Month: April 2025

Lisa Latta can’t wait for racing to return to her home track of Awapuni on Friday and she’ll be flying the flag for the locals in the Listed Manawatu ITM ANZAC Mile (1600m). Based at the Palmerston North venue, Latta has watched on as the turf track received an extensive refurbishment, with successful jump-outs and trials deeming Awapuni fit to return to the domestic calendar. After a long 18 months away from regular programming, Latta was more than satisfied with what she saw in the lead-up to Friday’s meeting. “It’s…

Perennial bridesmaid Dazzling Miss will chase a richly deserved stakes victory in Saturday’s Gr.3 Coca Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) before heading to Monovale Farm’s broodmare paddock. After showing her talent on the synthetic surfaces for Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray, Dazzling Miss headed south to join Riccarton horsewoman Terri Rae, who has prepared her to win a further three races, while being a consistent presence in stakes company. She finished third in last year’s Canterbury Gold Cup, while also placing in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m), Gr.3…

If Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) or Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), or both, win their respective races on FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday, celebrations will erupt worldwide. The Australian Hayes family is front and centre saddling these key contenders for the HK$22 million Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize and HK$24 million Gr.1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m), respectively, but their cheers are likely to be matched by those of breeders and consigners 9,500km away from Hong Kong in New Zealand. For a small country, New Zealand has consistently punched…

Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) may not run again this season, with connections still to decide on the best path to take into a potentially mouth-watering spring clash with Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress). While further Group One conquests in Brisbane this winter are being considered for last Saturday’s Gr.1 All Aged Stakes winner, managing part-owner Ozzie Kheir said on Tuesday he feels it may be best for the horse to take his spell and to reset for a likely shot at October’s The Everest. “It is obviously…

Quality New Zealand galloper El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking), continued his preparations for the prestigious HK$28 million Gr.1 FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin this Sunday, with a solid workout on Hong Kong’s all-weather track on Tuesday morning. “He is striding out nicely,” trainer Stephen Marsh said. “He’ll have a good hit-out on the turf on Thursday (24 April) with Zac (Purton). And that will do him.” El Vencedor’s journey to Hong Kong hasn’t been without challenges. Shortly after arrival, the son of Shocking experienced a minor setback…

Go Racing’s smart three-year-old Maison Louis (NZ) (Super Seth) is being aimed toward the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) on May 31 following his win in the TAB Handicap (1900m) at Canterbury on Monday. Jumping from barrier three, Maison Louis maintained a midfield position one off the rail, until the 300m mark when he was peeled four-wide, running down the leader, Existential Bob, to win by three-quarters of a length in comfortable fashion. The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained son of Super Seth has now had three wins, and a second…

Momentum continues to build for Emma-Lee and David Browne this season, with the husband-and-wife training partnership looking forward to running promising types across multiple states in the days and weeks ahead. One contender likely to line up for the stable on Friday is NZ$90,000 2024 NZB Karaka Book 1 purchase Just Kick (NZ) (Staphanos), who is being aimed towards the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. The daughter of Staphanos impressed on debut when finishing second to Saluted at Pakenham under Craig Williams, with the team tempted to try…

Windsor Park have announced their 2025 stallion fees. Leading European 2YO and Champion 3YO Auguste Rodin, the latest addition to their stallion roster, is oversubscribed at an introductory fee of $30,000+gst. A six-time Group One winner, including at two, Auguste Rodin trained on to become a Champion 3YO, winning both the English and Irish Derby’s. His Group One victories at three also included Weight-For-Age wins against older horses in the Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf to become the only 3YO in history to secure these four championship Group…