New Zealand
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 29 March 2020
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Racing
Australia
Verry Elleegant lands third Group One
The talented but sometimes quirky Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) toyed with her rivals to win the Gr.1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill, notching the third elite-level win of her career in effortless fashion. The daughter of Zed, who began her career in New Zealand, won the Gr.1
New Zealand
Former Kiwi Night’s Watch back in winner’s circle
A ground-saving ride by James McDonald has elevated the enigmatic Night's Watch (NZ) (Redwood) back into the winner's list in the Gr.3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill. Starting $8.50, the six-year-old settled near the rear for McDonald, who was happy
Australia
Quick Thinker becomes Baker’s fifth Tulloch winner
Hall of Fame trainer Murray Baker loves preparing staying three-year-olds and the veteran horseman sent out his fifth winner of the Gr.2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) when Quick Thinker (So You Think) proved too strong for his rivals at Rosehill on Saturday. Confined to barracks under Covid-19
Australia
VRC to stand staff down over COVID-19
The Victoria Racing Club is to stand down most of its staff for a month and reduce the hours worked by it executives amid the coronavirus pandemic. The VRC, which holds the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington, said staff will be asked from Monday to take any outstanding annual leave
Australia
Woodsman wins but Aussie holiday cut short
Matamata trainer Tony Gillies banked some travel money when progressive jumper Woodsman (NZ) (Mastercraftsman) ran out a ready winner of Friday’s Ocean Road Realty BM120 Hurdle (3230m) at Warrnambool. Sent out a $5.50 chance in a market dominated by the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Northern Voyage
Australia
Bjorn Baker flying stable flag at Rosehill
New Zealand's decision to cease racing because of the Covid-19 crisis has left Sydney trainer Bjorn Baker as the custodian of his family's remaining horses. Baker's father is champion New Zealand trainer Murray Baker who, along with training partner Andrew Forsman, has closed
Australia
Travel makes task too tough for Debt Agent
Like everyone, trainer Jim Conlan has been forced to make adjustments to plans for his horses and has abandoned a Sydney trip for Debt Agent (NZ) (Thorn Park). Against a backdrop of coronavirus protocols and conditions on border crossings, former Singapore champion Debt Agent will run in Saturday's
New Zealand
All quiet on the training front
New Zealand’s largest training centre the Cambridge Jockey Club is closed. With up to 1000 thoroughbreds trained on the premises at peak times, it is the largest centre in Australasia but the committee has adhered to updated industry protocols and reacted swiftly to cease training. “The Cambridge track is
New Zealand
Pearl Bonus Scheme registration deadline delayed
In light of these unprecedented times the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association has made the decision to extend the early bird registration for the NZB Insurance Pearl Series until May 31. “People have more important things to worry about at the moment, than registering their fillies for the Pearl Series,
New Zealand
Probabeel looking to turn tables in Vinery
Star fillies Funstar (Adelaide) and Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) will continue their rivalry in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday. Funstar and Probabeel have met on four occasions, with both finishing in the top two each time. The Chris Waller-trained Funstar has won three of
Australia
House Of Cartier ready for Rosehill challenge
In a week in which he has had to retire Group One performer Luvaluva (NZ) (Mastercraftsman), trainer John Sargent will look to another stakes-performed mare from his stable to make her mark at Rosehill. On Wednesday, Sargent announced the retirement of five-year-old Luvaluva after the Group One-