Jimmy set to end his autumn drought
The Gr.1 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) shares Group One status on Saturday with the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) and it looms as a final chance for quality sprinter Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) to get on the board this campaign.
A winner of 11 of his 27 starts, Jimmysstar has never completed a preparation without a win and may get his best opportunity this time around as he stretches to the unusual 1300m of the Kingsford-Smith Cup.
Ciaron Maher assistant Jack Turnbull said on Saturday that Jimmysstar had the right form to break through after close-up efforts in the Gr.1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) (fifth), Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) (third) and Gr.1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) (fourth).
“He’s fine, he just needs a little bit further,” Turnbull said.
“From where he’s drawn and where he’s been in the run, it’s just been a bit short essentially.”
The Maher stable also has eyes on the sprint feature at Caulfield on Saturday with plans to run Recommendation (Shalaa) in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m).
“This has been his target since he went to Adelaide,” Turnbull said of Recommendation.
“He will be on a similar pathway to the last couple of winters through races like the Bletchingly.
“It’s his right trip, the 1100 metres. It’s well documented that’s his go.” - NZ Racing Desk
Zambardo’s chance to step up at Rosehill
Zambardo (NZ) (Belardo) did not make it to the race that was pencilled in as his Group One target this preparation, but co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr remains optimistic he can land a big payday this campaign.
Last year's Gr.1 Champions Stakes (2000m) runner-up will get the chance to push his claims for a start in next month's rich Gr.2 Q22 (2200m) in this Saturday's $200,000 Listed Lord Mayor's Cup (2000m) at Rosehill.
Kent and his training partner Mick Price brought him into work with a view to contesting the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m), which was won by Birdman (Free Eagle) last Saturday, but reset sights after two unplaced runs to start the campaign.
"We came into this prep and we mooted the Doomben Cup, but we just thought the better of that," Kent said.
"All his good form is on bigger tracks. The Doomben Cup, it was going to be a big ask, especially with (Pride Of) Jenni in there, third-up with a two-week gap from the mile.
"We've got three weeks now to 2000, we stay at home at Rosehill and then if he wins that, the Q22 on the big track (will be) beautiful with no Jenni."
Zambardo heads into the Lord Mayor's Cup off a sixth placing in the $500,000 The Coast (1600m) at Gosford on May 9, which followed a four-length ninth placing over 1400m at Randwick on April 18.
They are the only unplaced runs of a 10-start career that began with a pair of third placings for original trainer Emma Watt in New Zealand before joining Price and Kent's Cranbourne stable.
He raced through the grades with four-straight wins last preparation, which prompted the trainers to test Zambardo in the Champions Stakes, in which the four-year-old beat home all bar dual Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock).
Zambardo was one of 34 entries for the Lord Mayor's Cup with Royal Supremacy (Make Believe), Maison Louis (NZ) (Super Seth), Osipenko (NZ) (Pierro), Tavi Time (NZ) (Tavistock) and Sea King (Sea The Stars) among his potential rivals. - RAS NewsWire
Changing of the guard at Wood's Cambridge barn
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 fruitful season, primarily through the deeds of his Group Two winner That’s Gold, who won four of his nine starts, including the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m), Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1600m), and $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m).
He was bought back by his breeder, Yulong Investments, following his Avondale Guineas heroics and had one final run for Wood when sixth in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day.
He has left New Zealand shores to continue his racing career in Hong Kong where Wood believes he will thrive under new trainer Mark Newnham’s care, with next year’s Hong Kong Derby (2000m) the primary objective.
“I went to Hong Kong to see my family a little while ago and went to the Hong Kong Sevens with my youngest fella,” Wood said. “I made myself known to Mark Newnham, who is getting That’s Gold.
“I want to see the horse do well up there, he is a very good horse, and I am sure he can win the Derby up there. I am very confident of that and I told him that.
“When he runs in the Derby I will definitely go up next year.”
Wood has also lost the services of his stakes-winning stayer Canheroc, who will now ply his trade in the South Island after transferring to the care of Riccarton trainer’s Michael and Matthew Pitman.
While he has lost two of his stable’s flagbearers, Wood is excited about the addition of Group Three performer Sassy Lass and Group Three-winning stayer Son Of Sun, which he said is due, in part, to his success with That’s Gold.
