Racing
Stephen Marsh can’t take a trick with Ardalio (NZ) (Ardrossan) and the frustration has continued with the talented mare drawing poorly again at Matamata on Saturday. His daughter of Ardrossan finished midfield in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) and Gr.1 Railway (1200m) from wide barriers and will jump
Racing
Late bloomer Autumn Glory (NZ) (Ocean Park) has shown the benefit of careful handling with her emergence as a serious Classic contender. Bred and raced by the Smithies family under their Monovale Holdings banner, the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained daughter of Ocean Park rounded off powerfully at Te Rapa
Racing
Tomodachi’s connections are banking on a target closer to home to bring out the best in the gifted mare on Saturday. While she wasn’t disgraced when a resuming fourth in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m), more was expected and she gets an opportunity to bounce back in the
Racing
Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma) is coming toward the sharp end of her season and co-trainer Shaune Ritchie is well-qualified to rate her chances of ending it on a high. The top-rated filly will attempt to add further winning momentum to her Classic campaign when she steps out in Saturday’s
Racing
Bill Thurlow endured his share of trials and tribulations with Whangaehu before the stayer’s latest show of form at Ellerslie. The Waverley trainer, who operates in partnership with Sam O’Malley, was delighted with the son of Proisir’s effort on Saturday to finish third over 2200m. Whangaehu came
Racing
A long-range plan for Crimson Sky continues to gain momentum and another encouraging performance at Trentham will confirm a crack at the end goal of the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). The Cody Cole-trained three-year-old will round off her preparation for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai-sponsored Classic in Saturday’
Racing
Taking on the reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year at Ellerslie is a challenge with benefits for the Lance Noble-prepared Jaarffi. Multiple Group One winner El Vencedor will oppose the in-form mare in Saturday’s Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) and has taken a degree of weight off the
Racing
Guy Lowry is no stranger to longshot success at the highest level and he went agonisingly close to another major upset at the weekend. The Hastings trainer produced Milan Park’s Adventador to win the 2016 edition of the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at 80 to one and a decade
Racing
First-time travellers Arkansaw Kid and Torture will fly the Lindsay Park flag at Ellerslie with a third member of the party to be on hand for the defence of a stable title early next month. The former will step out in Saturday’s Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) while the
Racing
Cambridge Stud are under no illusions about the task ahead of Silver Wedding at Ellerslie on Saturday, with connections hoping she has one more peak performance to come. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old will tackle the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) ahead of a spell. “There wasn’t any
Racing
A two-step home track plan for promising Matamata youngster Justin Case will come into play on Wednesday. Raced by breeder Waikato Stud with Ohukia Lodge’s Jamie Beatson, the well-related son of Banquo will run in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series 2YO (1100m) with a crack at the Gr.
Racing
Group One hope The Dirty Dee will spearhead a strong team at Trentham for Robbie Patterson and unlike a number of trainers, he’s unconcerned about the prospect of rain-affected ground on Saturday. The New Plymouth conditioner is bullish about the chances of his daughter of Derryn in the Gr.