Awapuni trainer Mike Breslin finished the season on a high at his home synthetic meeting on Friday when recording a winning double, including Kereti (NZ) (Darci Brahma) taking out the $60,000 Power Farming Manawatu Awapuni Synthetic Final (1400m). The Darci Brahma gelding has been in solid form, winning two and runner-up in one of his last four starts, and he was duly backed into $1.90 favouritism in the six-horse field. Leading apprentice jockey Amber Riddell urged him out of the gates and worked forward to take up pace-making duties. Left…
Month: July 2026
Fancify after more Black Type at Flemington
The Ciaron Maher stable is banking on race fitness giving Fancify (NZ) (Niagara) an edge when she lines up in a Stakes race at Flemington. Fancify tackles eight opponents in the Gr.3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) on Saturday, the first Stakes race of the new racing season. Saturday’s outing will be the fourth race Fancify has contested since joining the Maher team having previously been prepared at Murray Bridge by Michael Hickmott. Under Hickmott’s care, Fancify won the Gr.3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week in 2024, the last time she…
Ready to Run Entries Close Today
Entries for NZB’s 2026 Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs closes today via the NZB Portal, with the Sale set to be held at the Karaka Sales Centre on 18 and 19 November. This year’s Breeze Ups are set to take place on Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 October at Te Rapa. To nominate your rising two-year-olds for the 2026 Ready to Run Sale, visit NZB’s online portal at portal.nzb.co.nz. For portal enquiries, contact NZB’s Bloodstock Administrator Mary Jane Harvey (+64 9 298 0055 or email maryjane.harvey@nzb.co.nz).
Grylls retains premiership crown
Matamata jockey Craig Grylls has dominated New Zealand’s riding ranks once again this season and has retained his National Jockeys’ Premiership crown. The 36-year-old hoop was a runaway leader in last season’s premiership and proved it again this term, posting 140 victories, 47 wins ahead of his closest rival, Samantha Collett. “I am absolutely stoked,” Grylls said. “I was lucky to be so busy through the summer and being able to open up a big margin. I was able to have a couple of breaks over winter without having to…
Four fresh up Dalgety runners at Addington tonight
By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Two exciting three-year-olds will headline a formidable team from Kentuckiana Lodge at Addington tonight. With spring racing fast approaching, Cran and Chrissie Dalgety will line up five runners tonight, all to be driven by son Carter. Four of them are fresh up, with Franco Ankara ($1.55) and Asymmetric Return ($1.70) the most heavily fancied to make winning returns. Both three-year-olds have been in winning form at the trials ahead of their race day resumptions with Franco Ankara especially impressive, coming from last to…
Williamson with handy book at Addington tonight
By Jonny Turner Matthew Williamson hopes Song Sung Blue can frank his strong southern form at Addington on Friday night. The Ashburton pacer will race closer to home after three excellent performances in Southland in recent weeks. Williamson knows both the Canterbury and Southland racing scenes better than most and can’t see why Song Sung Blue’s form wouldn’t stack up. “He’s been racing great down south and in a similar grade on Friday night he should be a nice chance.” “His last run down there was great, he did a…
Collett family hoping for Bold performance from veteran
With brother Jason not riding at Rosehill, there will be no family squabbles over Alysha Collett getting the nod to partner Bold Mac (NZ) (The Bold One) for their father and Warwick Farm trainer, Richard. But she will be on notice to be at her best aboard the rising nine-year-old. “We have particular horses that we ride (for Dad), and when we ride a bad race, the other gets a go,” Alysha Collett said of the sibling dynamic. “It goes around. Back and forth. And obviously (brother-in-law) Andrew Calder is…
Shockletz takes step towards Cup qualifiers
Shockletz (NZ) (Shocking) runs in the Melbourne Cup Carnival On Sale (1620m) on Saturday as a lead-up to the first of two upcoming qualifying races for the Melbourne Cup. The Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) on September 12 followed by the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) on October 3 offer the winner a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 3. Jack Turnbull, the National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, said it had been long-range plan to target the two races with Shockletz. “We’re trying to get her into The Archer,” Turnbull said. “That’s our little…
Stakes targets await Benefactor
A return to stakes racing awaits Benefactor (NZ) (Contributer) after she returned to winning form in impressive fashion when taking out the Canton Fair Tour Handicap (1600m) at Otaki on Thursday. Dropping back from stakes company when eighth in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth a fortnight ago, trainer Lisa Latta was confident of an improved showing, and her mare delivered in spades. Jockey Kelly Myers eased the rising seven-year-old mare back to settle toward the rear of the field, and the pair hugged the rail for the…
How Cosmic Crusader found his palate for racing
Cosmic Crusader (NZ) (Maurice) revealed himself as a genuine spring contender in last Saturday’s Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield. The horse from Perth carries with him a fine pedigree and a still untapped racing potential but, ultimately, it might not be merely his racing deeds that will be his longest-lasting legacy in horse racing. Cosmic Crusader’s journey through the upcoming Melbourne spring carnival to his main aim of the Cox Plate has been made possible due at least partly to a revolutionary form of soft palate throat surgery called…