Bankers Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) is hoping to become just the second horse in history to win multiple Mornington Cups when he seeks to defend his title on Saturday. Having won the 2400m Listed feature by the barest of margins last year, the eight-year-old gelding was officially trained by Glen Thompson at the time following the passing of Mike Moroney. Now under the care of Ben, Will & JD Hayes at Lindsay Park, Bankers Choice has been close up in two runs back from a spell, placing in the Group 2 Peter Young…
Day: 12 April 2026
Blueblood filly earns black-type tilt
Blueblood filly Avantaggia (Wootton Bassett) has earned herself a tilt at black-type following her victory in the Porirua Club Punters Handicap (1200m) at Otaki on Saturday. A daughter of Wootton Bassett and Te Akau Racing’s former nine-time Group One winner Avantage, Avantaggia has borne the weight of expectation since a foal, which was further enhanced when Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis outlaid A$2.1 million for her at Magic Millions’ 2024 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She broke through for her maiden win at the second time of asking at Te…
Australia beckoning Bona Sforza
A trip across the Tasman is on the cards for Central Districts filly Bona Sforza (Written By) following her win in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday. The victory came a year to the day after she won the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) at the same meeting, and trainer Samantha Finnegan was pleased to have last year’s winning jockey Ace Lawson-Carroll back in the saddle following his return from injury. “I am so happy for him,” Finnegan said. “When he won on her this day last…
Lawson-Carroll makes fairytale return
Ace Lawson-Carroll couldn’t have scripted a better return to the saddle at Riccarton on Saturday. The South Auckland apprentice jockey was having just his eighth raceday ride since returning from near career ending injuries when he reunited with Bona Sforza to take out the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m). It came 12 months to the day since the pair won the Listed Welcome Stakes (1200m), and Lawson-Carroll was rapt to be able to reward trainer Samantha Finnegan for her support. “It is good to be back in the saddle and…
Jonny Turner’s Five to Follow at Winton today
An outstanding card of racing is set down for Central Southland Raceway today and there looks to be no shortage of talent. Racing journalist Jonny Turner has assessed the even fields and attempted to nail down five horses that fans must keep an eye on. Race 3 – 1.19pm – Mor Moonlight This classy trotting mare looks one of the hardest horses to beat on the Winton card. Mor Moonlight was surprisingly beaten in her last start at Ascot Park, though she had to work hard over 2700m. With more…
Morrison heads south with good chances at Winton today
By Jonny Turner John Morrison has chosen Winton’s big meeting on Sunday to unleash two of his most promising horses. Formerly a regular in the southern driving ranks, Morrison will be back in the south with a small but powerful team to step out at Central Southland Raceway. Morrison has had to be patient with both Jesse Owens and Giorgio Denario since their impressive last start victories at Ashburton. But when the pair went stride for stride in a recent Addington trial, it looks ready to pay off. Jesse Owens…
Sarah O’Reilly with solid chances at Methven
By Mike Love The Drivers’ Challenge looks set to highlight action at today’s Methven meeting at Mt Harding. With four teams of three, each of the invited driver races provide an opportunity for a penalty free win for the winning horse’s connections. Representing the local Methven team are Leo, Gerard and Sarah O’Reilly, who look to have a strong book between them. Driver Sarah O’Reilly believes her driving team has a great chance of success in today’s challenge. “Yes, we seemed to get a good book of drives, and some…
Oceana Dream makes winning Australian debut
More than a year after his most recent raceday appearance in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Oceana Dream (NZ) (Ocean Park) kicked off his Australian career on a winning note in the A$130,000 Ern Jensen Funerals – Pinder Family Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The Ocean Park gelding was previously trained by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, for whom he had four starts between January and March of 2025. He was a debut winner at Tauranga on January 2, then repeated that result in Rating 65 company at…
Single Choice books South Australian Derby ticket
NZB Ready to Run Sale graduate Single Choice (Anders) secured himself a shot at next month’s Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) with an impressive win in the A$200,000 Listed Manhari Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Single Choice was offered by Riversley Park at the 2024 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, where Cumani Racing bought him for $80,000. He has now had 10 starts for four wins, three placings and A$427,400 in stakes. Single Choice went into Saturday’s race with some of the strongest credentials in the…