In line with the current economic climate, Novara Park owner Luigi Muollo has made adjustments to the service fees for the stud’s four-strong stallion roster. The fee for Staphanos has been reduced from $15,000 to $9,000 plus GST, while Sweynesse has been trimmed from $10,000 to $7,000. King Of Comedy and Press Statement remain at unchanged fees of $7,000 and $6,000 respectively. “We are mindful of the challenges facing trainers, syndicators and breeders,” Muollo said. “The costs of production, wages, everything has increased. All of our stallions this season will…
Day: 12 June 2025
Nelson-McDougal stars facing off in Waikato features
The powerful jumping stable of Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal will be out in full force at Te Rapa on Saturday, with the return of champion galloper The Cossack headlining their attack in the feature events. Now an 11-year-old, The Cossack has won a phenomenal 15 jumping races, including a pair of Great Northern Hurdles (4200m), a Grand National Hurdle (4200m) and last year’s Wellington Steeplechase (5500m). After his success at Trentham, the son of Mastercraftsman was ruled out of the Grand National Steeplechase (5500m) and the remainder of last…
Local staying mare’s form hard to fault
All the signs point toward another bold showing from Who Knows (NZ) (Redwood) when she takes aim at the Bullocks Whanganui Handicap (2040m) at Wanganui on Saturday. The daughter of Redwood closed late to finish fourth over a mile when second-up on the track three runs back and most recently ran second over 2040m in the River City. In between times, the promising mare was a winner at Trentham under Kate Hercock, who will be reunited with her at the weekend. “She’s working really well, so we’re quite happy with…
Smart first-up winner heading to Wanganui
Kurtis Pertab wasn’t short of options for War Queen (NZ) (Proisir) before he settled on a return trip to the Central Districts for his impressive debut winner. The Matamata trainer nominated the daughter of Proisir for Wanganui and Te Rapa on Saturday, and Matamata on Sunday, and has confirmed the former venue as his next port of call. War Queen will bid to keep her perfect record intact when she steps out in the Hirepool 3YO (1340m) following her comfortable victory at Hawera last month at the first time of…
Former Great Northern hero to make jumping return
Abu Dhabi (NZ) (Haradasun) will make his much-anticipated return to jumping when he contests the Fairview Motors Waikato Hurdle (3200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday. The nine-year-old gelding placed in the race two years ago before falling in his debut steeplechase at his next start and was off the racing scene before making his return on the flat last month. The son of Haradasun has a solid record over hurdles, winning two and placing in three of his seven starts, including victory in the 2022 edition of the Great Northern…
Tiara pathway for Firestorm
A difficult draw in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) has prompted Chris Waller to scratch dual acceptor Firestorm (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) in preference for the Gr.2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm, paving the way for first emergency and barn mate Coleman (Pierata) to take his place in the Group One. Waller had initially hoped to run the daughter of Satono Aladdin in the day’s main feature but said drawing barrier 16 made her task hard. “If she had a good draw she would definitely be running (in the…
Vale Herbie Rauhihi
Former jockey Herbie Rauhihi, who was revered by many young hoops in the Central Districts, has passed away, aged 86. One of those impressionable young riders was Noel Harris, who would go on to become one of New Zealand’s most decorated jockeys. Harris looked up to Rauhihi from the outset of his riding career and he said Rauhihi made a big impression on him in his formative years in the saddle. “He was a champion guy,” Harris said. “He rode for my Dad, Eric Ropiha, and all the good trainers…
Patterson powerful from afar at New Plymouth
He may have been away in Australia, but that didn’t stop Robbie Patterson from stealing the show on his home track on Tuesday, combining with Triston Moodley to win four consecutive races on the apprentice-only card. The New Plymouth horseman engaged 11 runners in the rescheduled meeting and two of those stepped out in race four, where lightly-tried mare Freebelle skipped through the testing ground to break maiden status ahead of Crafty Colin and her stablemate O’Ceirins Belle. Patterson had been confident of a bold performance from the daughter of…
Tai continues family’s golden run
Six-year-old gelding Tai has been a work-in-progress for breeder-owner-trainer Joanne Moss, and she was rewarded with her patience with a maiden win at New Plymouth on Saturday. The half-brother to Moss’ Group Three winner Doctor Askar was just having his second raceday start, and first since making his debut at the Taranaki track two years ago. After dislodging local apprentice Elle Sole in the prelim, Tai took his place in barrier seven and pressed forward to settle just behind the speed. Sole asked him to improve from the 600m, and…
Déjà vu for Moodley at New Plymouth
It was a sense of déjà vu for Triston Moodley as he took out the apprentice-only day at New Plymouth on Tuesday after riding four winners for local trainer Robbie Patterson. The northern hoop won the contest last year when piloting five winners, and he was delighted to repeat the feat this year. “You don’t always get days like that, and I was very happy to be able to win it again,” he said. “I love riding at Taranaki, it is a lovely course. It is a quirky course and…