Racing
Matamata horseman Benji King had a day to remember at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. He started the day off well when his promising mare Mid Ocean (NZ) (Ocean Park) scored in the Horizon By SkyCity 1400 in the colours of her breeder and co-owner Henrietta, Dowager Duchess of Bedford, and
Racing
Expat Kiwi jockey Daniel Stackhouse will once again answer the call of Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman to ride their team at Trentham next month. The Melbourne-based hoop returned to New Zealand last month to ride Mystic Park to victory in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) for the
Racing
Wexford Stables are daring to dream with their exciting juvenile filly Te Encuentro following her impressive debut victory in the SkyCity 1100 at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained filly won her sole trial over 800m at Pukekohe earlier this month and the Matamata horsemen
Racing
Stakes targets are in the offing for consistent gelding Maldini after he scored the biggest win of his career when taking out the Dunstan Horsefeeds Stayers’ Championship Final (2400m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. From his ace barrier, Maldini settled three-back on the rail for apprentice jockey Sam McNab and
Racing
It was a case of mission accomplished for Australian trainer Gavin Bedggood at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. The Cranbourne horseman had previously competed at the Auckland track as a jumps jockey a decade ago and he eyed a return across the Tasman this week with his well-bred Group Three winner
Racing
Nerves are a rare feeling for Stephen Marsh on raceday, but he was certainly feeling them at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. The Cambridge horseman was lining up his unbeaten filly Well Written in the Gr.2 Jimmy Schick Shaw’s Auckland Guineas (1400m), and he knew the well-supported filly would
Racing
Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are hoping a return to the right-handed way of going will help Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor) bounce back to winning form at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. The homebred mare was eye-catching when winning the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) in that
Racing
Kelvin Tyler is excited about the future with Freddie Time after he came within a nose of victory in last Saturday’s Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) at Trentham. The four-year-old son of Time Test showed plenty of ability last season, winning on debut at Riverton on New Year’s
Racing
Tomasina’s (NZ) (Darci Brahma) victory in the Dynes Transport Tapanui Cup (1335m) at Gore on Sunday couldn’t have come at a better time for owner Stanley Jones. He is in hospital recuperating from surgery after breaking his leg this week and trainer Sabin Kirkland said his mare’s
Racing
The Dirty Dee’s (NZ) (Derryn) Oaks preparation hit a slight snag this week when trainer Robbie Patterson was forced to scratch her from Saturday’s Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m), but he is hoping to get her quickly back on track. The three-year-old daughter of Derryn garnered plenty of
Racing
Lux Libertas has come close in several stakes races, but she was able to shed her bridesmaid tag at Trentham on Saturday when taking out the Gr.2 Bramco Granite & Marble Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m). The five-year-old mare was first-up since her runner-up performance in the Listed Tauranga Classic
Racing
Fortuna Racing look to have another exciting filly on their hands after Lara Antipova Russian Revolution) romped to victory in the Gr.2 Windsor Park Stud Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham on Saturday. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained juvenile was eye-catching when winning by eight lengths on debut