New Zealand
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 03 March 2024
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER
Racing
Australia
Australian Cup focus for Blamey winner Atishu
Multiple Group One winning mare Atishu has claimed a berth in the A$4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) with a strong victory in the Gr.2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday. The Chris Waller-trained daughter of Savabeel was ridden more forward than usual under Blake Shinn,
New Zealand
Drakaina dominant in NZB Airfreight Stakes
Drakaina’s commanding victory in Saturday’s Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui completed a remarkable rise to prominence for a filly that was bought for just $3,000. The daughter of Ace High caught the eye of her trainer and part-owner Ebony Turner on Gavelhouse last year.
New Zealand
Orchestral makes Derby history for James
Roger James is now the most successful trainer in the history of the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m), but even that enormous achievement was overshadowed at Ellerslie on Saturday by the new superstar of his Cambridge stable. Orchestral became the sixth Derby winner for James, following on from
New Zealand
Certainly maintains Te Akau’s Mufhasa Stakes dominance
Te Akau Racing’s former trainer Jamie Richards had a stranglehold on the Mufhasa Stakes (1400m) on New Zealand Derby Day, and his successors Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson continued that tradition at Ellerslie on Saturday. The runaway premiership leaders won the Mainstream Plumbing-sponsored Group Three feature with classy
New Zealand
Positivity claims first stakes victory in Sunline Vase
Unheralded Almanzor filly Positivity sprang an upset at Ellerslie on Saturday when she fought doggedly in the run home to take out the Gr.3 McKee Family Sunline Vase (2100m) and claim her first stakes victory. The Andrew Forsman-prepared three-year-old was having just her fifth start and
New Zealand
Marina Farina hits top gear in King’s Plate
Underrated mare Maria Farina outsprinted several of the country’s top gallopers to secure Saturday’s Gr.3 Haunui Farm King’s Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie. The daughter of Contributer has flown relatively under the radar this season, despite having accumulated six career victories, including the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m)
Australia
Hat Trick for Sans Doute
Smart four-year four-year-old mare Sans Doute recorded her third victory in succession when successful in the Resimax Group Plate (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday. The daughter of Not A Single Doubt was game after over-coming a checkered-passage in a small field of five to score
New Zealand
Te Akau looking to regain Derby Throne
Te Akau Racing make their presence felt in a volume of top-flight New Zealand races, with Karaka Millions, Guineas, and weight-for-age crowns in constant flow. However, the iconic Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) is one that has eluded the Matamata giant since cult hero Gingernuts
Australia
Future bright for Stars winner
Emerging filly Mislead (Shamexpress) could be set for higher tasks with a trip to Adelaide to chase black type on the radar for the Sportsbet Future Stars Series winner. Rachael Frost’s three-year-old took out the $300,000 1400m final on Thursday evening at Pakenham having won a
New Zealand
Quintessa ready for Australian Guineas test
Legarto catapulted herself into the spotlight in last year’s A$1 million Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m), and Te Akau Racing is hopeful another Kiwi filly can follow suit in the Flemington feature on Saturday. That filly is Quintessa, a daughter of Shamus Award that has only once finished
New Zealand
Wheeler represented by talented quartet at Ellerslie
Two breakthrough performers from November’s New Zealand Cup Carnival will line up alongside a pair of promising staying three-year-olds in a talented team for New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler at Ellerslie on Saturday. The Hall of Fame horseman’s first runner will be Oso Savvy in the