New Zealand
Co-trainer Graham Richardson’s hand has been forced with Defibrillate, who will resume his New Zealand career without a preparatory outing ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings. His lead-up plans for the multiple Australian black-type winner were upset by the abandonment of
New Zealand
Saturday was a day of undoubted highlights for Matamata trainer Mark Walker, with a winning treble that encompassed a trifecta and a first-four, but one that saw him licking a few wounds as well. Walker began Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) day at Matamata with a flurry of
New Zealand
Andrew Forsman could take on the name of one of his horses going by the way his team are performing at present. The Cambridge trainer has been in intimidating form across the Tasman with a pair of talented three-year-olds in She’s Licketysplit (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) and
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Local runner Paisley Park (NZ) (Azamour) showed he had taken plenty of improvement from his first-up performance at Te Rapa last month when he came with a withering late burst to score in the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m). The Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall-trained eight-year-
New Zealand
Progressive mare Darci La Bella (NZ) (Darci Brahma) added a valuable black-type victory to an already outstanding race record when she strode clear to win the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Hawera. The winner of eight of her 14 starts before contesting Saturday’s Group
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
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
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
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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
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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