Day: 1 June 2025

Patrick and Michelle Payne’s The Cunning Fox (NZ) (Reliable Man) made it six wins from six jumps starts with a gutsy Australian Hurdle victory at Sandown on Sunday. Despite coming under riding from Tom Ryan a fair way from home, the striking grey, who cost Prime Thoroughbreds just $30,000 as a yearling, surged in the straight and lifted late to score by just under two lengths as a $3.10 chance. Highland Blaze flew late to go into second, while Affluential (NZ) (Zed) tired late to run a brave third, but…

Proven Te Akau Racing filly Cool Aza Rene (Cool Aza Beel) put her quality on display when prevailing in a competitive Nellies Restaurant and Bar 2YO (820m) at Wingatui on Sunday. A winner at her first two starts through the spring, Cool Aza Rene had started favourite in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) in December, but after an uncharacteristic performance to finish the last of five, the filly pulled up shin-sore. Returning to Te Akau’s Riccarton stable in the late autumn, Cool Aza Rene trialled impressively at Ashburton before…

A lifelong ambition was fulfilled for Jordan Rogan at Wanganui on Saturday, when the young New Plymouth trainer prepared his first winner in Snipsnap (NZ) (Vadamos). Having worked in both the harness and galloping codes, Rogan had been immersed in the racing industry for a number of years before being gifted Snipsnap, a son of Vadamos who had trialled once in the care of Hunterville horsewoman Lydia Pickford. Pickford indicated that the horse would require plenty of time, and after underperforming in his first four starts, Rogan gave the gelding…

Cambridge apprentice Elen Nicholas has spent more time on the sidelines than in the saddle over the last couple of years, but she was back where she belongs at Te Rapa on Saturday – in the winner’s circle. Nicholas returned from her most recent injury earlier in May and the Phillip Devcich-trained El Zoro (NZ) (Burgundy) delivered a much-awaited first success for the young hoop, saluting in the Wright Civil 2200. Settling in the one-one, El Zoro travelled in a good rhythm throughout the staying contest and loomed up on…

A week after pulling off a first-up masterstroke with the veteran Ata Rangi (NZ) (Haradasun) at Ellerslie, John Bell is hoping to see another bold return to racing this weekend – this time from one of the most exciting up-and-coming talents in his Cambridge stable. Monday’s Waihou Tavern (1150m) at Te Aroha will mark the first raceday appearance in 152 days for Twain (NZ) (Per Incanto). The well-related son of Per Incanto and the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) winner Fleur De Lune is raced by his breeders Elizabeth and Peter Martin…

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Exciting New Zealand-bred mare Niance (NZ) (Swiss Ace) has bounced back from a serious injury and picked up right where she left off last spring, collecting her third consecutive black-type win in Saturday’s A$175,000 Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield. The five-year-old Swiss Ace mare has now had 11 starts for seven wins, a placing, and A$449,467 in prize-money. She announced her arrival on the big stage in Melbourne last spring with victories in the Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m) in October and Gr.3 How Now Stakes (1200m) in November…