New Zealand horseman Nicholas Bishara will cross the Tasman this weekend to watch his filly Belle Detelle (Zed), a three-quarter sister to his ill-fated 11-time Group One Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed), contest the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m). The three-year-old Zed filly is out of a half-sister to the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) heroine, and while Bishara was unable to be trackside for that victory because of COVID-19 restrictions, he is intent on being at Eagle Farm in the flesh on Saturday. “Missing the Melbourne Cup really cut to the core,”…
Day: 29 May 2025
Kiwi homecoming for Sam Collett
New Zealand will welcome a familiar face back to the riding ranks in the new season, with three-time Group One-winning hoop Samantha Collett returning from Queensland. Prior to her move across the Tasman, Collett was among the top echelon of Kiwi jockeys, winning two editions of the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) and a Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m), as well as a domestic jockeys’ premiership crown in the 2017-18 season. In search of a new challenge in her career, Collett relocated to Brisbane in 2021 and has enjoyed plenty of success,…
Harrison Orange with winning chances at Cambridge and Auckland
By Jordyn Bublitz Harrison Orange has a big few days ahead of him. He has four drives at Cambridge tonight, four more at Alexandra Park tomorrow and is listed to drive Goorambat Art at Ashburton on Sunday. Depending on how he goes he could book himself a spot in the Australasian Young Drivers’ Championships (AYDC) at Albion Park in July. He rates the Matthew White-trained Mhai Surfer Girl in Race 6, the Dunstan Horsefeeds Mobile Pace at Cambridge tonight (8.01pm) to be his most promising chance. “She’s been racing good…
Talented gelding set to follow proven path at Te Rapa
Dusty Road (NZ) (Shamexpress) often finds another gear around Te Rapa and his trainer Graeme Cameron is hoping that trend can continue in Saturday’s Captain Compost Landscape Supplies (1400m). The consistent son of Shamexpress won twice at the Waikato venue through the winter period last year, before placing in a Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) during the spring carnival. On resuming this campaign, he was beaten less than a half-length when fourth behind Super Photon (NZ) (Super Seth) at Te Rapa, before filling the same position in Sterling Express’ (NZ) (Shamexpress)…
Highview Stud announce 2025 service fees
Highview Stud have announced the service fees for their quartet of stallions this coming breeding season, headlined by Group One producer Wrote, who will stand for a fee of $12,000+GST. A Group One winner himself of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Stakes (1600m), Wrote sired last year’s Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) heroine Pulchritudinous, while his stakes-winning honour roll also includes Group One performer Best Seller and Group Two winner Wrote to Araraki. “We have increased his fee to $12,000+GST for 2025 because he deserves it,” Highview’s Brent Gillovic said.…
Untapped Awapuni pair target spring campaigns
Mike Breslin has an eye on the future with his two talented three-year-olds when heading to Te Rapa on Saturday. The Awapuni horseman will present speedy filly Pleasing (NZ) (Russian Revolution) and the untapped Kosta (NZ) (War Decree) at the meeting, each with strong recent form to bring into their respective races. Often the frontrunner, Pleasing has been successful in two of her seven appearances, including the most recent effort when putting a space on her Rating 65 rivals at Hawera earlier this month. Having continued to improve throughout the…
Matamata farm set for strong Group One presence
Waikato Stud will have strength in numbers to add to its success rate in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) and boost its seasonal tally at the top level. The premier farm has bred and sold two past winners of the Eagle Farm Classic in Brambles (2012) and Lachlan River (2005), while Kukeracha (2021) was a graduate of the Matamata nursery. Saturday’s edition of the Ladbrokes-sponsored event will feature a quartet of homebred and sold contenders in King Of Thunder (NZ) (Tivaci), Party Crasher (NZ) (Ocean Park) and the Cliff Brown-trained…
Coeur Volante primed for raceday return
There could be two sets of War Machine’s racing colours in next month’s $3 million Stradbroke Handicap if mare Coeur Volante (NZ) (Proisir) can make an impressive debut for her new trainers in Brisbane on Saturday. Like last Saturday’s dominant Group 3 BRC Sprint winner War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel), Coeur Volante also carries the same navy blue and gold colours of major owner Rupert Legh, with both horses now with the Lindsay Park yard after coming out of the Mike Moroney stable following his death earlier this year. War…
Pride yet to lock in spring plan for Ceolwulf
A Cox Plate tilt at The Valley in Melbourne or a crack at back-to-back wins in the King Charles III Stakes in Sydney. They are races Joe Pride is yet to decide between for Ceolwulf’s (NZ) (Tavistock) major target as the trainer begins the dual G1 winner’s build-up towards his spring campaign later this year. The G1 King Charles III Stakes is over 1600m at Randwick in October and is held a week before the Cox Plate at The Valley, which is over 2040m. Ceolwulf returned to Pride’s stables from…