“When you win with a horse like That’s Gold it puts your profile back out there again,” he said. “You don’t forget to train but you don’t get the horses and numbers you want sometimes. Now my name is back out there again it is nice to be receiving a few horses.”
Son Of Sun has been a solid performer for former trainers Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley, winning seven of his 30 starts, including the Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m), and he was runner-up in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.
He was unplaced in his subsequent three starts and Wood said a change in stable environment could work wonders for the rising seven-year-old gelding.
“The owners of Son Of Sun are just looking for a change,” Wood said. “He might be just a bit stale and looking for a change of routine and environment. The owners have elected to send him here so that is great.
“He comes back in on June 1. I will just get him up and get him going and we will sort out what level we think he is at and we will go from there. He looks like a nice horse on paper. He is going to be a nice addition to the stable.”
Wood is also pleased to welcome Sassy Lass to the barn, who won four of her 32 starts for former trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, and was runner-up in the 2024 edition of the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m).
Wood said Sassy Lass is in the same boat as Son Of Sun and may thrive with a change of scenery.
“Sassy Lass races a bit the same, her form has tapered off, and her owners thought they might want to have a change and try somewhere different,” he said.- Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Paul Vettise
Joshua Smith
NZ Racing Desk
BANKER’S WIN (MY) Ambitious Fluke (NZ) 2021 by Rageese (AUS) out of Supreme by Falkirk; Breeder: Windsor Park Stud Ltd; Waikato; NZ; Race: Selangor TC Rebound Stakes 1150; Sale: 2023 Ready To Run Sale V: Riversley Park $70000 P: Hong Kong Bloodstock
PACIFIC POWER (NZ) 2022 by War Decree (USA) out of Miss Brahmos by Smart Missile (AUS); Breeder: M R Shepherd & A D Stuart; NZ; Race: Selangor TC Maiden 1020; Sale: 2024 Ready To Run Sale V: Riversley Park $80000 P: Mr Koon Yew Ong
SIR RUBY (NZ) 2022 by King Of Comedy (IRE) out of Navy Beach by Darci Brahma; Breeder: Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd; Waikato; NZ; Race: Selangor TC Class 4A H. 1800; Sale: 2024 Ready To Run Sale V: Phoenix Park $60000 P: Mr J Leck
FLYING AMANI (NZ) 2021 by Wrote (IRE) out of My Rose Maree (AUS) by Rock of Gibraltar (IRE); Breeder: Gillovic Bloodstock Ltd; Waikato; NZ; Race: HKJC Standard Chartered Digital Assets H. 1600m.
COME FAST FAY FAY (NZ) 2021 by Wrote (IRE) out of Madrekay by Towkay (AUS); Breeder: Ms D M Cuthbert & P J Smith; Central; NZ; Race: HKJC Standard Chartered Sustainable Finance H. 1400m.
PACKING KING (NZ) 2021 by Darci Brahma out of Surreptitiously (GB) by Machiavellian (USA); Breeder: The Oaks Stud; Waikato; NZ; Race: HKJC Standard Chartered Corporate and Investment Banking H. 1200m.; Sale: 2023 National Yearling Sale - Book1 V: The Oaks Stud $320000 P: Tartan Meadow B/stock
MONARCH COUNTY (NZ) 2020 by Per Incanto (USA) out of Monarch by Volksraad (GB); Breeder: Mrs C & S Hope; Auckland; NZ; Race: HKJC Standard Chartered Priority Banking H. 1400m.
MIGHTY STRENGTH (NZ) 2020 by Time Test (GB) out of L'Accord by Golan (IRE); Breeder: Simms Davison & Mrs J C Hewitt; Waikato; NZ; Race: HKJC Standard Chartered Wealth Solutions H. 1800m.
