Racing
Blueblood filly Avantaggia (Wootton Bassett) has earned herself a tilt at black-type following her victory in the Porirua Club Punters Handicap (1200m) at Otaki on Saturday. A daughter of Wootton Bassett and Te Akau Racing’s former nine-time Group One winner Avantage, Avantaggia has borne the weight of expectation since
Racing
An elite-level test looms for promising juvenile Seize The Day (I Am Invincible) following his comfortable maiden victory in the AKW Farrier LTD 2YO (1200m) at Matamata on Wednesday. Trained locally by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, the Te Akau two-year-old was a beaten favourite on debut at Ellerslie last
Racing
Last year’s Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) hero Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino) is returning home. The son of Tarzino was a standout three-year-old last term for trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, winning four of his six starts, including the New Zealand Derby. MyRacehorse Australia bought 50 percent of the
Racing
Having claimed a first Group One victory for Cambridge Stud owners Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay with Jaarffi (NZ) (Iffraaj) at Ellerslie last Saturday, Lance Noble is hoping to add to that tally back at headquarters on Champions Day. Noble was familiar with Group One success from the early
Racing
Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick has barely had time to draw breath just lately, but on Monday he found a brief window to reflect on what has been a landmark period for his family’s Matamata nursery. That all began 10 days ago with the announcement that unbeaten Group One
New Zealand
Yulong Investments has made a splash in New Zealand this season, buying up the nation’s leading three-year-old filly talent, and they were once again rewarded at Ellerslie on Saturday when sealing the quinella in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m). The burgeoning thoroughbred giant’
New Zealand
What a difference three weeks has made in the life of rugged stayer Final Return (NZ) (Reliable Man). The durable son of the ill-fated Westbury Stud stallion Reliable Man had held the start up for over five minutes at his last run at Ellerslie due to a pre-race issue with
New Zealand
Acknowledged as one of the unluckiest horses going around in New Zealand, Jaarffi (NZ) (Iffraaj) finally got the good fortune she deserved and her first Group One victory when she stormed home to take out the Sport Nation Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie. The six-year-old daughter of Iffraaj,
New Zealand
A tilt at the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) is now on the cards for exciting three-year-old That’s Gold (Lucky Vega) following his impressive victory in the Gr.2 Eagle Technology Avondale Guineas (2100m) at Ellerslie. The Chris Wood-trained gelding collected a big winning cheque when victorious
New Zealand
Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savabeel) will head into the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) in winning form after taking out the Gr.3 Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Following her convincing win in last month’s Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) on Karaka Millions night, she
New Zealand
As a jockey, Jamie Bullard made his name as one of the best in the business until weight struggles became too challenging. On Wednesday at Riccarton Park his skills were on display in his second career as a trainer when he saddled up four starters for three wins and a
Racing
After having to endure another stint on the sideline in his roller-coaster career, dual premiership-winning jockey Michael McNab is looking forward to his raceday return at Ellerslie this weekend. McNab, who won back-to-back premierships in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, has been off the scene since early last September after