Racing
Connections of Kiwi raider I Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) have been well and truly rewarded for their decision to undertake an off-season staying campaign in Sydney, with the Lauren Brennan-trained five-year-old scoring a dogged victory in the A$160,000 Myplates Handicap (2400m) at Randwick. The
Racing
Race favourite Lord Spencer (NZ)(Zed) left it late but managed to rally and out-finish gallant pacemaker Brucie (NZ) (Raise The Flag) to take out the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 151st Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton. The JJ Rayner-prepared son of Zed had taken out the
Racing
Shawshank’s (NZ) (El Roca) winning streak may have come to an end at Riccarton last Saturday, but he redeemed himself when bouncing back to score a gritty victory at the Christchurch track seven days later in the Vernon Vazey & Truck Parts Open (1400m). Following a series of disappointing
Racing
The famed Kevin Myers magic was clearly on display at Riccarton on Saturday when Little Thief (NZ) (Dundeel), the most inexperienced jumper in the field, headed home a Myers trifecta in the Hospitality NZ Canterbury 136th Grand National Hurdles (4200m). Myers has never been afraid to take a different approach
Racing
Awapuni trainers Peter and Trent Didham have had a great run with Subtle Image, which culminated in taking out the $75,000 TAB Polytrack Championship (2000m) at Cambridge on Friday. Despite his pleasing run of form, which included winning his two previous outings, the seven-year-old gelding was unwanted
Racing
A breakthrough victory at Rosehill last Saturday has marked another significant milestone for New Zealand syndicator Inspire Racing, with Hello Youmzain mare Attractiveness (NZ) providing the operation with its first winner in Sydney. Prepared by Richard and Will Freedman, Attractiveness scored in impressive fashion and delivered a special result for
Racing
Champion jumps jockey Shaun Fannin had intended on competing at Riccarton’s Grand National Festival of Racing this week, but not as a rider. The Palmerston North horseman has become synonymous with the winter jumps carnival, particularly through his deeds with ill-fated champion jumper West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En
Racing
The connections of Dictation (NZ) (Tavistock) have a love-hate relationship with Riccarton, and they are hopeful of leaning towards the latter after Saturday’s Hospitality NZ Canterbury 136th Hospitality NZ Canterbury 136th Grand National Hurdles (4200m). While the Hawke’s Bay gelding has competed in the last two editions
Racing
Weight is trainer Dan O’Leary’s biggest concern ahead of Captain Runs’ (NZ) (Nom du Jeu) defence of the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 151st Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton on Saturday. The now 11-year-old gelding carried 66kg to victory in last year’s edition but
Australia
Cameron Crockett is a very hands on trainer and he knew something wasn’t quite right with Leovanni (NZ) (Leovanni) when she returned to work for her second preparation with him. He’d spent $40,000 to buy the mare, but in her first two starts she was being hesitant
Racing
The Livamol Classic (2040m) and New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) have retained Group One status this season following a vote by the Asian Pattern Committee (APC). Both races were subject to the vote after failing to meet the required international race rating standard in their last three editions, with the
Racing
Bill Thurlow is likely to extend the southern stay of his in-form sprinter Wire Rope (NZ) (Darci Brahma). The Waverley trainer will run the son of Darci Brahma in Saturday’s Vernon & Vazey Truck Parts Open (1400m) at Riccarton off the back of his Rating 75 success last