16 February 2026 Newsletter
Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) might be missing from the autumn weight‑for‑age spotlight, but Lindsay Park could still have a serious player emerging, with trainer Ben Hayes confident Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) is ready to step up as soon as Saturday.
“I haven’t spoken about him much, but he’s trailled up excellent and will be hopefully announcing himself this autumn,” Hayes said confidently.
“What has let him down is his racing manners. He’s always been a headstrong horse and doing things wrong but still ran well.
“When Jamie (Melham) rode him in his last jumpout (win at Werribee on February 6) he actually relaxed and he finished off and we have been really working on it in his trackwork.
“Jamie was really happy with him, and I think she’s keen to ride him (in the Futurity).”
Now an autumn four-year-old, Evaporate has long served his apprenticeship as an elite galloper. After finishing third in the 2024 Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m), he was thrown into the deep end in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) two weeks later but he failed to adapt and did not beat a runner home.
He reappeared last autumn for a handful of runs – including a second placing in The Kiwi (1500m) in New Zealand – before returning last spring for a number of impressive efforts when second in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m), third in the Golden Eagle (1500m) and then third in the Gr.1 Orr Stakes (1400m).
Evaporate may wind up as the main danger to the early favourite Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) in Saturday’s Gr.1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) as the current second favourite Tom Kitten (Harry Angel) is not likely to run.
The Lindsay Park stable also have claims of taking Saturday’s Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) with Oak Hill (NZ) (Per Incanto).
“He’s going really well,” Hayes said. “Again, he’s a horse that was doing a lot wrong. He was an aggressive horse, and we saw last start he relaxed and he ran well so if he does that in an Oakleigh Plate, he’ll run very well.” - racing.com
Partnership still going strong after nearly three decades
A long and successful Waikato breeding partnership was to the fore again at Matamata on Saturday where My Lips Are Sealed (NZ) (Ace High) doubled her stakes tally.
The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained mare made all the running in the hands of Rory Hutchings for a comfortable resuming victory in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m).
My Lips Are Sealed was bred by Rich Hill Stud, who stand her sire Ace High, and Scott Williams’ Bloodstock Resources, and was sold through the former’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale to Te Akau’s David Ellis for $160,000.
“She was the highest priced yearling at Karaka from Ace High’s first crop,” Rich Hill’s John Thompson said.
She has now won on five occasions, including last season’s Gr.3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) ahead of a third placing in the 2025 Lisa Chittick.
Rich Hill and Williams joined forces in 1998 to purchase My Lips Are Sealed’s grand-dam What Can I Say in a private deal.
The daughter of Khozaam was secured after producing two foals in Australia, including four-time Group winner and multiple Group One placegetter Only Words (End Sweep).
“We bought the mare a long time ago, Bob Vance trained her and she was a great wet tracker,” Thompson said.
“She went to Sydney one year and won the Warwick Stakes (Gr.2, 1400m) with Tie The Knot and Might And Power in the field.”
What Can I Say was in foal to Rock Of Gibraltar at the time of her purchase and the resulting filly Gibraltar Campion was sold at Karaka for $500,000 and subsequently won two stakes races.
“We also sold a Zabeel filly out of What Can I Say for $500,000 at Sydney Easter and then she had six colts in a row,” Thompson said.
Her final foal by Tavistock was My Lips Are Sealed’s dam Tellmeaboutit, who was retained and wasn’t persevered with as a racing proposition after jarring up.
Tellmeaboutit’s daughter of Satono Aladdin was passed in at Karaka last month and will be raced by Rich Hill and Williams.
“She’s got another really nice Satono Aladdin filly at foot and is back in foal to Ace High,” Thompson said.
Williams also bred from Tellmeaboutit’s half-sister You Can’t Say That, a daughter of Fusaichi Pegasus.
She produced his outstanding Group-winning sprinter Babylon Berlin (All Too Hard), who was sold at the end of her decorated racing career for A$850,000 at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale.
“Sean Buckley (Ultra Thoroughbreds) bought her and she’s here on the farm and in foal to Satono Aladdin,” Thompson said. - Paul Vettise
Joshua Smith
Joshua Smith
NZ Stallion Awards
The Centaine Award
Sire whose NZ-conceived progeny have the highest earnings worldwide.
The Dewar Stallion Trophy
Sire whose progeny have the highest combined earnings in Australia and New Zealand.
