Mega Ace on target in 3YO Sprint Championship
Mega Ace (Earthlight) proved a cut above the rest with a dominant display in the RM200,000 3YO Sprint Championship (1200m) at Sungai Besi on Sunday.
Jet Thirty Five (Santos), a debut winner just last week, jumped brilliantly and was clear leader early but Mega Ace quickly chased him down to take over the running and at the halfway mark, he was three lengths clear of the rest.
Mega Ace, ridden by Benny Woodworth, increased his advantage to four lengths at the 200m.
Jet Twenty Five threw everything at the leader in the run home but to no avail. Mega Ace won by 1-1/4 lengths. Banker’s Boss (Hellbent) battled to finish third.
Mega Ace, who landed unraced, has now won seven of his 10 starts.
“That was his ‘final’ this campaign and he will now head for a well deserved rest,” said trainer Simon Dunderdale.
“I have been targerting this race for him for some time.
“He was nearly caught (by Pacific Energy) in his last start but that was against open company.
“He is unbeatable over 1100m but against his own age today, he is clearly the class horse in the race.
“Benny knows the horse too well.
“I will see where I can place him next.”
“He (Mega Ace) loves to race in front and the track (conditions) did not affect him at all,” said Woodworth who has now ridden the Earthlight galloper seven times for six wins.
Mega Ace is a graduate of the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run sale where he was sold from the draft of Regal Farm for $75,000 to Esther Quan Hui Lim.- NZ Racing Desk
Novara filly makes perfect start to career
An invitation from Novara Park has translated into immediate racing success for Shaune Ritchie and his clients.
The Cambridge trainer, who operates in partnership with Colm Murray, produced Dubawi Diva (NZ) (King Of Comedy) for a stylish debut victory at Matamata on Sunday.
The two-year-old made all the running in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1050m) and held a strong gallop under apprentice Jack Taplin to make a dream start for all concerned.
“We were approached by Luigi Muollo, who’s got Novara Park, and he had a few fillies to lease, so we went out and picked one and she stood out to us,” Ritchie said.
A daughter of young resident sire King Of Comedy, Dubawi Diva is the fourth winner for the Dubawi mare Diamonds Of Dubai and is raced by Ritchie with Allan Pate and the rugby-orientated Cushy Crew’s Syndicate.
“Allan has raced quite a few horses with us and is involved with the Owners’ Federation and members of the Leamington Rugby Club are involved, I kept a share for myself so it’s a good way to kick it off,” Ritchie said.
“Her trials were nice and quiet and she’s been no hassle, she’s generally showed pretty good gate speed.
“With a claim and the fillies’ allowance, and the track in great order and the rail held up really well early, she was just a little bit too strong.
“Obviously, drawing barrier one helped with the way she races and made it a bit harder for the others to catch her from wider gates.”
Ritchie is now looking at late season stakes options for Dubawi Diva.
“She came through the race really well and we’d like to look at a bit of black type before the fancy three-year-olds step out in the spring,” he said.
“The Castletown Stakes (Listed, 1200m) and the Ryder Stakes (Listed, 1200m) will probably be on her agenda.
“I’m not 100 percent sure how she’d handle heavy tracks and we’ve had such a dry autumn that you’d have to think we’re going to get some rain, but there’s only one way to find out.
“I think pressing on is the right way to go at the moment, she may be limited to 1200 and 1400m with the speed she’s got and the spring three-year-olds step up to a mile pretty quickly.”
Ritchie will also be following the fortunes in Australia of a former stablemate of Dubawi Diva.
“Luigi sent us another lovely filly called Explosive Express and she won a trial really impressively at Ellerslie and went over to Chris Waller,” he said.
Bred and raced by Muollo, the well-related Staphanos two-year-old finished third on debut at Warwick Farm for the champion trainer earlier this month.
“She’s a half-sister to Explosive Jack, who won three Derbys, so she might be one to follow when she gets up over further in the spring,” Ritchie said.- Paul Vettise
McNab having season to remember
Apprentice jockey Sam McNab is having a season to remember, which was further enhanced at Te Rapa on Saturday when he rode his first winning treble.
“It was awesome to get my first treble,” McNab said. “You obviously have to have the support and horse under you, but it was a big thrill.
“I did go into the day with a good book of rides and I was excited, so to get the rewards was really good, it was a very good day for me.”
The 19-year-old hoop started the day off in perfect fashion when winning the first race on the flat, the RDA Charity Raceday @ Cambridge Wednesday 1400, onPure Lotus(Lean Mean Machine) for his employer Tony Pike.
