Racing
Murray Baker has now been recognised with two of the highest honours in New Zealand racing, but he’s not about to rest on his laurels. Last year Baker was inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame and on Sunday evening he picked up the Outstanding Contribution to
Racing
While leading jumps jockey Aaron Kuru didn’t take out either of the feature jumps races at Ellerslie on Saturday he secured another milestone, recording his 100thNew Zealand win. He reached the milestone aboard the Shaune Ritchie-trained Bee Tee Junior in the opening event of the day, the Stella
Racing
Promising Canterbury apprentice Kozzi Asano has come a long way from picking strawberries in Queensland for a living. The Japanese 24-year-old left his homeland six years ago and after almost two and a half years in Australia he is now calling New Zealand home and pursuing his desired
Racing
Glamour galloper Melody Belle has added the New Zealand Horse of the Year title to her growing list of achievements. The Matamata mare was an almost unanimous choice for Horse of the Year, which was announced at the New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards, in Auckland on Sunday
Breeding
The victory of promising three-year-old filly Riva Capri in Saturday’s Listed The O’Learys Fillies Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui conjured up mixed emotions for well known bloodstock agent Bruce Perry. Perry, who selects and manages the thoroughbred interests of Wellington-based owner/breeder Lib Petagna, was thrilled
Racing
A gritty win by promising filly Woodcote Lass at Riccarton on Saturday has kicked off Matamata trainer Stephen Autridge’s southern campaign in the best possible style. Autridge has based a five-strong team at Riccarton for the past few weeks as they get ready to tackle some of the
Racing
Trainer Graeme Rogerson is looking forward to the second day of the Bostock New Zealand Spring Racing Carnival at Hastings later this month despite the unfortunate loss of progressive five-year-old Comeback. The Makfi gelding was humanely euthanised following his gritty run for sixth in the Gr.1 Tarzino
Racing
Lightly raced three-year-old Cooga Doon made it two wins from two starts when he took out the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1340m) in sensational fashion on Saturday. The Fraser Auret-trained Makfi gelding had set tongues wagging when successful by seven lengths over 1200m in his debut
Racing
Wise Men Say added his name to the Ellerslie record books when he took out one of the world’s iconic jumping races, the Network Visuals Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m), for the second time on Saturday. The ten-year-old, who had won the race in 2017, adopted tearaway tactics
Racing
The never say die attitude of accomplished hurdler Bad Boy Brown was on display for all to see at Ellerslie on Saturday after he produced a stirring home straight rally to claim the day’s first prestige jumping event, the Boutique Body Corporates Great Northern Hurdle (4190m). Narrowly beaten in
Breeding
Hastings visitor Riva Capri indicated she will be a filly to watch at a higher level over the next few months after she broke her maiden status in stakes company when taking out the Listed The O’Leary’s Fillies Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui. Raced in the colours of well-
Racing
Morrinsville dentist Simon Rees leads a busy lifestyle, and Saturday promises to be another action-packed day. Rees, who juggles training racehorses and taking sole-charge of his dental practice in the east Waikato town, will saddle-up Laekeeper in the Boutique Body Corporates Great Northern Hurdle (4190m) at Ellerslie.