New Zealand
Trainer Ben Foote was left chuckling to himself after receiving a text post-race from the co-owners of impressive debutant Loosespender (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), who overcame a torrid run in-transit to take out the opening event at Hawera on Saturday. The strapping grey son of Turn Me Loose made light
New Zealand
After bemusing trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood with a debut performance that is best forgotten, three-year-old Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking) showed what he is capable of with a convincing victory over 1600m in maiden company at Hawera on Saturday. The son of resident Rich Hill Stud sire Shocking had
New Zealand
Revered thoroughbred trainer Colin Jillings has died in Auckland, aged 91. Jillings, who retired from training in 2005, had a lengthy and hugely successful career in racing, initially as a jockey and then as a trainer. He never trained on a large scale, which made winning a premiership an unrealistic
New Zealand
Southland trainer Sabin Kirkland is hoping the festivities continue when he heads to Wingatui on Boxing Day with his talented sprinter Buoyant. The four-year-old gelding was in a purple patch of form over spring, winning two and placing in two of his four starts, including winning the Gr.3 Stewards
New Zealand
An outstanding trial gallop from star sprinter Levante has only served to multiply the butterflies in Matamata trainer Ken Kelso's stomach leading into one of the biggest weeks of his career. Levante prepared for Monday week's Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Te Rapa with a
New Zealand
Trainer Matthew Enright his hoping Christmas comes early when he heads to The Valley on Saturday with Wertheimer. The five-year-old son of Tavistock finished fourth behind fellow Kiwi-bred and subsequent Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) placegetter High Emocean in the Gr.3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) in October and pleased with
New Zealand
Craig Grylls is flying high again this season and looks to have the horsepower to continue that trend with strong books of rides at Hawera on Saturday and at Pukekohe on Boxing Day. The 32-year-old, who currently sits atop the National Jockeys’ Premiership, has struck up a lucrative association with
New Zealand
Christmas festivities will take a back seat to racing commitments for champion jockey Opie Bosson this year. Bosson has already enjoyed a family Christmas celebration, allowing his focus to centre around racing's busiest period of the calendar. Heading a strong book of rides at Pukekohe on Boxing Day
New Zealand
Victorian jockey Dean Yendall will renew his association with Kiwi galloper Justacanta (NZ) (Per Incanto) in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) at Te Rapa on New Year’s Day. The Australian hoop had four rides on the nine-year-old in Melbourne last year for trainer Patrick Payne, including victories in
New Zealand
Leading filly Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) will kick start her summer preparation when she steps out in a hot trial at Matamata on Friday. She will add momentum to a new campaign when she runs over 1000m against a talented line-up that includes Group One winners Levante (NZ) (Proisir) and Maven
New Zealand
Sharp ‘N’ Smart will mark the start of the new year by making his first public appearance since finishing runner-up in the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m). The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained gelding will have an exhibition gallop between races at Te Rapa on New Year’s Day as he
New Zealand
Matamata trainer Paul Richards has history on his side as he prepares talented juvenile Farravallo for connections which include respected bloodstock agent Chris Rutten. Rutten won the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) in 2014 with Vespa and the Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) in 2018 with Scott Base, and has also