Month: September 2025

A slight program deviation isn’t expected to affect Gringott’s (NZ) (Per Incanto) build-up to the King Charles III Stakes. A poor blood reading ruled Gringotts out of the 7 Stakes but the timing of his revamped program might work out even better. Ciaron Maher scratched the George Ryder Stakes winner from last week’s Randwick assignment when routine tests showed his blood count to be slightly askew of normal. Assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said the horse could still have run but they took the safer option and saved him for this weekend’s Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill instead. “There wasn’t…

Mick Price said he is not certain that his surprise Underwood Stakes placegetter Golden Path (NZ) (Belardo) will stay, but he feels compelled to give the horse the chance to run in next month’s $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m). Golden Path has never been beyond 2000 metres but on the back of his brave Underwood placing over 1800m, his Caulfield Cup price has continued to tumble – in from an opening quote of $101 down to $23 for the October 18 feature. “I thought this race was worth a little…

Trent Busuttin only has to check the past results of the Group 2 Stutt Stakes to know that the best days of his 2021 winner of the race, Forgot You (NZ) (Savabeel), are behind him. Busuttin is cognisant of this and will be happy to settle for an anniversary win four years later in the Benalla Cup for the now seven-year-old gelding in the hours leading up to the 2025 Stutt Stakes, where the stable will be represented by Decanted (NZ) (Darci Brahma). Busuttin and Natalie Young are aiming for…

David Hayes has declared Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) ‘in great order’ as he begins the next phase of his Everest build up. Champion Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising is living every girls’ dream – he has arrived in Sydney several pounds lighter and to a new pair of shoes. Speaking from Hong Kong after the gelding had a look around Canterbury racecourse on Thursday morning, trainer David Hayes reported the Everest favourite had handled the travel well despite losing the equivalent of around 10 kilos on the flight over. “He’s in great order. He’s got…

Navy Dreams (NZ) (Merchant Navy) all but won at stakes level last season and the in-form colt will have an opportunity to go one better at Te Rapa on Saturday. The Barry Donoghue-prepared son of Merchant Navy will attempt to break his maiden status in the Gr.2 Timberspan Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m). Like his young charge, Donoghue will be chasing his first victory with his main focus as a successful Ready to Run Sale vendor under his BMD Bloodstock banner, selling unraced stock out of trials and tried horses. “I…

A trip north to Auckland next month is in the offing for Richard Stomper (NZ) (El Roca) when he heads to Riccarton on Saturday to contest the Waimakariri Businesses North Canterbury Cup (2000m). The five-win gelding holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie on October 18, and his connections are keen to see him contest the $550,000 feature if he performs well this weekend. “If he runs in the top four, we would still be keen to go to the Livamol,” trainer Stephanie Faulkner said. “It…

Last season’s champion two-year-old La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) will be out to prove her ability against her Australian counterparts on Friday night when she contests the Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at The Valley. A dominant winner of the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) last term on home soil, La Dorada was transferred across to Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne base this spring and lined up against the older horses first-up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m). The daughter of Super Seth finished…