Racing
A batch of quality northerners have landed in Christchurch ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 (Guineas) at Riccarton, and local hope Alottago (Tagaloa) will lead the southern defence. The son of Tagaloa hasn’t put a foot wrong so far in his six-start
Racing
Buyers from Hong Kong and mainland China were an unstoppable force on the second day of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday. Picking up where they left off at the end of Wednesday’s opening session, Hong Kong and Chinese buyers combined to purchase
Racing
Back-to-back lots through the Karaka sale ring on Thursday’s second day of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale produced unprecedented results for a pair of Kiwi sires. Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Hello Youmzain hit a new high when Lot 283, a colt out of the Zabeel mare
Racing
Pre-post favourite Affirmative Action will have to overcome a wide gate and a lighter than intended preparation in his shared bid to defend the stable’s title in Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). Trainer Pam Gerard prepared Savaglee to romp home in last season’s Al
Racing
Shaune Ritchie hopes his decision to bypass the fillies’ feature at Riccarton with Tajana will pay off on Saturday when she takes on the boys in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). The daughter of Darci Brahma has been one of the best in
Racing
Riccarton galloper Mystic Park prevailed in a thrilling tussle between the locals in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) on his home track on Wednesday. The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained gelding had been on an upward trajectory this preparation without winning and had the services of Victorian-based Kiwi-expat jockey Daniel
Racing
Colts by proven New Zealand stallions Per Incanto and Satono Aladdin provided the highlights on Day One of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale with the top two lots set to join the Lindsay Park operation of the Hayes family. The father and son combination of David and
Racing
Stakes targets are in the offing for promising gelding Sunset Boulevard after he secured a winning double at Riccarton Park during New Zealand Cup Week. The Sir Peter Vela-bred and raced five-year-old won over 2000m on the opening day of the carnival and backed up on Wednesday where he jumped
Racing
In the shades of his talented dam, Kiwi Magic announced himself as a three-year-old to follow this term with an impressive victory in the Halls Cold Chain Logistics Three-Year-Old Premier (1400m) at Riccarton on Wednesday. The Christchurch venue was a happy hunting ground for the gelding’s mother Kiwi Ida,
Racing
Northern targets await promising juvenile I Am Belle following her debut victory in the Elmwood Trading Co. Two-Year-Old Premier (1000m) at Riccarton on Wednesday. The daughter of I Am Invincible jumped away well under Central Districts hoop Bruno Queiroz and raced three-wide throughout. Race favourite Zaharias looked the obvious danger
Racing
Manawatu dairy farmers Mark and Tania Stratford had a result to savour on the opening day of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale when their homebred colt by Harry Angel out of Ocean Spray fetched $425,000 to the bid of Hong Kong trainer Mark Newnham and Sweetbriar
Racing
The revamped Spring Carnival programming, which sees the Gr.1 C F Orr Stakes (1400m) run at Caulfield this Saturday, is perfect for Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) according to his trainer Ciaron Maher. Fresh off a dominant win in the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m), Jimmysstar has returned to