New Zealand
Promising three-year-old Celestial Wonder (Xtravagant) showed plenty of courage as she put in a resolute finishing burst to take out the Evergreen Bloodstock (1100m) at Ellerslie. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared filly had looked good during her opening campaign, where she won her second start before being put aside
New Zealand
A masterful front-running ride by Warren Kennedy and a powerhouse performance from Do You Just (So You Think) turned Saturday’s Listed Skycity Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie into a one-horse race. The pair led every step of the way in New Zealand’s longest two-year-old race and romped home
New Zealand
Saturday’s Stout Roofing (1200m) was the second year in a row that Erin Hocquard has used a May meeting at Trentham as a first-up assignment for Spencer (NZ) (Derryn), and the Waverley trainer’s stable star has struck gold on both of those occasions. A Rating 75 sprint at
New Zealand
Progressive galloper Sterling Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) made it a winning double at Ellerslie to open his current campaign when he took full advantage of a superb Warren Kennedy rails-hugging ride to capture the Network Visuals (1400m). The four-year-old gelding had suggested he was reaching a new peak in this preparation
New Zealand
Saturday’s Harrison’s Carpet Hard Flooring 3YO (1600m) at Trentham brought the curtain down on Coulthard’s (NZ) (Redwood) three-year-old season and hinted at an even brighter future as a four and five-year-old. The Lisa Latta-trained Coulthard has made a favourable impression in his first racing preparation, which kicked
Breeding
Gr.1 Blue Diamond (1200m) winner Little Brose (Per Incanto) has been officially welcomed to the Little Avondale stallion ranks to join his champion sire, Per Incanto. Little Brose was presented in outstanding order and is really letting down into a magnificent animal. Little Brose is very much in the
New Zealand
Stephen Marsh is eyeing a light winter campaign with his Group One-winning sprinter Mercurial (NZ) (Burgundy), who shook off some cobwebs with a trial win at Cambridge on Friday. The winner of six of his 36 starts, including last year’s Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham, Mercurial has been
New Zealand
Cambridge trainer Clinton Isdale had a pleasing day at Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday, and he is hoping he can take that form into the weekend. He tasted success as an owner when the John and Karen Parsons-trained Funfetti (NZ) (Embellish) romped home to a four-length victory in the
New Zealand
David Haworth’s two runners at Trentham on Saturday are a pair of full-brothers – Orlov (NZ) (Sweynesse) and Subsonic (NZ) (Sweynesse). Haworth co-bred and shares in the ownership of both geldings, who are by Sweynesse out of the Guillotine mare Diamond Cut. “They’re both in on Saturday and they’
Breeding
Group One-winning mare Bonny Lass (NZ) (Super Easy) will head across the Tasman after being bought by Widden Stud for $480,000 on Gavelhouse Plus on Thursday. Bonny Lass was a Group winner as a two, three, four, five and six-year-old for owner-breeder Sandy Moore, co-owners Brent and Wendy Cooper
New Zealand
Promising juvenile Towering Vision (NZ) (Circus Maximus) will aim to double his stakes-winning tally before heading to the paddock when he contests Saturday’s Listed SkyCity Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie. Towering Vision became the first stakes winner for his sire Circus Maximus when taking out the Listed Waikato Veterinary
New Zealand
Anna Furlong’s small but select team couldn’t be in better form ahead of their engagements at Trentham on Saturday. The Riccarton trainer’s northern-bound team are all last-start winners and headed by Listed James Bull Rangitikei Cup (1600m) contender Iffididit (NZ) (Iffraaj). Penvose Lad will take on the