China Win seeks late BMW Hong Kong Derby berth on Wednesday

David Hayes hopes China Win (NZ) (Super Seth) can warrant last-minute selection for the HK$26 million 149th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) when he contests Wednesday night’s Class 3 Lyttelton Handicap (1800m) under Zac Purton.   Currently rated 67, China Win is aiming to emulate Beauty Alliance, who last season secured the final BMW Hong Kong Derby spot with victory in this race at Happy Valley, earning a 12-point rating rise (65 to 77) and his place in the contest, which is finalised by the selection panel, who will determine…

Curtain comes down on Legarto’s career

The retirement of five-time Group One winner Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) has been confirmed by her principal owners Philip and Catherine Brown. When the six-year-old won Saturday’s Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) it was accepted that was her final race in this country, but the possibility remained that she would have one further start in the Gr.1 Australian Cup at Flemington on March 28. However, following discussions between Legarto’s ownership group, which includes trainers Ken and Bev Kelso, the decision has been made to bring down the curtain on her…

Harrison mulling next move with Moxie

Moxie (Strasbourg) gave trainer and part-owner Ken Harrison his biggest thrill in racing at Ellerslie last Saturday when recording his first stakes win in the Gr.2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Classic (1400m), and now he is eager for more. “We are over the moon, it was a great result,” Harrison said. The Cambridge horseman said his four-year-old mare has come through the race in great order and he is now weighing up his options with the daughter of Strasbourg. “She has come through it great,” he said. “We may give…

American Wolf (NZ) Wins Thrilling Adelaide Cup

At the end of a two-horse war that lasted the length of the Morphettville straight and brought the crowd to their feet, Karaka graduate American Wolf (NZ) (Tivaci) came out on top in Monday’s A$350,000 Group Two Adelaide Cup (3200m). Victorian-based expat New Zealand trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young paid $110,000 to buy American Wolf from Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where he was offered by Waikato Stud. American Wolf has now had 16 starts for three wins, five placings and A$416,585 in stakes. Ridden in Monday’s two-mile feature…

Big guns roar back into action this Friday

By Michael Guerin Harness racing’s big boys and girls return for a massive Friday night that kind of feels like it has snuck up on us. With eyeballs having been divided between grass track racing, mares Group 1 at Addington and a huge last six weeks in Australia harness which culminates in Saturday’s Miracle Mile, New Zealand’s biggest names have been on stand by. And when we think of the likes of Republican Party, Merlin, Akuta and their mates the mind could be excused for jumping forward to their next…

Rhaegal looking to keep winning form going at Manawatu

By Jordyn Bublitz   Rhaegal will look to continue his good form when he lines up in the Pete’s Plumbing Mobile Pace at Palmerston North today. The son of Fear The Dragon is prepared by local trainer John Gommans and comes into the 2000m event (6.36pm) following a strong last start performance at Manawatu on February 26.  The gelding was able to show his early speed in that race, pressing forward to find the lead before controlling proceedings from the front. Once in charge he dictated the tempo and proved…