New Zealand
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 09 October 2022
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NZ Racing Desk
New Zealand
Paisley Park takes out Matamata Cup
Local runner Paisley Park (NZ) (Azamour) showed he had taken plenty of improvement from his first-up performance at Te Rapa last month when he came with a withering late burst to score in the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m). The Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall-trained eight-year-
New Zealand
Darci La Bella adds stakes victory to burgeoning record
Progressive mare Darci La Bella (NZ) (Darci Brahma) added a valuable black-type victory to an already outstanding race record when she strode clear to win the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera. The winner of eight of her 14 starts before contesting Saturday’s Group
New Zealand
Pier dominant in Hawke’s Bay Guineas
Local runner Pier (NZ) (Proisir) dominated his three-year-old rivals in the closing stages of the AHD Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), dashing away to win the Group Two feature in fine style. With the race transferred to Saturday’s Matamata meeting after Hastings was abandoned due to inclement
New Zealand
La Crique tastes sweet Group One success
It may have taken an extra seven days to come to fruition but Matamata mare La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) got a deserved success at the highest level when she took out the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Matamata on Saturday. The four-year-old daughter of Vadamos had
New Zealand
Grylls wings it ahead of big Matamata raceday
Jockeys call on a variety of pursuits to chill out ahead of a big raceday – anything from golf to surfing, fishing or relaxing at home. Matamata-based Craig Grylls sits apart from those activities, opting for the cockpit of his sporty red Mini Mustang aeroplane as the perfect relaxer with
New Zealand
Guineas ball in Battle Sound’s court
The door remains slightly ajar for the promising Battle Sound to take on the best of his age group at Riccarton next month. The son of Belardo made the perfect start to his career earlier this month, but connections are dubious about the gelding following through on a nomination for
New Zealand
Te Akau sets commentator daunting task
Despite early scratchings, commentator George Simon’s skills behind the microphone will be put to an unprecedented test in the opening event at Matamata on Saturday. The vastly experienced and affable race caller has dealt with several runners in stable colours in the same event in the past, but anything
New Zealand
Phillips hunting third Winton Cup
Winton trainer John Phillips would love nothing more than to win his third Winton Cup on Sunday. Phillips has previously claimed success in his hometown feature on two occasions, with Jack Daniels winning in 1997 and King Prawn triumphant in 2013. Eight-year-old Jimmy Choux gelding Midnight Runner gives
New Zealand
Distance the only query with Darci La Bella
Eight-win mare Darci La Bella will be out to claim some valuable black-type on Saturday when she heads to Hawera to contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). The Darci Brahma five-year-old finished fourth in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te
Breeding
Call for scholarship applications
The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, in partnership with the Keith and Faith Taylor Equine Scholarship Trust, are offering the opportunity of a lifetime for one young industry participant. Applications are now open for the Irish National Stud Scholarship, which supports the successful candidate to attend the renowned establishment to
New Zealand
Bary philosophical about venue change
No trainer was more affected by the abandonment of racing at Hastings last Saturday and the subsequent transfer of the meeting’s two feature races to Matamata this weekend than John Bary, but he is taking the decision in his stride. The Hastings horseman is set to travel north to