Day: 18 March 2026

A busy time on-farm and a lack of suitable races has prompted Waverley trainer Joanne Moss to send her stable star Doctor Askar (NZ) (Derryn) across the Tasman to join champion trainer Chris Waller. The five-year-old gelding has won seven of his 22 starts, with a further seven placings, with the Gr.2 Thorndon Mile (1600m) victory in January a career highlight to date. Doctor Askar is the sole horse in training for Moss, who along with partner Isaac Lupton, operates a dairy farm in South Taranaki alongside their horse interests.…

A fresh and raring to go Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto), taking on a classy field of sprinters – including a hard-fit Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain) in career-best form – it looks a mouthwatering William Reid Stakes on Saturday. Jimmysstar is a triple G1 victor, a winner of five first-up efforts from seven, and was super behind the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress), at his last go over 1200m in the Everest. At $1.90, the son of Per Incanto is the market’s clear top pick and another positive for…

Sending Warwoven (Sword Of State) into the Golden Slipper on a seven-day back-up has never been Plan A, but the forecast for rain in Sydney has trainer Bjorn Baker warming to the challenge. Two horses have won the race on a quick turnaround in recent years, Kiamichi (Sidestep) in 2019 and Shinzo (Snitzel) three years ago, and should Rosehill be wet on Saturday, Warwoven’s race fitness could become an advantage. The colt, who has barrier 14, was a $7 chance on Wednesday, while stablemate and pre-draw equal favourite Paradoxium (Extreme…

Promising filly Summer Schemer (Dirty Work) will have the opportunity at Pukekohe to press her claims for a crack at an upcoming elite-level prize. She will step out in Friday’s trackside.co.nz (1200m) off the back of an impressive debut victory with trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray keen to then raise the bar with the youngster. “If she runs well, she’ll go on to the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr.1, 1400m), but she would obviously need to win or be unlucky not to win and come through the race well…

For decades the magic waters of Karioitahi Beach on Auckland’s south-west coast have done wonders in reviving the careers of racehorses. Now they’re being put to the test with proven performer Habana (Zoustar), who is set to have his first start for Waiuku trainers Moira and Kieran Murdoch in the Nikau Contractors 1400 at Pukekohe Park on Friday. Karioitahi Beach gained fame as far back as the 1960s, when Clyde Conway put the crashing breakers and black sand to fruitful use with champion jumper Smoke Ring and a string of…