“Pure Lotus is a horse on the rise, and blinkers back on this preparation helped,” McNab said. “He jumped well, got a soft lead and kicked away. He was leading towards a win like that and he deserved it.”
He then doubled his tally when guiding home the Allan Sharrock-trained Tisse (NZ)(Belardo) in the Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate 22/8 Mile (1600m), before sealing the treble aboard the Stephen Marsh-trained Erin Go Bragh (NZ)(Vadamos) in the See You @ Te Rapa Tavern 1400.
“Tisse is preparing for the Cups races over further,” McNab said. “Over the mile they went quick, there was good tempo and had me off the bridle just about the whole way. With a quick tempo up front, they came back to me, and he was strong late to get the win.
“He is going to keep improving off it and he is going to be one to look out for in those staying races if he doesn’t get too much weight.
“Erin Go Bragh was a close second last start at Te Rapa. I thought he was the best horse in the race and I thought he was my best ride of the day.
“He jumped well and we did get taken on a little bit early, but he relaxed for me, I got him underneath me at the 500m and he really built and put them away. It was good to see him do that, it was a very promising win.”
McNab also scored two placings from his three other rides at the meeting, including a close runner-up result aboard Little Bit Of Love (NZ) (Time Test) in the Thanks Bernard Kneebone – 25 Years On The Clock 1200.
“He never runs a bad race and I was excited to be on him,” McNab said. “He is probably looking for 1400m now. Over 1200m he built late and was very good to the line. There were millimetres in it, but it was a terrific run, and he is another horse that does handle wet tracks, so he is one to look out for over winter.”
McNab’s trio of wins extended his season tally to 46 wins, including stakes victories aboard Agera (NZ) (Complacent) in the Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1530m) and Omega Boy (NZ) (Time Test) in the Gr.2 Japan Trophy (1600m), with more than $1.67 million in prizemoney.
“To have 50 wins in my first year of riding was a thrill but the season to date has gone really well,” McNab said. “I have had good support, not only from my boss but every other trainer that has helped me out. The people behind the scenes that have helped me has also been great.
“I have been thrilled with the way it is going but I just have to keep looking forward and hopefully improving.”
McNab is hoping he can extend his season tally at Cambridge’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday where he will have four rides, including Loopy Farooki (NZ) (Shocking) in the Ascot Farm (1300m), Bad Education (Bel Esprit) in the Shaw’s Wire Ropes (1300m), Rosina (NZ) (El Roca) in the TCL Earthworks (2000m), and Delz Abeel (NZ) (Swiss Ace) in the Cambridge Equine Hospital (1550m).
“Loopy Farooki trialled up well,” McNab said. “She may need the run but off her last trial, she hit the line really well at Waipa, so she should be a nice each way chance.
“Rosina never runs a bad race and I am looking forward to her. Delz Abeel loves the poly, his work going into Wednesday has been very good, and two kilos off his back he will be a key chance in the last.” - Joshua Smith
Joshua Smith
New Zealand Bloodstock
New Zealand Bloodstock
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
KYRUS TREASURE (NZ) 2021 by Smart Missile (Aus) out of Spectacular Vision by Mastercraftsman (IRE); Breeder: J P Abrahams; Waikato; NZ; Race: HKJC Chek Lap Kok H. 1800m.; Sale: 2023 Ready to Run Sale V: Pertab Racing $200000 P: Ian Sham / Bridle B/stock
TARGET AUDIENCE (NZ) 2021 by Derryn (AUS) out of Magic Tryst by Magic Ring (IRE); Breeder: Mrs B C Ritchie; Auckland; NZ; Race: HKJC West Kowloon H. 1200m.; Sale: 2023 National Yearling Sale - Book2 V: Grangewilliam Stud $70000 P: Shaune Ritchie Racing
PRESTIGE HALL (NZ) 2021 by Belardo (IRE) out of Asmahal by Falkirk; Breeder: Don Pye & Dame Wendy Pye; Auckland; NZ; Race: HKJC Swan H. 1400m.
