Tomasina gets deserved Riverton victory

Consistent mare Tomasina turned around her most recent form with a vengeance when she took out the Francolin Stakes – Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1400m) at Riverton on Saturday. Trainer Sabin Kirkland was prepared to overlook her last start failure when finishing second to last in open company at Wingatui

The Western Front shows staying prowess

The Mornington Cup (2400m) could be on The Western Front’s agenda after the New Zealand-bred gelding outstayed his opposition in the A$80,000 Bert Bryant Handicap (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained five-year-old was previously a four-time winner between 1535m and 2025m, but

Stakes assignment in the offing for La Diem

La Diem belied her odds at Ellerslie on Saturday when taking out the MyRacehorse 1600, and now stakes targets are in the offing for the regally bred filly. By Wooton Bassett, La Diem is out of Group One winner La Bella Diosa, and she had won one of her five

Bigger things tipped for Levakia

Philip and Catherine Brown’s colours have been to the fore over the last few years through the deeds of multiple Group One winners Levante and Legarto, and while both mares are now retired, the Ancroft Stud principals are excited about the prospects of another. Like Levante and Legarto, four-year-old

Maher Adamant Black Eyed Jimmy Will Relish Randwick Return

Trainer Ciaron Maher says making excuses isn’t his style but after Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) copped a clod down his throat and a couple in his eyes in his first-up run he’s entitled to give him another chance on his return to Randwick on Saturday. The race in

Tyler on the hunt this Easter

Riverton’s dual Easter Weekend meeting has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years, and it has become an attractive proposition for out-of-region trainers. The Riverton Rural Transport Riverton Cup (2147m) has been a key instigator, with the race established as the final leg of the Southern Cups Bonus Series, where

World’s best Ka Ying Rising goes for 19th consecutive win in Monday’s Sprint Cup

After setting a new record for consecutive wins by a Hong Kong-trained horse, Zac Purton remains supremely confident Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) can extend his unbeaten streak in Easter Monday’s HK$5.35 million G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin. Having surpassed Silent Witness’ (El Moxie) previous

Grown up Von Hauke first-up at Caulfield

After more three years of hard work, trainer Cliff Brown is hoping to finally reap the rewards with Von Hauke (NZ) (Savabeel). The Gr.3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday will be Von Hauke's first run of the campaign which could lead him on to international

Shoebill’s stamina to be put to the test

In-form filly Shoebill (NZ) (Per Incanto) is presented with an opportunity at Ellerslie on Saturday to convince connections she can be a worthy black-type contender over ground. The daughter of Per Incanto has impressed in her last two starts up to a mile and another bold showing in the Cambridge

Furlong holds strong hand at Riverton

Riccarton trainer Anna Furlong will head south to Riverton with a strong hand on Saturday, with three of her five runners currently holding the favourites tag. Heading her southern assault will be last start winners Queen Of Sheba (NZ) (Impending) and Champagne Diblu (Russian Revolution) in the Listed Liquorland Gore

Navy Ensign seeking to go back-to-back

Navy Ensign (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) delivered on his promise when winning his maiden over a mile at Pukekohe last month, and he will attempt to double his tally when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to tackle the MyRacehorse 1600. The U S Navy Flag gelding carries the

Road To Paris out to add to stable’s Derby tally

Roger James and Robert Wellwood will take aim at one of the few missing pieces on an already glittering Sydney résumé when Road To Paris (NZ) (Circus Maximus) lines up in Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick. Few New Zealand trainers have enjoyed more success on Australian