Racing
A plan concocted nearly a year ago will reach its climax at Trentham on Saturday when South Canterbury raider Shaking Stevens lines up in the Life Direct Remutaka Classic (2100m). The $350,000 feature is one of the innovation races introduced to the thoroughbred calendar in the 2023-24 season under
Racing
Unbeaten Group One-winning colt Return To Conquer has been retired. The son of Snitzel was purchased out of Blue Gum Farm’s 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $1.3 million, and he went on to remain unbeaten as a
Racing
A week after the pick of the eligible crop did battle in the Listed Karaka Millions (1200m), a second wave of quality juveniles are set to line up at Ellerslie in Saturday’s Gr.3 Colin Jillings Classic (1200m). The field is headed by Harvey Wallbanger, whose two starts at
Racing
Robbie Patterson isn’t letting weight and pedigree queries dent his confidence with One Bold Cat (NZ) (The Bold Cat) ahead of Saturday’s Gr. 3 NZCIS Wellington Cup (3200m). The New Plymouth trainer reports that everything has gone to plan with One Bold Cat since running on the first
Racing
No-one amongst rival connections was prepared to say it out loud, but it was quite obvious their challenge became even more daunting when unbeaten filly Well Written drew perfectly at three for Saturday’s Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). The Stephen Marsh-trained filly has become the increasingly hot favourite
Racing
A stirring exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Friday has training partners Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall in positive frame of mind as they put the final polish on Lollapalooza and Fleeting Star ahead of Saturday’s Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). The stablemates looked sharp as they reeled
Racing
Father-and-son training partners Peter and Shaun McKay are taking a realistic approach to their prospects of further success when they return to their favourite track on the middle day of the Wellington Cup carnival. Trentham has been a happy hunting ground for the Matamata duo during their partnership that is
Racing
A forecast for rain ahead of Saturday’s Trentham meeting has forced a rethink of plans for Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma) as she resumes her classic quest this weekend. Trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray had originally intended Saturday’s Gr.3 New Zealand Bloodstock Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) to
Racing
A return to Ellerslie next week is on the cards for promising three-year-old King’s English following his win in the Elsdon Park 1200 at the Auckland track on Sunday. The Snitzel colt has shown plenty of ability on the track, placing in his first two starts before breaking through
Racing
With the release this week of nominations for the Gr.1 Trackside NZ Derby, the focus intensifies for stamina signs amongst the three-year-old crop ahead of the March 7 Ellerslie classic. Amongst the 90-odd entries for the Derby are the first three placegetters in the first black-type age-group race beyond
Racing
Nearly a decade after taking up the mantle as private trainer to Cambridge Stud owners Sir Brendan and Jo Lady Lindsay, Lance Noble has delivered results that he hopes to embellish at one of New Zealand’s racing’s biggest events, Boxing Day at Ellerslie. From his base at Lindsay
Racing
Chris Wood acknowledges his emerging three-year-old That’s Gold (Lucky Vega) will have a fight on his hands in the Gr. 2 Jimmy Schick Shaw’s Auckland Guineas (1400m), but he’s still taking a positive approach to the Boxing Day challenge. The Ellerslie feature is dominated by unbeaten filly