Sunday’s Clotworthy Racing Open (1600m) lost some of its top-flight talent with Mark Twain’s scratching due to the Heavy10 track at Te Aroha, but another returning stayer took the spotlight with a bold first-up performance. Last season’s Gr.3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) winner Son Of Sun (NZ) (Tavistock) kicked off his six-year-old preparation in the $50,000 open handicap. His last raceday appearance had been 176 days earlier, when he finished eighth in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) on Champions Day at Ellerslie on March 8. The Tavistock gelding was…
Day: 31 August 2025
Jenni preparing for racetrack return
Former Horse Of The Year Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) is set to take a step towards a return to the racetrack having been entered for upcoming trials. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare is entered for a jump-out on Monday at Cranbourne and for a trial on the Caulfield Heath track on Tuesday, both over 800m. Maher said track conditions would be pivotal in determining where the champion mare steps out. It was thought Pride Of Jenni was headed for the breeding barn when tenth in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup…
Pakuranga Hunt Cup completes Nedwin’s switch
Former elite hurdler Nedwin (NZ) (Niagara) confirmed his arrival among steeplechasing’s top echelon with a supreme performance in the $75,000 Howden Insurance Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4300m) at Te Aroha on Sunday. The Niagara gelding has now had 48 starts for 15 wins, six placings and $487,843 in stakes. Seven of those wins have come over hurdles, including the 2022 Pakuranga Hunt Hurdle (3200m), the 2023 Great Northern Hurdle (4200m), the 2023 Waikato Hurdle (3200m) and two editions of the Wellington Hurdles (3400m). Hawke’s Bay trainers Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal…
Hill Of Kings hits new heights in Pakuranga Hunt Hurdle
Less than a month after winning a maiden hurdle at Te Aroha, Hill Of Kings (NZ) (Time Test) returned to the same venue on Sunday and landed a much bigger prize – the $60,000 Pakuranga Hunt “Vale Lamu” Hurdle. The son of Time Test was bought for just $600 off Gavelhouse.com in February of 2023. He has won twice from 20 starts on the flat, but has quickly surpassed those achievements in an increasingly impressive hurdling career. Hill Of Kings was runner-up in two maiden hurdles at Woodville, then romped…
‘Pleasure to watch’ Ka Ying Rising impresses again at Sha Tin ahead of return
It was business as usual for Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) at Sha Tin on Saturday as Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year strode confidently through another eye-catching barrier trial ahead of his highly anticipated return to racing next weekend next Sunday at the 2025/26 Season Opener. A winner of his past 12 consecutive races, headlined by four at Group One level, David Hayes’ record-breaking sprinter clocked an unforced 56.3s (13.3, 21.0, 22.0) over 1000m on turf by two lengths in first place as he prepares to defend his HK$3.72…
Sunday’s horse racing offers & bookie promos | August 31, 2025
Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Sunday, August 31. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for August 31, 2025, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Hobart Race 1 | Bet Back Run 2nd or 3rd Enter the Bonus Code BONUS100 on the Bonus Bets/Offers page, place a fixed win bet on Hobart race 1 and if your…
Final Canterbury winter meeting at Ashburton
By Mike Love Ashburton will host the final Canterbury winter meeting today, dubbed the “Goodbye Winter Racing – Hello Spring Racing” race day. Locals could well be to the fore throughout the day, especially trainer/driver John Morrison. He has a book of seven drives today, three of which look likely to start favourite. In Race 1, the Chertsey Trotting Club Pace over 2400m, Morrison trains and drives the opening favourite of the day, debutant Jesse Owens ($2.50FF). The four-year-old Bettors Delight gelding qualified over a year ago when trained by…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 31 August 2025
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