New Zealand
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 01 December 2024
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Racing
New Zealand
Whangaehu wins Wanganui Cup
Promising stayer Whangaehu (NZ) (Proisir) claimed his biggest success when came with a bullocking late run to take out the Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m) on Saturday. The six-year-old son of Proisir has always promised to perform at a higher level and finished off his last campaign with
Australia
Casual Connection back in winning form
John Sargent held Casual Connection (NZ) (Complacent) in high enough regard to contest the Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) earlier this year, and the Complacent gelding made a welcome return to form in Saturday’s A$120,000 Midway Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill. Casual Connection earned his Brisbane Cup opportunity
New Zealand
Marsh goes back-to-back in O'Learys Fillies’ Stakes
The decision to move the Listed O’Learys Fillies’ Stakes (1340m) to a new position on the calendar has worked wonders for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh, who has now won both December runnings of the Wanganui feature. Previously staged in September, the Fillies’ Stakes was shifted to its new date
New Zealand
Meaningful Star wins Ellerslie feature
Former Irish and Hong Kong galloper Meaningful Star (Pivotal) picked up his second win from just three New Zealand starts when he came from near last to down a small but quality line-up in the Gr.3 Bayleys Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie. The eight-year-old son of Pivotal
Australia
Kadavar extends perfect 2400m record
With a well-timed finish in Saturday’s A$130,000 Vale Elvstroem (2400m) at Caulfield, talented stayer Kadavar (NZ) (Tarzino) improved his 2400m record to a perfect three-from-three. The Tarzino gelding won a Benchmark 78 in his first attempt at that distance on the Kensington track in June, then delivered
New Zealand
Checkmate continues Wexford record in three-year-old feature
The race now known as the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) is becoming a reliable springboard to bigger and better things for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, and that trend looks likely to continue after a smart win by Checkmate (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) at Ellerslie on Saturday. The three-year-old
New Zealand
Toretto secures his place in the 2025 Karaka Millions 2YO
A strong late run carried consistent juvenile Toretto (NZ) (Ardrossan) to his maiden victory when he took out the Mondiale VGL (1100m) at Ellerslie. The Hollie Wynyard-trained son of Ardrossan had run into one better at his first two starts, finishing runner-up to Te Akau Racing runners at both Wanganui
New Zealand
Raise The Flag fondly remembered
Veteran White Robe Lodge stallion Raise The Flag has been humanely euthanised after battling health issues in recent months, aged 20. The impeccably bred son of Sadler’s Wells and blue-hen mare Hasili, retired to White Robe Lodge in 2010 after injury cut short his racing career after just one
New Zealand
Connello chases black type in Fillies’ Stakes
Two weeks after a highly creditable performance at Group One level, talented filly Connello will continue her black-type quest in Saturday’s Listed The O’Learys Fillies’ Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui. The daughter of Time Test has already delivered an outstanding return for her owner David Woodhouse, who paid just
New Zealand
Group Two goal looms on Pour The Wine’s favourite track
Pour The Wine heads into Saturday’s NHR Group (1300m) at Ellerslie with an impressive course record, and trainer Barbara Kennedy hopes there could be bigger assignments in store at the Auckland track. Racing in the two-tone blue colours of breeder and co-owner Daniel Nakhle, Pour The Wine has had
New Zealand
Seymour Cup winner hunting NZ spoils
Midnight Blue has proven to be an astute purchase by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, and the eight-year-old gelding is looking to continue to prove his worth in New Zealand. Ellis purchased the son of So You Think as a tried horse from Inglis Digital in November last year