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…
Year: 2025
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
Trainers keen on return visit to Melbourne
Tough stayer Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini) showed enough during a brief Melbourne campaign last spring to warrant a return visit. The six-year-old is making good progress toward a new campaign, with the aim of crossing the Tasman early in the new season. “He’s had three gallops this time in, and he didn’t seem blow much at all this morning, he’s more mature now,” said Peter McKay, who prepares the gelding with son Shaun. “There’s an open handicap mile at Awapuni in early August for a start-off point and then maybe a…
Southern homecoming for Waldron
Joe Waldron will be a welcome addition to the southern training ranks at the start of the new season. Hailing from Otago, the former international eventer has returned to his home region to continue his training career after spending half a dozen years in Melbourne, and he is looking forward to plying his trade on home soil. “The decision to come home was mainly based around wanting to come home. I was missing the New Zealand lifestyle and family and friends,” he said. Waldron also cited the increasing competitive nature…
Centaine Award caps career-best season for Per Incanto
Hall of Fame stallion Savabeel’s nine-year hold on the Centaine Award has been broken by the pride of the Wairarapa, Per Incanto. The Little Avondale Stud star has achieved worldwide progeny earnings of more than $20 million in the 2024-25 season, giving him a comfortable buffer over Savabeel ($17.85 million) in the Centaine standings. Waikato Stud supremo Savabeel continues his dominance of the Grosvenor and Dewar Awards for New Zealand and Australasian progeny earnings, collecting his 10th and ninth title respectively. Per Incanto’s award-winning season has been underpinned by a…
NZ Racing and Breeding News – 21 July 2025
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