Year: 2020

It may have taken nearly all of the Trentham straight to get her head in front but class performer Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel) delivered when it counted as she took out the Gr.3 Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m) on Sunday. Sent out a warm favourite after producing a storming finish for second at Ellerslie when opening her latest campaign, the Savabeel mare delivered for her supporters despite giving them a few heart flutters along the way. Rider Ryan Elliot had her ticking along nicely towards the rear of…

A comprehensive five-length victory over 3000m by Dragon Storm (NZ) (Shocking) at Riccarton on Saturday has created an interesting conundrum for his trainer Chris Gibbs. Gibbs, who prepares the six-year-old in partnership with Michelle Bradley, sent his charge south with an eye on a start in the Gr.3 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup (3200m) next month however Saturday’s win has opened up an opportunity to compete in the unique A$304,000 Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool in late November. The Jericho Cup is a race that was introduced in 2018 to commemorate…

Back to back victories by promising two-year-old Follow Your Dreams (NZ) (Contributer) has trainer Kenny Rae’s telephone running red hot. The speedy son of Mapperley Stud-based sire Contributer set tongues wagging after his first-up win over 800m at Riccarton earlier this month and he backed that up with an even more decisive effort over the same distance on Saturday. Rae, who trains in partnership with his daughter Krystal Williams-Tuhoro, has been fielding offers for the stylish colt since he first stepped out at the trials back in August, but has had…

On a day where the contenders for the upcoming age-group classics at Riccarton were on display around the country, South Island galloper Miss Tycoon Rose (Written Tycoon) threw her hat in the ring with an impressive maiden victory. The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained three-year-old was backed off the map in the first event at Riccarton on Saturday as she reverted to maiden company after producing an eye-catching late run for fifth in the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1400m) at her previous start. The Written Tycoon filly didn’t disappoint as she announced…

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Miami Bound (NZ) (Reliable Man) gave her connections the thrill of a lifetime when winning the Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington last year, but the New Zealand-bred mare now has the opportunity to usurp that moment at the Melbourne track on Tuesday-week. The daughter of Westbury Stud stallion Reliable Man cemented her place in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) with an impressive display when taking out the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) on Saturday. The four-year-old mare settled off the pace from barrier four and had all 11…

Versatile galloper William Wallace (NZ) (Darci Brahma) showed there was still plenty of fight left in his eight-year-old legs when he outlasted his younger rivals to take out the Listed Christchurch Casino Spring Classic (2000m) at Riccarton on Saturday. The Darci Brahma gelding has always enjoyed his visits to Christchurch, having won twice at the venue earlier in his career, and demonstrated that affinity with another spirited showing. Rider Sarah McNab allowed her charge to find his feet in the early running before making a sweeping run around the field…