By Adam Hamilton The standing start will be the least of the challenges to Leap To Fame’s New Zealand Cup hopes. Having just his second race from a stand, the Queensland champion stepped safely and quickly before making light work of a 30m handicap and winning easily at Albion Park last night. It was his first try from a stand since coming off 20m to win the Flashing Red at Albion Park a year ago. And it will likely be his last standing start race before tackling the iconic NZ…
Month: June 2025
Pokuru Gold all power at Ellerslie
The ever-consistent Pokuru Gold (NZ) (Darci Brahma) completed a limited season in his customary fashion on Saturday at Ellerslie, dominating his rivals in the Join TAB Racing Club 1100. From the Te Akau Racing stable of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, Pokuru Gold had appeared at the races just three times this term, one less than the number of starts he had as a three-year-old. But, the son of Darci Brahma has taken every opportunity, winning four races, and he started a second-fancy to Australian import Judicial in the Rating…
Sotirio strikes again in heavy Trentham ground
Progressive wet-track galloper Sotirio (NZ) (Wrote) extended his winning sequence at Trentham on Saturday, ploughing through the testing conditions to salute in the Hallmark and Stone 1300. Lightly raced through the spring and summer, Sotirio resumed at his favourite time of the year in early May and took out a competitive Autumn Sprint Final at Rating 65 grade. After reviewing the programme, his trainer Matthew Eales elected to continue that formula, heading to the trials before returning to Trentham on Saturday, where he started second-favourite behind Tisse. In the hands…
Bright future for promising hurdlers
They may have played second fiddle to Trentham’s jumping features on Saturday, but the maiden hurdlers delivered plenty of excitement in the first two races of the meeting, unveiling a number of up-and-coming prospects. In the opener, the Kevin Myers-trained Yolo (NZ) (Zed) was an odds-on favourite after finishing second behind Georgian Warrior on King’s Birthday at Te Aroha earlier in the week. The diminutive mare was one of the last to leave the barriers and jockey Corey Wiles was patient over the first couple of hurdles, before utilising her…
Major Happy a major chance at Addington today
By Mike Love The first of what will be regular Sunday racing at Addington kicks off today in what promises to be true Canterbury winter conditions. The Diamond Racing stable is today’s sponsor and although they will not be represented by any runners today, John Dunn will take the reins behind nine runners on the card. He looks to have a range of chances that include Yosemite ($3.70FF) in Race 6 and Waihemo Hannah ($5.50FF) in Race 9. Perhaps another of Dunn’s better chances comes in Race 8, the Master…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 08 June 2025
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER
War of Sucession goes back to back at Ellerslie
Last start course winner War Of Succession (Tavistock) relished stepping in distance when winning the $40,000 Horizon By SkyCity Rating 65 2100 metres on Saturday at Ellerslie. In the process, War Of Succession took seasonal prize money earnings for Te Akau Racing to a new record, topping $9 million for the first time in New Zealand racing history. Having recorded a very good second-up victory in the Rating 65 1600 metres on 17 May at Ellerslie, War Of Succession remained in the same grade and carried 56.5kg, aided by the…
Fresh Western Empire wins Hyperion
A gritty performance by Western Empire to win Saturday’s Gr.3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) at Pinjarra has enabled the seven-year-old gelding to break the A$3 million barrier in career earnings. The Grant and Alana Williams-trained son of Iffraaj was as brave as ever, coming from a three-wide position midfield to wear-down favourite Magnificent Andy over the concluding stages. Western Empire missed the Belmont Sprint with a foot issue and hadn’t raced since finishing ninth in The Quokka (1200m) in April. Winner of the 2021 Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1600m) for the Williams,…
Bold Maison Louis resolute in Queensland Derby
The training partnership of John O’Shea and Tom Charlton continues to flourish as evidenced by a stable quinella in Saturday’s Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) as Maison Louis defeated King Of Thunder in a perfect result for the Sydney trainers. Charlton joined O’Shea in partnership this season and Maison Louis becomes the duo’s third Group One winner for the term after elite-level wins from Schwartz and Linebacker. Ridden by Ryan Maloney, Maison Louis came from three back on the fence and tracked Imperialist through to find clear air shortly after turning…
Progressive stayer lands the Shockletz
Talented staying filly Shockletz rallied late to run-down Prochester in the Country Racing It’s Got It All Trophy (2000m) at Flemington as both connections of the Ciaron Maher-trained runner and favoutie backers alike gave a collective sigh of relief. Pre-race jockey Harry Coffey suggested to the owners of the three-year-old daughter of Shocking that it would be an easy watch, but upon returning to scale the winning hoop was somewhat sheepish. “It was far from an easy watch,” Coffey grinned. “Before the race I told them don’t panic, I’ll handle…