Racing
Dual Group One winner Orchestral has been retired. The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained mare suffered an atrial fibrillation when running 10th in last month’s Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), and the decision was made to bring the curtain down on her racing career. “Unfortunately, she had
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Join Emily Murphy, Jayne Ivil and Aidan Rodley as they break down the action from Trentham on G1 Mufhasa Classic day. Weigh In, December 7
Racing
New Zealand-breds filled three of the first four placings in Saturday’s A$1.5 million Tabtouch Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, headed by tenacious and impressive winner Cosmic Crusader (NZ) (Maurice). Carrying on from highly successful spring carnivals in Sydney and Melbourne, where Group One victories were recorded by
Racing
Midnight Edition (NZ) (Wrote), who has genuine claims to the title of most improved galloper in the North Island this season, stepped up to a new level at Pukekohe when he claimed the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) in emphatic fashion. The Bruce Wallbank-trained four-year-old had shown plenty of promise
Racing
It was an anxious few moments for the connections ofProvence (NZ)(Savabeel) as they waited to hear the judge’s call following the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday, and they erupted when their mare’s name was called out first. In shades of the photo
Racing
Lightly raced six-year-old The Scunner (NZ) (Shamexpress) showed his last start runner-up finish at Group Three level was no fluke as he backed that effort up with another professional display to capture the Gr.3 Taylor Property Plus Spring Sprint (1400m) at Trentham. The Ashley Meadows-prepared son of Shamexpress was
Racing
Chris Wood has had faith from day one that his promising youngsterThat’s Gold(Lucky Vega) would make an impact on the track, and he repaid that on Saturday when taking out the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe. The three-year-old son of Lucky Vega had shown plenty of
Racing
It may no longer be on the big stage of Karaka Millions night, but a win in Saturday’s Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Pukekohe would mean just as much to trainer Chad Ormsby. The Cambridge horseman is targeting the feature sprint with stable favourite Master Fay, who took
Racing
Ultra-consistent sprinter Twain is ready to take an important step to his main summer target when he lines up in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) at Pukekohe Park on Saturday. In 14 starts dating back to his debut in July last year, the Per Incanto gelding has won seven
Racing
Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman love a trip north to Trentham, and they are once again looking forward to heading to the Upper Hutt track this weekend with a trio of contenders. Trentham has been a happy hunting ground for the father-and-son duo, who have recorded some of their
Racing
Paul Mirabelli may have lost Group One performer Shoma from his Cambridge stable, but he believes he still has plenty of three-year-old firepower in his barn. While still a maiden after 10 starts, Shoma impressed when placing in last month’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton,
Racing
The on-farm parades for the Karaka 2026 South Island vendors are scheduled for Thursday 18 & Friday 19 December, and then making its way through the Central Districts Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 December All prospective buyers are welcome to attend to inspect yearlings ahead of Karaka 2026, while enjoying