Racing
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander have set their sights towards summer targets with their star mare La Crique following yet another runner-up result in last month’s Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa. La Crique has two Group One victories to her name but has earned the
Racing
Simon and Katrina Alexander came close to winning the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) a few years ago with their stable star La Crique, and now it looks like they may have another Derby prospect on their hands. Three-year-old gelding Aksil had already attracted the attention of eagle-eyed scouts
Racing
Trainer Kris Shailer’s name has been absent from the racebook for the last three years, but will make a return on Sunday at Arawa Park, albeit with a line running through it. He was set to line-up regally-bred gelding Magice in the Rotorua Racecourse’s Race For The Ladies
Racing
Wingatui trainer Shankar Muniandy is developing a knack for producing exciting three-year-olds, and he may have his hands on another in Pontoon. The Ace High gelding had the one start as a two-year-old, finishing fifth over 1000m at Riccarton in March, and he returned to the Christchurch track last month
Racing
OTI Racing is officially going trans-Tasman, with the Australian syndicator becoming a licensed New Zealand syndicator this week. “We are now a licensed syndicator in New Zealand, which means we can offer horses to the public (in New Zealand),” OTI Racing principal Terry Henderson said. “They will get the same
Racing
A pair of promising youngsters are set to make their debut for Cambridge trainer Chad Ormsby at Avondale on Wednesday, but track conditions may scupper plans for one of them. Two-year-old gelding State Of Valour (NZ) (Sword Of State) impressed when winning his 730m trial at Te Rapa last month
Racing
A new southern partnership is set to kick-off at Phar Lap Raceway on Thursday when Lady Maxima (NZ) (Circus Maximus) makes her debut in the Pink Ribbon & Heartland Chips 1200. She will carry the familiar orange and white colours of Barneswood Farm, which will appear for the first time
Racing
Sailor Jack impressed trainers Shaun and Hazel Fannin with his trial victory at Awapuni on Monday, and they have their fingers crossed their home track will be back in commission for his first major test of the season. The five-win gelding took out his 1400m heat in the hands of
Racing
Darren Danis is developing a knack for making a comeback from career-threatening injuries, but he is hoping his run of serious injuries is now at an end. In 2017, Danis broke his back in a race fall, but made a relatively quick recovery, returning to raceday riding just eight months
Racing
Lochmara Bay has been knocking on the door of a maiden win and trainer David Walsh is hoping she can secure it at Phar Lap Raceway on Sunday when she contests the Ecoglo International NZ 1200. The four-year-old daughter of Sweynesse has finished runner-up in three of her four starts
Racing
Kiwi jockey Masa Hashizume will step onto the Flemington turf for the first time this weekend when he attempts to qualify Bulls gelding Trav for next month’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). The 29-year-old hoop partnered the Raymond Connors-trained six-year-old to a memorable victory in the Gr.2 Auckland
Racing
It will be a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at The Valley on Friday night when Lyrics ‘N’ Song, a daughter of their former multiple Group One winner Melody Belle, makes her debut. Raced by New Zealand syndicator Fortuna, Melody Belle won 19 races for former Te Akau trainers