BOOMBA (NZ) 2017 by Showcasing (GB) out of Celeste by Pentire (GB); Breeder: R W E Moore; Auckland; NZ; Race: Selangor TC Class 5B H. 1275; Sale: 2019 National Yearling Sale – Book 1 V: Haunui Farm $100000 P: Cliff Brown Racing
KHAO MANEE (NZ) 2017 by Remind (USA) out of Criquette by Forensic Evidence (IRE); Breeder: Ms D Clark & M G Gordon; Canterbury; NZ; Race: Selangor TC Rebound Stakes 1775; Sale: 2019 National Yearling Sale – Book 3 V: Long Acres Stud $5000 P: Warrior Stables
BOY XANDER (NZ) 2017 by Shamexpress out of Georgia Oak by Savabeel (AUS); Breeder: J D Czerpak & Windsor Park Stud Ltd; Waikato; NZ; Race: Selangor TC Class 4A H. 1200; Sale: 2019 National Yearling Sale – Book 2 V: Landsdowne Park $38000 P: Okaharau Station; 2019 Ready To Run Sale V: Leanach Lodge $80000 P: Mr J Ong
EVER RELIABLE (NZ) 2021 by Reliable Man (GB) out of Princess Snitzel (AUS) by Snitzel (AUS); Breeder: Nearco Stud Limited; Canterbury; NZ; Race: Selangor TC Class 5A H. 1800; Sale: 2023 Ready To Run Sale V: Curraghmore $30,000 P: Mr Shane Ellis
NZ Stallion Awards
The Centaine Award
Sire whose NZ-conceived progeny have the highest earnings worldwide.
The Dewar Stallion Trophy
Sire whose progeny have the highest combined earnings in Australia and New Zealand.
The Grosvenor Award
Leading Sires by earnings in New Zealand.
Global NZ-bred winners
2026-05-16 / 2026-05-23
AUSTRALIA
Almanzor : Pub Crawl (NZ) (Fun Seeker by Darci Brahma) 2021;
16 May 2026, 1st Tennant Creek RC Territory Water Solutions H. 1200m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Yearling Sale for $150000
Almanzor : Giddy Up Bankcheck (NZ) (Zenella by Zabeel) 2022;
22 May 2026, 1st Mount Gambier RC Thomas Foods International Maiden P. 1550m
Sold by KB Bloodstock at Ready to Run Sale for $145000
Charm Spirit : Sunrise (NZ) (Daily at Dawn by Dawn Approach) 2021;
22 May 2026, 1st GCTC Beechmont Hotel P. 1000m
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $30000
Charm Spirit : Wild Ruby (NZ) (Urulu by High Chaparral) 2020;
23 May 2026, 1st Echuca RC EDG Projects Maiden P. 1412m
Contributer : Little Cointreau (NZ) (Little Haast by Faltaat) 2019;
19 May 2026, 1st Barcaldine RC GBA P. 1300m
Dalghar : Comic Hero (NZ) (Wellington Rose by Pins) 2019;
22 May 2026, 1st Mount Gambier RC Gambier Earth Movers Volcano Sprint 1200m
Darci Brahma : Milton Road (NZ) (Special Asset by The Factor) 2019;
23 May 2026, 1st Nanango RC Battle of the Bush Nanango Qualifier Open P. 1200m
Sold by Goodwood Stud at National Weanling Sale for $18000
Deep Field : First Landing (NZ) (Luna Rossa by Written Tycoon) 2020;
23 May 2026, 1st Newcastle JC Total Tools H. 900m
El Roca : My Roca Fella (NZ) (Given With Love by Encosta de Lago) 2020;
22 May 2026, 1st Southside Racing Ladbrokes Sky Heights Stayers Series Final H. 2000m
El Roca : Eight on the Dot (NZ) (Ready at Eight by More Than Ready) 2018;
16 May 2026, 1st SAJC Dominant Advantage H. 1950m
Hello Youmzain : Hello Captain (NZ) (Steer by the Stars by Pivotal) 2022;
20 May 2026, 1st ATC All Too Hard at Vinery Stud H. 1100m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Yearling Sale for $425000
Iffraaj : Western Empire (NZ) (Western Jewel by Jeune) 2017;
16 May 2026, 1st WATC Belmont Sprint Gr.3 1400m
Jakkalberry : Enchanted Elle (NZ) (Ististar by Istidaad) 2017;