The Grosvenor Award
Leading Sires by earnings in New Zealand.
NZ-bred Winners
MISTER DAPPER (NZ) 2019 by Tivaci (AUS) out of Posavina by Tiger Hill (IRE), Breeder: Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd; Waikato; NZ, Race: HKJC Consensus Cup 1650m. Sale:2021 National Yearling Sale - Book 1 V: Pencarrow Stud $30000 P: Michael Hickmott B/stock
FLYING WROTE (NZ) 2020 by Wrote (IRE) out of O'sabrina (AUS) by Snitzel (AUS), Breeder: Hong Kong Breeders Club Ltd; Waikato; NZ, Race: HKJC Sheung Hei H. 1200m.
RAGNAR (NZ) 2016 by Shocking (AUS) out of Barbara Jennie by Bahhare (USA), Breeder: Rich Hill Thoroughbreds Ltd; Waikato; NZ, Race: Perak TC Class 5A H. 1400, Sale: 2018 National Yearling Sale – Book 2 V: Rich Hill Stud $26000 P: Toro Bloodstock; 2018 Ready To Run Sale V: Riversley Park $27000 P: Samshay Racing Stables
ZYGARDE (NZ) 2016 by Atlante (AUS) out of La Madelina (USA) by Giant's Causeway (USA), Breeder: K J Hickman; Canterbury; NZ, Race: Perak TC Class 5B H. 1400, Sale: 2018 National Yearling Sale - Book 1 V: Valachi Downs $80000 P: JJ Soh
FRENETIC (MLY) Prioritize (NZ) 2018 by Proisir (AUS) out of Sororia by Iffraaj (GB), Breeder: R W E Moore; Auckland; NZ, Race:Perak TC Class 5A H. 1600, Sale: 2020 National Yearling Sale - Book 2 V: Haunui Farm $40000 P: S Jumaat
A SILENT VOICE (MLY) Can’t Find One (NZ) by Reliable Man (GB) out of Keenly by Keeninsky, Breeder:The Oaks Stud; Waikato; NZ, Race:Perak TC Class 5B H. 1600, Sale:2018 National Yearling Sale – Book 2 V: The Oaks Stud $110,000 P: Mr SF Ritchie
ACROBAT (NZ) 2015 by Pins (AUS) out of Turf Fire by O’Reilly, Breeder: C G Doak & Waikato Stud Ltd; Waikato; NZ, Race: Selangor TC Class 5B H. 1200, Sale: 2017 National Yearling Sale – Select Session V: Leanach Lodge Ltd $105000 P: Hiwi Lodge
CASH COVE (NZ) 2019 by Charm Spirit (IRE) out of So Nice by Mastercraftsman (IRE), Breeder: P A Newman; NZ, Race: Selangor TC Class 5A H. 1200, Sale: 2021 National Yearling Sale – Book 2 V: Seaton Park Ltd $32000 P: Emerald Equine; 2021 Ready To Run Sale V: Kawa Park $11000 P: WA Racing
PASIR PINJI (NZ) 2016 by Nadeem (AUS) out of Mistaar by Iffraaj (GB), Breeder: G C Luoni; NZ, Race: Class 4 & 5 H. 1700, Sale: 2018 National Yearling Sale – Book 3 V: Westend Partnership $6000 P: Mr PW Lock; 2018 Ready To Run Sale V: Woburn Farm $34000 P: D M Logan Bloodstock
OCEAN JUPITER (NZ) 2020 by Ocean Park out of The Iffraaj Dame by Iffraaj (GB), Breeder: T J Taylor & Trelawney Thoroughbreds Ltd; Waikato; NZ, Race: Selangor TC Class 5A H. 1500, Sale: 2022 Ready To Run Sale V: Trelawney Stud Ltd $60,000 P: Tiang Kim Choi
Global NZ-bred winners
2026-02-07 / 2026-02-14
🇦🇺 AUSTRALIA
Ace High : Plunger (NZ) (Chez Harmony by Choisir) 2021;
12 Feb 2026, 1st Southside Racing Future Stars Series Maiden P. 1200m
Sold by Rich Hill Stud at National Online Yearling Sale for $7000
Almanzor : Jewel County (NZ) (Special Diamond by Zabeel) 2021;
14 Feb 2026, 1st Orange JC Buckley's Carpet Court Maiden H. 1300m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Yearling Sale for $60000
Astern : Mississippi Dream (NZ) (Revise by First Defence) 2021;
13 Feb 2026, 1st Mackay TC Ladbrokes Maiden H. 1300m
Belardo : Royal Teens (NZ) (Jabot by Green Perfume) 2019;
08 Feb 2026, 1st Port Macquarie RC Laurieton Hotel H. 1206m
Contributer : Centenario (NZ) (Tavy Two Step by Tavistock) 2020;
