Racing
Exciting four-year-old He Who Dares (NZ) (Snitzel) made a pleasing start to his season at the Avondale trials on Thursday when finishing strongly to win his 1000m heat, and now trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are setting their sights on some lucrative targets for the son of
Racing
Stakes targets are in the offing for promising filly Intan (NZ) (Shamexpress) if she can maintain her current trajectory. The Tony Pike-trained daughter of Shamexpress made a pleasing start to her career when runner-up on debut as a late two-year-old last season behind subsequent Group Three
Racing
The Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) is a sentimental favourite for expat Kiwi trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, who will be seeking to score their second victory in the Flemington Classic on Saturday. The Cranbourne-based couple won the race 15 years ago, when training out of Cambridge, with
Racing
Awapuni gelding Platinum Pantheon (Hanseatic) will fly New Zealand’s flag in Saturday’s Gr.1 Golden Eagle (1500m) at Randwick, and his chances have been aided after drawing barrier two on Tuesday. The Stephen Marsh-trained Well Written (Written Tycoon) was leading the Kiwi charge towards the A$10
Racing
Trainer Kris Shailer has confirmed that his exciting three-year-old Justin Case (NZ) (Banquo) will bypass next month’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in favour of stakes targets closer to home. The son of Banquo put in a herculean effort
Breeding
Exciting colt Coniston (NZ) (Wootton Bassett) was destined for the sales ring as a yearling, however, unfavourable x-rays curtailed those plans, which has proven to be a blessing in disguise for owner-breeders Graham and Helen-Gaye Bax of Blandford Lodge, who now have a Gr.1 Al Basti
Racing
Coniston (NZ)(Wootton Bassett) got his Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) campaign back on track at Te Rapa on Labour Day when claiming the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m). The son of Wootton Bassett wasn’t wanted by punters following his
Racing
South Auckland mare With Grace (NZ)(Ocean Park) secured her berth in next month’s Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton when extending her winning sequence to four with victory in the Baker Tilly Staples Rodway 2100 at Te Rapa on Labour Day Monday. From her
Racing
Last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Road To Paris (NZ) (Circus Maximus) resumed with a pleasing trial at Te Awamutu on Thursday, and now trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood are setting their sights towards a feature mile with their charge. Bred and raced by Ron
Racing
Excitement is building at Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton barn as New Zealand Cup Week draws nearer, with the stable once again holding a strong hand at their home meeting on Saturday. The barn, led by assistant trainer Hunter Durrant, is set to line-up five favourites on the 10-
Racing
Palmerston North mare Manzor Blue (NZ) (Almanzor) will carry the hopes of a nation at Flemington on Saturday as the sole New Zealand-trained entry for next month’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) bids to secure one of the last two golden tickets into the coveted race. Trainer Lisa
Racing
Graeme Rogerson and prominent Australian owner Lloyd Williams have plenty of fond memories together, and they are hoping to add to them with promising three-year-old Glamorgan (Wootton Bassett), who won on debut at Te Aroha on Wednesday. The pair’s biggest successes came with grey gelding Efficient (NZ)