Racing
I am saddened by the passing of my uncle and childhood hero, former jockey and trainer Raymond James (Buzz) Leggett, aged 83. It was Buzz's notable Great Northern Hurdles-Steeplechase double over the 1965 Queen's Birthday weekend on Smoke Ring (pictured) which piqued my and brother
Racing
Chris Wood may have lost two of his stable flagbearers in That’s Gold (Lucky Vega) and Canheroc (NZ) (El Roca), but he is hoping two recent stable additions in Sassy Lass (NZ) (Staphanos) and Son Of Sun (NZ) (Tavistock) can be worthy replacements. The Cambridge horseman has enjoyed a
Racing
The racing industry has lost one of its most colourful characters with the recent passing of Bob Autridge, aged 85. The patriarch of the Autridge family, Bob was a successful amateur jockey and accomplished trainer, and he passed his passion on to his sons Stephen and Toby, who forged their
Racing
The New Zealand thoroughbred industry is mourning the loss of highly respected Waikato identity Colin Thompson who passed away at the weekend aged 97. Thompson was a leading veterinarian for decades, breeder and owner and with late wife Irene, their son John and his wife Colleen and Alan Galbraith established
Racing
Champion trainer Chris Waller will this week ramp up Joliestar’s (Zoustar) assault on the Gr.1 The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot on June 20, with the five-time Group One heroine to contest a jumpout down the straight at Flemington on Friday. Joliestar hasn’
Racing
The recent run of veterans winning the elite sprint races has emboldened trainer Peter Moody to chase Saturday’s Gr.1 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm with Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai). Moody and training partner Katherine Coleman initially had the last start Gr.1 Goodwood winner
Racing
West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu) showed his champion qualities at Te Rapa on Sunday when he chased down runaway leader Whiskey Tango to score his first win in 20 months in the Waikato Hunt Cup (3900m). The Mark Oulaghan-trained 10-year-old has an unblemished record at the
Racing
Peter and Jessica Brosnan could be in for an exciting winter with Squire (NZ) (Savile Row) following his impressive victory in the Sal’s Pizza Hamilton Hurdle (2800m) at Te Rapa on Sunday. The son of Savile Row had shown plenty of ability over hurdles last year, winning his maiden
Racing
Expat Kiwi trainer Chris Waller joined an elite club at Doomben on Saturday when recording his 200th Group One win courtesy of Birdman (Free Eagle) in the Doomben Cup (2000m). The Hall of Fame trainer became the first Kiwi and third Australian-based trainer to reach the mark, joining legendary
Racing
Local trainer Allan Sharrock and red-hot apprentice Toni Davies combined to produce a winning double at New Plymouth on Saturday with Fulla Grace (NZ) (Ocean Park) and Belle Tribute (NZ) (Contributer). The victory on Belle Tribute for Davies, who currently enjoys a two-kilogram apprentice claim, was her eighth
Racing
New Zealand-bred mare Prima Bella (NZ) (Per Incanto) made a stylish return at Randwick on Saturday with a victory in her first raceday appearance for almost nine months. The A$160,000 Uphire Handicap (1000m) was the Per Incanto five-year-old’s first start since September 3, and
Racing
A gear change looks to have worked wonders for promising three-year-old Skattebo (NZ) (Nadeem), who scored his second successive win in winkers at his home track of New Plymouth on Saturday when taking out the Hirepool New Plymouth 1600. From his ace draw, he was stoked up early