New Zealand
Since his early twenties Raymond Connors has balanced farm life with training a team of racehorses, and his record in major races indicates the latter is far from a second pursuit. Growing up on a dairy farm in Whangaehu, Connors’ family had interest in racing, but as a young teenager
Racing
The curtain has come down on the career of champion jumper The Cossack. A winner of 15 jumping races, The Cossack returned this season after sustaininga suspensory ligament injury that he suffered just days out from last year’s Grand National Steeplechase (5500m), but after fourth placed efforts in the
Racing
Two popular members of Kevin Myers’ stable in Aljay and Verry Flash are heading for a well-earned retirement following successful careers with combined earnings of nearly $1 million. The Wanganui horseman purchased Aljay for $39,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale in 2019, having prepared his
Racing
Otaki trainer Andrew Campbell saw potential in Cocobill as a yearling, and two and a half years later the ex-Victorian galloper will make his Kiwi debut for his stable at Woodville on Sunday. After stepping away from training for a couple of years in 2021, Campbell went down the path
Racing
Former jockey Sam O’Malley will chase his first winner as a trainer this weekend after recently joining employer Bill Thurlow in partnership. Based in the Central Districts, O’Malley had a successful career in the saddle despite battling with weight issues, guiding home 68 winners, including a Gr.2
Racing
Donna Logan will be back in the black-type frame with her young stable at Ruakaka on Saturday, presenting the promising Yokozuna in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). After seven years training in Singapore, Logan returned to New Zealand late last year and has already made her
Racing
Luminance has proven herself up to black-type level on a heavy surface and trainer Kurtis Pertab is looking to put that ability to the test on a better track when she contests Saturday’s Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka. The daughter of Time Test continued
New Zealand
Frankie Barrett could hardly wipe the smile off her face after riding the first winner of her career at Hawera on Sunday. The 20-year-old apprentice had just ticked over 20 rides when she was legged aboard the Kevin Myers-trained Shawshank (NZ) (El Roca) in the last on the card, with
New Zealand
Corrina McDougal is still getting her voice back after cheering home Suliman to win last Saturday’s Grand National Hurdles (4200m), but it is straight back to business this week for the Hastings horsewoman. McDougal was watching from home as Suliman toughed out a gruelling edition of the National, her
Racing
A decision to bypass the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) a fortnight ago paid dividends for the connections of Pride Of Aspen on Sunday, as the mare went three in a row in the Free Court (2100m) at Hawera. The seven-year-old was prepared for the majority of her career by
Racing
Rangiora mare Ears Back (NZ) (Jakkalberry) added an all-important black-type success to her record in the autumn, and her trainer John Blackadder has designs on another fruitful campaign this spring. The Jakkalberry seven-year-old defeated the likes of Belardo Boy and Bradman to take out the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m)
Racing
Mark Oulaghan is hoping the extreme distance of Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel and Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) will play into the hands of West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu), as his champion jumper attempts to rewrite the history books at Riccarton Park. The adored 10-year-old has won