Racing
Well-related gelding Hi Yo Fox Rox (NZ) (Complacent) broke through for his maiden win at the second time of asking when taking out the Manawatu-Whanganui Civil Contractors NZ Maiden (1600m) at Wanganui on Saturday. A full-brother to Group One performer Hi Yo Sass Bomb, Hi Yo Fox
Racing
by Michael Guerin One of my favourite horses died on Saturday. His name was West Coast. He was New Zealand’s best steeplechaser, one of the best to ever jump raceday fences. He was a champion of his kind. West Coast was humanely put down after fracturing his shoulder in
Racing
Promising four-year-old Tristar (NZ) (Exceedance) ended a frustrating run of minor placings when she thrust her nose out at just the right time to win the Thanks Bernard Kneebone – 25 Years On The Clock (1200m) at Te Rapa in a thrilling three-way finish. Allowed to settle last
Racing
Gallant steeplechaser Nedwin produced one of his greatest performances when wearing down Leaderboard in the shadows of the winning post to win the Signature Homes Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. In a race marred by the heavy fall of race favourite West Coast with 800m to run,
Racing
Promising two-year-old Old Fashioned (NZ) (Proisir) won impressively on debut at Wanganui on Saturday, but trainers Bill Thurlow and Sam O’Malley are resisting the temptation of pressing on to black-type targets for now. Bred and raced by the Goodson and Perron Family Trust, Old Fashioned had
Racing
A dogged, never-say-die effort from promising jumper Pacheco (NZ) (Makfi) saw the eight-year-old take out the Fairview Motors Waikato Hurdle (3200m) at Te Rapa in a thrilling finish. The Shaun Phelan-prepared son of Makfi had been mixing racing on the flat with one start over
Racing
South Auckland apprentice jockey Tom Wigram is currently on cloud nine after riding home his first winner at New Plymouth on Friday. He scored the win aboard Bridie (NZ) (Ocean Park) for local trainer Allan Sharrock in the Naki Plumbing And Gas (1600m), Wigram’s first ride of the day
Racing
Group Two performer Quondo (Wootton Bassett) will resume this weekend when he heads to Matamata on Sunday to tackle the Team Wealleans 1200. The three-year-old son of Wootton Bassett showed plenty of promise earlier this season when winning on debut in September before finishing runner-up in the
Racing
The transfer of the Dunstan Feeds Waimate Cup (1600m) to Oamaru on Sunday has brought mixed feelings for Stephanie Faulkner. The Timaru trainer was set to contest the mile feature on her home track last Sunday with He’s Tunza Grunt (NZ) (Pure Champion) and O'Riordan (NZ) (Proisir)
Racing
Emerging top hurdler Squire (NZ) (Savile Row) will bid for his first prestige jumping crown at Te Rapa on Saturday as the gelding takes on the Fairview Motors Waikato Hurdle (3200m). The Peter and Jessica Brosnan-trained gelding won the maiden hurdle at the same meeting 12 months ago and
Racing
Lisa Young had plenty of success as a jockey and now the Canterbury horsewoman is enjoying her time on the other side of the fence as a trainer. Young rode for 11 seasons and won 159 races in the saddle, including two at stakes level, with her first coming on
Racing
Late developer Bonnard (NZ) (Swiss Ace) has been in exemplary form this preparation and is in the right order to face the sternest test of his fledgling career at Te Rapa. The Swiss Ace four-year-old will bid to extend his winning sequence when he makes his open class