Jimmysstar sharpens up for Manikato
Triple Group One winner Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Inancto) pleased trainer Ciaron Maher with a sharp Cranbourne jumpout on Monday as he prepares to drop back in distance for the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
The New Zealand-bred sprinter was ridden by Ethan Brown in the 800m hit-out and impressed in accounting for a heat that included highly-regarded stablemate The Next Episode.
It was Jimmysstar’s first serious piece of work since finishing ninth in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 29, where he was beaten five lengths by Beiwacht.
Maher remains puzzled by the below-par performance, particularly after Jimmysstar had impressed in his work leading into his first-up assignment.
“His two trials before he ran in the Memsie were very sharp. He certainly has come on looks-wise,” Maher told Racing.com.
“The run… I’m still scratching my head over that race, whether it was the horse (Angel Capital) laying in on him, or what it was.”
Maher added blinkers to Jimmysstar’s gear for Monday’s jumpout and received positive feedback from Brown, with the equipment now under consideration for the Manikato.
“We popped some blinkers on him today, just to see. Browny said it was no negative, so, going back to the 1200 metres of the Manikato, it might be a good opportunity to pop them on.”
Jimmysstar has established himself among Australia’s leading sprinters over the past two seasons, with his three victories at the elite level including the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
The son of Per Incanto has won 11 of his 28 starts and earned more than A$8.8 million in prizemoney. - NZ Racing Desk
Price keeps Planet Red sharp for Caulfield test
New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale graduate Planet Red (Admire Mars) will take another step towards his A$10 million Gr.1 Golden Eagle (1500m) target when he contests Saturday’s Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained four-year-old is among 24 nominations for the A$1 million feature, having resumed with a seventh placing in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at the same venue on August 29.
Planet Red is being prepared for the Golden Eagle at Randwick on October 31, with Saturday’s assignment set to provide an important stepping stone towards that lucrative target.
Price has deliberately sharpened Planet Red’s work ahead of his second-up appearance, mindful that the 1400m is short of his optimum distance, a path he has followed with stablemate Sabaj (Manhattan Rain), who will also contest the Sir Rupert Clarke on Saturday.
“I cut their work down to half-mile (800m), home ‘three’ (600m) on the grass and they were both perky,” Price said, referring to the pair.
“Both of those horses, their best distance is 1600 and we’re trying to win a 1400-metre race with them, so I need them jumping up and down a little bit.
“They’re nice and fresh and they should show up at the end of 1400.”
Planet Red caught the eye first-up in the Gr.1 Memsie (1400m), settling towards the rear before making ground in the straight to finish seventh behind Beiwacht (Bivouac).
Price expects the Sir Rupert Clarke to present a different challenge, particularly if conditions are firm and the race is run at a genuine tempo.
“That (1400m) is not their ideal distance in a Group One handicap on top of the ground where they might run 1:22-something if it’s a good-run race,” he said.
“But this is the race we want to use to go to the Toorak and they’re both going well.”
Planet Red is set to progress from Saturday’s race to the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10 before heading to Sydney for the Golden Eagle three weeks later.
The son of Admire Mars was purchased for $260,000 from Ohukia Lodge’s draft at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. - NZ Racing Desk
Group One Australian aspirations for Kiwi-breds
Top-flight hopes are held for a trio of New Zealand-bred representatives who posted stakes victories across the Tasman at the weekend.
Shockletz (NZ) (Shocking) and Satono Glow (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) were successful at Flemington, while Persian Wonder (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) scored at Rosehill to press their claims for higher honours.
Last season’s champion New Zealand juvenile Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution) also rebounded from an unplaced resuming effort to land the Listed Michael Moroney (1400m) for Cranbourne-based trainer Mark Walker.
“She is a Group One winner at home, and I know this was a Listed race, but it was a quality field so it's just really good when our form stacks up,” he said.
