New Zealand
There was plenty of drama with the abandonment of last Saturday’s feature meeting at Hawke’s Bay, and that drama continued at the transferred meeting at Matamata on Wednesday in the running of the Gr.2 AHD Animal Health Direct – Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). Short-priced favourite Captured
New Zealand
Group One performer To Catch A Thief is a maiden no longer after taking out the Betta Inspect It Premier (1300m) at Matamata on Wednesday. The four-year-old gelding was having his first start for Joanne Surgenor, having previously been trained by Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, for whom
New Zealand
There were some anxious moments for talented hoop Wiremu Pinn on Tuesday following an incident at the Waipa trials that could have placed his trip to Sydney this weekend in jeopardy. “One just flipped over in the barriers and crushed me a bit at the back of the gates,” Pinn
Breeding
Brian Anderton, a doyen of South Island racing and breeding, has been recognised for his service to the thoroughbred industry when bestowed life membership to the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association at their AGM on Monday. Arguably no person has made a greater impact on the southern breeding and racing
New Zealand
Warrnambool raider Rolls’ New Zealand campaign hasn’t got off to the best of starts, but trainer Maddie Raymond and jockey Harry Grace are hoping that changes at Matamata on Wednesday. The eight-year-old gelding crossed the Tasman to target the last two legs of the Hawke’s Bay
New Zealand
Snazzytavi has booked her ticket south to Hastings next month to contest the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) following an eye-catching victory at Te Rapa on Friday. The Group Three-winning daughter of Tavistock was second-up in the BCD Group Mile (1600m) after finishing ninth in the Gr.
New Zealand
Teddy Ladouceur has added his name to the growing list of successful expat Mauritian jockeys in New Zealand when riding home his first winner at Phar Lap Raceway on Wednesday. The 29-year-old hoop was confident from the jump aboard Strong (NZ) (Highly Recommended) in the Equine Veterinary Services
New Zealand
Former jumps jockey Alan Browne can now add winning trainer to his resume after Captain Upham (NZ) (War Decree) broke through for his maiden win in the Palamountains Scientific Animal Nutrition Maiden 1600 at Phar Lap Raceway on Wednesday. The five-year-old son of War Decree had three prior
New Zealand
Well-known racing photographer Peter Rubery is used to being behind the lens capturing the action for winning owners, but at Waverley on Tuesday he was able to experience that winning feeling himself. Rubery, who operates racing photography business Race Images NZ, is part of the ownership group of Churchill
New Zealand
The abandonment of racing at Waverley on Sunday proved to be a blessing in disguise for local trainer Sam Lennox, with his sole runner breaking maiden ranks at the transferred meeting on Tuesday. Four-year-old gelding Leinster (NZ) (Darci Brahma) was resuming in the Forest 360 NZB Mega Maiden
New Zealand
Ballarat trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy are hoping they are in for an exiting spring with promising three-year-old Rue De Royale (NZ) (Per Incanto), with the ultimate goal being to gain a slot in next year’s $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). Bred by Little Avondale Stud,
New Zealand
It’s been a month of firsts for Erin Leighton, with the former jockey completing her first shift on horseback as a presenter for Trackside at Hastings earlier this month before cheering home her first winner as an owner at Matamata last Friday. Leighton recorded 41 wins in the saddle