New Zealand
Three-time champion jumps jockey Shaun Fannin has made a sizzling start to the new jumps season and will aim to head for the summer break as the clubhouse leader when the curtain falls on 2022 jumps racing at Woodville on Sunday. Fannin has won six of his 13 jumping rides
New Zealand
Mark Walker prepared three winners of the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in his first stint as head trainer for Te Akau’s Matamata barn and holds pole position to add to his classic tally. His top seed Dynastic (NZ) (Almanzor) is the clear $4 pre-post favourite for
New Zealand
Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray believe they may have unearthed their next Cups horse in Regazzo (NZ) (Tavistock). The four-year-old gelding was impressive when winning his maiden by 5-1/2 lengths at Te Rapa earlier this month and his conditioners believe big things may be instore for the son of
Australia
Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls) will be looking to claim her first elite-level scalp this weekend when she contests the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. The six-year-old mare heads into the race in good form, having finished runner-up in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) and Gr.
International
The Gr.1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) dream with Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) is officially over. The 11-time Group One winner’s participation in Europe’s pin-up event came under threat when she was ranked among the lowest-rated of the 24 entries made for the Longchamp feature.
Breeding
Holding firm against a torrent of overseas interest, Cambridge Stud bought Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) for $1.1 million on Gavelhouse Plus on Wednesday night, and the Group One-winning mare will be served by Almanzor this spring. Many of New Zealand’s most sought-after mares have been snapped up by the
Australia
Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick has a fair bit to contemplate as spring racing heats up across the Tasman. His exciting four-year-old I Wish I Win has made waves in Victoria since joining trainer Peter Moody’s Pakenham barn. The son of Savabeel showed promise in New Zealand for his
New Zealand
Connections of exciting Vespa three-year-old Charbano (NZ) have turned down offers that have dwarfed his purchase price as they chase their shot at a Group One dream this spring. A $16,000 two-year-old purchase from the Valachi Downs dispersal sale conducted via Gavelhouse Plus, Charbano followed a polytrack trial win
New Zealand
Sheez Dominant (NZ) (Vanbrugh) lived up to her name when beating the boys in the Listed Wanganui Guineas (1340m) earlier this month and trainer Fraser Auret is hoping for a repeat dose this weekend. The Marton filly will head to Hastings on Saturday to target the Gr.2 AHD Hawke’
Australia
A treatment mistake has ruled Benaud (Reliable Man) out of the Gr.1 Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday. Trainer John O’Shea informed stewards on Monday morning that the gelding was mistakenly given medication which contained a prohibited substance. “Trainer Mr John O’Shea has this morning informed Racing
Australia
Trainer Danny O’Brien is set to have a two-pronged attack in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday courtesy of New Zealand-breds Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man) and Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock). Inspirational Girl finished runner-up first-up behind compatriot Mr Brightside in the Gr.2 Feehan
International
New Zealand-bred 11-time Group One winner Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) is in danger of not making the 20-strong Gr.1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m) field at Longchamp on Sunday. A total of 27 horses remains in Arc contention after the first forfeit stage elapsed on Monday