Rich Hill Stud enjoyed a double dose of success with close ties to both the Gr.3 Archer Stakes (2500m) winner Shockletz and Satono Glow, who claimed top honours in the Gr.3 Cap d’Antibes (1100m).
The former is by resident Rich Hill sire Shocking, and was foaled on the farm, while Satono Glow is by associate sire Satono Aladdin, whose daughter Shirase (NZ) won at Te Rapa on Sunday and is held in high regard by trainer Tony Pike.
Prepared by Ciaron Maher, Shockletz is now qualified for the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), and was bred by Victorian part-owner Laurence Eales whose colours were carried to victory in the 2009 Flemington feature by Shocking.
“She was very impressive on Saturday, she had blinkers on for the first time and Shocking won the Cup with blinkers on,” Rich Hill Stud’s John Thompson said.
“On that run, she’ll enjoy the two miles at Flemington.
“We have Lawrence’s mares here, he kept shares in Shocking when we syndicated him and still breeds a few to him.
“Shockletz’s mother Zelt was with us, but unfortunately she passed on a couple of years ago.”
Satono Glow’s victory has now prompted trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton to consider a return to Flemington for the Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) later in the spring.
“It was a great result for Satono Aladdin, she’s a really good filly and was bred by Sydney-based doctor Phil Chen, who is a New Zealander,” Thompson said.
“She won the Gr.3 Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Flemington last season and was then quite unlucky when fourth in the Percy Sykes Stakes (Gr.2, 1200m).”
Satono Glow was sold through Windsor Park Stud’s draft at Karaka for $260,000, and is out of the Pins mare Electrode (NZ), who had an Ace High colt last season and is due to foal to Circus Maximus.
The David Payne-trained Persian Wonder won the Gr.3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) and will be set for the Gr.3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) and a likely crack at the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).
“He’s just a big, dumb bugger. He’s very laidback and nothing worries him,” Payne said.
“He’s not bred to get a trip, but everybody who rides him says he’ll stay, so we’ll go to the Gloaming now.”
Persian Wonder was bred by Cambridge Stud and sold by them to Payne for A$160,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
A brother to multiple winner Hello Captain (NZ), he is by Hello Youmzain, who also sired Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) winner Sweetest Thing (NZ), out of the Irish-bred Pivotal mare Steer By The Stars and is currently in foal to Chaldean. - Paul Vettise
Star hoop lands ride on Well Written
Zac Lloyd has been booked to ride star mare Well Written (Written Tycoon) when she makes her Australian debut in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on October 3.
The Golden Slipper-winning jockey will take over from Matthew Cartwright aboard the Stephen Marsh-trained four-year-old, with connections opting for a leading Sydney-based rider for the A$1.5 million feature.
Cartwright has enjoyed a perfect association with Well Written, riding her to seven victories from as many starts, including the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m).
Racing in the colours of Yulong, Well Written was allocated 55kg when weights for the Epsom Handicap were released on Monday.
The Epsom will serve as Well Written’s first Australian assignment as Marsh prepares her for the A$10 million Gr.1 Golden Eagle (1500m) at Randwick on October 31. - NZ Racing Desk
NZ Racing Desk
NZ Racing Desk
Joshua Smith
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Darryl Anderson reviews the New Zealand sourced winners in Hong Kong on Sunday. #VisitInvestWin #RattanGalaxy by Exceed And Excel NZB #RubyThrive by Anders Kilgravin Lodge #AbsoluteAwakened by Ardrossan Prima Park #LucyInTheSky by No Nay Never Curraghmore #NyxGluck by Redwood Westbury Stud
NZ Stallion Awards
The Centaine Award
Sire whose NZ-conceived progeny have the highest earnings worldwide.
The Dewar Stallion Trophy
Sire whose progeny have the highest combined earnings in Australia and New Zealand.
The Grosvenor Award
Leading Sires by earnings in New Zealand.