13 Feb 2026, 1st ATC Toyota Forklifts H. 1900m
Sold by Little River Thoroughbreds at National Weanling Sale for $61000
Sold by Hallmark Stud at National Yearling Sale for $130000
Dalghar : Dothraki (NZ) (Honor and Cherish by Coats Choice) 2017;
13 Feb 2026, 1st Esperance Bay TC Tabtouch H. 1100m
Sold by Seaton Park Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $3500
El Roca : Kiss My Rock (NZ) (Love and Kisses by Encosta de Lago) 2021;
08 Feb 2026, 1st TRC Ladbrokes P. 1600m
Sold by Westbury Stud at National Yearling Sale for $75000
Fastnet Rock : Rock Them Jools (NZ) (More Jools by More Than Ready) 2021;
13 Feb 2026, 1st MVRC Ladbrokes H. 1400m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Yearling Sale for $325000
Hello Youmzain : Hello Veneta (NZ) (Via Veneto by Lawman) 2022;
08 Feb 2026, 1st Mount Barker George Taylor Memorial Maiden P. 1300m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Yearling Sale for $40000
Ocean Park : Liberty Park (NZ) (Liberty Pride by Hinchinbrook) 2021;
11 Feb 2026, 1st BRC Magic Millions Digital H. 2240m
Ocean Park : Le Chocolat (NZ) (La Praline by Anabaa) 2020;
12 Feb 2026, 1st Ipswich TC Great Northern H. 1100m
Ocean Park : Velaris (NZ) (Spectacular by Spectatorial) 2021;
14 Feb 2026, 1st Newcastle JC Mai-Wel Maiden H. 1600m
Sold by Hallmark Stud at National Weanling Sale for $80000
Per Incanto : Turn Up the Night (NZ) (Great Expectations by O'Reilly) 2019;
10 Feb 2026, 1st Kyneton & Hanging Rock RC Bet365 H. 1118m
Sold by Riversley Park Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $310000
Per Incanto : Reggio Calabria (NZ) (Drive On by Fastnet Rock) 2020;
08 Feb 2026, 1st Mount Barker Michelle Parsons Memorial Maiden P. 1100m
Per Incanto : Oak Hill (NZ) (Isstoora by High Chaparral) 2020;
07 Feb 2026, 1st MRC Rubiton S. Gr.2 1100m
Sold by Little Avondale Stud at National Yearling Sale for $180000
Preferment : Mr Plume (NZ) (La Donna E Mobile by Pivotal) 2019;
13 Feb 2026, 1st Taree RC Apex Solar H. 2018m
Press Statement : Press Link (NZ) (Villa de Madrid by Mossman) 2020;
14 Feb 2026, 1st BRC Ladbrokes H. 1200m
Proisir : En Primeur (NZ) (Cellaring by Keeper) 2019;
07 Feb 2026, 1st Walcha JC M & C Rose Building H. 1200m
Satono Aladdin : Satono Invader (NZ) (Grace Invader by Duporth) 2022;
13 Feb 2026, 1st Taree RC RTS Earthmoving H. 1412m
Savabeel : Savisanta (NZ) (Not Santa by Makfi) 2022;
11 Feb 2026, 1st Sale TC Bennett Electrical Contractors Maiden P. 1515m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $150000
Savabeel : Hallowed Halls (NZ) (Dragon Robe by Alamosa) 2022;
12 Feb 2026, 1st Southside Racing Phil Green's Classic Maiden P. 1600m
Sold by Milan Park at National Yearling Sale for $240000
Savabeel : Samurai Warrior (NZ) (Hiragana by Fusaichi Pegasus) 2020;
14 Feb 2026, 1st Toowoomba TC Gerry Brown's Shelving and Storage H. 1890m
Staphanos : Movin Out (NZ) (Wahaha by Stravinsky) 2021;
14 Feb 2026, 1st ATC Macquarie St Social H. 1300m
Sold by Anistay Lodge at National Yearling Sale for $24000
Super Seth : Will it Snow (NZ) (Snowdrop by Pins) 2021;
14 Feb 2026, 1st GCTC Supercoat H. 1900m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $60000
Tarzino : Tarvue (NZ) (Vamoose by Admire Moon) 2020;
14 Feb 2026, 1st VRC TAB H. 2000m
Tavistock : Tavijewel (NZ) (Jewels Gift by Stravinsky) 2019;
