Talented stayer What A Charma (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) brought his heavy track form onto an improving surface at Rotorua on Sunday when claiming the major spoils in the $80,000 Staphanos Classic (1950m). The eight-year-old by Jimmy Choux found career-best form through the winter and early spring, winning the Kiwifruit Cup (2100m) in June before a string of solid performances in open grade, including a last-start third behind Diamond Jak on Matamata Cup Day. The inclusion of class mare Val Di Zoldo meant much of the Staphanos field were compressed down…
Day: 12 October 2025
Weigh In, October 12
Join Guy Heveldt, Emily Bosson and Aidan Rodley as they look back at the racing week including the Barneswood Farm Stakes from Ashburton, Group 1 glory at Caulfield and even the champ Ka Ying Rising arriving at Randwick. Weigh In, October 12
Tajana on target for Soliloquy after Taupo gallop
Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) favourite Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma) warmed up for her next feature assignment with an exhibition gallop between races at Taupo on Friday. The Darci Brahma filly has had two starts as a three-year-old this season for two Group Three victories, capturing the Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka on August 16 and the Sunline Vase (1400m) at Ellerslie on September 20. Cambridge trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray are building her towards next Saturday’s Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) at Ellerslie, which will be her…
Leap To Fame beaten into second at Melton
By Adam Hamilton It was the biggest upset at Melton in decades. Leap To Fame’s stunning defeat last night rekindled memories of the night Courage Under Fire’s unbeaten streak came to an end at Moonee Valley on January 22, 2000. It was just Leap To Fame’s 14th defeat in 71 career starts and his first in his past 10 starts. Things looked good in the run when Grant Dixon was able to quickly work around and take Leap To Fame to the lead. But the first worrying signs came when…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 12 October 2025
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Caulfield Guineas glory for New Zealand owner and breeder
A notable New Zealand influence on Saturday’s stellar raceday at Caulfield culminated with A$3 million Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) success for South Island owner Glenn Ritchie and breeder Richard Rutherford. Autumn Boy carried Ritchie’s red, gold and blue colours to Guineas glory over runner-up Planet Red, who himself was a $260,000 purchase from the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. Ritchie, who also races Saturday’s Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) placegetter Miss Ziggy, is the former owner of the Ritchies transport company. He made headlines earlier in the…
Cool Aza Rene back on top in Barneswood
Just when it seemed like she might be slipping off the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) radar, Cool Aza Rene (Cool Aza Beel) turned her spring around on Saturday and delivered a ninth win for Te Akau Racing in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton. The powerhouse stable had previously won the South Island’s most important Guineas lead-up with King’s Chapel (2003), Sea Saint (2005), Princess Coup (2006), King’s Rose (2010), Abidewithme (2012), Costa Viva (2013), Cornflower Blue (2020) and Star Of Justice (2023). Cool…