NZ BRED WINNERS
MIGHTY STEED (HK) Snellen (NZ) 2020 by Time Test (GB) out of Perfect Vision by High Chaparral (IRE)
Breeder: N W Nicholson; Canterbury; NZ
Race: HKJC Kwun Tong H. 1650m.
AMAZING GAZE (NZ) 2021 by Wrote (IRE) out of Trissie (AUS) by Giant's Causeway (USA)
Breeder: Gillovic Bloodstock Ltd; Waikato; NZ
Race: HKJC Kwun Tong H. 1650m.
FORTUNATE SON (NZ) 2020 by U S Navy Flag (USA) out of Pinstripe by Pins (AUS)
Breeder: A M Aldridge; Mrs F V & G F Moughan & Mrs M Stanley; Central; NZ
Race: HKJC Central H. 1650m.
Sale: 2022 Ready to Run Sale V: Curraghmore $70000 P: Aspen T/breds
MR HOOPER (NZ) 2015 by Shamexpress out of Kate’s Talent by Montjeu (IRE)
Breeder: Windsor Park Stud Ltd; Waikato; NZ
Race: Selangor TC Class 5B H. 1300
Sale: 2017 Ready To Run Sale V: Woburn Farm $50000 P: Hardwicke Racing/Waterford Bloodstock
VETTAIYAN (MY) Pure Bronze (NZ) 2020 by Pure Champion (IRE) out of Zayzay by Fast 'n' Famous (AUS)
Breeder: P D Jeffreys; Central; NZ
Race: Selangor TC Class 5B H. 1300
Sale: 2022 Gavelhouse May Sale V: Willow Glen Stud $3000 P: Hamish Auret
2024 Gavelhouse February Sale V: Hamish Auret $6500 P: Anna Scott
EASTERN BARRACKS (MY) Tomintoul (NZ) 2021 by Tivaci (AUS) out of O’Me O’My by O’Reilly
Breeder: W Ross; NZ
Race: Selangor TC Class 4 H. 1400
Sale: 2022 National Weanling Sale $125000 P: Mr DM Goldsbury
BANKER’S PRINCESS (NZ) 2022 by Telperion (AUS) out of Forest Affair by Redwood (GB)
Breeder: NZ Thoroughbred Holdings Ltd & Stirling Bloodstock Ltd; Auckland; NZ
Race: Selangor TC Class 5A H. 1150
Sale: 2024 Ready To Run Sale V: Westbury Stud $15000 P: Mr Nigel Chong
HAPPY WARRIOR (NZ) 2018 by Alamosa out of Rainbow Rock by Road To Rock (AUS)
Breeder: J P Cuvelier, H F Dyball, Wellfield Holdings Ltd & S K W Wong; NZ
Race: Selangor TC Class 5B H. 1775
Sale: 2021 Gavelhouse December Sale V: Bill Gleeson $500 P: Dean Wiles
RATTAN GALAXY (NZ) 2021 by Exceed and Excel (AUS) out of Barbadine (USA) by Giant's Causeway (USA)
Breeder: Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd; Waikato; NZ
Race: HKJC Hong Tung H. 1400m.
Sale: 2023 National Yearling Sale - Book1 V: Pencarrow Stud $200000 P: Cheltenham Stables
2023 Ready to Run Sale V: Cheltenham Stables $450000 P: Jamie Richards Racing / Andrew Williams B/stock
ABSOLUTE AWAKENED (NZ) 2020 by Ardrossan (AUS) out of Miss Rule by Bachelor Duke (USA)
Breeder: Dame Lowell Goddard; Central; NZ
Race: HKJC Mei Tung H. 1400m.
Sale: 2022 National Yearling Sale - Book 2 V: Prima Park $130000 P: Tartan Meadow B/stock
NYX GLUCK (NZ) 2021 by Redwood (GB) out of La Parfaite (AUS) by Dehere (USA)
Breeder: G Harvey; Auckland; NZ
Race: HKJC Yiu Tung H. 1400m.
