A poor barrier draw may delay the planned kick-off to the campaign of Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) at Mornington. Desert Lightning has drawn the widest barrier in the 17-horse Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) on Saturday in which he has 60kg and will be ridden by Luke Nolen. The field limit is 15 on Saturday with a further two emergency acceptors. The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained galloper is first-up on Saturday having not raced since the spring in the Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley last October. Coleman said a decision would need to be made…
Day: 15 April 2026
National Online Yearling Sale Set to Recommence Tonight
Following Tuesday night’s unforeseen cyber attack, NZB’s 2026 National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus was postponed, and is set to take place this evening, Wednesday 15 April from 6pm (NZT). Due to widespread interference, all 104 lots will be reoffered, with bidding re-opened from the last bid taken prior to the Sale commencing. A reminder there is no benefit in letting the clock run down to the final seconds before bidding. The auction will keep auto-extending, and you risk missing out if your internet connection drops out. Setting an…
Didham’s team set to make impact at Ashburton
Richard Didham is expecting bold showings from all four of his runners at Ashburton on Thursday. The highest rated of the Canterbury trainer’s representatives is the Super Easy mare Candle, who will drop back in grade in The Jan Hay Handicap (1200m) in a bid to add to her record of five victories. The seven-year-old hasn’t been far away in recent starts and last time out finished fourth on the course behind Toa Haka, the subsequent winner of the $350,000 Southern Alps Challenge (1600m) at Riccarton. “You don’t get any…
Red has single focus
The Andrew Forsman-trained Single Red (NZ) (Vanbrugh) will be targeted at the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 6. The talented daughter of Vanbrugh was back in action at the Cambridge trials on Tuesday for her first public outing since finishing third in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) won by Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park) on February 21. That formline was franked following Ohope Wins victory in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) last Saturday and Forsman believes his charge will be much better suited to the…
Interrorgator “chance” in today’s Canterbury Plains Challenge Heat
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Trainer Mitchell Robertson is eyeing up the lucky last as his best chance of success at Addington today. Robertson, who trains in partnership with his father Peter, will line up four runners in the seven-race midweek programme. “Interrorgator is our best chance, he drops back in grade after his last start in the Reward Series and they ran pretty good time there too,” says Robertson. That was Easter Saturday when the son of Terror To Love finished 10th in the Racing Rewards at…
Online Yearling Sale Postponed to Wednesday
Due to an unforeseen cyber attack on the website, the National Online Yearling Sale held on Gavelhouse Plus that got underway on Tuesday night, will be postponed and will restart tomorrow, Wednesday 15 April from 6pm (NZT). The website received ongoing interference which affected several lots causing major disruption to bidders. New Zealand Bloodstock apologise for the significant inconvenience caused and are working to ensure the issue is resolved quickly for a smoother bidding service tomorrow night. Bidding for Lot 1 through to Lot 104 will now begin Wednesday 15…