New Zealand
Mapperley Stud stallion Puccini sired his first winner at Rotorua on Tuesday when Giacomo (NZ) won the Lance Lawson (1560m) for trainer Peter McKay. It was fitting that Puccini’s first winner was trained by McKay, with the Matamata horseman overseeing his racing career, where he won eight races including
New Zealand
Twelve months on from her breakthrough win in the Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe, Levante has returned at least as well for her title defence at Te Rapa on Saturday, according to Matamata trainer Ken Kelso. Proisir mare Levante had won four of her five starts and finished a
Breeding
Multiple Group One-winning Australian trainer Tony McEvoy made an early impact on the opening day of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale at Te Rapa on Wednesday when he secured a handsome son of Almanzor. McEvoy combined with bloodstock agent Bevan Smith, who was on site, to
New Zealand
It’s been a while between drinks for Cambridge trainer Leanne Bertling, but she was back in the winner’s circle at Rotorua on Tuesday courtesy of Invaluable (NZ) (Ocean Park) in the Rydges Rotorua 1560. The Ocean Park gelding is the first horse Bertling has taken to the races
New Zealand
Buyers have been circling around impressive debut winner Mascarinto (NZ) (Per Incanto), but so far the two-year-old’s connections have knocked back all potential suitors. The son of Per Incanto was a runaway victor at the first time of asking and the price on his head will go
New Zealand
Roger James is hoping for a big day for his mares Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) and Cheaperthandivorce (NZ) (Savabeel) as they seek more black-type success at Te Rapa on Saturday. The mares, both raced by Brent and Cherry Taylor of Trelawney Stud, both gained Group Three victories at
New Zealand
A good-looking daughter of Tivaci remained unbeaten at the trials when she was successful over 850m at Foxton on Tuesday. The Peter Didham-trained filly, who has yet to be named, bounced quickly to make the running and cruised home by one and a-quarter lengths with rider Robert
Breeding
Waikato horseman Jim Collett will head to his third successive New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale at Te Rapa on Wednesday and he is hoping his 100 percent sale rate continues at the Hamilton venue. “The last two years I have taken horses to the ready to run sales
International
Francis Lui will unveil a healthy, strong and more mature Golden Sixty (Medaglia D'Oro) when the Hong Kong superstar resumes in the Gr.2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Unbeaten in three Sha Tin trials since spelling, Golden Sixty returns to
Breeding
More than 250 two-year-olds are set to go under the hammer at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale this week. Despite the challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic requiring the auction to be moved to a virtual format, vendors are feeling positive ahead of
New Zealand
Peter Didham has a good mix of proven performers and promising younger horses in his in-form Awapuni stable and a pair of well-related three-year-olds will feature among his representatives on his home track this weekend. He has sent out nine winners this season, headed by House
Breeding
Renowned for his feats on the Karaka buyers’ bench at New Zealand Bloodstock’s annual National Yearling Sales Series, Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis is also an ever-increasing force at the Ready to Run Sale. Ellis has claimed leading buyer honours at the Ready to Run Sale numerous