Du Plessis returns to old stomping ground

Queensland-based jockey Mark du Plessis has answered the call of Cambridge trainer Chad Orsmby and will return to New Zealand this weekend to ride at Te Rapa. “I am very excited to come back,” du Plessis said. “It was a last-minute thing. Chad rang me and asked if

Thurlow hoping for change of Guineas luck

Bill Thurlow will be chasing an upswing in his Classic fortunes at Riccarton where in-form fillies Francie Rules (Wild Ruler) and Park In The Bar (NZ) (Ardrossan) face the sternest test of their brief careers in Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). While the Waverley trainer

Warmonger set for long-awaited Flemington return

A long-awaited return from a tendon injury awaits Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree) in Thursday’s A$200,000 Listed Channel 9 Chester Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, with connections focused on his performance rather than a winning result. The six-year-old gelding won the 2024 Queensland Derby by

King Pedro backed for Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Strong support has followed King Pedro (NZ) (Eminent) into Saturday’s A$300,000 Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington, where he can make amends after missing the Melbourne Cup field. The five-year-old gelding has finished fourth in both starts since an untimely illness disrupted his

Linebacker ready for Five Diamonds distance test

A first attempt beyond a mile awaits Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) in Saturday’s A$2 million Gr.3 Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill, with co-trainer John O’Shea quietly optimistic about his stamina. The five-year-old has progressed from a resuming fourth in the Bill Ritchie Handicap

Smiley Sam, the comeback kid

Jockey Sam Spratt’s infectious smile will make a welcome return to the races at Te Rapa on Saturday, where she will resume raceday riding after a 20-month absence. Spratt initially took time away from the sport to have her daughter, Riley, who was born in September last year.

Quality 3YOs give trainers high Guineas hopes

Wexford Stables will hold strong hands in both Classics at Riccarton and haven’t completely ruled out adding to their numbers in the males’ feature. Fiamma (NZ) (Pinatubo) and Dashing Dixie (NZ) (Alabama Express) will run in Saturday’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), with co-

The Big EV is back

“Watch out, he’s back.” That’s the warning from trainer Stephen Marsh following the return to winning form of former New Zealand Horse of the Year El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) in the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Balmerino Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Tuesday. El Vencedor jumped away well and

Gigi’s Prayer answered at Ellerslie

A bright future is being tipped for Gigi’s Prayer (NZ) (St Mark’s Basilica) following her maiden win in the Trackside.co.nz 1400 at Ellerslie on Tuesday. The daughter of St Mark’s Basilica showed plenty of promise when placing on debut at Tauranga last month and took

Raceday error rules Asterix out of Melbourne Cup

A raceday treatment error has cost Asterix (NZ) (Tavistock) his place in Tuesday's A$10.2 million Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington, with trainer Chris Waller subsequently fined A$50,000. The eight-year-old gelding was withdrawn from the iconic staying feature after a stable

Coffey cleared to ride Shockletz in Melbourne Cup

Harry Coffey had displayed superhuman powers to get himself up for Tuesday’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). Incredibly, the multiple Group One-winning jockey will get the chance to place the Melbourne Cup next to his Caulfield Cup (Gr.1, 2400m), after he received the green light to ride

De Armas to back up in Victoria Oaks

New Zealand-bred filly De Armas (NZ) (Ardrossan) is set to back up in Thursday’s Gr.1 Victoria Oaks (2500m) at Flemington following her dominant win in the Gr.2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at the Melbourne track on Derby Day. The daughter of Ardrossan won her first two starts