17 May 2026, 1st Casterton RC Nutrien Ag Hurdle 3500m
Niagara : Synchro (NZ) (La Tourneau by Lonhro) 2020;
16 May 2026, 1st SAJC Sportsbet H. 1300m
Ocean Park : Self Serve (NZ) (Checkout by Savabeel) 2021;
23 May 2026, 1st Darwin TC Book DTC Gala Ball H. 1200m
Per Incanto : Prima Bella (NZ) (Brah Spring by Darci Brahma) 2020;
23 May 2026, 1st ATC Uphire H. 1000m
Per Incanto : Swing Your Magic (NZ) (Swing a Deel by Dundeel) 2021;
16 May 2026, 1st Wodonga TC Sunshine Trust H. 1300mSold by Cheltenham Stables at Ready to Run Sale for $50000
Per Incanto : Dream Illusion (NZ) (Perfect Dream by Commands) 2020;
16 May 2026, 1st Carnarvon RC Shark Bay Prawn H. 1400m
Pierro : Ottoman Empire (NZ) (Dolmabache by Redoute's Choice) 2019;
16 May 2026, 1st Clarence River JC Austec Plumbing H. 1420m
Sold by Pencarrow Stud at National Yearling Sale for $75000
Pierro : War Eternal (NZ) (Aleria by Fastnet Rock) 2018;
16 May 2026, 1st BRC Bernborough H. L 1600m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Yearling Sale for $160000
Redwood : Thebudgiesmugla (NZ) (Hot Pants by Keeper) 2020;
23 May 2026, 1st ATC Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation H. 2400m
Reliable Man : Nihancan (NZ) (Arapaho Miss by Danehill Dancer) 2022;
21 May 2026, 1st Seymour RC Equine Clinic Maiden P. 2040m
Ribchester : Stylin' (NZ) (She is All Fashion by Duke Of Marmalade) 2022;
23 May 2026, 1st WATC Racing WA Provincial Series Final H. 1400m
Sold by Haunui Farm at National Yearling Sale for $10000
Sacred Falls : Batoka Chief (NZ) (Miss Lioness by Johar) 2020;
23 May 2026, 1st Echuca RC Border Inn Hotel H. 2112m
Sacred Falls : Miss Jennifer (NZ) (Miss Purrfection by One Cool Cat) 2018;
17 May 2026, 1st Parkes JC Satellite H. 1200m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $160000
Savabeel : Samurai Warrior (NZ) (Hiragana by Fusaichi Pegasus) 2020;
16 May 2026, 1st Toowoomba TC Hope Horizons H. 1890m
Savabeel : Five Rings (NZ) (Daisy Chain by Pins) 2019;
16 May 2026, 1st GCTC BMO H. 1540m
Sold by Ohukia Lodge Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $200000
Savabeel : Khor (NZ) (Coulee by Gallant Guru) 2019;
23 May 2026, 1st MRC Big Screen Company H. 2400m
Savabeel : Samurai Warrior (NZ) (Hiragana by Fusaichi Pegasus) 2020;
22 May 2026, 1st Inverell JC Bluprint H. 1800m
Super Seth : Bollon (NZ) (Aura d'Oro by Medaglia d'Oro) 2021;
23 May 2026, 1st Darwin TC Mitcon Projects H. 1600m
Sold by Blandford Lodge at National Yearling Sale for $260000
Super Seth : Sanctified (NZ) (Sacred Siren by O'Reilly) 2022;
20 May 2026, 1st ATC Agency Real Estate H. 1300m
Super Seth : Superfabulistic (NZ) (Fabulist by Savabeel) 2021;
20 May 2026, 1st ATC Precise Air H. 1600m
Super Seth : Kilman (NZ) (Thy by O'Reilly) 2022;
16 May 2026, 1st BRC Rough Habit P. Gr.3 2000m
Tavistock : Pudding (NZ) (Christmas Day by Zabeel) 2018;
23 May 2026, 1st MRC Life Member David Sims 90th Birthday H. 1800m
Sold by Hallmark Stud at National Yearling Sale for $65000
Ten Sovereigns : Exit Fee (NZ) (Vinzky by Stravinsky) 2021;
23 May 2026, 1st ATC TAB Highway H. 1200m
Time Test : Luton Hoo (NZ) (Royal Excess by Exceed and Excel) 2020;
16 May 2026, 1st Toowoomba TC Harvey Black Group H. 1300m
Time Test : Epoch (NZ) (Onmyown by High Chaparral) 2021;
18 May 2026, 1st Stawell RC Carlton Draught Maiden P. 2000m
