New Zealand
A pair of bargain buys at the New Zealand Bloodstock May Sale in 2014 could lead to the biggest day in racing for Ashburton trainers Sarah and Matthew Smith. The husband and wife team headed north to Karaka five years ago to acquire some future racing stock and came home
New Zealand
Secret Allure (NZ) (Zacinto) will attempt to add a fifth stakes victory to her tally when she lines up in the Gr.3 Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. The daughter of Zacinto heads into Saturday’s feature off the back of a length
Australia
With an eye on next year's autumn carnival, trainer John Thompson has brought promising three-year-old Battenburg (NZ) (Reliable Man) from Sydney to Melbourne for a feature race and trip away to help season the colt. Battenburg is the early $2.60 favourite for Saturday's
Australia
Some owners search their whole lives for a Cox Plate runner. Former Cronulla Sharks captain Paul Gallen has found one with his first racehorse. The rugby league great part-owns Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) and will travel down to Melbourne to watch the Jamie Richards-trained New
Australia
Jockey James McDonald needs Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) to be on her best behaviour when she runs at The Valley for the first time in the Cox Plate. And after galloping her twice at the track, McDonald is confident she is in the right frame of mind. Trainer Chris Waller
New Zealand
Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston has 12 runners heading to his home meeting on Saturday, including Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) hopeful Sorceress (NZ) (Showcasing). The three-year-old daughter of Showcasing was runner-up last start in the Guineas Trial (1400m) at Riccarton earlier this month behind Karalino (NZ)
New Zealand
We’re assured no horses were harmed in the making of Ride Like a Girl but the same can’t be said for “equipment”. Sources tell me at least six expensive movie cameras were destroyed in the attempt — successful, I might add — to bring races to life on the big
New Zealand
A shot at stakes company is on ice for promising filly Neon Moon (NZ) (Exosphere). But Matamata trainer Chad Ormsby is confident she can still make a splash on debut at Ellerslie on Saturday as she sets off on a path towards January's $1 million Karaka Million (1200m)
Australia
Everything has fallen into place for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike in the build-up to Friday’s Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley, where his star sprinter The Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) will chase a third elite Australian victory in the last six months. The son of Jimmy
Australia
Stephen McKee knows what it's like to make an impression at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day. The Auckland trainer and his late father Trevor twice produced champion mare Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun) for memorable wins in the Cox Plate, going back to 1999 and 2000. While McKee
Australia
A better-behaved Long Jack (So You Think) has stamped his claims for a tilt at the Victoria Derby with a strong staying performance to win the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m). Baker, who trains in partnership with Andrew Forsman, won the Geelong Classic two years ago with Weather With You
New Zealand
Michael and Matthew Pitman are expecting another bold performance at Riccarton on Saturday from Ohio Showgirl (NZ) (Showcasing), whose debut victory on October 5 delivered early success for a new wave of Pearl Syndicates. Centred around the NZB Insurance Pearl Series, the syndicates were developed in partnership with long-time