Racing
Frank Ritchie, one of the true gentlemen of New Zealand racing, has retired from training. Widely known as the trainer of Cox Plate hero Bonecrusher, Ritchie has had a long and distinguished career in the sport. Ritchie hails from a long line of trainers, and he said his father, Merv
Racing
Robert Dennis will take one more than a baker’s dozen to Wingatui on Friday, and the Ascot Park trainer is favoured to return home with a handful of winning cheques. The 14 runners make up nearly half of Dennis’ racing team, and he is hoping for a strong outcome
Racing
The Peter and Trent Didham-trained pair of War Princess and Omega Boy are set to clash for the first time when they head to Hastings on Saturday week for the Gr.3 Timberspan Spring Sprint (1400m). War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) has shown plenty of ability since
Racing
Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood are looking forward to stepping She’s A Dealer (NZ) (Ace High) up over further ground following her bold third placing in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Hastings. The Group One-winning daughter of Ace High carried owner-breeder
Racing
Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson unveiled another exciting prospect at his home track on Saturday as he continues to build a strong arsenal for the New Zealand Cup carnival in November. Three-year-old filly Dulce Caballo (Exceedance) had shown ability in her trials and Robinson elected to throw her in
Racing
After dealing with several major challenges over the last couple of years, Hawke’s Bay Racing is looking forward to welcoming a more pleasant challenge in a fortnight. The Poverty Bay Turf Club and Hawke’s Bay Racing have introduced the nationwide Vet Services East Coast Challenge Special Conditions Maiden
Racing
Fortuna Racing will be seeking success on both sides of the Tasman this weekend, including with Lara Antipova, who will have her final start before next month’s Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield. Trainer Mark Walker had intended to line her up in next week’s Gr.2
Racing
There’s been a fair bit of banter in New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka office this week, with fillies owned by a pair of the auction house’s longest-serving employees going head-to-head in the Gr.3 HBPB Thoroughbred Breeders Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings on Saturday.
Racing
With the return of the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) to Hastings on Saturday, Fortuna Racing’s John Galvin can’t help but reminisce about his former star mare Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) and her three-peat in the race. The daughter of Commands had a love affair with
Racing
Shaune Ritchie couldn’t be happier with race favourite Tuxedo (NZ) (Tivaci) ahead of the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Hastings on Saturday. The Group One performer was fifth when first up in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie three weeks ago and he has thrived
International
Yuto Kumagai will be a familiar face to many in New Zealand racing from his time riding as an apprentice jockey for Wexford Stables, and now he is living the dream of travelling the world with one of Japan’s top stables. Kumagai had been working as a track rider
Racing
Champion New Zealand apprentice jockey Amber Riddell is testing the waters in Australia over the next three months, with hopes of making the move permanent by Christmas. Formerly based in Palmerston North, where she was apprenticed to Lisa Latta, Riddell had a season to remember last term, winning 80 races,