Year: 2025

Join Emily Murphy and Bruce Sherwin as they dissect the racing from Riccarton and Ellerslie on Saturday. Then Aidan Rodley beams in from Moonee Valley to reflect on the end of an era for the Cox Plate. Weigh In, October 26

Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) could finish the year as the fourth Australasian horse to top A$20 million in career prizemoney, with connections to decide on a year-ending trip to Perth for the A$1.5m Gr.3 Gold Rush (1400m) in December. Mr Brightside has in recent days firmed from an opening quote of $11 down to $2.70 for the Gold Rush and co-trainer Ben Hayes on Saturday confirmed the star eight-year-old is a chance to make the trip west for a number of reasons. He said the December 15 Gold Rush will…

Last year’s Gr.2 James and Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) set Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) up for Group One glory in Christchurch, and Matamata trainer Pam Gerard is hoping to follow a similar blueprint in 2025.  Gerard guided Savaglee through a superb spring campaign that saw the son of Savabeel win four of his five starts including the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Matamata, the Sarten Memorial – which was rescheduled and moved to Te Aroha due to Te Rapa’s Labour Day meeting being abandoned – and a crowning triumph by…

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Te Akau Racing made a blistering start to the afternoon across both New Zealand meetings on Saturday, racking up six wins in a three-hour period including with a pair of potential candidates for next month’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). The syndication powerhouse won the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) for the seventh time as improving filly Origin Of Love (Snitzel) followed in the footsteps of the stable’s previous winners Noverre (2021), Hall Of Fame (2016), Risque (NZ) (Darci Brahma) (2015), Burgundy (2011), King’s Ransom (2009) and Tell A…

Classy gelding Sir Albert (NZ) (Savabeel) starred in the Listed Sothys Spring Classic (2000m) at Riccarton on Saturday in another winning double for Terri Rae, but the local trainer was only a nose and a neck away from an even more remarkable day. Rae recorded back-to-back wins at Ashburton two weeks ago when Spot On Time (NZ) (Time Test) took out the GD Jones Salute (1200m) and Sir Albert followed suit in the McCrea Painters & Decorators Ashburton Cup (1600m). The same two horses provided a repeat performance at Riccarton…

The Cliff Brown-trained Von Hauke (NZ) (Savabeel) swamped his rivals late under a patient rider from Ethan Brown to land the Gr.2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at The Valley on Saturday. The six-year-old son of Savabeel had been luckless when fourth in last year’s Crystal Mile and was back in the winner’s circle for the first time in 18 months despite racing well. Von Hauke got back in the run and closed well to get the better of fellow New Zealand-bred gallopers Golden Path (NZ) (Belardo) and Rise At Dawn (NZ)…

Talented five-year-old mare She’s A Hustler scored a game victory in the Gr.3 Tesio Stakes (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday. Under a positive ride from Jordan Childs, She’s A Hustler sat just behind the leader Sea What I See, and packed too many punches for that rival in a muddling run race. The daughter of Ace High has been a model of consistency for trainer Grahame Begg since crossing the Tasman. She placed on debut at Matamata for Roger James and Robert Wellwood. From nine career starts, She’s A…