Author: Editor BOAY

The two open class trials to be held before the Taupo racemeeting on Wednesday will see a host of New Zealand’s top galloping talent step out for their first serious hit out, including a high-class trio from the Roger James and Robert Wellwood stable. The Cambridge conditioners will line up dual Group Three winner Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel) and lightly raced six-year-old Sherriff (NZ) (High Chaparral) in the first heat, while Two Illicit (NZ) (Jimmy Choux), one of the top three-year-old fillies of last season, will contest the second of the 1100m heats.…

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South Auckland horseman Nicholas Bishara is tickled pink with the way his boutique stable has started the new season. He recorded a winning double at Te Rapa on Saturday with Rising Renown and Ihu, bringing is current season tally to three wins, just two shy of last season’s total. “It was a terrific weekend and I just can’t believe how well I am going to be honest,” Bishara said. “We are having a winner a week and to get a double on a Saturday feature meeting was great. “It’s good…

Wanganui trainer Jo Rathbone has been riding the crest of a wave with quality jumper Tallyho Twinkletoe (NZ) (St Reims) and she may have unearthed another top prospect in his half-brother, Captaintwinkletoes (NZ) (Sufficient). The four-year-old son of Sufficient pleased Rathbone when finishing runner-up on debut over 2100m at Hawera on Saturday where he was only just beaten by stablemate Wotablast (NZ) (Azamour). “I was rapt with them both,” Rathbone said. “Wotablast had a bit of a gear change just to try and get him to try and switch on…

Premier trainer Chris Waller has trodden a patient path with Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed) and he believes it has readied her for the rigours of a Cups campaign. The stable managed her carefully as a spring four-year-old last year and did not extend her beyond the 2040 metres of the Cox Plate. But a solid, five-start autumn campaign, highlighted by a Group One Tancred Stakes victory, has given Waller confidence the mare is seasoned enough for a Caulfield and Melbourne Cups preparation. “We held her back last year to try…

Trans-Tasman trainer Michael Moroney is looking forward to the spring with Group One-winning mare Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park) after her pleasing jump-out on Monday. “She began nicely and Dwayne (Dunn, jockey) got her to relax before letting her run through the line,” Moroney said. “She’s come back stronger and is relaxing better in the mornings and Dwayne said that’s how she felt this morning which is exactly what we wanted to hear. “She’ll have a more serious one in two weeks’ time, but I am very pleased with the way…

Dual Group One winner Hello Youmzain (Kodiac) just came up short of adding a third elite-level victory to his burgeoning CV when finishing runner-up to Space Blues in Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest (1300m) at Deauville over the weekend. Owned by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay in partnership with Haras d’Etreham, the son of Kodiac is destined join the Waikato farm’s stallion roster. Trainer Kevin Ryan has been impressed by the horse from day dot and he said he is hoping to secure more Group One spoils before…

NZ Thoroughbred Racing will be conducting regional roadshows around the country as the industry adapts to the changes brought about by the Racing Industry Act 2020. The first of the roadshows will be held in the South Island this week, commencing at the Ascot Park Hotel in Invercargill at 10am on Thursday, 13 August.  Later that evening, between 4 and 6pm it will be the turn of Otago industry participants and stakeholders to engage with NZTR Board chairman Dr Alan Jackson, CEO Bernard Saundry and GM Racing & Infrastructure Tim…