New Zealand
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 09 March 2025
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New Zealand
Dominant Derby redemption for Willydoit
Memories of a confidence-denting defeat in last month’s Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) were blown away on Saturday as Willydoit powered to a dominant victory in the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie. Willydoit strung together three increasingly impressive wins at the Auckland track during
New Zealand
Damask Rose scoops biggest prize in New Zealand Racing
Te Akau Racing, Blake Shinn and fantastic filly Damask Rose created a piece of New Zealand racing history when they took out the inaugural running of the richest race in the land, the newly minted $3.5 million Listed The NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie. The slot race is the
New Zealand
Connors lands another Ellerslie staying feature
Raymond Connors’ green and red colours will forever be known for six victories in the Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) at Ellerslie between 1998 and 2019, but the respected Manawatu horseman returned to Auckland on Saturday and took the spoils in another major test of stamina. Connors won the Great Northern
New Zealand
Thrilling finish to Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes
Pin up boy El Vencedor signed off his latest local campaign with the final leg of a winning Group One treble when he downed gallant mare La Crique in a thrilling finish to the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie. El Vencedor or EV as he is
New Zealand
Provence a dual Group One winner after Breeders’ Stakes upset
Eight weeks after celebrating what they thought was a career pinnacle in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham, the connections of blue-blooded mare Provence were treated to something even more special in Saturday’s Gr.1 HKJC World Pool New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie.
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Alabama Lass Melbourne-bound after King’s Plate romp
Ken and Bev Kelso bought Alabama Lass in Melbourne as a yearling two years ago, and a stunning performance in Saturday’s Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie has them plotting a return. The $250,000 sprint feature on Champions Day was a rematch of the
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Dee makes winning return to New Zealand
Ex-pat Kiwi rider Michael (Mick) Dee gained early success on his latest race day return to his homeland when he guided favourite Island Life to victory in the Gr. 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie. Dee, who plies in his trade in Melbourne these days
New Zealand
Return To Conquer brings up Te Akau Racing milestone
Expensive colt Return To Conquer extended his unbeaten record to four as he brought up a significant milestone for the Te Akau Racing operation when winning the Gr. 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. The son of Snitzel was bought by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for A$1.
New Zealand
Island Life to add to family’s big week
Promising filly Island Life could cap a big week for one of Pencarrow Stud’s families when she lines up as favourite for the Gr.3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Island Life is by Vadamos out of the Montjeu mare Lycia, whose half-
New Zealand
All eyes on Legarto in Breeders’ Stakes
After a pair of fast-finishing seconds on major Ellerslie racedays last season, New Zealand’s highest-rated mare Legarto has the chance to set the record straight on Champions Day. Saturday’s Gr.1 HKJC World Pool New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) will be the fourth start at
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Belclare shoots for Breeders’ Stakes treble
Belclare will attempt to carve out a piece of New Zealand racing history with an unprecedented third victory in the Gr.1 HKJC World Pool New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. The daughter of Per Incanto won the fillies and mares’ feature at Pukekohe in 2023,