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Cambridge gelding Notabadspillane (NZ) (Time Test) finished runner-up in last year’s Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m), and trainer Shaun Phelan is hoping he can go one better in this year’s edition at Riccarton on Saturday. They were met by winter-like conditions last year,
Charlotte Littlefield concedes the Gr.3 Summoned Stakes (1500m) was not high on her priority list with Concord Connie (Contributer) coming into spring, but the A$200,000 Group Three was too good an opportunity to pass up. Littlefield's stable star will have her final run for the
Former New Zealand Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) has been retired, and in a full-circle moment has returned to breeder Gerry Harvey’s Auckland farm, Westbury Stud. “I think we have done the right thing by the horse,” said co-trainer and co-owner Graeme
War Machine's (NZ) (Harry Angel) scheduled first-up run this campaign taught the Lindsay Park team to not take anything for granted with the classy gelding, but the Hayes brothers are excited about seeing what he can do in this Saturday's Gr.1 C F Orr
Hollie Elliot and Masa Hashizume kicked off New Zealand Cup Week on a high with victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), and they are hoping they can end it in similar fashion on Saturday. Elliot is still on cloud nine following the win of Angels Halo
Dashing Dixie (NZ) (Alabama Express) was the bridesmaid last weekend when runner-up to Angels Halo (NZ) (Proisir) in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), and her connections are hoping she can be the bride on Saturday when she backs up in the Gr.2 Al Basti Equiworld
Rob Archibald believes Sweynesday (NZ) (Sweynesse) is approaching his best form ahead of Saturday’s A$1 million Listed The Hunter (1300m) at Newcastle, where the gelding will chase his first Australian victory. The six-year-old has made two encouraging appearances since joining the Warwick Farm partnership of Annabel
More than a black-type breakthrough is at stake for Iminastate (NZ) (Sword Of State) in Saturday’s A$250,000 Gr.3 NZB Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle, with his performance helping determine whether he remains a colt. The Richard and Will Freedman-trained three-year-old broke his
Henry Dwyer is eyeing a return to New Zealand with promising filly Mountjoy (Street Boss), who has next January's $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie firmly on her radar. The daughter of Street Boss made an encouraging return to racing at Ballarat on Wednesday,
There is plenty of hype surrounding promising gelding Thunder In Motion (NZ) (Per Incanto) ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton, and trainer Mark Forbes is hoping he can deliver in the southern Classic. Bred by Trelawney Stud, the son
Stephen Marsh’s confidence of landing a second Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) crown has been boosted by all of the lead-up performances of Raymond (NZ) (Ardrossan). The Cambridge trainer won the Classic in 2016 with Ugo Foscolo (NZ) (Zacinto) and a decade on his current hope
As he prepares a select draft of four colts for next week’s NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, Riverrock Farm’s Chad Ormsby has been given a timely boost by another branch of his business. The multi-talented horseman has also trained six winners from only 15 starters
Racing
Following a whirlwind 12 months, expat Cantabrian Logan Bates will return home this weekend to ride on the final day of the New Zealand Cup Carnival. The Melbourne-based hoop rode on the opening day of the carnival last year, competing against his now-retired mother Kylie Williams, where he
Breeding
Gavelhouse Plus is giving breeders the chance to add a Group One performer to their broodmare band with the auction of multiple black-type placegetter Myakkabelle (NZ) (War Decree). The daughter of War Decree has retired from the racetrack after a 19-start career that produced two wins, seven placings
Racing
An overdue maiden victory came in style for Quarterback (NZ) (Super Seth), who headed a Chris Waller-trained first four in Wednesday’s A$100,000 Tropicus @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1400m), a Super Maiden at Warwick Farm. The three-year-old gelding was making his third appearance this preparation after
Racing
The late money for Coulthard (NZ) (Redwood) in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) proved astute on Wednesday, with the Central Districts raider dashing home to claim the Riccarton feature. The son of Redwood has been in a purple patch of form this spring, finishing runner-up when first-up
Racing
Lee Callaway shared many jockeys’ rooms with Chris Johnson throughout his riding career, so it was only fitting that the Waikouaiti trainer took out the inaugural running of the Chris Johnson Three-Year-Old Sprinters Challenge (1200m) at Riccarton on Wednesday with Doing Time (NZ) (Ribchester). “I spoke with him
Racing
Allan Sharrock has changed tack with Tisse (NZ) (Belardo) and will keep him to shorter trips than those the New Plymouth trainer initially believed he would excel at. The New Plymouth trainer’s move was rewarded last time out when the son of Belardo claimed his first stakes title with
Racing
A possible gear change could accompany Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) into Saturday’s A$1 million Gr.1 Sportsbet C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Sandown, with connections considering removing his blinkers for his title defence. The Ciaron Maher-trained seven-year-old won the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m)
Racing
The last time Amber Riddell returned from Australia she picked up a big cheque aboard Toa Haka (NZ) (Iffraaj) at Riccarton, and on Wednesday she is hoping to do the same. Last season’s Champion New Zealand Apprentice Jockey has been based in Sydney for the last couple of months,
Racing
Harness racing trainer Barry Purdon bought Iron Hawk (Written Tycoon) last year with New Zealand Cup Week in mind, and now the moment has arrived, with the stakes performer set to tackle the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on Wednesday. A legend of his sport, Purdon has always
Racing
Kelly Myers is bullish about her prospects of further feature race success with The Scunner (NZ) (Shamexpress) at Riccarton on Wednesday. She will combine with the Ashley Meadows-trained representative in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m), having previously guided the son of Shamexpress to victory in last season’s
Racing
Angels Halo (NZ) (Proisir) provided the headline act in another successful weekend for Rich Hill Stud stallion Proisir, winning the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton. The Hollie Elliot-trained filly became the reigning champion sire’s seventh individual Group One winner, while his daughter
Australia
The biggest races of the Spring Carnival might have passed, but Ciaron Maher is not done chasing feature success. The trainer who won the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) and prepared the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) trifecta is chasing a hat-trick of wins in the