Bjorn Baker’s consistent three-year-old gelding Puntin will contest the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday as he looks to further embellish an already impressive record. With four wins and two seconds from six starts, Puntin has quickly established himself as a rising star in the stable and showed tenacity last start when leading and holding off challengers to secure a narrow win at Rosehill. That was over 1400m and the son of Super Seth is likely to be even better getting out in distance accord to Baker’s…
Month: July 2025
Bluebood debuts at Ruakaka
Australian-sourced talent has shone brightly among Stephen Marsh’s two-year-olds this season, and that trend could continue when the Cambridge trainer unveils the royally bred Moretothinkabout at Ruakaka on Saturday. Marsh’s juveniles have combined to record eight wins this season, headed by Listed successes by To Cap It All in the Wellesley Stakes (1100m) and Little Black Dress in the Star Way Stakes (1200m). To Cap It All also finished second in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and third in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). Both members of that stakes-winning…
Data surprise on Derby winner’s best trip
Scientific tests have revealed surprising results on the distance aptitude of this season’s star New Zealand staying three-year-old Willydoit. The son of Tarzino produced his peak performance to romp home in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and was transferred to leading trainer Ciaron Maher following a gallant fourth in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m). Willydoit was raced by Byerley Park trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy with Bryan Black and international micro share syndicator MyRacehorse, who all remain in the ownership of the gelding. “I spoke to Ciaron over at…
Campbell looking forward to unwrapping another promising youngster
Andrew Campbell will unveil another exciting youngster at Hawera on Saturday when two-year-old gelding Valvano makes his debut in the Simon Bendall @ Metcalfe Real Estate (1200m). Purchased out of Rich Hill Stud’s 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by Campbell, Tommy Heptinstall and Michael Hickmott for $110,000, Valvano has shown a lot of promise and Campbell is excited about his future. “We like the horse, he is above average,” Campbell said. The son of Shocking had his first public outing last month when placing in his…
Oulaghan sticking with proven partnership in Hawke’s Bay feature
An exciting match-up between champion jumper West Coast and rising star Jesko is imminent, but the former’s trainer Mark Oulaghan is sticking with the old firm for the time being, with Shaun Fannin in the saddle in Sunday’s Glenanthony Simmentals Stud Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) at Woodville. Fannin, who trains Jesko in partnership with his wife Hazel Fannin, is the regular rider of both mounts, but Jesko will bypass the Woodville meeting, and Oulaghan opted for the familiarity and experience Fannin provides on the son of Mettre En Jeu. “Shaun’s…
Talented Lazio making most of his chances
Well-related five-year-old Lazio has already won two open handicaps in his brief career and he is a strong hope to add to his record at Hawera on Saturday. The son of Per Incanto will step out in the Property Management Specialist @ Metcalfe Real Estate (1200m) ahead of a sterner test. Due to soundness issues, Lazio has only made eight appearances, but four wins and three placings show he’s inherited a good measure of the family ability. “He’s had knee trouble with bone chips and different things and if he…
Open Letter to the Racing Community: Adherence to Racing Codes of Conduct
To all participants, members, volunteers, employees, suppliers, and supporters of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and Harness Racing New Zealand. New Zealand’s racing industry thrives because of the dedication, integrity, and passion of thousands of individuals, on the track, behind the scenes, and in our communities. Each of those individuals who run businesses, are employed, volunteer their time, or in other ways lend their positive support to racing and its participants play a vital role in ensuring our sport remains strong, inclusive, and future-focused. Unfortunately, there is a small minority of people…
Vittorio Veneto provides perfect gift at Cambridge
Underrated galloper Vittorio Veneto (NZ) (Redwood) delivered the perfect gift for connections on Cambridge’s synthetic track on Thursday, powering to victory in the Cambridge Real Estate 1300. A lightly-tried son of Redwood, Vittorio Veneto had finished in the top five in six of his attempts on the all-weather surface, but flew under the radar in an open contest where Lhasa (Hellbent) carried a clear topweight and much of the field were near the minimum. Jumping from the centre of the line, Vittorio Veneto showed speed early under apprentice jockey Rihaan…
Pencarrow takes top billing in National Online Breeding Stock Sale
Pencarrow Stud’s select offering of four broodmares proved to be the star attraction in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus on Wednesday, earning the two highest prices of the sale. Pencarrow’s draft achieved an aggregate of $288,500 and an average price of $72,125, including the two mares in the catalogue that broke the six-figure mark. The Group Three-placed Asama Blue (Fastnet Rock), who was offered in foal to the exciting Windsor Park Stud shuttle stallion Paddington, fetched a sale-topping price of $126,000 to the Sunlight Trust.Fellow…
Brosnan hoping to build on recent milestone
Peter Brosnan brought up his century of winners in emphatic style last weekend at Te Rapa, and the Matamata horseman will head south on Sunday with a couple of key contenders in the Hawke’s Bay features at Woodville. Brosnan was sitting on 99 wins heading into last Saturday’s Te Rapa meeting, and it wasn’t long before Squire (NZ) (Savile Row), who he trains in partnership with wife Jessica, scored a nine-length demolition of his rivals in the open hurdle. He was rapt with the result, with the milestone coming as…