09 Feb 2026, 1st Orange JC Communications H. 2100m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Yearling Sale for $110000
Time Test : Omakase (NZ) (Extra Explosive by Ekraar) 2019;
10 Feb 2026, 1st Lismore TC Northern Rivers Concreting H. 1120m
Sold by Phoenix Park at National Yearling Sale for $65000
Time Test : Sixty Grand (NZ) (Threepence by Pentire) 2022;
10 Feb 2026, 1st Kyneton & Hanging Rock RC Hygain Maiden P. 1887m
Sold by Ardsley Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $130000
Tivaci : Meadowbrook (NZ) (Splitsecond by Pins) 2021;
11 Feb 2026, 1st BRC Become a Member Maiden P. 1110m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $350000
Vadamos : Soverato (NZ) (Princess Biscotte by Casino Prince) 2022;
13 Feb 2026, 1st ATC Agency Real Estate H. 1550m
Sold by Rich Hill Stud at National Online Yearling Sale for $10000
War Decree : Lillian (NZ) (I've Got Rhythm by Mossman) 2021;
07 Feb 2026, 1st WATC Andrich Cousins Reunion H. 1800m
Wrote : Tabor (NZ) (Lone Survivor by Magic Albert) 2021;
08 Feb 2026, 1st Shoalhaven City TC Bella Pizza P. 1600m
Sold by Highview at National Yearling Sale for $65000
Wrote : El James (NZ) (White Nymph by Sir Percy) 2020;
08 Feb 2026, 1st Naracoorte RC Naracoorte Cup 2000m
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
Proisir : Flow Water Flow (NZ) (Mavorna by Iffraaj) 2021;
08 Feb 2026, 1st HKJC Yau Oi H. 1800m
Sold by Kiltannon Stables Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $110000
Tivaci : King of Thunder - Numbers (H.K.) (NZ) (Sheezababe by Zabeel) 2021;
08 Feb 2026, 1st HKJC Centenary Vase Gr.3 1800m
Sold by Ohukia Lodge Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $50000
Tivaci : Mister Dapper (NZ) (Posavina by Tiger Hill) 2019;
11 Feb 2026, 1st HKJC Consensus Cup 1650m
Sold by Pencarrow Stud at National Yearling Sale for $30000
Vanbrugh : Lucky Ranger (NZ) (Too Fast for Love by So You Think) 2022;
08 Feb 2026, 1st HKJC On Ting H. 1400m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $90000
Wrote : Flying Wrote (NZ) (O'sabrina by Snitzel) 2020;
11 Feb 2026, 1st HKJC Sheung Hei H. 1200m
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Belardo : Bergheim (NZ) (Simfinnarley by Lion Heart) 2018;
08 Feb 2026, 1st Selangor TC Gopeng Glamping Park S. 1300m
Sold by Haunui Farm at National Yearling Sale for $30000
Highly Recommended : Show Hand (NZ) (Yeah Barbie by Lord Of Warriors) 2017;
07 Feb 2026, 1st Selangor TC Holiday Destination Cameron Highlands S. 1700m
Per Incanto : Banker's Eightyone (NZ) (Biscuit by High Chaparral) 2020;
07 Feb 2026, 1st Selangor TC Pandan River Waterfall S. 1275m
Super Seth : Appointed - Pacific Energy (Mal.) (NZ) (The Real Beel by Savabeel) 2021;
07 Feb 2026, 1st Selangor TC Smiling Mountain Recreational Park S. 1300m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $70000
Sweynesse : Speculating - Yin Yuan (Mal.) (NZ) (Cassie May by Red Clubs) 2021;
08 Feb 2026, 1st Selangor TC Coastal Town Lumut S. 1300m
Sold by Riversley Park Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $160000
Vadamos : Desi Master (NZ) (Visible by Mastercraftsman) 2018;
07 Feb 2026, 1st Selangor TC Underwater Wonders Tioman Island S. 1400m
Sold by Riversley Park Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $150000
Sold by Landsdowne Park Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $60000