Sale: 2023 Ready to Run Sale V: Westbury Stud $160000 P: Golden River Investments / Johnny Chen
SUNNY DAY (NZ) 2020 by U S Navy Flag (USA) out of Lady Pentire by Pentire (GB)
Breeder: Tina Barlow; NZ
Race: Selangor TC Class 5B H. 1020
Sale: 2022 National Yearling Sale – Book 2 V: Kiltannon Stables $4000 P: Mr DR Wiles
TRIDENT RISING (MY) Signoretti (NZ) 2022 by Hello Youmzain (FR) out of I Am Grande (AUS) by I Am Invincible (AUS)
Breeder: G Harvey; Auckland; NZ
Race: Selangor TC Class 3 H. 1200
FORTUNE TREE (MY) Jazzclub (NZ) 2021 by Ardrossan (AUS) out of Vanilla Essence by Pins (AUS)
Breeder: Waikato Stud Ltd; Waikato; NZ
Race: Selangor TC Class 1 1200
OCEAN JUPITER (NZ) 2020 by Ocean Park out of The Iffraaj Dame by Iffraaj (GB)
Breeder: T J Taylor & Trelawney Thoroughbreds Ltd; Waikato; NZ
Race: Selangor TC Class 5A H. 1400
Sale: 2022 Ready To Run Sale V: Trelawney Stud $60000 P: Tiang Kim Choi
Global NZ-bred winners
2026-09-05 / 2026-09-12
AUSTRALIA
Ace High : Blind Raise (NZ)(Away Cruising by Darci Brahma) 2023;
05 Sep 2026, 1st MVRC Mitchell McKenzie S.L1300m
Sold by The Oaks Stud at National Yearling Sale for $70000
Ace High : Manapouri (NZ)(Long Lake by Distorted Humor) 2020;
05 Sep 2026, 1st Mendooran TC M Coe Transport Maiden P. 1200m
Ace High : Tanganyika (NZ)(Jezibaba by Bullbars) 2020;
11 Sep 2026, 1st Geelong RC Geelong Cup on Sale Now H. 1500m
Sold by Rich Hill Stud at National Weanling Sale for $42500
All Too Hard : Not on My Watch (NZ)(Exotic Enterprise by Swiss Ace) 2023;
10 Sep 2026, 1st Hawkesbury RC Hawkesbury Race Club Motel Maiden P. 1100m
Sold by Westbury Stud at National Yearling Sale for $200000
Almanzor : Valued (NZ)(Refreshing by Stratum) 2022;
09 Sep 2026, 1st Murray Bridge RC Kookaburra Homes H. 2000m
Sold by Lilywhites Lodge at Ready to Run Sale for $100000
Almanzor : Gemtiki (NZ)(Justagem by Stravinsky) 2021;
08 Sep 2026, 1st Muswellbrook RC Denman Cup Raceday H. 1750m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Online Yearling Sale for $6350
Ardrossan : Shiny Love (NZ)(Miss Rule by Bachelor Duke) 2021;
12 Sep 2026, 1st Mackay TC MM Electrical Mackay H. 1800m
Sold by Prima Park at National Yearling Sale for $30000
Sold by Prima Park at Ready to Run Sale for $100000
Contributer : Lord Momo (NZ)(Dezella by Zed) 2021;
06 Sep 2026, 1st Kalgoorlie Boulder RC Willweld Maiden P. 1400m
Sold by Woburn Farm at Ready to Run Sale for $45000
Contributer : Ostrica (NZ)(Ostreidae by Pierro) 2021;
05 Sep 2026, 1st Mildura RC Mildura Gateway Maiden P. 1408m
Sold by Mapperley Stud Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $55000
Ghibellines : Tactfull (NZ)(Tackit by Pins) 2017;
08 Sep 2026, 1st Moe RC John Kerr Real Estate H. 2069m
Hello Youmzain : Concrete Storm (NZ)(Black Sav by Savabeel) 2023;
10 Sep 2026, 1st Hawkesbury RC Book Your Christmas Raceday Party Now H. 1400m
Sold by Kilgravin Lodge at National Yearling Sale for $120000
Hello Youmzain : Persian Wonder (NZ)(Steer by the Stars by Pivotal) 2023;
