Racing
Seven-year-old mare Wrote To Arataki (NZ) (Wrote) landed her second Gr.3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) three years after her first, with a strong front-running success under Dean Yendall at Caulfield on Saturday. The Matthew Williams trained daughter of Wrote has competed in the race in four consecutive years, with
Racing
Taranaki visitor Special Sakura upset the applecart when she led from go to whoa to bring up just her third career victory, and first at black-type level, when winning the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) at Ellerslie. The four-year-old daughter of Novara Park stallion Staphanos had finished close up in
Racing
Trainer Mick Nolan’s Stylish Secret (NZ) (Sweet Orange) produced a plucky front-running performance to deny in-form mare Sun Gift (NZ) (Savabeel) when winning the Ule Hoof Oil Handicap (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Given a perfect ride by apprentice Luke Cartwright, Stylish Secret enjoyed a breather mid-race and filled
Racing
Robbie Patterson looks to have another serious Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) contender on his hands following Ultimate Habit’s victory at Trentham on Saturday. The promising daughter of Embellish broke through for her maiden win in the Gr.2 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes (2100m)
Racing
Exciting fillyLiguria (NZ)(Snitzel) opened her winning account in fine style with a courageous victory at stakes level when she claimed the Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m) at Ellerslie. The impeccably bred daughter of Snitzel didn’t disgrace herself when finishing fourth on debut at the venue on
Racing
A long-range plan for Crimson Sky continues to gain momentum and another encouraging performance at Trentham will confirm a crack at the end goal of the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). The Cody Cole-trained three-year-old will round off her preparation for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai-sponsored Classic in Saturday’
Racing
Brian Anderton, a doyen of South Island racing, celebrated his 89th birthday on Thursday, and the Wingatui horseman is hoping he can collect some late birthday presents this weekend. The White Robe Lodge principal will be chasing Group success in the North Island on Saturday after sending eight-win gelding Mayor
Racing
Expat Australian hoop Matt Cartwright is looking forward to teaming up with his old boss at Trentham on Saturday when he rides Interpretation in the Gr.3 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m). The Group Three-winning stayer is trained by leading Australian horseman Ciaron Maher, who Cartwright
Racing
A plan concocted nearly a year ago will reach its climax at Trentham on Saturday when South Canterbury raider Shaking Stevens lines up in the Life Direct Remutaka Classic (2100m). The $350,000 feature is one of the innovation races introduced to the thoroughbred calendar in the 2023-24 season under
Breeding
The final session of NZB’s 100th National Yearling Sale took place at Karaka on Thursday, with a strong inaugural Karaka Summer Sale. 112 yearlings sold for a total aggregate of more than $3.4 million at an average of $30,612. Six lots sold for $100,000 or more
Breeding
Respected international bloodstock agent John Foote has been attending the National Yearling Sale in New Zealand for over 50 years, and he returned to Karaka for the historic 100th National Yearling Sale this week. The Queensland-based agent was active across all three Books at Karaka, purchasing 14 lots in total.
Racing
Taking on the reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year at Ellerslie is a challenge with benefits for the Lance Noble-prepared Jaarffi. Multiple Group One winner El Vencedor will oppose the in-form mare in Saturday’s Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) and has taken a degree of weight off the