New Zealand
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 11 April 2021
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Racing
Australia
Western Empire reigns supreme in WATC Derby
Top three-year-old stayer Western Empire (NZ) (Iffraaj) was sent out a strong $1.30 favourite for Saturday’s Gr.2 WATC Derby (2400m) and duly obliged despite covering plenty of ground in the run. The Grant and Alana Williams-trained three-year-old has won five of his
Australia
Timely Sydney Group Three win for Matchmaker
Former New Zealand-trained filly Matchmaker added some all-important Australian black-type when coming with a well-timed run under James McDonald to land the Gr.3 PJ Bell Stakes (1200m) on the opening day of The Championships at Randwick on Saturday. The daughter of Makfi crossed the Tasman
Australia
Easy Caulfield win for Annavisto
Stakes winning filly Annavisto (NZ) (Reliable Man) turned a three-year-old handicap at Caulfield into a stroll in the park, when comfortably winning the Hylands Race Colours Handicap (1400m) on Saturday. Despite carrying topweight of 60kgs, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained filly sat outside the leader
New Zealand
Whale Song comes of age with Easter Cup victory
Promising galloper Whale Song got the big win he had hinted was coming when he dashed home along the inner to take out the Listed Christchurch Casino Easter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday. The five-year-old Ocean Park gelding handled the tricky Dead6 track conditions with aplomb as
Australia
Explosive Jack heads Kiwi-bred trifecta in Australian Derby
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Explosive Jack showed his staying prowess when winning the A$2 million Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday, defeating Young Werther and Lion’s Roar The son of Jakkalberry prevailed in a thrilling finish, with the first three past the
New Zealand
Possible Brisbane campaign for Atishu
Progressive three-year-old Atishu has left trainer Stephen Marsh in a bit of a quandary after she demolished her rivals to take out the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton. The Savabeel three-year-old was sent out a red-hot favourite after she overcame a stumble leaving
Australia
Quick Thinker lands Chairman’s Quality
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Quick Thinker was back in the winner’s circle when winning the Gr.2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m) at Randwick on Saturday in a truly run affair on a Soft7 track. The four-year-old entire had not run a place in six
New Zealand
Te Aroha abandoned after race three
The Te Aroha racemeeting on Saturday was abandoned when track conditions were deemed dangerous after the first horse past the post in race three slipped and feel shortly after crossing the finish line. Rain during the day caused the downgraded Dead6 surface to become slippery and forced the abandonment after
New Zealand
Vintage Manawatu performance from Savy Yong Blonk
Five-year-old mare Savy Yong Blonk (NZ) proved a class above her rivals in the Gr.3 Japac Homes Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m) at Awapuni on Friday, with the daughter of Savabeel running out an easy three-length victor over Yatima (NZ) (Savabeel) and Platinum Rapper (NZ) (Makfi). Sent
Australia
Rollercoaster week for Icebath’s connections
The connections of Icebath (NZ) (Sacred Falls) breathed a sigh of relief this week with the scratching of Gem Song in the Gr.1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. The Kris Lees runner’s withdrawal meant they gained a start in the A$3million feature with New Zealand-
Australia
Mo’unga primed for Doncaster
Mo’unga (NZ) (Savabeel) gave trainer Annabel Neasham her first Group One win when taking out the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) last start and she is hoping he can add a second to their tally at Randwick on Saturday. The son of Savabeel will contest the Gr.1 Doncaster