12 Sep 2026, 1st ATC Ming Dynasty H.Gr.31400m
King of Comedy : Midnight Maggie (NZ)(Canyon Yodeler by Swiss Yodeler) 2022;
05 Sep 2026, 1st Emerald JC Farm & Construction Products & Goldacres H. 1000m
Maurice : Yorokobi (NZ)(Greatest Joy by More Than Ready) 2022;
11 Sep 2026, 1st Bordertown RC Creaser Constuctions H. 2000m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $180000
Mongolian Khan : Anthracite (NZ)(Scarlet's Secret by Savabeel) 2020;
12 Sep 2026, 1st ATC Precise Air H. 1800m
Ocean Park : Moana Nui (NZ)(Enduja by Encosta de Lago) 2019;
11 Sep 2026, 1st SCTC Boss Elevators H. 2200m
Sold by Cheltenham Stables at Ready to Run Sale for $25000
Ocean Park : Liberty Park (NZ)(Liberty Pride by Hinchinbrook) 2021;
12 Sep 2026, 1st BRC XXXX H. 1615m
Ocean Park : Royal Reflection (NZ)(Royal Star by Redoute's Choice) 2023;
10 Sep 2026, 1st Bunbury TC Membership at the Bunbury Turf Club Maiden P. 1200m
Ocean Park : Moana Nui (NZ)(Enduja by Encosta de Lago) 2019;
05 Sep 2026, 1st GCTC Village Roadshow Theme Parks Maiden P. 2224m
Sold by Cheltenham Stables at Ready to Run Sale for $25000
Per Incanto : Evaporate (NZ)(Savanna by Animal Kingdom) 2021;
05 Sep 2026, 1st MVRC So You Think S. 1500m
Per Incanto : Vendemmia (NZ)(Elusive Red by Elusive City) 2020;
07 Sep 2026, 1st Clarence River JC Band of Brothers for the Kosciuszko H. 1200m
Per Incanto : Eamonn's Memory (NZ)(In Memory Of by Darci Brahma) 2018;
12 Sep 2026, 1st Griffith JC Griffith Cup 1350m
Redwood : St Lawrence (NZ)(Bacio del Vinto by Encosta de Lago) 2018;
12 Sep 2026, 1st VRC Vic/Tas Trophy 1700m
Reliable Man : Princess Painton (NZ)(Lady Painton by Tavistock) 2021;
05 Sep 2026, 1st SAJC Fotobase Group H. 2250m
Reliable Man : Can't Recall One (NZ)(Recollect by Darci Brahma) 2021;
11 Sep 2026, 1st Tuncurry Forster JC Choices Flooring Forster H. 2100m
Sold by The Oaks Stud at National Yearling Sale for $90000
Satono Aladdin : Satono Glow (NZ)(Electrode by Pins) 2023;
12 Sep 2026, 1st VRC Cap d'Antibes S.Gr.31100m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $260000
Satono Aladdin : Noble One (NZ)(Piazza by Sir Percy) 2019;
12 Sep 2026, 1st Geurie PRC Elders Dubbo H. 1400m
Savabeel : Raetihi (NZ)(Lego by O'Reilly) 2019;
05 Sep 2026, 1st Birdsville Rc Birdsville Cup 1600m
Sold by Ohukia Lodge Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $155000
Shamexpress : Retourne (NZ)(Rita Moreno by King's Chapel) 2020;
12 Sep 2026, 1st SAJC Sportsbet H. 2525m
Shocking : Shockletz (NZ)(Zelt by Red Ransom) 2021;
12 Sep 2026, 1st VRC Archer S.Gr.32500m
Tarzino : Taravia (NZ)(Yugoslavia by More Than Ready) 2021;
06 Sep 2026, 1st SCTC Caloundra RSL H. 2200m
Tarzino : Rockzino (NZ)(Rocks for Me by Fastnet Rock) 2022;
11 Sep 2026, 1st Geelong RC Elegance Tiles Maiden P. 1700m
Sold by Wentwood Grange at National Yearling Sale for $50000
The Autumn Sun : Livalittle (NZ)(Hayley Grace by Thorn Park) 2021;
12 Sep 2026, 1st BRC Become a Member H. 2020m
