New Zealand
Local runner Pier (NZ) (Proisir) dominated his three-year-old rivals in the closing stages of the AHD Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), dashing away to win the Group Two feature in fine style. With the race transferred to Saturday’s Matamata meeting after Hastings was abandoned due to inclement weather last
New Zealand
It may have taken an extra seven days to come to fruition but Matamata mare La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) got a deserved success at the highest level when she took out the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Matamata on Saturday. The four-year-old daughter of Vadamos had been a
New Zealand
Jockeys call on a variety of pursuits to chill out ahead of a big raceday – anything from golf to surfing, fishing or relaxing at home. Matamata-based Craig Grylls sits apart from those activities, opting for the cockpit of his sporty red Mini Mustang aeroplane as the perfect relaxer with a
New Zealand
The door remains slightly ajar for the promising Battle Sound to take on the best of his age group at Riccarton next month. The son of Belardo made the perfect start to his career earlier this month, but connections are dubious about the gelding following through on a nomination for
New Zealand
Despite early scratchings, commentator George Simon’s skills behind the microphone will be put to an unprecedented test in the opening event at Matamata on Saturday. The vastly experienced and affable race caller has dealt with several runners in stable colours in the same event in the past, but anything
New Zealand
Winton trainer John Phillips would love nothing more than to win his third Winton Cup on Sunday. Phillips has previously claimed success in his hometown feature on two occasions, with Jack Daniels winning in 1997 and King Prawn triumphant in 2013. Eight-year-old Jimmy Choux gelding Midnight Runner gives Phillips a
New Zealand
Eight-win mare Darci La Bella will be out to claim some valuable black-type on Saturday when she heads to Hawera to contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). The Darci Brahma five-year-old finished fourth in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa in August before
New Zealand
No trainer was more affected by the abandonment of racing at Hastings last Saturday and the subsequent transfer of the meeting’s two feature races to Matamata this weekend than John Bary, but he is taking the decision in his stride. The Hastings horseman is set to travel north to
New Zealand
Opie Bosson will turn the clock back on Saturday with a dozen mounts at Matamata, including three in black type events and an unexpected opportunity to add to his Group One tally. Eleven of his 12 mounts on the extended card will be in his role as retained rider for
New Zealand
New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson is adamant the best of Secret Amour (NZ) (Niagara) is still to come. A winner of five of her 15 starts and coming off a fast-finishing second placing behind Deerfield when resuming at Wanganui last month, Secret Amour will contest Saturday's Gr.3
New Zealand
A life with horses is the only thing Tayla Mitchell has wanted and she is now living that dream with her chosen vocation as a jockey. The 18-year-old apprentice is in her second season of riding and has made a flying start to the new term, recording her 12th win
New Zealand
The last time Jason Laking answered a North Island call-up from Te Akau he repaid the powerful racing operation’s faith by claiming a Group One victory. The Ashburton-based jockey will be hoping for a similar outcome on Saturday at Matamata where he has jumped at the opportunity to guide