Racing
Awapuni trainer Ashley Meadows is hoping to get the new year off to the best possible start when he heads to Ellerslie on Thursday with his in-form gelding The Scunner (NZ) (Shamexpress). The six-year-old son of Shamexpress hasn’t put a foot wrong so far this preparation, winning first-up in
Racing
Kelvin Tyler celebrated a quartet of winners on his home track 12 months ago and he will have numbers on his side for another successful New Year’s Day meeting. The Riverton trainer will be strongly represented throughout the card, including King Of The Castle (NZ) (Castledale), Master Marko (NZ)
Racing
La Crique, arguably the most consistent horse in Australasian racing, has been retired. The dual Group One winner has been hampered with foot issues over the last couple of years, with a decision made on Monday morning to bring the curtain down on her racing career following her fourth placed
Racing
Gifted four-year-old She’s A Dealer is in the right order to make a successful challenge for higher honours on New Year’s Day. The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained mare is unbeaten this preparation and will bid for a hat-trick of wins when she steps out in the Gr.
Racing
Ashburton trainers Bevan and Robyn Wilson will head south to Kurow’s iconic meeting on Tuesday where they will have a two-pronged attack in the West Coast Steeplechaser Kurow Cup (1400m). Seven-win gelding Royal Valour will head into the race second-up after a disappointing first-up performance where he was slow
Racing
Timaru trainer Stephanie Faulkner has always dreamed of winning her home cup, and that turned into a reality at Phar Lap Raceway on Sunday courtesy of Shaking Stevens (NZ) (American Pharoah). The five-year-old gelding had an army of supporters on course, and the local crowd got right in behind the
Racing
A barnstorming finish has delivered Te Akau Racing with a stunning late Christmas present as underrated galloper What You Wish For (NZ) (Embellish) came from last on the home bend to take out the Harcourts Taupo Cup (2000m) in front of a bumper holiday crowd. The Mark Walker and Sam
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
Leading Queensland rider Angela Jones will make her New Zealand debut at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day where she will partner the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-prepared mare Smart Love (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m). The 24-year-old hoop created history at the conclusion
Racing
New Zealand-bred gelding Klabel capped a consistent run of form with a welcome return to the winners’ circle in the A$120,000 Listed Adelaide Galvanising Industries Christmas Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday. The son of Vadamos has now had 31 starts for seven wins, 13 placings and A$
Racing
The Waikato Stud colours were to the fore at Cranbourne on Saturday when their talented homebred mare Sun Gift scored a last-gasp win in the A$130,000 Gatorade Handicap (2025m). The Benchmark 74 handicap was the fourth win of a 20-race career for Sun Gift, who has also finished
Racing
Well-related mare Watersports (NZ) (Ocean Park) added a second win to her record with a track-record-breaking victory in the A$80,000 Big Swing Golf Handicap (1500m) at Cranbourne on Saturday. The promising four-year-old is a half-sister to Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj), the winner of last season’s Gr.1