TEN TEN (MY) Just Like Hank (NZ) 2020 by Mongolian Khan (AUS) out of Pierian by Montjeu (IRE); Breeder: Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) Ltd; Auckland; NZ; Race: Perak TC Class 5A H. 1200
STORM TO WIN (NZ) 2015 by Storm Creek (USA) out of Dwandaofu by Align (AUS); Breeder: Mrs K Petch; NZ; Race: Perak TC Class 5B H. 1400
STORMRUNNER (MY) The Loomster (NZ) 2022 by Time Test (GB) out of Oyster Island (AUS) by Fastnet Rock (AUS); Breeder: T & W Bielby, G Day, B Flynn, C I Rutherford, J & S Scaglia & A J Standing; NZ; Race: Perak TC Maiden 1000
RUMEUR (NZ) 2020 by Mongolian Khan (AUS) out of Quaalup by Pins (AUS); Breeder: Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry (NZ) Ltd; Auckland; NZ; Race: Perak TC Enrich Stakes A 1400; Sale: 2022 National Yearling Sale – Book 2 V: Seaton Park Ltd $5000 P: Avoca Racing; 2025 Gavelhouse March Sale V: Shaune Ritchie Racing $17000 P: Dean Wiles
HEAVENLY WARRIOR (MY) Figopumpkin (NZ) 2021 by Ribchester (IRE) out of Qiji Sunlight by Medaglia D’Oro (USA); Breeder: Haunui Bloodstock Ltd; Auckland; NZ; Race: Perak TC Class 4A H. 1600
MENTAL (NZ) 2018 by Ocean Park out of Dubrovnik (AUS) by Medaglia D’Oro (USA); Breeder: Dalanna Bloodstock Pty Ltd & Tunstall Bloodstock Pty Ltd; NZ ; Race: Selangor TC Class 5B H. 1400; Sale: 2020 National Yearling Sale – Book 2 V: Curraghmore $7000 P: Mr S Jumaat; 2020 Gavelhouse December Sale V: Kara Waters $7250 P: Godelyn Rufin
CHOICE IS MINE (MY) Hana Man (NZ) 2021 by Turn Me Loose out of Te Hana by Falkirk; Breeder: S D Aberdein, R J Hannam, M Lawn, J & Mrs J S Millar; NZ; Race: Selangor TC Max Two Stakes 1400
PLATINUM EMPEROR (MY) Famous Rainbow (NZ) 2019 by Sweynesse (AUS) out of Florence Hilton by Lucky Unicorn (AUS); Breeder: K J Hickman ONZM; Canterbury; NZ; Race: Selangor TC Supreme A. 1200; Sale: 2021 National Yearling Sale – Book 2 V; CH Bloodstock $29000 P: Mr HN Auret
Global NZ-bred winners
2026-06-06 / 2026-06-13
AUSTRALIA
Ace High : Colizzi (NZ) (Ciana by Shocking) 2022;
10 Jun 2026, 1st Sale TC Max Blackiston Life Member Maiden P. 1717m
Sold by Carlaw Park at National Yearling Sale for $45000
Sold by KB Bloodstock at Ready to Run Sale for $85000
Ace High : High Dandy (NZ) (Goodtime Gal by Holy Roman Emperor) 2020;
13 Jun 2026, 1st GCTC Liam O'Brien Open H. 1400m
Ace High : Aces Up (NZ) (Tin Goose by Pentire) 2020;
13 Jun 2026, 1st Gayndah JC Gayndah Cup 1400m
Ardrossan : Ardie Three (NZ) (Nellie Bly by Iffraaj) 2022;
07 Jun 2026, 1st SCTC Bathersby Legal Maiden H. 1200m
Astern : Big Papa (NZ) (Papilio by Redoute's Choice) 2022;
13 Jun 2026, 1st ATC Racing and Sports H. 1300m
Sold by Pencarrow Stud at National Yearling Sale for $70000
Brutal : Posh Chant (NZ) (Mrs Beckham by Toronado) 2022;
11 Jun 2026, 1st Seymour RC Bet365 Maiden P. 1000m
Churchill : Vondel (NZ) (Miss Tainui by Vancouver) 2022;
07 Jun 2026, 1st Wyong RC Drumstick Derby Maiden P. 1625m
Contributer : Conducive (NZ) (Astardia by Starcraft) 2022;
10 Jun 2026, 1st WATC Lawn Pride Australia H. 1200m
Sold by Mapperley Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $130000
Darci Brahma : Darci Lane (NZ) (Wood Lane by Sadler's Wells) 2022;
08 Jun 2026, 1st Strathalbyn RC Sportsbet Maiden P. 1350m
Sold by Seaton Park Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $35000
Derryn : Laws Wars (NZ) (Tesia by Pins) 2022;
06 Jun 2026, 1st Darwin TC Sportsbet H. 1200m
Sold by HGT Bloodstock Ltd at National Weanling and Broodmare Sale for $10000
Hello Youmzain : Devine Squire (NZ) (Cool Tart by Zabeel) 2022;
