Racing
Lightly raced galloper Knock Off (NZ) (Fabulous) returned to his best with a dominant victory in the Charlie Whyte Open Mile (1600m) at Hastings on Saturday. The Gerard Cvitanovich-prepared seven-year-old had opened his latest campaign with a pair of below par showings before improving markedly to finish
Racing
The boutique stable of Matamata trainer Mark Brosnan shone early on the card at Te Rapa on Saturday with a winning double in the first three races. Brosnan produced lightly raced four-year-old Autumn Heights (NZ) (Vadamos) to notch her maiden victory in the second event, the Noverre Mile
Racing
There was plenty of intrigue surrounding the opening race at Te Rapa on Saturday, with several promising youngsters lining up in the Banquo 3YO (1200m), but it was Texas Cowboy (NZ ) (Ace High) who upset the applecart when claiming victory at odds of 45-1. The Danica Guy-trained gelding
Racing
Twain (NZ) (Per Incanto) faces a stern test in his opening assignment of the season, Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and trainer John Bell is hoping it will put him in good stead for some lofty sprinting targets. The six-year-old gelding
Racing
Previously unbeaten filly Lara Antipova's (Russian Revolution) spring campaign will change tack slightly following her first career defeat in last Saturday’s Gr.3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield. The daughter of Russian Revolution was an unstoppable force in New Zealand last season, winning all four of her
Racing
On-course trainer David Greene’s optimism has grown as the week has progressed, with Te Rapa’s track improving into the Soft range ahead of Saturday’s Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate meeting. The Hamilton horseman’s Group One-winning sprinter First Five (NZ) (Almanzor) is set to resume in
Racing
Last season was one to forget for the connections of dual Group One winner Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto), and they are hoping he can return to his form of old this term. Following an unsuccessful hit-and-run mission on the A$5 million Quokka (1200m) in Perth last year, the
Racing
Waikato Thoroughbred Racing (WTR) has announced the appointment of Nick Johnson as its new chief executive after a comprehensive search. Johnson joins WTR from the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (NZTBA), where he has served as chief executive since 2023, bringing with him broad commercial experience, strong industry relationships, and
Racing
Tony Pike is approaching in-form mare Churchillian's (NZ)(Churchill) task at Te Rapa on Saturday with a major dose of realism. The Cambridge trainer has the seven-year-old in top order for the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) and is only too aware of
Racing
Wellington Cup winner Manzor Blue (NZ) (Almanzor) will fly a lone New Zealand flag among Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) nominations, with connections plotting an old-school path towards the Melbourne spring features. The Lisa Latta-trained six-year-old, raced by Go Racing, is the only New Zealand-trained
Racing
Resuming runners Media World (Written Tycoon) and Tardelli (I Am Invincible) are primed for bold first-up displays in Saturday’s Gr.3 Foxbridge Plate (1400m) ahead of sterner spring tests. The Stephen Marsh-trained pair have trialled encouragingly ahead of the Waikato Stud-sponsored feature at Te Rapa with
Racing
Christchurch trainer Anna Furlong will be keeping a keen eye on the progress of promising three-year-old Spill It (NZ) (Noverre) after the talented youngster was sold to Australia following his impressive Riccarton victory earlier this month. The son of Noverre broke through at his second start over 1200m