A long and successful Waikato breeding partnership was to the fore again at Matamata on Saturday where My Lips Are Sealed doubled her stakes tally. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained mare made all the running in the hands of Rory Hutchings for a comfortable resuming victory in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m). My Lips Are Sealed was bred by Rich Hill Stud, who stand her sire Ace High, and Scott Williams’ Bloodstock Resources, and was sold through the former’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale…
Year: 2026
Yulong add another Guineas heroine to Kiwi portfolio
Impressive Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) winner Autumn Glory (NZ) (Ocean Park) has had an ownership change ahead of her tilt at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, with the daughter of Ocean Park to sport the colours of Yulong Investments. The late bloomer has been patiently handled by Roger James and Robert Wellwood and the filly dominated her male rivals at Te Rapa last week to advance her record to two wins from three starts, having broken maiden ranks at Ruakaka…
Timaru gelding proves too smooth in Invercargill Gold Cup
A $50,000 carrot is dangling in front of the connections of Timaru gelding Smooth Operator (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) following his victory in the Olphert Contracting Ltd Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m) at Ascot Park on Saturday. It was the second leg of the Southern Cups Bonus Series, where a $50,000 winner-takes-all bonus is up for grabs, and Smooth Operator now sits atop the standings, alongside Gore Cup (2200m) winner In Vegas, on five points. The stakes performer jumped a $2.90 favourite from the ace barrier in Saturday’s contest and was…
Enrico cascades home to snare Wairere Falls
Central Districts gelding Enrico (NZ) (El Roca) was rewarded for his consistency when taking home a big winner’s cheque following his victory in Saturday’s $350,000 Comag Wairere Falls (1500m) at Matamata. The Levin galloper trekked north to tackle the lucrative feature following a rich run of form for trainer Ilone Kelly, which included three stakes placings in his previous four starts, including the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m), Gr.3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m), and Listed Wanganui Cup (2040m). Despite his recent performances, he was unwanted by punters on his northern venture,…
Vale Martin Dennis
One of New Zealand racing’s most famous families has lost another member, with the recent passing of Martin Dennis, aged 82. Martin was the youngest member of the Dennis Brothers quartet, with the family facing a particularly tough last six months, with the passing of brother Tony in September. The brothers have been a pillar of South Island thoroughbred racing for more than 60 years, with a plethora of elite equine athletes coming off their Woodlands property. Dennis’ nephew, respected Southland trainer Robert Dennis, the son of the late Tony…
Riley Harrison on her nine drives at Motukarara today
By Mike Love Canterbury junior driver Riley Harrison is for a busy day at Motukarara. She has nine drives on the 12-race programme starting just after noon, many look to be excellent each-way value. Harrison, who works for Woodend Beach trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn, starts her day off in those colours with Amici ($6.50FF) in Race 1, (12:05pm) the NZ Bloodstock Airfreight Mobile Pace over 2000m. Drawn a little awkwardly, Harrison suggests though the mare is racing well, some luck will be required from their second line draw. “Hopefully…
Movin Out strikes first-up
Last season’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) placegetter Movin Out (NZ) (Staphanos) made a winning start to her new preparation with an upset victory in the A$160,000 Macquarie St Social Handicap (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday. Originally trained by Bill Thurlow, Movin Out began her career with three starts in New Zealand for a win and two placings including a third behind Captured By Love and Alabama Lass in the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton. Subsequently purchased by thoroughbred powerhouse Yulong, the daughter of Staphanos joined Chris Waller’s operation in…
Diamond Jak shines brightly in Matamata gloom
With the weather closing in again towards the tail end of a memorable Matamata Breeders’ Stakes day, it was left to durable stayerDiamond Jak (NZ)(Jakkalberry) to add some further sparkle to proceedings as he bolted away with the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m). The enigmatic seven-year-old has proven a head scratcher at times for trainer Mark Brosnan, often ruining his chances with a tardy getaway from the starting gates. On his day however he is a force to be reckoned with and Saturday was his day as he…
Double duty pays winning dividend for Price
Trainer Sophie Price put aside her regular Clerk of the Course duties at Invercargill on Saturday to watch her promising three-year-old fillyHello Hayley (NZ)(Hello Youmzain) take out the Listed ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1400m) at Ascot Park on Saturday. Price, who prepares a small team from her Winton stable, has had the daughter of Hello Youmzain in her team since late last year after she had one run for Karaka-based trainer Lance Noble. Successful second up at Ascot Park, Hello Hayley then finished sixth in the Listed NZB…
Daring tactics secure second stakes win for My Lips Are Sealed
A heady front-running ride from Rory Hutchings helped underrated mare My Lips Are Sealed (NZ) (Ace High) bounce back to winning form in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) on her home track at Matamata on Saturday. Heavy rain in the previous 24 hours had a major effect on proceedings as runners on the day were faced with a testing Heavy9 surface that had many struggling to make ground in the final stages of their races. Hutchings took the bull by the horns to put the Mark Walker and…