New Zealand
Peter Didham’s impressive form this season continued at Trentham on Saturday, with eye-catching pair Fashion Icon and Manifique staking their claim for black-type opportunities this summer. The Awapuni horseman recorded his 13th and 14th victories for the season, equalling his total winning record from 2022/23 from just 70
New Zealand
Te Akau Racing was on top of the two-year-old podium at Trentham on Saturday, with their untapped filly Captured By Love running out a dominant victor in the Gr.2 Mode Technology Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m). This year’s edition of the juvenile feature drew a strong 11-horse field, with
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
New Zealand
Black-type winning stayer Ess Vee Are (NZ) (Shocking) will return to New Zealand tracks on Saturday at Pukekohe, with trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley hoping to commence a path towards key Cup races this summer. The son of Shocking featured among the most promising stayers last season when placing behind
New Zealand
Graham Richardson is hoping a successful week for his female contingent can continue after Snazzytavi was a stand-out victor at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Cambridge Stud-owned mare impressed fresh-up when being caught late by Doddle over 1400m at Pukekohe, seeing her start a warm $3.60 favourite in the
New Zealand
Talented middle-distance specialist and million-dollar earner Defibrillate has been retired. The son of Shocking was bred by co-trainer Graham Richardson alongside the McInteer Family, both parties remaining in the ownership alongside several other close friends, including fellow trainer Lance O’Sullivan and former Black Cap Brendan McCullum. Defibrillate commenced his
New Zealand
Brian and Shane Anderton’s classy performer Capo Dell Impero (NZ) (Ghibellines) continues to be the perfect advertisement for their Wingatui-based sire Ghibellines, adding the Happy Hire Cromwell Cup (2030m) to his impressive record on Sunday. Capo Dell Impero put the writing on the wall when scorching home for fifth
New Zealand
Twelve months ago, Roger James and Robert Wellwood were battling to see the best of Roccia (NZ) (Iffraaj), but the classy mare has returned to top form and collected back-to-back victories at Te Rapa on Saturday. James has regarded Roccia to be somewhat of an enigma in the past with
New Zealand
Handicap conditions won’t be in the favour of middle-distance specialist Defibrillate when the classy gelding contests the Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m) on Saturday. The nine-year-old son of Shocking was a key figure in the top-flight middle-distance events last season and looked to be returning to solid
New Zealand
Emphatic last-start winner Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj) will lead the Wexford Stables charge at Te Rapa on Saturday where she will step into stakes company, contesting the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m). The daughter of Iffraaj showed promise early in her first two raceday appearances and justified
New Zealand
Explosive finishes are becoming a habit for Geriatrix (Almanzor), and co-trainer Andrew Scott is hopeful the eye-catching colt can produce another in Thursday’s Gr.3 Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki. The son of Almanzor was an impressive maiden victor at Taupo in October and recorded the fastest
New Zealand
Frank Ritchie had anything but a relaxed watch as Gwen’s Daughter descended down the Pukekohe straight on Saturday, but he was delighted when she prevailed in the Stella Artois Championship Qualifier (1500m). The mare had run second behind an impressive Uderzo a week prior at Tauranga but may have