Racing
Talented filly Lassified showed her rivals a clean pair of heels as she dominated proceedings to take out the first stakes race at Trentham on Saturday, the Listed JR & N Berkett Wellesley Stakes (1100m). Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman hasn’t been afraid of travelling the daughter of Gr.1
Racing
Matamata trainer Pam Gererad will head south to Trentham on Saturday with a quality team of three runners engaged for the day’s feature meeting. Spearheading the attack will be last start Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Romanoff who will be stepping out on raceday for the
Racing
Matamata trainer Cody Cole is following a similar blueprint to last year with his Group One performer Navigator, who will head into the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham on Saturday fresh-up. The six-year-old son of El Roca was also in a fresh state when placing in the race
Racing
Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are hoping Towering Vision’s win in the Eagle Technology 1600 at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day is a good omen as they look towards the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March with the progressive three-year-old. The last two winners
Racing
Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood have taken a patient approach with their exciting sprinter Sweynesday, and they could be rewarded with a Group One result in a couple of weeks. The five-year-old son of Sweyneese extended his impressive form line when reeling in Shoes to win the SkyCity 1200
Racing
Promising staying filly Ohope Wins chose the best possible moment to break her maiden status when she powered home to take out the Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie. The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-prepared daughter of Waikato Stud stallion Ocean Park had caught the eye
Racing
It may not have been on the horse she crossed the Tasman for, but premiership-winning Queensland hoop Angela Jones got her Group victory at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. The 24-year-old jockey had accepted the invitation of Wexford Stables to partner Smart Love in the Gr.2 Rich Hill
Racing
Te Akau Racing have made the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) their own in the last few years, and they look to have another strong contender for this year’s edition following the running of the Gr.2 SkyCity Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. The
Racing
Ten-time Group One winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has been ruled out of the autumn and faces minor surgery. Prepared by the Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will & JD Hayes, Mr Brightside has won 20 of his 48 starts and amassed $18.9 million in prizemoney since crossing the
Racing
Waikato Stud is mourning the loss of champion mareDaffodil (NZ)(No Excuse Needed), who has died at the age of 20, leaving behind an enduring legacy on the racetrack and in the breeding barn. By No Excuse Needed, Daffodil was crowned New Zealand’s champion three-year-old of the 2007–08
Racing
Te Akau Racing will be tackling plenty of feature targets over the coming days, but one of their more interesting runners will appear on the undercard at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. Four-year-old entire Espionage will make his debut for the stable after previously being trained in Australia by
Racing
Stephen Marsh can make a strong case for each of his top-flight contenders at Trentham on Saturday. The Cambridge trainer will be represented by the in-form trio of Ardalio, Tardelli and To Cap It All in the Gr.1 TAB Telegraph (1200m), a race he won in 2024 with Mercurial.