The big step up from Rating 65 to open company proved to be no obstacle on Friday for Queen Of Kings, who snatched a thrilling photo-finish victory in the Ashburton Raceway Your Gateway to Entertainment 1600. The five-year-old mare went into Friday’s race with only one previous win to her name in her 34-start career, but she had run strong-finishing placings in three of her four previous starts to give trainers Leonard and Lacy Stewart the confidence to raise the bar at Ashburton. Ridden by Gosen Jogoo, Queen Of Kings…
Year: 2025
Tyler holds strong hand at home meeting
Riverton trainer Kelvin Tyler holds a strong hand heading into his home meeting on Sunday, where he is hoping to secure several winners’ cheques. “I have got some nice chances and some of the fields aren’t that big and strong, so hopefully we can have a good day,” he said. In-form gelding Vamos is a dual acceptor for the Phil Bevin Spraying Handicap (1600m) and Sparrow Logging Handicap (2147m), and Tyler will leave it closer to the day before deciding which race he targets. The six-year-old son of Vadamos won…
Mynott excited about her prospects at Tauranga
Cambridge trainer Sam Mynott is hoping to take her stable’s winning momentum into the weekend. On Wednesday at Pukekohe, Cirque Du Rose broke through for her maiden win in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1600m) in the hands of jockey Joe Doyle. “Joe gave her a beautiful ride and it was nice to see her get that win over a mile,” Mynott said. “We always knew she would want that sort of trip, but I was just a touch worried about how long between runs with that heavier track. She…
Unbeaten Guineas favourite staying put following sale
Yulong has purchased a 50 percent share in outstanding prospect Well Written with welcome news that she will remain in the care of Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh for the rest of her racing career. The racing and breeding powerhouse made their move following the Written Tycoon filly’s explosive display to distance her rivals in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) off the back of her runaway maiden success. “All the original owners have stayed in, it’s been an easy transition and if she is as good as what we think, she…
Big test for Captain Sampson at Alexandra Park tonight
By Michael Guerin For Captain Sampson tonight’s handicap pace at Alexandra Park isn’t a question of class. It is more about the dual questions of manners and timing. Nobody who has seen the best of Captain Sampson doubts where he is heading, to open class and maybe one night to a Group 1 winners circle. But tonight the three-year-old at just his 13th start faces rivals like Jolimont and Little Spike who already proven at the top level and the ATC Members Handicap is also Captain Sampson’s first standing start…
Share A Dream well placed at Winton today
By Jonny Turner One of the final steps in a New Zealand Cup Week plan will be completed at Winton on Friday. Tyler Dewe put himself on the map as a trainer when Teddy Baker won the South of the Waitaki event on Show Day at Addington in 2022. Now Dewe is eyeing another victory in the popular feature event with his stable star Share A Dream. Share A Dream brings the best kind of form to Winton, having run second behind the talented Dreams Are Free in last weekend’s…
Cup and Dominion hopefuls in action across the Tasman this weekend
Dual IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Swayzee and Renwick Farms Dominion Trot favourite Jilliby Ballerini headline the Aussie stars tuning up for NZ Cup Week this weekend. Adam Hamilton takes a look at the must watch races. SATURDAY NIGHT : 10.03pm (NZ time) – MENANGLE It’s D-Day for Swayzee. It’s been a less than ideal campaign for the big beast, but the team insists he’s back on track and will show it this weekend. The punters agree with Swayzee a $1.25 favourite despite an outside draw (he will start…
Whale Watch – Alexandra Park
Craig “The Whale” Thompson is back with his best for Alexandra Park
Perfumist primed for lucrative Golden Eagle
Trainer Bjorn Baker is pleased with A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) contender Perfumist (NZ) (El Roca) heading into Saturday’s contest at Randwick. The OTI-raced daughter of El Roca has built towards peak form, winning a Benchmark 94 two starts back before finishing a game runner-up in the Gr.3 Angst Stakes (1600m) behind Idle Flyer. A go-forward runner, Perfumist has drawn the inside barrier and will be ridden by Rachel King and is a $16 chance in a market headed by the unbeaten Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) ($2.05). “When she…
Walker bullish on key Flemington prospects
Trainer Mark Walker will have a two-pronged attack on the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, headed by last start Listed 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) winner Azazel (NZ) (Shocking), with lightly-tried McWoody (Alabama Express) also making the field. A son of Shocking, Azazel is expected to be suited by the stiff staying test and he has come through his exertions last week at Geelong in good order. Azazel. Photo: (Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) “He’s pulled up really well. He’s a very fit horse, and everything’s gone really well with…