Racing
Promising three-year-old filly Shameless Star (NZ) (Shamexpress) continued a week of milestone successes for the Didham family at Waverley on Sunday. The daughter of Shamexpress delivered her co-trainer Peter Didham’s 100th training victory in the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1200m), just two days after the Awapuni
Racing
Well-related stayer Notabadspillane (NZ) (Time Test) has a prestigious Cups target in his sights after a comprehensive victory in the Inspire Racing St John’s Old Boys Syndicate (2100m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Shaun Phelan-prepared galloper had been a comfortable winner over a similar distance at
Racing
Smart four-year-old Evaporate bounced back from a setback to win Saturday’s Gr.3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) in gallant fashion, defeating favourite Transatlantic by a nose. Lumping 59kgs and racing three-wide early in the piece, jockey Blake Shinn threw the map out of the window and elected
Racing
Saturday's Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa took Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) past the million-dollar barrier and added another triumphant chapter to his unique Group One record. The $400,000 weight-for-age showpiece was Waitak's 12th appearance at Group One level. Those dozen races
Racing
Six-year-old mare She’s Unusual was a well-supported winner of the Irresistible Pools & Spas Handicap (1900m) at Rosehill on Saturday. The daughter of Unusual Suspect was perfectly ridden by Zac Lloyd, tracking the leader Nkosi before unleashing a devastating sprint to score by just over three
Racing
Te Akau Racing’s involvement in the Group One raceday at Te Rapa on Saturday was significantly depleted by scratchings due to heavy track conditions, but it was a completely different story at Riccarton. Spring racing was in full swing in Christchurch, with the track upgraded to Good4 and those
Racing
Well-respected South Island rider Kylie Williams brought up a significant career milestone when she steered Riviera Rebel (NZ) (Pure Champion) to a convincing victory in the feature flat event at Riccarton, the Waimakariri Businesses North Canterbury Cup (2000m). Williams had been steadily closing in on 1000 career wins in
Racing
Talented colt Magic Carpet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) chose the ideal moment to break his maiden status when he produced a dogged effort to claim victory in the Gr.2 Timberspan Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400). Prepared at Cambridge by Stephen Marsh, the son of Satono Aladdin had looked to have
Racing
A barnstorming finish by promising four-year-old Whisky ‘N Roses (NZ) (Belardo) saw him open his Spring campaign on a winning note as he downed a handy field of open sprinters in the BCD Group Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa. The Joanne Surgenor-prepared son of Belardo looked a
Racing
Local three-year-old Alottago (Tagalo) thrust his name into Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) contention with a striking come-from-behind performance in the Rangiora New World Guineas Trial (1400m) at Riccarton on Saturday. The Lance Robinson-trained gelding has improved with every race in his five-
Racing
Otaki horseman Johno Benner has a good association with the Karaka Millions, and he could have another serious contender on his hands for January’s showpiece. He won the 2014 edition of the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) with Vespa and the inaugural Karaka Millions 3YO Classic (1600m) with Scott Base
Racing
The father-son training partnership of Peter and Trent Didham recorded their first win when Danjuro scored a tough victory in Friday’s The Tele Otaki Handicap (2100m). A fourth generation of trainers was added to the Didham dynasty when 27-year-old Trent joined his father in partnership earlier