The Brad Widdup-trained Hyperbolic was a comfortable winner of the In Memory Of Sam Kavanagh Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday as the daughter of Proisir made it back to back metropolitan victories. Sent out a well-supported $2.90 favourite, Hyperbolic was given a trouble-free ride by Tommy Berry, who elected to make an early three-wide challenge in a muddling run race as the four-year-old mare cruised to her fifth career success from 13 starts. “She’s going the right way,” Widdup said. “We’ve been patient, just waiting to get to this…
Year: 2025
Barrier ‘blooper’ is Ka Ying Rising’s only concern in G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint
David Hayes has downplayed any concerns over star sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamespress) drawing barrier one for the first time in his career when he confronts 12 rivals in the HK$28 million Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin (1200m) on Sunday (14 December). Aiming for his 16th consecutive win with Ka Ying Rising, Hayes said the only fear was that the world’s highest-rated sprinter could miss the start. “I think the shortest way home is the rail,” Hayes said. “He is the fastest horse in the world,…
Hollinshead chasing family Cup double
Darrell Hollinshead’s bid for a second success in Saturday’s Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) has been dealt a blow, but he remains in the hunt to turn back the clock. The Te Awamutu trainer won the staying feature 19 years ago with Bak Da Chief (NZ) (Chief Bearhart) and had expected to have two runners in this weekend’s Skycity Hamilton-sponsored event at Te Rapa. However, his hopes will now solely rest on Rosetown Princess (NZ) (Redwood) with stablemate Ramblin’ Rose (NZ) (Complacent) ruled out by injury. “I think she would have…
No NZB Kiwi slot decisions yet for Gerard pair
With NZB Kiwi favourite Well Written (Written Tycoon) confirmed to run in the Entain/TAB NZ slot in New Zealand’s richest race, attention is now being focused on decisions around other prominent candidates for the $4 million March 7 feature. Those horses include the Pam Gerard-trained Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) quinella pair Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo) and Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes). “No decision has been made yet on either horse,” Gerard said. “As the 2000 Guineas winner, Romanoff has first option on the Canterbury Jockey Club slot and those…
Cantabrian chasing back-to-back Southland Crystals
Stakes performer Smooth Operator (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) hasn’t had the best of luck over the last month, but trainer Stephanie Faulkner believes he is back on track to defend his title in Saturday’s Howley Joinery Southland Crystals (2200m) at Ascot Park. The six-year-old gelding headed into New Zealand Cup Week in solid form, having finished fourth in the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) at Riccarton in October, but he disappointed over the Cup carnival, finishing 10th and 13th respectively in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) and Gr.3 New Zealand Cup…
Ladies Man retired
Dual Group One winner Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed) has been retired. Bred by Grangewilliam Stud, Ladies Man, a son of their resident stallion Zed, was the younger half-brother to Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Ladies First, and accordingly bore the weight of expectation from a young age. Like his older sibling, he joined the New Plymouth barn of Allan Sharrock and quickly showed his propensity for racing, placing in his first two starts as a three-year-old before winning his maiden over 1400m. He continued his upward trajectory, winning a further…
Bright future tipped for well-bred three-year-old
A bright future is being tipped for well-bred three-year-old Day One (Wootton Bassett) following his maiden victory in the Barfoot & Thompson 1600 at Ellerslie on Thursday. He had shown a lot of promise at the trials before running fifth on debut over 1400m at Arawa Park last month, and trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson had been pleased with his subsequent progress. He jumped away well from his wide gate on Thursday, but there was plenty of speed inside him and jockey Opie Bosson was forced to ease his…
Republican Party “ready to go” at Addington tonight
By Michael Guerin A private workout at Addington on Monday convinced trainer Cran Dalgety of two things heading into tonight’s East West Fencing Summer Cup. The first is that Republican Party is ready to win even from the toughest draw and the second is Franco Sinatra will be better off without hopples in the same race. Dalgety and wife Chrissie will try something which is very much a rarity in open class racing in New Zealand these days when the start Franco Sinatra without hopples in tonight’s feature. Mach Shard…
Group 1s highlight big night at Alexandra Park
By Michael Guerin The trainer who could dominate tonight’s Group 1 Trot at Alexandra Park has a surprise for punters. Because Michelle Wallis says the pecking order for the four reps she and husband Bernie Hackett take to the $100,000 TAB Queen of Diamonds may have changed in the last week, even if the bookies don’t think so. The couple are nearing the end of a hugely successful season and could put an exclamation mark on it tonight with Belle Neige, American Muscle, Faith In Manchester and Courmayeur in the…
Ka Ying Rising draws unfamiliar barrier in G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint
Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) has been thrust into unknown territory after drawing barrier one for the first time in his career as he attempts to defend his HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) title at Sha Tin on Sunday (14 December). Conceding it was not ideal to draw the inside barrier in the 13-horse field, trainer David Hayes said the world’s highest-rated sprinter simply had to jump fast and either take a sit or lead if Zac Purton is unhappy with the pace. “So, I think Zac…