Trainer Kris Shailer’s name has been absent from the racebook for the last three years, but will make a return on Sunday at Arawa Park, albeit with a line running through it. He was set to line-up regally-bred gelding Magice (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Rotorua Racecourse’s Race For The Ladies 1215, however, after drawing barrier 13 on the Heavy10 track, the son of Savabeel will likely be scratched. “He is going to be over 12 months between races and we don’t want him to have a real gut buster first-up,”…
Year: 2025
Muniandy unearths another promising three-year-old
Wingatui trainer Shankar Muniandy is developing a knack for producing exciting three-year-olds, and he may have his hands on another in Pontoon. The Ace High gelding had the one start as a two-year-old, finishing fifth over 1000m at Riccarton in March, and he returned to the Christchurch track last month where he placed in the Guineas Trial (1400m). Muniandy was pleased with that effort, and while he said he has strengthened since he was a juvenile, there is still plenty of improvement to come. “When I got him as a…
Waiting game with Jaarffi rewarding connections
Patience has been a key factor in the rise of Jaarffi to the elite level and she’s in good order to open her six-year-old campaign at Rotorua. The Cambridge Stud-bred and raced mare has trialled well ahead of her resuming run in Sunday’s Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) and any improvement in track conditions will further boost her chances. Jaarffi has a handy first-up record of two wins from five attempts, and with a rating of 100 is well-suited by the weight-for-age conditions. “I wanted to run her a couple of…
Sharp mare chasing open stakes honours
Proven mare Archaic Smile is looking to make her presence felt in the open ranks before a potential southern trip when she contests Saturday’s Gr.3 fastinternet.co.nz Spring Sprint (1400m) at Otaki. A Group One performing juvenile, Archaic Smile found that form again in her autumn three-year-old campaign, narrowly missing top honours in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) and Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). She resumed with a solid fourth in an Open 1200m behind Midnight Edition at Te Rapa, a performance that gave trainer Hollie Wynyard the option of going…
Lincoln La Moose looking to double up at Cambridge tonight
By Jordyn Bublitz Lincoln La Moose will be out to continue his winning form tonight at Cambridge Raceway, following an impressive fresh-up victory at the venue just last week. The four-year-old son of Art Major, trained at Lincoln Farms in Pukekohe by Ray Green and Nathan Delany, returned to racing in fine style. He was given a perfect trip in transit, getting a lovely drag into the race before sprinting away to win with ease. What made the performance stand out even more was the time, an overall 2:40 for…
Williamson with dual chances in today’s Southern Trotting Oaks
By Jonny Turner Master trotting trainer Phil Williamson isn’t sure how his team can beat Ya Right Darl in the Aldebaran Zeus Southern Trotting Oaks at Invercargill today. But he is going to give it a real crack. Last start Ya Right Darl ($1.60) romped home by more than 12 lengths in the recent Sires’ Stakes Classique at Addington. Williamson heads south with Atlantic City ($18), who headed the pack chasing Ya Right Darl in her crushing victory. Have A Little Faith also heads to Oaks as part of a…
Back to basics for Bet N Win at Addington on Friday night
By Michael Guerin After a failed experiment last week Rowe Cup-winning trotter Bet N Win will go back to basics for his return to racing at Addington tomorrow night. The Canterbury five-year-old might be the best trotter in the country, having not only won the Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park in May but he finished second in the Inter Dominion in Brisbane in July, beating home Oscar Bonavena. The latter stands in Bet N Win’s way in the $40,000 Braxton Farriers Worthy Queen Trot at Addington tomorrow night at what…
Verry Elleegant’s sister set for debut
A three-year-old full sister to the great Verry Elleegant (NZ) is slated to make her debut on Friday night at Southside Cranbourne. The Chris Waller-trained Verry Stella (NZ) (Zed) has been accepted to contest Race 2 – a maiden event over 1300 metres. Very Stella has the same trainer as her now-deceased sister and was also bred by Don Goodwin, who has also since passed away. The filly will carry the same colours – red, royal blue band, armbands, band on cap and pom pom. Very Stella is the seventh-named…
Kygo Star shines late in competitive 3YO contest
Promising three-year-old Kygo Star (NZ) (Wootton Bassett) overcame a wide journey to come out on top in a tight finish in the Allspark Electrical Maiden 3YO (1400m) at Avondale on Wednesday. The Chad Ormsby-trained gelding was impressive on debut at Taupo, storming home late to finish second behind Oratia Beauty (Too Darn Hot). Finishing third in that contest was Magic Carpet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), who came out 10 days later to win the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa. Despite the form coming out of the race, Kygo…
Take three for Gringotts in Alan Brown Stakes
Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) will be on a mission to put an interrupted campaign back on track when he takes his place in the $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill. The Group 1 winner has missed scheduled starts in the 7 Stakes (1600m) and Shannon Stakes (1500m), both times due to poor blood readings, although trainer Ciaron Maher says they have been the result of a mild virus rather than anything sinister. “There are a lot of viruses around this year and it was just unfortunate that he got one,” Maher said. “But he seems good now.…