Racing
Progressive mare Astoria Brooke (NZ) (American Pharaoh) claimed her first victory at black-type level when she burst through the middle of a crowded pack with 100m to run to score in the Listed Fairview Matamata Kaimai Stakes (1600m) at Matamata. New Zealand’s current leading rider Michael McNab took
Racing
Top class mare Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor) added a second stakes victory to her impressive career record when she burst clear in the concluding stages to win the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders Stakes (1400m) with consummate ease. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared daughter of Almanzor
Racing
Former champion stallion Savabeel, who passed away at his Waikato Stud home base in June this year, showed what a loss he has been to the local breeding industry thanks to two impressive winners early in the day at Matamata. Four-year-old mare Pilates (NZ) (Savabeel) put herself in
Racing
The Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) got the contest and finish it deserved as 2025 winner Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) defended his crown in a thrilling three-way finish to the Hastings feature. The versatile seven-year-old gelding is a proven stakes performer from 1200m through to 2000m, and
Racing
Despite some anxious moments loading into the starting gates and a tough trip in transit, classy filly Hawea (Hellbent) still managed to claim an impressive victory in Saturday’s Gr.3 HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings. Trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, who won the event
Racing
Unheralded three-year-old Old Fashioned (NZ) (Proisir) fired a shot across the bows of his age-group rivals as he produced a quality effort to take out the Gr.2 The Foxes @ Novara Park Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday at just his second raceday start.
Racing
Rejuvenated galloper Knock Off (NZ) (Fabolous) proved too tough for his rivals in the Trentham mud as he dominated proceedings from the front to capture the Gr.3 Hunterville Vet Club Metric Mile (1600m) on Saturday. Trainer Gerard Cvitanovich has played the patient game with the seven-year-old and
Racing
An inch-perfect ride from Sam Collett enabled Matamata raider Justin Case (NZ) (Banquo) to claim the feature event at Hastings on Saturday, the Listed Timberspan Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m). The three-year-old son of Banquo had signed off his two-year-old campaign with a gritty fourth
Racing
Promising filly Sweetest Thing (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) displayed all her fighting qualities when she held out a determined challenge from Platinum La Danse (NZ) (Noverre) and stablemate Sword of Stars (NZ) (Sword Of State) to win the Listed NZB Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton on Saturday. The daughter of
Racing
Cambridge visitor In A Pickle (NZ) (Preferment) booked a possible trip to Warrnambool later in the season when he prevailed in the first of two Jericho Cup (4600m) qualifying contests after a thrilling home straight struggle at New Plymouth on Saturday. The NZB Airfreight Road To The Jericho (3210m) provides
Racing
Local runner Jaeger (NZ) (Time Test) proudly carried the Taranaki colours to a gritty victory when he took out the New Plymouth ITM Interprovincial (1600m) with a powerful finish on Saturday. All runners in the event carry the colours of the province they are representing, with Jaeger adorned in the
Racing
Superstar mare Well Written (Written Tycoon) was back to the business of winning when she triumphed in the first race of her four-year-old campaign, the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie. Unbeaten in six starts in her first season on the track, the Stephen Marsh-trained daughter