Racing
Progressive stayer Smooth Operator not only rewarded his connections with a Riverton Rural Transport Riverton Cup (2147m) victory to savour on Saturday, but also added a $50,000 bonus to the $46,000 winning stake for the time-honoured Easter staying feature. The Stephanie Faulkner-prepared six-year-old was
Racing
A thrilling finish to the rescheduled Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas (1200m) went in favour of local Riverton filly Better Shared who added some valuable black type to her career record at just her fifth start. The Kelvin Tyler-prepared daughter of Overshare had cleared maidens in fine fashion at her
Racing
Apprentice jockey Hyeontaek Oh nearly made the perfect start to his New Zealand riding career at Ellerslie on Saturday, but he was denied in the final few strides by Champion jockey Opie Bosson, who urged Cannon Hill to victory in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 1300. The son of Ardrossan,
Racing
Consistent mare Tomasina turned around her most recent form with a vengeance when she took out the Francolin Stakes – Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1400m) at Riverton on Saturday. Trainer Sabin Kirkland was prepared to overlook her last start failure when finishing second to last in open company at Wingatui
Racing
La Diem belied her odds at Ellerslie on Saturday when taking out the MyRacehorse 1600, and now stakes targets are in the offing for the regally bred filly. By Wooton Bassett, La Diem is out of Group One winner La Bella Diosa, and she had won one of her five
Racing
Philip and Catherine Brown’s colours have been to the fore over the last few years through the deeds of multiple Group One winners Levante and Legarto, and while both mares are now retired, the Ancroft Stud principals are excited about the prospects of another. Like Levante and Legarto, four-
Racing
Riverton’s dual Easter Weekend meeting has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years, and it has become an attractive proposition for out-of-region trainers. The Riverton Rural Transport Riverton Cup (2147m) has been a key instigator, with the race established as the final leg of the Southern
Racing
In-form filly Shoebill (NZ) (Per Incanto) is presented with an opportunity at Ellerslie on Saturday to convince connections she can be a worthy black-type contender over ground. The daughter of Per Incanto has impressed in her last two starts up to a mile and another bold showing in
Racing
Riccarton trainer Anna Furlong will head south to Riverton with a strong hand on Saturday, with three of her five runners currently holding the favourites tag. Heading her southern assault will be last start winners Queen Of Sheba (NZ) (Impending) and Champagne Diblu (Russian Revolution) in the Listed Liquorland Gore
Racing
Navy Ensign (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) delivered on his promise when winning his maiden over a mile at Pukekohe last month, and he will attempt to double his tally when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday to tackle the MyRacehorse 1600. The U S Navy Flag gelding carries the
Racing
Benji King’s small stable has been in sparkling form through the summer-autumn period and he’s hoping for more at Ellerslie on Saturday. Promising three-year-old Burnerphone (NZ) (Microphone) takes impressive credentials into the MyRacehorse 1600, while another of his recent winners, What Next (NZ) (Savile Row)
Racing
Ross Beckett is looking forward to an improved showing from his lightly raced mare Gemma Flitz (NZ) (Telperion) at Ashburton on Thursday. The Yaldhurst trainer is expecting the daughter of Telperion to make her presence felt in the main event on the program, the Greg Jones Memorial Handicap (1300m). Gemma