Racing
Quality mare Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor) launched her spring campaign in stunning fashion when she stormed home to capture the Cloudsoft Accounting Systems Open (1200m) at Wanganui. The Andrew Forsman-prepared five-year-old was fitted for her resuming run with a pair of Taupo trials, finishing second in the first one over
Racing
Jockey Vinnie Colgan displayed all the skills that have seen him sit in the elite echelon of New Zealand riders throughout his career as he put together a winning double with two superbly judged efforts in the early races on the Riccarton card on Saturday. Colgan was at his patient
Racing
Emerging filly Platinum Diamond (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) sparkled again in Saturday’s Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m), completing an unprecedented treble of winter age-group features. The daughter of Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain became the first horse to win the Castletown Stakes (1200m), Ryder Stakes (1200m) and Wanganui
Racing
Saturday’s NZ Horse Ambulance Winter Appeal 3YO (1000m) continued the Te Akau stranglehold over the three-year-old spring opener at Riccarton, but not with the horse that most expected. Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson took out the $40,000 age-group sprint in 2023 with the next-start Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes
Racing
Te Akau Racing are building a strong record in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m), and they will look to continue that at Caulfield on Saturday when Damask Rose takes her place in this year’s edition. The daughter of Savabeel had a standout season in New Zealand last term,
Racing
Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougall have a great association with the Pakuranga Hunt meeting, and they are hoping that will continue on Sunday at Te Aroha. The Hawke’s Bay trainers were rapt to take out the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) with 12-year-old gelding Suliman earlier this month, and they
Racing
Riccarton trainer David Walsh couldn’t believe his luck when he saw the fields for his home meeting on Saturday, with his trio of runners all drawing the ace marble in their respective events. “We normally get bad draws all the time, we continually draw outside, so it is amazing
Australia
Six-year-old mare Niance will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week. The Grahame Begg-trained daughter of Swiss Ace has had two jump outs to prepare for the early spring target, winning an 800m hitout at
Racing
It’s been a winter to remember for Shaun and Hazel Fannin, and they are hoping their golden run continues at Te Aroha on Sunday. Stable representative Jesko has been the rising star among the country’s steeplechasers, winning the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m), Wellington Steeplechase (4900m), Koral Steeplechase (4250m) and
Racing
Awapuni filly War Princess will head up State Highway Three on Saturday to Wanganui in search of all-important black-type in the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m). The daughter of U S Navy Flag won two of her three starts as a juvenile, and was unplaced in the Gr.1
Racing
Mary Shan will resume at Wanganui on Saturday to open a preparation with a sole aim. The quality daughter of Almanzor will kick off in the Cloudsoft Accounting Systems Open Handicap (1200m) following consecutive trials at Taupo last month. Trainer Andrew Forsman is confident of a bold showing from the
Racing
Peter and Shaun McKay are dreaming of a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) tilt with their quality stayer Wolfgang, and he will start his journey towards the iconic feature at Wanganui on Saturday. The son of Peter McKay’s former Group One winner Puccini, Wolfgang tested his talent in Australia