Graeme Rogerson has watched on with pride as the progeny of Ferrando have begun to hit their straps of late, and even more so when his homebred filly, Prosper (NZ) (Ferrando), powered to victory on debut at Cambridge’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday. Rogerson, who trained and part-owns Ferrando, has been a strong supporter of the Group One-performing son of Fast ‘N’ Famous since his arrival at Westbury Stud, with Prosper among his second crop of juveniles to race. Prosper trialled twice in heavy track conditions before stepping out in the…
Year: 2025
Polytrack feature in sight for Pitmans
Michael and Matthew Pitman have two runners assured of a start in the $100,000 Polytrack Championship (1200m) in a fortnight, and they hope to add to that number at Riccarton’s synthetic track on Wednesday. The local trainers have nominated Zoulander (NZ) (Zoustar), a winner in his last two starts on the surface, and have opted to freshen the gelding ahead of the feature. His stablemate, Justanace (NZ) (Swiss Ace), will appear at this week’s meeting in the Cavall Leitch Rating 75 1200, where he has drawn the ideal gate in…
Kiwi-bred set to shine in The Everest
New Zealand-bred sprinting sensation Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) might be the talk of this year’s A$20 million The Everest (1200m), but compatriot Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) will be out to spoil the party. The Group One-winning son of Per Incanto has secured the slot of the TAB for the October Sydney showpiece, much to the delight of his connections, headlined by prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir. “We had an expectation as owners on what we thought Jimmy’s pecking order would be in The Everest and he has probably negotiated…
Ladies Man seeking to repeat history
Dual Group One winner Ladies Man (NZ) (Zed) returned to the trials at Foxton on Tuesday and is on track for another Group One spring preparation. Trainer Allan Sharrock was pleased with the rising eight-year-olds 1000m hit-out and he said he received positive feedback from senior hoop Kelly Myers. “He went a nice trial and Kelly said he felt well,” Sharrock said. “He has only had three quiet gallops, so he was always going to blow out, but it’s onwards and upwards.” The son of Zed scored his first elite-level…
Top jockey looking at early season return
Former champion jockey and apprentice Matt Cameron took another significant step toward his return to race riding this week. Cameron was in action on Tuesday at the Avondale trials where he placed in two of his five rides in testing conditions. “The track was extremely heavy, but I pulled up well so that was really good,” he said. The 38-year-old hasn’t ridden for nearly a year following a well-documented suspension and subsequently made significant changes, including a move north away from the Waikato. “I’m based at Karaka/Drury and shifted there…
Six to watch: Trial form and pedigree point to strong week ahead
These 6 horses have trialled pleasingly in recent weeks and this week they head back to the racetrack. American Falcon (2c American Ideal – Tania Tandias) Trainer: Matthew White Only qualified late June at ‘The Park’ when he led throughout in a 4 horse heat and looked to have plenty still to give running a 2:04MR, 800m in 57.9, 400m in 28.3.Backed that up with an unlucky debut run (11/7/25) when 3rd to Craftsman whom he had beaten in the earlier trial. 2nd up at Auckland this Friday in Race 2…
Youngsters to the fore for Marsh
Stephen Marsh is turning to a number of his promising young gallopers at Cambridge’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday, including stakes hopeful Miss Moet All (Russian Revolution). The compact two-year-old by Russian Revolution showed promise earlier in her juvenile season before defeating the older horses when resuming on the all-weather surface in May. Switching back to the turf at Ruakaka, she battled on well in unfavourable conditions, and Marsh believes she can match up in the Group One Turf Bar MAAT Final 970, with the aid of stable apprentice Jack Taplin’s…
Nakhle has another exciting young prospect
Prominent owner Daniel Nakhle could have another exciting horse on his hands, with his well-related juvenile Armagh (NZ) (Brazen Beau) impressing with his debut trial win at Avondale on Tuesday. The son of Brazen Beau is out of Nakhle’s broodmare gem Irish Colleen, who has been a prolific producer, with her progeny including Group One performer Crosshaven, Group Three winner Killarney, and two-win mare Gracehill, the dam of Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto). The latter has put Danny Walker and Arron Tata’s Byerley Park stable up in lights over…
Classy filly trials with intention at Foxton
Talented filly Intention (NZ) (Bivouac) made an impressive winning return to the Foxton trials on Tuesday, ticking the first box in a journey towards top three-year-old honours. In a five-start juvenile campaign, Intention upset the market when claiming the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), and despite attempting to buck for several strides when leaving the barriers, she was just a long neck from taking out the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1100m). Her barrier woes continued when missing away in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), and while she was slow out…
Winter Weigh In, July 21
Emily Murphy is joined by Sam Weatherley in this week’s edition to review racing from Hawera, New Plymouth, Rotorua & Oamaru and we hear from NZTR’s Darin Balcombe on changes to feature racedays for the upcoming spring racing carnival. Winter Weigh In, July 21