace High) in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m). She’s A Dealer established her top-flight credentials last
Jumps trainers have had a frustrating run of postponements of their feature meetings this year, with the latest being Te Aroha’s Pakuranga Hunt meeting last Saturday, which was postponed to Thursday due to the heavy rain forecast for last weekend. One trainer that was pleased with the delay was
Apprentice jockey Cooper Stumbles will return home to ride at Wingatui on Friday, where family members are hoping they will be cheering home his first winner. The Waikato-based rider, who has 11 raceday rides under his belt, is one race shy of a full book of rides, with his
