The Chris Waller Racing team has been buoyed by the feedback from champion hoop James McDonald as Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park) strives to bounce back from a last start defeat and add the Australian Oaks to her New Zealand classic triumph. Starting a short-priced favourite at her local debut in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), Ohope Wins was widely expected to prove a class above her rivals despite having had five weeks between runs and dropping 400m in journey. But while she presented at the top of the straight, she was unable…
Day: 8 April 2026
Ritchie and Murray buoyed by next wave
There is a changing of the guard at the Cambridge stables of Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray as veteran gallopers Mahrajaan (Kitten’s Joy) and Nereus (NZ) (Savabeel) have been retired, paving way for the younger generation to take centre stage. Imported stayer Mahrajaan signed off with a ninth placing in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) on Champions Day at Ellerslie, a race he won 12 months earlier on the back of winning the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m). Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) winner Nereus had his final start when…
Waldron eyes another big prize with stable star
Having pocketed one big prize with Cluedo Lane (NZ) (Ghibellines), newly established Wingatui trainer Joe Waldron is targeting another at Riccarton Park this weekend. At his last start Cluedo Lane surprised his trainer and shocked most other observers when he won the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight-For-Age (1600m). With a rating of just 78, he was at a supposed huge disadvantage under the conditions carrying 59 kilograms against much higher rated opposition, but he brushed that aside with an easy win over Sir Albert (NZ) (Savabeel) (R96) and Matscot (NZ)…
Mr Miki trying to go back-to-back at Manawatu
By Jordyn Bublitz Mr Miki made the ideal start to the Manawatu meeting on Tuesday, and the improving gelding now looks a genuine chance to complete the double when he steps out again on Thursday. The five-year-old son of Always B Miki took out the Cartown Mobile Pace in confident fashion, benefitting from a drop in grade after tackling a much stronger field on Flying Miles night at Cambridge Raceway, where he finished fifth in a race run at a slick 1:55 mile rate. Trainer Brendon Laidlaw said the trip…
Whale Watch – Cambridge’s Night of Champions
Craig “The Whale” Thompson is back with his best for Cambridge’s Night of Champions on Friday.
Jumper set to reach greater heights
Lord Spencer will be seen in a new role in the coming months with the bigger fences beckoning the well-performed Wanganui jumper. The eight-year-old has done trainer JJ Rayner proud in recent seasons with his career highlight victory in the 2024 Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) and ran third in last year’s renewal, now known as the Great New Zealand Hurdle. Also placed in a Waikato Hurdle (3200m), the hardy son of Zed will open a new campaign on Friday in the Lisa Latta Racing (1650m) at Waverley where he ran…
Campaldino to undergo Cup fitness test
Sydney Cup fancy Campaldino (NZ) (Ghibellines) will need to pass a fitness test to take his place in the two-mile feature at Randwick after a routine veterinary inspection revealed the presence of cardiac arrhythmia. Co-trainer Adrian Bott said there was no sign of the issue following his second placing in Saturday’s Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) and the horse had no history of the affliction. “He presented with cardiac arrhythmia in the tests this morning,” Bott said. “He’ll go through the ECG process. He was checked immediately following the race (on Saturday) and all the vital…