John Bell’s run of success with the family of star mare Fleur de Lune continued at Te Aroha on Sunday, with close relation Zenith delivering on debut. A son of Time Test, Zenith was the second foal out of Reine de Lune, a daughter of the Group One-winning Stravinsky mare. Reine de Lune was herself unraced, but her younger brother Twain is right in the conversation for the upcoming spring features, having won six of his nine starts. Similarly to Twain, Zenith has been carefully handled by Bell, starting his…
Year: 2025
Doosie of a win for Butt and White
By Mike Love Major Doosie provided milestone wins for both driver Kimberley Butt and co-trainer Brent White by winning the Betavet Buildagut Mobile Trot (1980m) at Addington yesterday. Butt brought up her 200th driving win when the three-year-old Majestic Son gelding trotted to his third victory from 12 starts. It was also White’s 300th training success. “It’s very cool, I’m pretty stoked to get the 300 for Whitey as well. It’s pretty special.” said driver Kimberly Butt. Major Doosie was crossed early from the dispatch before Butt elected to go…
Grand National on radar for mighty jumper
Gifted Te Akau jumper The Mighty Spar added to his unblemished jumping record at Casterton when taking out the Moredun Hill Steeplechase (3800m) at the course on Sunday. On a three-race winning streak, The Mighty Spar had earned his lofty 75kg impost in the open contest, but had the services of top hoop Steven Pateman, who allowed the gelding to settle into a comfortable rhythm in midfield. He continued to make up ground with his effective jumping style and joined Fabalot in the lead a long way out, outmuscling the…
Further stakes success for Beaufort graduate
A pedigree close to the hearts of Beaufort Downs has added another black-type strike to the North Canterbury farm’s roll of honour. Homebred filly Platinum Diamond won last month’s Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Otaki and returned there on Saturday to add the Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) to her record. The Lisa Latta-trained daughter of first season champion sire in waiting Hello Youmzain has won three on the bounce following a debut fourth and will now enjoy a break before targeting the new season’s age group features. Beaufort Downs is…
Billy Boy near-flawless in steeple debut
Barring a scare at penultimate fence, rising star Billy Boy (So You Think) produced what all the punters anticipated when he powered away with the Apparelmaster Waikato (3500m) at Te Aroha on Sunday. Easily recognisable with his massive frame, Billy Boy has become a fan favourite in the jumping caper this season, winning both the Manawatu Hurdles (2500) and Wellington Hurdles (3200m) to maintain his unbeaten status. Switching to the bigger fences for the first time, Billy Boy was backed as though unbeatable in the market, closing at $1.30 with…
Leitrim Lad all class in feature chase
Versatile galloper Leitrim Lad (NZ) (Tavistock) bounced back into winning form over the bigger fences at Te Aroha on Sunday, claiming a comfortable victory in the Te Aroha Veterinary Services Te Aroha Cup (3500m). A winner of 11 races on the flat, Leitrim Lad has successfully stepped into the jumping role over the past couple of seasons and impressed when winning a restricted open steeplechase at the course in mid-June. The son of Tavistock didn’t back up that performance when finishing midfield in the Waikato Hunt Cup (3900m) last time…
Our Daymo too tough in Te Aroha test
Talented hurdler Our Daymo (NZ) (Zed) did it the tough way to maintain his unbeaten status over fences at Te Aroha on Sunday. A capable flat performer, Our Daymo switched over to jumping at just his ninth start and took to the new role immediately, defeating a subsequent winner in Quid at Trentham in late June. The son of Zed appeared on the flat in between that race and Sunday’s Peter and Jess Brosnan Hurdle (3100m), where he closed second-favourite behind Jerricoop. In the hands of English hoop Ashley Dascombe,…
Lawson-Carroll recuperating after serious race fall
Apprentice jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll is recuperating in Waikato Hospital after sustaining serious injuries in a shocking race fall at Te Rapa on Saturday. Lawson-Carroll was one of four riders taken to hospital after the fall, alongside Ashlee Strawbridge, Rihaan Goyaram and Hayley Hassman. His fellow jockeys were cleared of any serious injury, but Lawson-Carroll went into surgery on Saturday night, having an operation on his femur. The 20-year-old is indentured to Byerley Park trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, and the former was pleased to share that Lawson-Carroll was feeling positive…
Staying prowess to the fore as Arcadia Park bags Classic
Three-year-old gelding Arcadia Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) proved the superior stayer when taking out the Listed Belmont Classic (2200m) in impressive style on Saturday. Ridden by Clint Johnston-Porter, Arcadia Park worked to the front inside the final furlong and despite a determined chase from the well-fancied filly Fancy Red, proved too tough in the run home to score by just over a length. Arcadia Park continued his winning ways, notching a hat trick of victories and second straight feature after claiming the Listed Aquanita Stakes (2019m) at Bunbury for trainer…
Mugford eyes winners circle with Ruthless Emma
By Mike Love Leeston trainer Anj Mugford will be looking for a trip to the winner’s circle at Addington today when Ruthless Emma lines up in race two, the Betavet Prepare Handicap trot over 2000m. The four-year-old What The Hill mare has not missed a placing this campaign, and backs up today after a strong second placing last Sunday behind the talented Laura McKay-trained Birdy. “She’s come through last week really well. She’s bright and happy in her work,” said Mugford. The manners that Ruthless Emma brings will be a…