Day: 5 June 2025

Trainers Patrick and Michelle Payne are aware of the transition horses must make from their three-year-old year to their four-year-old season. A case in point is Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish) who has won five of his 16 starts but has gone winless through his four-year-old year to date. The Paynes are hoping that will be rectified on Saturday when Bold Soul runs in the TAB We’re On (2520m) at Flemington. Bold Soul had an exceptional start to his racing career, starting with a maiden win at Donald in November 2023,…

New Zealand-bred sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) has secured a coveted slot in the A$20 million The Everest (1200m), the world’s richest turf race. The announcement follows his undefeated season in Hong Kong, culminating in a commanding victory in the Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin on April 27, marking his 12th consecutive win. Trained by David Hayes, Ka Ying Rising’s Australian campaign is strategically planned to include two major races in Sydney this spring. The four-year-old son of Shamexpress is set to debut in The Everest (1200m)…

Britannia Gold (NZ) (Ten Sovereigns) has made a good impression during her fledgling career and with better fortune on her side could have made even more of an impact. Trained by Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, she has already bagged a brace of wins and with going to suit at Ellerslie on Saturday has an opportunity to further her record in the Sistema 3YO (1400m). Britannia Gold will return to age group company following a sound third against older opposition over 1200 metres on the course last month. “Her last…

Entain plc, the global sports betting and gaming group, has announced that Dean Shannon, CEO of Entain Australia and New Zealand will be stepping down on 30 June 2025. The Australian and New Zealand businesses are entering a new phase of their development and Mr Shannon has agreed it is time for change. This transition coincides with the completion of the AML/CTF Uplift Programme and the introduction of a ‘legislative net’ to support the New Zealand racing and wagering industry – both are expected to be completed in June, and…

An inglorious performance by Engine Room (NZ) (Super Seth) at Gosford’s stand-alone meeting left trainer Bryce Heys scratching his head but all the signs point to the gelding being on his best behaviour at Randwick this weekend. The three-year-old son of Super Seth was sent out favourite for a 1600m race on May 10 following impressive back-to-back wins in midweek grade. But after initially settling midfield, he began to hang out near the 1200m and gave jockey Alysha Collett a torrid ride from that point, including in the home straight…

Microshare syndicator The Frac Club hit gold straight away with their promising filly Zormella, and their gold colours are set to appear on the track over winter through two recent purchases. Zormella put the syndicator on the map when she replaced stablemate Dealt With in the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie in March, and while she beat just three runners home, she bounced back to win her next start and then secured black-type when runner-up in the Gr.3 Championship Stakes (2100m). The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained…

Promising hurdler Never Look Back will encounter a stern test early in his jumping career when he takes on the seasoned campaigners in Saturday’s Manawatu ITM Manawatu Hurdles (2500m) at Trentham. An accomplished flat galloper, Never Look Back looked the consummate professional in his jumping debut at Wanganui last month, having finished runner-up in the Foxton Cup (2100m) just five days prior. Now straight into open grade, Never Look Back was set for the Manawatu feature with a run on the flat last Saturday, which was up to the satisfaction…