Time Test : Fast Tempo (NZ)(Cordal by Tavistock) 2021;
05 Sep 2026, 1st SAJC Sportsbet H. 1550m
Sold by HGT Bloodstock Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $25000
Tivaci : Toussaint (NZ)(Oceans Eight by Ocean Park) 2022;
11 Sep 2026, 1st Goulburn DRC Brad Writer Constructions H. 1600m
Sold by Trelawney Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $130000
Vanbrugh : Ocean Bay (NZ)(Ysabella Brave by Deputy Governor) 2022;
05 Sep 2026, 1st MVRC Ladbrokes H. 1600m
HONG KONG
Darci Brahma : Good Fortune (NZ)(Lion Blanc by Reset) 2019;
06 Sep 2026, 1st HKJC Glenealy H. 1200m
Sold by Wentwood Grange at National Yearling Sale for $50000
Sold by Ohukia Lodge Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $80000
Shamexpress : Ka Ying Rising (NZ)(Missy Moo by Per Incanto) 2020;
06 Sep 2026, 1st HKJC HKSAR Chief Executive's CupGr.31200m
Time Test : Snellen - Mighty Seed (H.K.) (NZ)(Perfect Vision by High Chaparral) 2020;
09 Sep 2026, 1st HKJC Kwun Tong H. 1650m
U S Navy Flag : Fortunate Son (NZ)(Pinstripe by Pins) 2020;
09 Sep 2026, 1st HKJC Central H. 1650m
Sold by Curraghmore at Ready to Run Sale for $70000
Wrote : Amazing Gaze (NZ)(Trissie by Giant's Causeway) 2021;
09 Sep 2026, 1st HKJC Kwun Tong H. 1650m
MALAYSIA
Ardrossan : Top Chilli (NZ)(Indecisive by Pins) 2020;
06 Sep 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 5 H. 1100m
Sold by Milan Park at National Yearling Sale for $62000
Atlante : Zygarde (NZ)(La Madelina by Giant's Causeway) 2016;
06 Sep 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 5 H. 1400m
Sold by Valachi Downs at National Yearling Sale for $80000
Charm Spirit : Commander Jones (NZ)(Zuma by Mastercraftsman) 2020;
05 Sep 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 4 H. 1500m
Contributer : Platinum Harvest (NZ)(Glamazon by Pins) 2018;
05 Sep 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 4 H. 1200m
Sold by Mapperley Stud Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $70000
Makfi : Jungle King (NZ)(Shamabelle by Shamardal) 2016;
05 Sep 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 5 H. 1020m
Proisir : Michikawa (NZ)(Lavalliere by Medaglia d'Oro) 2017;
06 Sep 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 5 H. 1600m
Sold by Kiltannon Stables Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $26000
Super Seth : Superb Winner (NZ)(Silver Eclipse by Darci Brahma) 2022;
06 Sep 2026, 1st Perak TC Open Maiden H. 1100m
Sold by Riversley Park Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $50000
Sold by Pencarrow Stud at National Yearling Sale for $60000
Sweynesse : Platinum Emperor (NZ)(Florence Hilton by Lucky Unicorn) 2019;
05 Sep 2026, 1st Selangor TC NZB Championship 1400m
Sold by CH Bloodstock Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $29000
Turn Me Loose : Pacific Soldier (NZ)(Soleil Dore by Medaglia d'Oro) 2020;
05 Sep 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 5 H. 1150m
