Day: 11 August 2025

The Hayes brothers plan on continuing their stranglehold on the Gr.2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday, having won the past three editions of the race. The Hayes brothers’ mainstay Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) took out the race in 2022 and 2023. Last year, they handed the baton over to Gentleman Roy (So You Think) who continued his good winter form when he defeated Pinstriped (Street Boss). Ben Hayes has confidence that four-year-old Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto) can keep their streak going in the race. “He trialled really…

Graeme and Debbie Rogerson are dreaming of the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) once more with their multiple Group One winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart following his pleasing trial outing at Te Rapa on Saturday. The former New Zealand Horse of the Year finished fourth in a star-studded line-up over 1000m, which was taken out by Group One performer Alabama Lass. The six-year-old son of Redwood competed in last year’s Melbourne Cup but was a shadow of his former self according to Graeme Rogerson, but the Hamilton horseman is buoyed by the…

Late bloomer Jethro Tull sparked another family celebration when he doubled his winning tally at Te Rapa. He is trained by Brent Gillovic, who bred and races him with son Kurtis and their patience was further rewarded with a game front-running victory over 1200 metres, his second on the Hamilton course. “He’s had a lot of niggling issues and growing pains and finally, in his last three starts, he’s done what we always thought he could,” said Highview principal Gillovic. The five-year-old had posted consecutive placings ahead of Saturday’s success…

Byerley Park trainers Grant Cooksley and Bruce Wallace had a strong representation in Saturday’s star-studded 1000m trial at Te Rapa, and they are hoping a big spring is instore for their quartet of triallers. Sacred Satono was the first stable runner home, running third behind trial winner Alabama Lass, and his connections are hoping he can strike early in Group assignments in the coming weeks. “He went along alright and did what he had to do,” Cooksley said. “It will bring him on a bit. “We might run him in…

A decision to bypass the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) a fortnight ago paid dividends for the connections of Pride Of Aspen on Sunday, as the mare went three in a row in the Free Court (2100m) at Hawera. The seven-year-old was prepared for the majority of her career by training partners Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard, and when the former took a step back from training last term, she moved north to Cambridge with Wynyard. Wynyard identified suitable races for her in the Central Districts through this winter, and after…

Group One performer Faraglioni recorded one of her biggest moments on the track when runner-up in last year’s Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m), but she won’t feature in the renamed Proisir Plate at Ellerslie next month. The now seven-year-old daughter of El Roca has been retired to the broodmare paddock after injuring a suspensory ligament in June. “She was getting ready for that fillies and mares race at Tauranga (Listed Tauranga Classic) over 1400m at the end of June, but she tweaked a suspensory 10 days before that,” trainer Josh Shaw…