The 600km journey from Christchurch to Riverton paid off on Saturday for Michael and Matthew Pitman, who kicked off the annual two-day Easter fixture with three wins including a $44 upset by Makabar (NZ) (Swiss Ace) in the feature sprint. Makabar went into the Riverton Butchery Aparima Handicap (1200m) with unplaced finishes to his name in all of his last six starts. However, he had been a star performer at the Easter meeting 12 months ago, where he ran third in this same open 1200m sprint before winning over 1400m…
Month: April 2025
Little Black Dress snatches thrilling stakes win
Flashy filly Little Black Dress (Snitzel) maintained her unbeaten record with a dramatic victory in Saturday’s Listed SKYCITY Star Way Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. The only thing that seemed certain with 200m left to run in the two-year-old feature was that it looked like a Stephen Marsh-trained quinella with pacemaker Lady Iris (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) clinging resolutely to a narrow lead from Little Black Dress as the pair went stride for stride at that point. Lady Iris suddenly made a beeline to her left and hampered both her…
El Vencedor gives New Zealand hope in FWD QEII Cup
With four consecutive victories highlighted by the last three at Group 1 level and being named the equal 10th best galloper in the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse rankings, the timing is perfect for New Zealand stayer El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) to tackle the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on 27 April. El Vencedor will go into the HK$28 million feature after being freshened up following last-start victory in the G1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on 8 March. El Vencedor arrived in Hong Kong on…
Sterling Express shines with impressive victory at Ellerslie
Central Districts-based rider Kate Hercock pulled the right rein to ride at Ellerslie on Saturday when she guided Sterling Express (NZ) (Shamexpress) to victory in the Join TAB Racing Club (1200m). The Mark Brosnan-prepared four-year-old was fresh up after last being seen when finishing towards the rear at Tauranga back in November. Brosnan has plenty of faith in the ability of his charge, who was stepping up to open company for the first time and he didn’t disappoint as he found a powerful kick in the concluding stages to charge…
Nepotism launches late to claim Group 1 Champagne Stakes
Group 1 Champagne Stakes winner, Nepotism. (Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au) The team Hawkes-trained Nepotism ($4) has circled all 11 rivals in stylish fashion to claim victory in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The son of Brutal put the writing on the wall after a dominant victory in the Group 3 Baillieu (1400m) last time out, with the two-year-old relishing the step-up to 1600m to claim back-to-back wins and a maiden Group 1 success. It was a patient steer by Tyler Schiller, jagging back to the rear…
Bois D’Argent boots clear to claim JRA Plate
Bois D’Argent winning the Group 3 JRA Plate. (Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au) The Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained Bois D’Argent ($9.50) is back in the winners’ enclosure after securing a dominant victory in the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The son of Toronado had been winless since causing a boilover in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in May of 2024, with the now eight-year-old being rated to perfection by Melbourne-based hoop Ethan Brown. Bois D’Argent was sent straight to the top by Brown and was not…
Lilac grinds her way to victory in HB Carr Stakes
Lilac winning the Group 3 HB Carr Stakes. (Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au) Lilac ($3.70) has fended off all challengers to claim the Group 3 HB Carr Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, making every post a winner under the urgings of James McDonald. The daughter of Justify put the writing on the wall in her latest effort in the Group 3 P.J. Bell Stakes (1200m) on Day 1 of The Championships, only being headed by a half-length in the shadows of the post. The Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained filly was…
Shangri La Spring leads all the way in Frank Packer Plate
Shangri La Spring winning the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate. (Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au) The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Shangri La Spring ($15) has been rated beautifully by Tim Clark, leading all of the way to claim the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The son of Castelvecchio did it comfortably in the end, ticking over some soft sectionals in the middle stages before booting clear of his rivals, chalking up his first stakes victory at start seven. It couldn’t have gone any better for the…
Motukarara’s Monday meeting to be moved to Addington
Following a track inspection this morning it’s been decided that Easter Monday’s meeting at Motukarara will now go ahead at Addington. “We had no option but to make the call, there has been a decent amount of rain in Canterbury already with a lot more forecast,” says Harness Racing New Zealand’s Head of Racing and Wagering, Matthew Peden. Today representatives from HRNZ, the Banks Peninsula Trotting Club and a stipendiary steward all inspected the grass track at Motukarara. “The track is in reasonable order considering how much rain we’ve had…
Sha Tin races free betting preview & quaddie tips | April 20
What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, April 20, 2025 First Race 12:45pm HKT (2:45pm AEST) Visit Dabble Sha Tin is the destination for Hong Kong racing on Sunday afternoon, with a bumper 10-part program set for decision. The meeting is split between the all-weather and turf circuits, with all races on the turf moving the rail out to the C+3 position. The forecast suggests plenty of rain about, so don’t be shocked if the Good 4 surface…