Racing
Weight is trainer Dan O’Leary’s biggest concern ahead of Captain Runs’ (NZ) (Nom du Jeu) defence of the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 151st Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton on Saturday. The now 11-year-old gelding carried 66kg to victory in last year’s edition but
Racing
The Livamol Classic (2040m) and New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) have retained Group One status this season following a vote by the Asian Pattern Committee (APC). Both races were subject to the vote after failing to meet the required international race rating standard in their last three editions, with the
Racing
Bill Thurlow is likely to extend the southern stay of his in-form sprinter Wire Rope (NZ) (Darci Brahma). The Waverley trainer will run the son of Darci Brahma in Saturday’s Vernon & Vazey Truck Parts Open (1400m) at Riccarton off the back of his Rating 75 success last
Racing
High-quality performer Lollapalooza (NZ) (El Roca) has proved herself at the highest level and connections are hopeful she will get opportunities in the spring to advance her record. The daughter of El Roca performed admirably in the best age group company last season and is making good progress toward
Racing
Skymax (NZ) (Ferrando) and Novak’s (NZ) (El Roca) winter preparations have been geared towards Friday’s TAB Polytrack Championship (2000m) at Cambridge, and trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson, and Clinton Isdale, are hoping the pair can claim the lion’s share of the $75,000 purse on offer. Skymax
Racing
Mr Fortrus (Magnus) has made his presence felt in the South Island since joining trainer John Blackadder’s Rangiora barn earlier this year, and he furthered that with victory in the $75,000 Polytrack Championship (1200m) at Riccarton on Wednesday. The now seven-year-old gelding joined Blackadder as a
Racing
Local trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman were confident of a bold showing from Star Ballot (NZ) (Tarzino) at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday, and the gelding duly delivered when taking out the Betavet Natural Solutions Open (2200m). The father-and-son duo weren’t shy in sharing their opinion
Racing
Danica Guy can’t wait to get to Ellerslie next month where her Group Three winner Lupo Solitario (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) is set to have his first tilt at elite-level in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m). The now six-year-old gelding was a standout for the Matamata
Racing
Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo) and Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes) gave trainer Pam Gerard a dream result when they quinellaed the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton last year, and the Matamata horsewoman is hoping they can have another successful spring preparation. They both had their first public
Racing
Local trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman hold a strong hand heading into the middle day of the Grand National Festival of Racing at Riccarton, where they will be chasing the lucrative prizemoney on offer at the synthetic meeting. At the top on their hit list is the Polytrack Championship (1200m)
Racing
Group Three winner Spencer (NZ) (Derryn) scored a confidence-boosting win at Ruakaka on Saturday ahead of his return to stakes company in the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa later this month. The seven-year-old gelding hadn’t featured in the money in the
Racing
Rewards from a relatively modest outlay for a Shinko King weanling more than a decade ago continue to flow for prominent breeder and owner Daniel Nakhle. In 2005, he outlaid $8,500 to secure Irish Colleen (NZ), who won on seven occasions including success in the Gr.2 Concorde Handicap