Year: 2020

Swords Drawn ready to go to the next level

NZRacingDesk

Progressive galloper Swords Drawn threw his hat into the ring for some of the upcoming summer staying features when he stormed home from near last to score impressively over 1600m to close out this year’s Hawke’s Bay Spring carnival Placed twice in stakes company as a three-year-old, the now five-year-old Camelot gelding has always looked to have the makings of a quality stayer with more experience and maturity on his side. Second up on Saturday, the Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained galloper looked a forlorn winning prospect at the 600m…

Great Chase: time to unearth another group of young stars

Editor BOAY

Sovereign Wind has opened as the $3 favourite with TAB to win the Group 3 TAB Great Chase after an eye-catching victory in the semi-finals today at The Meadows. Sovereign Wind has drawn box four in the $47,000 to-the-winner Great Chase which will be run on Wednesday 21 October. A winner of six races from ten career starts, Sovereign Wind led from start to finish in his semi-final, stopping the clock in a best of the day 29.877sec over the 525m. Watch: Sovereign Wind win his semi-final of the Great…

Kiwi mare provides Waller with first Caulfield Cup

NZRacingDesk

Premier trainer Chris Waller and jockey Mark Zahra landed their first Caulfield Cup wins when outstanding mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) held off Anthony Van Dyck (Galileo) and The Chosen One (NZ) (Savabeel). Waller, who watched the race from Randwick, said it was a special win from a very special horse. “I thought she was beaten but she dug so deep,” Waller said. “Going into the race I thought of the negatives as history tells you not many mares can carry 55 kilos in a Caulfield Cup and win with…

Exciting filly remains unbeaten with Hastings victory

NZRacingDesk

Promising three-year-old Bonham (Per Incanto) made it two wins from her first two starts when she dominated her female rivals over 1300m at Hastings. The Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained Per Incanto filly was on trial for a trip south next month to contest the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton and performed as expected as she cruised clear in the run home to win by just on a length in the hands of Danielle Johnson. A comprehensive three-length winner on a Heavy track at Woodville…

Golden Sixty and Beauty Generation square off in Group Two

NZRacingDesk

Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro) has improved from his first-up win according to trainer Francis Lui as the Hong Kong Derby hero shoots for his ninth victory in a row in Sunday’s Gr.2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m). “He’s good, he’s come on from last start when it was his first-up run from the break and this time he’s condition has improved,” Lui said. The Medaglia d’Oro gelding, who was purchased out of Riversley Park’s 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run draft, became the second horse in history…