Emily Murphy brings you Winter Weigh In, your place for Thoroughbred racing news, reviews and insights throughout the colder months. This week Sam Weatherley recaps the flat features from Rotorua and Hamish McNeill weighs in on the start of the jumps racing season.
The maiden three-year-old race on Foxbridge Plate Day at Te Rapa is developing a reputation for unveiling bright talent, and a superb debut by Quantum Legend (Castelvecchio) on Saturday suggested he could be heading for the top of that list. The Banquo 3YO (1200m) has been part of the Foxbridge
Late starter Jack Morrison will be presented with another ideal opportunity on his home polytrack course at Awapuni on Sunday to make up for lost time. The son of Darci Brahma has proved himself to be an all-weather specialist and will chase further success in the BJW Motors 2022 Ltd
Group Three winner Lupo Solitario has returned to New Zealand, and the care of his former trainer Danica Guy, following a six-month racing stint in Hong Kong. The now five-year-old son of Satono Aladdin had seven starts in the competitive racing jurisdiction for trainer Frankie Lor, but a race fall
Palmerston North trainers Kevin and Stephen Gray are hoping to pick up a couple of winners’ cheques this weekend as they prepare to line-up a quintet of runners at Hawera and Awapuni. The father-and-son combination will take just the one runner to Hawera on Saturday, with debutant placegetter Ready Response