Author: Editor BOAY

Heartening Flyer (NZ) (Excelebration) lived up to his name when he got off to a flier on Sunday with trainer Michael Clements predicting bigger and better things for the colt post-race. After two barrier trial wins put the writing on the wall, the Excelebration three-year-old certainly franked that impression from the way he was coasting in a handy spot in the S$75,000 Restricted Maiden Division 1 race over 1200m. Once he swept past the weakening leader Lady Fast (NZ) (Ferlax), he looked a moral, but Brutus (Rubick) would not give…

Leith Innes was glad to get the winning feeling back at Avondale on Saturday, but New Zealand isn’t where he was supposed to be during winter. In his second day back riding since the resumption of New Zealand racing, Innes was successful on his only mount of the day, the smart galloper Demonetization (All Too Hard) in his first start since New Year’s Day. He had also been aboard the Nigel Tiley-trained Group Two winner in his lead-up trials win, at Ellerslie last month, and wasn’t surprised by the victory.…

Kozzi Asano may not have been a household name in racing circles at the beginning of the season, but the talented apprentice jockey made sure he was by the end. A one-time leader in the New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership, Asano will end the season in second position behind Central Districts hoop Lisa Allpress, but with 78 wins for the season he has nearly doubled his nearest rival in the apprentice ranks (Sam Weatherley, 41 wins). “It has been an amazing ride this season,” Asano said. “I couldn’t have done it…

Kris Shailer has worked under Stephen Autridge for the best part of two decades and at the start of the new season he will get the opportunity to join his mentor in a training partnership at Valachi Downs. Shailer, who has spent the last two years as Autridge’s assistant, began his career as an apprentice jockey under Autridge’s guidance and the respected horseman has played a vital role in Shailer’s development in racing. “Kris started with me as an apprentice when he was 15-years-old,” Autridge said. “He’s been working with…

Three important barrier trials have been pushed back three days because of Sydney’s wet weather. Tuesday’s barrier trial session at Randwick will now be held on the Polytrack with 20 heats scheduled. But the three heats for Group horses that were set down for the Kensington track on Tuesday morning have been rescheduled to Friday. They feature a number of high profile horses among the entries. They include Group One winners Melody Belle, Probabeel, Con Te Partiro, Dreamforce, Kolding, Kings Will Dream and Fierce Impact. Meanwhile, Group One winner Mystic…

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing have released the weight structure for the coming season, effective from August 1. Open Entry Races will retain an eight kilogram spread to reflect the range of horses that are accommodated in these events. However, the weight range will reduce one kilogram from 55kg-63kg to 54kg-62kg. If the spread of ratings is less than 16 points these races will be weighted from the bottom up, notwithstanding the standard regulations that apply. The weights for standard open and rating races, as well as maiden, set-weights and penalties…

Hastings trainer Paul Nelson is looking forward to lining up two of his top jumpers at his home meeting on Wednesday. Nelson, who trains in partnership with Corrina McDougall, will line-up a trio of runners in the Windsor Park Plate Raceday 3 October (2100m), including Wellington Hurdle (3400m) winner No Tip and Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) winner Perry Mason (NZ) (Zed). Lightly raced eight-year-old No Tip (NZ) (Mettre de Jeu)has had just the five jumping starts for two wins and two placings and Nelson is hoping to improve that tally…