28 April 2026
Auret on top of the world after fruitful weekend
Marton trainer Fraser Auret sure knows how to cram a bit into his weekend.
The Central Districts horseman celebrated a well-deserved Group Two victory at Te Rapa on Saturday when Khanshe (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) won the Travis Stakes (2000m) in impressive fashion.
He then unleashed maiden winner Unusual Cortez and progressive galloper Unusual Invader who both won at Waipukurau on Sunday.
Like one of his prized equine athletes, Auret timed his run to perfection to make it home on Sunday night with minutes to spare to see Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress), a horse he’d bred and previously trained, once again smash the Hong Kong track record and his opposition when winning the Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin.
“It’s been a good weekend but there’s been a bit going on,” Auret said.
“I felt like Khanshe really did deserve to win a race like the Travis. She lends herself to be a bit unlucky on occasions because she does always tend to get back, but she puts in some terrific sectionals late and is exciting to watch.”
Auret said it had been a slow burn with the Mongolian Khan five-year-old, who still has plenty of upside over the coming seasons.
“She's always shown glimpses of her true ability, and she won the Oaks Prelude (Listed, 1800m) as a three-year-old,” he said.
“We have spaced her races and looked after her and let her improve season on season.
Khanshe has gone for a break following her Te Rapa success, having previously finished a luckless fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).
“She's definitely heading out now for a break,” Auret said. “It's been a great campaign, and she seems to have furnished and come of age this prep and we couldn't be prouder.
“She's carrying a lot more condition and muscle mass now, which has allowed her to be more consistently putting up those top performances.”
While Auret was at pains to single a target race next campaign, he said there were plenty of positives from Saturday’s triumph.
“She's won a Listed race, a Group Three and a Group Two, so there's only one missing on the mantlepiece,” Auret said.
“The good thing is she's ticked that 2000m box now. Not only was it a wonderful win, but we actually learned a lot from the run. That's going to open so many more doors for her as there are some great weight-for-age races at 2000m in New Zealand.
“We know that she can run a sharp mile so there's no set plans at this stage. If anything, we might miss the early spring. It is quite hard getting those top horses ready down here for the early spring. It can be very wet. She's heading out for an eight-week break now and then we'll keep all the options on the table.”
Patience has also been the key with four-year-old mare Unusual Invader (NZ) (Unusual Suspect), who won her second race over a mile at Waipukurau on Sunday.
“I certainly think she has black-type in her future, she's got good stamina, so I can see her developing into a nice middle-distance horse and potentially even further,” he said.
“She's a half-sister to Platinum Invader, who was a very good two-mile horse and the way she relaxes, I think the world's her oyster really.
“She hadn't raced with a lot of luck this campaign, but she's shown some good ability. She too has headed straight out to the paddock, but I am looking forward to what she might do in the spring.
“She also did her part because she swabbed very quickly after the win which helped because we only got home with about four minutes to spare to watch Ka Ying Rising in Hong Kong.”
Incredibly, the son of Shamexpress is the first horse Auret and his wife Erin have bred, and it is fair to say they won’t be breeding a better one.
The nine-time Group One winner secured a record-extending 20th consecutive win on Sunday, again lowering his own 1200m Sha Tin turf course record to 1m 07.10s in the HK$24 million Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), returning a peak local rating of 142 and a Timeform Rating of 137.
“The thing is with most horses you talk about a peak performance of their prep. But with him he seems to go so close, if not beat his own record almost every start,” Auret said.
“It's just incredible. We're absolutely loving the ride, incredibly proud and the family loves nothing more than to cheer ‘rocket’ home.”
While Ka Ying Rising’s dam Missy Moo unfortunately had to be euthanised after just two foals after suffering from arthritis in her hind leg, Auret’s foray into breeding has swelled somewhat.
“We’ve got six mares now. We went from one mare to six pretty quickly,” he said. “I have said a few times maybe I should have quit while I’m ahead, but in all seriousness, it is a lot of fun and we can only keep trying.”
Although he would be forgiven for wanting a few hours on the couch, Auret clocked some more miles on Tuesday when sending four horses to the trials at the newly renovated Hastings track and the affable horseman was pleased he made the effort.
“The track was just magnificent,” he said. “I think that it's so pivotal to the Central District's operation, that track.
“There's been an incredible amount of rain in the region, and it played beautifully all day. It just once again confirmed that strategically, it is a massive venue for the Central Districts and a very important one, certainly for those early spring races.” - NZ Racing Desk
Hoskin on thrilling Derby adventure with Geneva
Last start Group Three winner Geneva (NZ) (Time Test) has earned his place in Saturday’s Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m), marking trainer Kylie Hoskin’s first trans-Tasman campaign.
Winner of the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) following a third-placing in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Geneva’s preparation on the track has been smooth sailing, but his journey across the Tasman has been anything but.
Despite some travel hiccups, there is no dampening Hoskin’s enthusiasm for the challenge.
“It's really exciting to be contesting a Group One in Australia,” Hoskin said. “You always hope you're going to have one good enough to get over here, so it's very exciting.
“The travel has been a bit of a nightmare as the plane we were originally scheduled to fly to Melbourne on had an engine issue and was delayed.
“The plan was to fly over here and then head up to Aaron Bain’s at the old Lindsay Park at Angaston.
“He was going to have us for the week, but we missed our interstate truck. So we're currently at Ballarat at Henry Dwyer's and everyone's been super helpful.
“He is heading to Adelaide on Thursday night because that is the last interstate truck, so we've had to pivot a bit.”
Rory Hutchings, who was aboard the Time Test gelding at his most recent victory at Trentham, has returned to Australia and retains the ride.
“It is good to have him on because the horse can be a little bit tough in the running,” Hoskin said.
“He doesn't always want to settle, and Rory rode him perfectly at Trentham and knows the horse well.”
The winner of three of his 12 starts, Geneva has raced every month between August and March and enters Saturday’s contest with five weeks between runs.
“We've spaced a lot of his races, so he's often had a month in between runs,” Hoskin said. “He's a naturally fit horse. I don't have to pile a heap of work into him. He eats well, and he's a pretty calm and cool character. I'm not worried about the fact he's been up a while.”
Bred and raced by John and Mark Carter, along with their sister Rachael under the Jomara Bloodstock banner, Geneva has been the subject of overseas interest throughout his career from the moment he made a winning debut as a two-year-old.
“The owners sent me a few horses last season and out of that, I've had Geneva and also Oratia Beauty, who is stakes placed. I've been lucky to have a couple of nice ones for them with the first batch they sent me,” Hoskin said.
“We've had plenty of offers for him, seven-figures at one stage, but he doesn't scope very well. So that has meant he's stayed with me and it’s great to see him continue to race so well.
“Morphettville should suit him as he likes to go left-handed and we already know the distance won’t be a problem as he handled the distance in the New Zealand Derby, even despite copping some interference in the home straight.
“To win a Group One in Australia would honestly be a dream come true.
“I just can't even imagine how excited I would be. It's all the blood, sweat and tears, the early mornings and time away from your family. It would just be mind-blowing.” - NZ Racing Desk
HKJC
Joshua Smith
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing
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