Racing
Stakes performer Smooth Operator hasn’t had the best of luck over the last month, but trainer Stephanie Faulkner believes he is back on track to defend his title in Saturday’s Howley Joinery Southland Crystals (2200m) at Ascot Park. The six-year-old gelding headed into New Zealand Cup Week in
Racing
Dual Group One winner Ladies Man has been retired. Bred by Grangewilliam Stud, Ladies Man, a son of their resident stallion Zed, was the younger half-brother to Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Ladies First, and accordingly bore the weight of expectation from a young age. Like his older sibling,
Racing
A bright future is being tipped for well-bred three-year-old Day One following his maiden victory in the Barfoot & Thompson 1600 at Ellerslie on Thursday. He had shown a lot of promise at the trials before running fifth on debut over 1400m at Arawa Park last month, and trainers Mark
Racing
Sunshine Coast trainer Liam Birchley knows what it takes to win the Listed TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) having trained two previous winners, and the Queensland conditioner will again be targeting the Ellerslie feature. Birchley prepared Hardline to win in 2015 and Sister Havana in 2010, while Sarge In Charge
Racing
Emerging stayer Mollify looks to have another gilt-edged opportunity to further her record on Friday and progress toward more lucrative middle-distance assignments. The Cambridge Stud-bred and owned daughter of So You Think has thrived in a more rural environment since returning from Australia and promises another bold showing in The
Racing
Nikki Hurdle had the ride of her life with Group One performer Express Yourself, and just six months after her retirement, the Palmerston North horsewoman looks to have her hands on another exciting sprinter. Express Yourself recorded six wins and eight placings from 22 starts, highlighted by her runner-up performance
Racing
Summer has arrived, and Shelley Hale is hoping so too will Blue Sky At Night’s form, as she gets set to defend her crown in Saturday’s Gr.3 SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa. Her victory in last year’s running kicked off a lucrative summer,
Racing
Promising filly Places To Be’s first two cracks at black-type didn’t go to plan, but trainer Kelly Van Dyk is hoping to get her preparation back on track in the Wentwood Grange 3YO (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. The three-year-old daughter of Hello Youmzain was impressive when
Racing
Wexford Stables partners Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have plenty to look forward to this weekend with a mix of proven and fresh talent engaged on the Waikato Cup programme at Te Rapa. After finishing a luckless second in last year’s Gr. 3 SKYCITY Waikato Cup (2400m), Sassy
Racing
Electron returned to winning form over a mile at Otaki last-start, and owner-trainer Sam Mynott is hoping she can repeat that result at Te Rapa on Saturday in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m). The five-year-old daughter of Turn Me Loose had been struggling to find form this preparation,
Racing
Cranbourne trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young have swooped on a pair of progressive three-year-olds from their native New Zealand. Two-win filly Rising Star and last-start Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) third-placegetter Shoma are welcome additions to the stable. The Tim and Margaret Carter-trained Rising Star (NZ) (Complacent)
Racing
Group One winner La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) will make her New Zealand return at Te Rapa this weekend following a frustrating spring in Melbourne. The daughter of Super Seth was a standout juvenile last term for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, winning four of her five starts, including