New Zealand
Under-rated sprinter Mercurial booked himself a ticket to the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Pukekohe with a tenacious all-the-way win over the same course and distance on Saturday. A ballot exemption for the New Year’s Day feature added extra value to the $65,000 Happy Milestone Birthday David
Australia
Co-trainer Trent Busuttin is looking for Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel) to return to form in the Gr.1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot but even if he does, he doubts he could defeat Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux). However, Busuttin has spent his life in racing and knows that the sport can provide
New Zealand
Peter and Dawn Williams have fond memories in past editions of the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m), and the Byerley Park trainers are hoping another crown lies ahead with Desert Lightning on Saturday. The Williams’ claimed back-to-back victories in the Trentham feature, now known as the Gr.1 TAB
Detonator Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) will bank more than $1.7 million in two starts if he can win the Gr.2 The Ingham (1600m). The rural surrounds of Maher Racing's supplementary Bong Bong Farm facility has been put to good use ahead of Detonator Jack's bid
Australia
Sprinter Waihaha Falls (NZ) (Sacred Falls) won't get his preferred rain-affected conditions at Randwick, but he will have another couple of factors in his favour when he lines-up in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m). The six-year-old resumed with a solid fifth over the same course and distance
New Zealand
Highly talented three-year-old Lupo Solitario has pleased Matamata trainer Danica Guy in the build-up to his return to racing, but a last-minute setback has cast some doubt over his participation in Saturday’s Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe. The Satono Aladdin gelding towered over the TAB’s market
New Zealand
Globetrotting Swedish jockey Ulrika Holmquist has made a homecoming of sorts, returning to New Zealand to ride for the summer. Holmquist arrived in New Zealand a decade ago to work in the racing industry, but soon found herself in the saddle and on a career path to becoming a jockey.
New Zealand
Lance Noble is sending just one horse down to Wellington this weekend, hoping his rising star Habana can deal to some unfinished business in the race now known as the Gr. 1 TAB Classic (1600m) at Trentham. Noble saddled Viadana in the 2013 edition of the race, which was then
After a slew of outside barrier draws in big races, John O'Shea is celebrating a welcome change of fortune for his trio of runners in the A$3 million The Ingham. Kirwin's Lane (NZ) (Charm Spirit), Lion's Roar (NZ) (Contributer) and recent acquisition Dark
Australia
Paul Preusker has always had a big opinion of Captain Envious (NZ) (Savabeel), which was why he ran him in the 2022 Queen Elizabeth Stakes behind Soulcombe (Frankel) at Flemington at only his sixth start. However, early this year when Captain Envious returned to racing over autumn, Preusker felt he
New Zealand
Adam I Am (NZ) (Almanzor) made quite the impression with his two eye-catching wins over spring and trainer Glenn Old said he has returned a more furnished animal ahead of summer racing. The four-year-old gelding broke through for his maiden win in emphatic style at Matamata in May when winning
New Zealand
Cannon Hill’s (NZ) (Ardrossan) performance in Saturday’s age group feature at Pukekohe will determine the summer path for the colt. The son of Ardrossan has earned his first crack at black-type in the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), which will give trainer Tony Pike a clearer guide on