Racing
Kylie Hoskin has had a frustrating season with her promising three-year-old Geneva (NZ) (Time Test), but he made it all worthwhile when running third in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day. “I am absolutely rapt, it was awesome,” Hoskin said. “That was my first
Racing
This year’s Champions Day was one to remember for Kingsclere Stables. The Cambridge barn scored the quinella in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), won the Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m) with Sweynesday, and earlier in the day picked up a sentimental victory for stable owners Ali
Racing
It may have been a lot closer than anticipated, but Well Written’s (Written Tycoon) victory in Saturday’s $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) was one for the books. The unbeaten Group One-winning filly was installed a hot favourite in the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race, jumping a money
Racing
Australian trainer Henry Dwyer crossed the Tasman with two horses earlier this week and he nearly went home with the perfect result at Ellerslie on Saturday. Stable sprinter Cote Atlantique (Kodiac) was runner-up behind Sweynesday in the Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m), but stablemate Paradise Storm (Masked
Racing
Lara Antipova’s (Russian Revolution) star continues to rise, with the exciting filly extending her unbeaten streak to four when taking out Saturday’s Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. Visiting hoop Mick Dee gave her the perfect trip throughout in the one-one position, and while she was awkward
Racing
Cambridge mare Moxie (Strasbourg) lived up to her name when defying the odds to take out the opening feature race at Ellerslie on Champions Day – the Gr.2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Classic (1400m). While jumping a $17.50 outsider, the daughter of Strasbourg took a solid form line into
Racing
It’s been a successful New Zealand raid for the Gavin Bedggood-trained Kingswood, and the grey entire will be looking to end it on a high when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday. The son of Roaring Lion won first-up in New Zealand on Boxing Day at Ellerslie in the
Racing
Burgeoning thoroughbred giant Yulong Investments has made a splash in New Zealand this season, buying up the nation’s top three-year-olds, and while they have already been rewarded with instant success, they are favoured to have plenty more on Champions Day at Ellerslie on Saturday. Zhang Yuesheng’s Victoria-based operation
Racing
Pam Gerard started the week by farewelling her stable star Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) and she is hoping to end it on a high when she heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to line-up two runners in the second running of the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo) and Affirmative
Racing
Bulls trainer Raymond Connors has a sense of déjà vu with his quality stayer Trav (NZ) (Almanzor) ahead of Saturday’s Gr.2 Trackside Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie. The son of Almanzor was strong late when finishing fourth in last year’s Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) ahead of
Racing
Gareth Downey will be busy at Flemington this Saturday in his role as Lindsay Park’s chief executive, but the expat Kiwi will be keeping a close eye on Champions Day at Ellerslie where his mare Chica Mojito (NZ) (Zacinto) will line-up in the Gr.2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai
Racing
Mark Baker might be off trainer Mitch Freedman’s Christmas card list this year after the Hallmark Stud principal drew the outside gate for his gelding Asakura (Churchill) at the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) barrier draw at Karaka on Tuesday night. “We will cross out Hallmark Stud going forward,