Sold by Prima Park at National Yearling Sale for $22000
Tivaci : Sought After (NZ) (Popular by Savabeel) 2021;
23 May 2026, 1st Murray Bridge RC Mosel Surveyors H. 1400m
Trapeze Artist : Deepwater Artist (NZ) (Sea Dweller by High Chaparral) 2021;
19 May 2026, 1st Newcastle JC Hungerford Hill Wine Country Cup 1600m
Sold by Leanach Lodge Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $120000
Trapeze Artist : Kiwi Jenni (NZ) (Frescoes by Lonhro) 2022;
21 May 2026, 1st Seymour RC Hunters Maiden P. 1600m
Sold by Carlaw Park at National Yearling Sale for $120000
Turn Me Loose : On the Loose (NZ) (Loose Goose by Nicconi) 2022;
22 May 2026, 1st Geelong RC McCartney Real Estate Maiden P. 1300m
Unusual Suspect : Isuspectjeu (NZ) (Eyes en Jeu by Mettre En Jeu) 2020;
23 May 2026, 1st Murray Bridge RC B&L Cox Electrical H. 2000m
Vadamos : Obsidian Dream (NZ) (High Tranquility by High Chaparral) 2022;
21 May 2026, 1st Hawkesbury RC Titan Ag Maiden P. 1400m
Sold by Landsdowne Park Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $220000
Zacinto : Cliodhna Maeve (NZ) (Vera de Bosset by Stravinsky) 2020;
16 May 2026, 1st Hughenden JC Page and Co Hay Supplies Maiden P. 1200m
Zed : So Suave (NZ) (Opulence by Danroad) 2021;
20 May 2026, 1st ATC Schweppes H. 2110m
HONG KONG
Savabeel : On the Lash (NZ) (Candelabra by Pins) 2020;
17 May 2026, 1st HKJC Buffalo Hill H. 1800m
Wrote : Flying Wrote (NZ) (O'sabrina by Snitzel) 2020;
20 May 2026, 1st HKJC Violet H. 1200m
MALAYSIA
Declaration of War : War Frontier (NZ) (Bay Star by Rock Of Gibraltar) 2016;
16 May 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 4 H. 1300m
Sold by Curraghmore at National Yearling Sale for $80000
Dundeel : Duntayar - Family Delight (Mal.) (NZ) (Arpeggio by Tavistock) 2017;
17 May 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 4 H. 1275m
Sold by Pencarrow Stud at National Yearling Sale for $40000
Proisir : Dingfeng Speedy (NZ) (Hang Seng by Black Minnaloushe) 2019;
17 May 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 4 H. 1200m
Sold by Archer Park at National Yearling Sale for $45000
Spirit of Boom : Ai Phantom (NZ) (Sienna Rose by More Than Ready) 2021;
17 May 2026, 1st Selangor TC Open Maiden H. 1200m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Yearling Sale for $330000
Sweet Orange : Buuraq Sixty-One (NZ) (Miss Annaliese by Don Eduardo) 2016;
17 May 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 4 H. 1200m
Sold by Regal Farm at Ready to Run Sale for $60000
Sweynesse : Swey City Flyer (NZ) (Cape City Flyer by Volksraad) 2022;
17 May 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 5 H. 1300mSold by Pertab Racing at Ready to Run Sale for $45000
Sold by Windsor Park Stud at National Yearling Sale for $45000
Tivaci : Eastern Barracks (NZ) (O'Me O'My by O'Reilly) 2021;
17 May 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 4 H. 1400m
Sold by Curraghmore at National Weanling Sale for $125000
Turn Me Loose : Hana Man - Choice is Mine (Mal.) (NZ) (Te Hana by Falkirk) 2021;
17 May 2026, 1st Selangor TC Max Two S. 1400m
Zacinto : Starlight Glimmer (NZ) (Queen of Navarre by Guillotine) 2020;
16 May 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 5 H. 1100m
Sold by JC Thoroughbreds Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $57500
