Spring stakes assignments are in the crosshairs for exciting gelding Twain (NZ) (Per Incanto) following his victory in the Waihou Tavern (1150m) at Te Aroha on Monday. The four-year-old son of Per Incanto and Group One-winning mare Fleur de Lune (NZ) (Strvinsky) had won four and placed in two of his previous seven starts and was sent out a short-priced $1.20 on Monday by punters. From his outside barrier in the six-horse field, Twain drifted back early to sit second-to-last before jockey Triston Moodley elected to punch forward to sit…
Month: June 2025
Williams honoured with Damehood
Two thoroughbred industry stalwarts have been bestowed one of New Zealand’s highest honours in the King’s Birthday honour list, including Catriona Williams, who has been appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to spinal cord injury research and equestrian sport. Williams, the founder and driving force behind the CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust, has been a pillar of the worldwide effort into spinal cord injury research over the last two decades, and her efforts were recognised on Monday. Williams was one of New…
Knights of the Cambridge Stud roundtable
The Cambridge Stud legacy continues to grow, with current co-principal Brendan Lindsay appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Birthday Honours for his services to business and philanthropy. Lindsay purchased the renowned operation off founder Sir Patrick Hogan, who received the same honour 25 years ago for services to the thoroughbred industry. “Sir Tristram (former Cambridge Stud stallion), Sir Patrick and now Sir Brendan,” Lindsay said. “It is a real honour, and you are joining a pretty exclusive club. It is a bit…
Siblings to the fore at Invercargill today
By Jonny Turner Brett Gray’s form only needs to continue at Ascot Park on King’s Birthday. The trainer has enjoyed an outstanding past month, with his results headed by the unbeaten Miki’s Deal and his smart trotting mare, Julie Jaccka. It’s a brother-and-sister act that’s among the best of Gray’s Invercargill chances. Little brother Jaccka Henry and big sister Haley Jaccka both look like serious winning threats. Though Haley has proven form on the board, it is Henry who gets the nod as the Gray stable’s biggest chance. “Neither have…
Kiwi breds dominate at final Penang meeting
New Zealand bred horses won five of the seven races carded at the final meeting to be staged by the Penang Turf Club in Malaysia on Saturday. Trainer Simon Dunderdale was full of praise for jockey Blaike McDougall after he piloted Sacred Buddy (NZ) (Sacred Falls) to victory in the RM150,000 Penang Turf Club Memorial Trophy (1100m). Making his third appearance in the country after notching five wins from Open Maiden to Class 4 at Kranji, the Sacred Falls gelding overcame a check halfway through the Cosmo C set-weight race…
Cunning hurdler’s sixth straight win
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…
Class prevails with Cool Aza Rene
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…
Rogan rewarded with first winner at Wanganui
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…
Resilient Nicholas back in the winner’s circle
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…
King’s Birthday return for talented Twain
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…