Racing
Exciting fillyLiguria (NZ)(Snitzel) opened her winning account in fine style with a courageous victory at stakes level when she claimed the Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m) at Ellerslie. The impeccably bred daughter of Snitzel didn’t disgrace herself when finishing fourth on debut at the venue on
Racing
A long-range plan for Crimson Sky continues to gain momentum and another encouraging performance at Trentham will confirm a crack at the end goal of the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). The Cody Cole-trained three-year-old will round off her preparation for the Al Basti Equiworld
Racing
Brian Anderton, a doyen of South Island racing, celebrated his 89th birthday on Thursday, and the Wingatui horseman is hoping he can collect some late birthday presents this weekend. The White Robe Lodge principal will be chasing Group success in the North Island on Saturday after sending eight-win gelding
Racing
Expat Australian hoop Matt Cartwright is looking forward to teaming up with his old boss at Trentham on Saturday when he rides Interpretation in the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m). The Group Three-winning stayer is trained by leading Australian horseman Ciaron Maher, who
Racing
A plan concocted nearly a year ago will reach its climax at Trentham on Saturday when South Canterbury raider Shaking Stevens lines up in the Life Direct Remutaka Classic (2100m). The $350,000 feature is one of the innovation races introduced to the thoroughbred calendar in the 2023-24 season
Breeding
The final session of NZB’s 100th National Yearling Sale took place at Karaka on Thursday, with a strong inaugural Karaka Summer Sale. 112 yearlings sold for a total aggregate of more than $3.4 million at an average of $30,612. Six lots sold for $100,000 or more
Breeding
Respected international bloodstock agent John Foote has been attending the National Yearling Sale in New Zealand for over 50 years, and he returned to Karaka for the historic 100th National Yearling Sale this week. The Queensland-based agent was active across all three Books at Karaka, purchasing 14 lots in
Racing
Taking on the reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year at Ellerslie is a challenge with benefits for the Lance Noble-prepared Jaarffi. Multiple Group One winner El Vencedor will oppose the in-form mare in Saturday’s Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) and has taken a degree of weight
Racing
Unbeaten Group One-winning colt Return To Conquer has been retired. The son of Snitzel was purchased out of Blue Gum Farm’s 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $1.3 million, and he went on to remain unbeaten as
Racing
Royal Flower has one cup to her name and she will be seeking to earn another for breeder-owner-trainer Gail Temperton when she heads to Trentham on Saturday to tackle the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m). The Foxton mare won her local cup
Racing
Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson will trek south to Gore with just the one run runner on Sunday, but he is hopeful that will be enough to bring home a winner’s cheque. Promising Tagaloa gelding Alottago will be seeking to bounce back in the Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas (1335m) following
Racing
Samantha and Francis Finnegan followed a successful pattern when going to $125,000 to purchase a sharp filly by Written By at the Summer Sale at Karaka on Thursday. Awapuni conditioner Samantha Finnegan picked up her first winner as a trainer when Written By filly Bona Sforza swept home on