08 Jun 2026, 1st Tweed River JC Mulcahy Lawyers and Conveyancers Maiden H. 1200m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $200000
Hello Youmzain : Hello Captain (NZ) (Steer by the Stars by Pivotal) 2022;
08 Jun 2026, 1st ATC Schweppes H. 1250m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Yearling Sale for $425000
Hello Youmzain : Opetaia - Cruiserweight (Aus) (NZ) (Medal O'Rose by Medaglia d'Oro) 2022;
07 Jun 2026, 1st Swan Hill JC Ultima Hotel H. 1200m
Sold by Leanach Lodge Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $40000
Hello Youmzain : Attractiveness (NZ) (Hot in High Heels by High Chaparral) 2022;
13 Jun 2026, 1st Newcastle JC Signature Stables H. 1250m
Sold by Blandford Lodge at National Yearling Sale for $120000
Home Affairs : Miss Scandal (NZ) (Kylie's Fame by More Than Ready) 2023;
08 Jun 2026, 1st ATC E Security Group Maiden 2YO P. 1250m
Sold by Westbury Stud at National Yearling Sale for $320000
Iffraaj : Western Empire (NZ) (Western Jewel by Jeune) 2017;
13 Jun 2026, 1st WATC Strickland S. Gr.3 2000m
Jon Snow : Jonson (NZ) (Norah by Gallant Guru) 2021;
11 Jun 2026, 1st Gosford RC Thymely Food Co Maiden H. 1600m
Maurice : Yorokobi (NZ) (Greatest Joy by More Than Ready) 2022;
11 Jun 2026, 1st Mackay TC Book for Mackay Cup H. 1560m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $180000
Mongolian Khan : Bankers Choice (NZ) (Signorina by Conatus) 2017;
13 Jun 2026, 1st MRC Quayclean H. 1800m
Noverre : Hailstones (NZ) (Cool Storm by One Cool Cat) 2023;
09 Jun 2026, 1st Scone RC Mayor's Gallop Maiden H. 1300m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $150000
Ocean Park : Konsa (NZ) (Namurian Sunset by Thousand Words) 2022;
10 Jun 2026, 1st ATC Drinkwise Maiden P. 1400m
Sold by Wentwood Grange at National Yearling Sale for $90000
Per Incanto : Mahershala (NZ) (Celeris by Fusaichi Pegasus) 2022;
11 Jun 2026, 1st Seymour RC Vale Ian Dickinson Maiden P. 1000m
Sold by Haunui Farm at National Yearling Sale for $255000
Per Incanto : Per Sempre (NZ) (Confidante by Conatus) 2019;
07 Jun 2026, 1st Swan Hill JC Pooles Accountants H. 975m
Pierro : War Eternal (NZ) (Aleria by Fastnet Rock) 2018;
06 Jun 2026, 1st BRC Spear Chief H. L 1500m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Yearling Sale for $160000
Pierro : War Eternal (NZ) (Aleria by Fastnet Rock) 2018;
13 Jun 2026, 1st BRC Wayne Wilson P. L 1600m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Yearling Sale for $160000
Power : All Business (NZ) (Peach Bellini by Stravinsky) 2018;
13 Jun 2026, 1st Gladstone TC Zonta Club H. 1517m
Sold by Highview at National Yearling Sale for $35000
Proisir : Coeur Volante (NZ) (Shanina by Testa Rossa) 2020;
13 Jun 2026, 1st MRC Ive H. 1400m
Sold by Prima Park at National Yearling Sale for $90000
Proisir : I'm So Elegant (NZ) (Sarsarun by Ustinov) 2021;
06 Jun 2026, 1st Toowoomba TC Kennards Hire Maiden P. 1890m
Sold by Hallmark Stud at National Yearling Sale for $230000
Proisir : Golden Eyes (NZ) (Piazza by Sir Percy) 2022;
07 Jun 2026, 1st SCTC Support Set Maiden H. 1600m
Sold by Rich Hill Stud at National Yearling Sale for $360000
Proisir : The Narrator (NZ) (Powerful Story by Written Tycoon) 2021;
07 Jun 2026, 1st Casterton RC Vickery Bros H. 1400m
Redwood : Weona Redwood (NZ) (Keep Eve by Keeper) 2021;
12 Jun 2026, 1st GCTC Your Q to Move Q State Properties H. 2450m
Redwood : Thebudgiesmugla (NZ) (Hot Pants by Keeper) 2020;
13 Jun 2026, 1st ATC Queen Elizabeth II Cup L 2400m
