New Zealand
It may have only been a nose at the finish but it might as well have been a mile for trainer Shelley Hale after Blue Sky At Night took out Saturday’s Gr.3 SKYCITY Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m). Hale, who has battled ill-health in recent years, is one of
New Zealand
Talented local gelding Willis overcame a tough wide run and a determined rival to score a narrow victory in Saturday’s Howley Joinery Handicap (1400m) at Ascot Park. Willis was one of the South Island’s notable improvers last season, winning in Rating 65 and Rating 75 grade before finishing
New Zealand
Former Manawatu mare Kelly Coe continued a golden run for her connections with a $28 upset victory in Saturday’s Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa. Kelly Coe is trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, who racked up a career-best 66 winners last season and
New Zealand
Raging hot favourite Snazzytavi more than justified the torrent of support she received in the final minutes of betting prior to Saturday’s Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m), the feature event for the fillies and mares at Te Rapa. The Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall-prepared five-year-old was making her
New Zealand
Local trainer David Greene made the best possible start to SkyCity Waikato Cup Day on his home track at Te Rapa when his debutant Sweet Ice took out the ICIB Brokerweb-Insurance Brokers 2YO (1100m). Greene, who produced his 100th career winner back in May with Goldiluxe, had the well-named son
New Zealand
Te Akau Racing resisted the temptation of a big spring campaign with promising filly Damask Rose, and their patience could be rewarded in a pair of seven-figure races at Ellerslie later in the season. The lightly raced daughter of Savabeel made her first raceday appearance since September in Saturday’s
New Zealand
Taranaki mare Hi Yo Sass Bomb already has a Group One placing next to her name, and owner-trainer Kim Reid is hoping to improve on that in the coming months. The daughter of Complacent was runner-up to Snazzytavi in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Te Rapa in October,
Australia
The rise of Gr.2 The Ingham (1600m) favourite Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) hasn't come as a surprise to jockey Tommy Berry, but he admits the manner in which the gelding has been achieving it has been a welcome revelation. Gringotts has captured the Listed Big Dance (1600m)
New Zealand
The countdown to the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) will move up a notch at Te Rapa on Saturday when Waikato Stud’s runner Sought After lines up in the Wentwood Grange 3YO (1200m). Sought After scored a highly impressive two-length win on debut at Taupo in September,
New Zealand
Otaki trainer Howie Mathews is in high spirits ahead of heading to Trentham on Sunday where he will be represented by stable stalwart Free Spirit and newcomer Gee Force. Eight-year-old mare Free Spirit has been a consistent performer for Mathews, particularly in the latter stages of her current preparation, with
New Zealand
Stephen Marsh has endured a frustrating run of bad luck with barrier draws leading into Waikato Cup Day at Te Rapa on Saturday, but the Cambridge trainer still expects his team to make their presence felt. Of the 10 runners Marsh entered across the nine-race card, Mercurial and Provence landed
New Zealand
Talented juvenile Yaldi will make his first Kiwi appearance as a three-year-old at Te Rapa on Saturday, with plenty of exciting prospects on the horizon. The son of Ardrossan made a big impression when winning on debut in April, giving trainer Andrew Forsman enough confidence to send him across the