Savabeel : Ivy Legend (NZ) (Vinevale by Flying Spur) 2021;
11 Jun 2026, 1st Gosford RC IP Advokat Group H. 1600m
Savabeel : Captain Electric (NZ) (My Central by Central Park) 2020;
13 Jun 2026, 1st Bendigo JC Evergreen Turf H. 3600m
Savabeel : Sting in the Tail (NZ) (Cutting Remark by Encosta de Lago) 2020;
08 Jun 2026, 1st ATC All Too Hard H. 1900m
Sold by Haunui Farm at National Yearling Sale for $470000
Staphanos : Tsitsipas (NZ) (Lioness by Generous) 2021;
09 Jun 2026, 1st Donald DRC Gilchrist and Co H. 2200m
Super Easy : Prawns Eleven (NZ) (Pussycat Holiday by Private Call) 2019;
07 Jun 2026, 1st Kalgoorlie Boulder RC Hot Dub Time Machine After Party H. 1400m
Super Seth : Savour the Dream (NZ) (Savvy Dreams by Savabeel) 2021;
08 Jun 2026, 1st MRC (Mornington) Devilbend Golf Club H. 2000m
Sold by Milan Park at National Yearling Sale for $180000
Swiss Ace : Detain (NZ) (Sainted by More Than Ready) 2020;
12 Jun 2026, 1st Muswellbrook RC Two Rivers Wines H. 1000m
Tavistock : Tavijewel (NZ) (Jewels Gift by Stravinsky) 2019;
12 Jun 2026, 1st Canberra RC Cosmic Cleaning H. 1750m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Yearling Sale for $110000
Tavistock : Perfect Ten (NZ) (Mourasana by Shirocco) 2020;
13 Jun 2026, 1st MRC Evergreen Turf H. 1600m
Sold by Curraghmore at National Yearling Sale for $160000
Time Test : Omakase (NZ) (Extra Explosive by Ekraar) 2019;
13 Jun 2026, 1st GCTC Renew Your Membership H. 1400m
Sold by Phoenix Park at National Yearling Sale for $65000
Vadamos : Zentorno (NZ) (Zentessa by Zed) 2022;
11 Jun 2026, 1st Seymour RC Seymour Toyota H. 1600m
Sold by Beaufort Downs Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $55000
Wrote : (The) Creator (NZ) (Go Teena by Guillotine) 2019;
08 Jun 2026, 1st ATC Toyota Forklifts H. 1550m
Sold by Highview at Ready to Run Sale for $40000
Zed : Notabadjackup (NZ) (Hold Me Close by Darci Brahma) 2021;
06 Jun 2026, 1st GCTC Bulletin H. 1800m
HONG KONG
Derryn : Target Audience (NZ) (Magic Tryst by Magic Ring) 2021;
10 Jun 2026, 1st HKJC West Kowloon H. 1200m
Sold by Grangewilliam Stud at National Yearling Sale for $70000
El Roca : Top to Sky (NZ) (Daly River by General Nediym) 2021;
07 Jun 2026, 1st HKJC HKU Business School and Faculty of Engineering H. 1400m
Sold by Westbury Stud at Ready to Run Sale for $400000
Smart Missile : Kyrus Treasure (NZ) (Spectacular Vision by Mastercraftsman) 2021;
10 Jun 2026, 1st HKJC Chek Lap Kok H. 1800m
Sold by Pertab Racing at Ready to Run Sale for $200000
Tivaci : Ace (NZ) (Without Flaw by Sacred Falls) 2021;
07 Jun 2026, 1st HKJC HKU Heritage H. 1600m
MALAYSIA
Caravaggio : Tenebrosi - Contarelli (Sing.) (NZ) (Dark and Stormy by Zabeel) 2019;
06 Jun 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 5 H. 1300m
Sold by Pencarrow Stud at National Yearling Sale for $85000
Ocean Park : Storm Park - Banker's Honor (Mal.) (NZ) (Cool Storm by One Cool Cat) 2021;
07 Jun 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 3 H. 1600m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $140000
Rubick : Money Ranger (NZ) (Biddable by Exceed and Excel) 2021;
06 Jun 2026, 1st Selangor TC Open Maiden H. 1200m
Sold by Pencarrow Stud at National Yearling Sale for $90000
War Decree : Solidasarock (NZ) (Pinzano by Pins) 2021;
07 Jun 2026, 1st Selangor TC Rebound S. 1400m
🎥 Did you see?
Young Kiwi Todd Pollard trained his first stakes winner at Eagle Farm on Saturday when Midnight In Tokyo won the Listed Hinkler Handicap. Learn more about the boy from Matamata care of 7 Horse Racing
