Author: NZRacingDesk

The Cunning Fox (NZ) (Reliable Man) and Tom Ryan have prevailed in a stirring Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool on Wednesday, securing the talented hurdler’s fifth-consecutive jumps win and first feature. In what would also prove to be Patrick and Michelle Payne’s first May Racing Carnival feature win together, The Cunning Fox ($2.90) was given a patient ride by Ryan, as Stern Idol ($3.20) set his usual strong gallop under replacement rider Fergus Gregory. Ryan moved the striking grey into the race down the side and it was race on over…

Cody Cole collected his second quinella in a matter of days in the Central Districts on Wednesday, with Rareza (NZ) (Exosphere) and debutant Andantino saluting at the Woodville meeting. The Matamata horseman took a pair of runners to Wanganui last Sunday in The Nomad (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) and St Giles (NZ) (Swiss Ace), both of whom took out their respective races. His two representatives at the midweek meeting repeated the dose, headed by resuming talent Rareza. The daughter of Exosphere had just seven starts under her belt prior to the…

There’s one word to describe Riviera Rebel’s (NZ) (Pure Champion) last assignment of the season – heavy. The in-form gelding has been lumbered with top weight, 60kg, in Saturday’s Avon City Ford Easter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton, where his biggest rival will be the inclement weather. While the son of Pure Champion is adept at racing in heavy conditions, recording three of his six wins on the surface, including the Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton last start, co-trainer Graham Eade is wary of the inclement weather in Christchurch…

A son of Hollie Wynyard’s first Group One winner will have his turn in the spotlight at Te Rapa on Saturday, representing the Cambridge horsewoman in the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1400m). That runner will be Wyndstorm (NZ) (Wyndspelle), a two-year-old gelding out of the second crop of yearlings by Wyndspelle. In the care of Wynyard, and former training partner Johno Benner, Wyndspelle placed at the highest level on a number of occasions, capped off by his crowning victory in the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m). Five years…

Experienced breeding and racing identity Bruce Perry has unveiled a new thoroughbred service to run independently of his successful bloodstock business. Bruce Perry Consultancy will offer advisory services for investors, owners, breeders and farms who seek unbiased and expert guidance in navigating the industry. “It will be totally separate from my bloodstock business and will strive to help and support new people and those already involved with advice, insights, views and different opinions,” he said. “A lot of people may not have the time to be at sales and have…

Gifted filly Lucy In The Sky (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) will have a gilt-edged opportunity at Riccarton on Saturday to end her two-year-old campaign on a high note. The Tony Pike-trained juvenile has impressed in both of her appearances and will enjoy a drop in grade in the Listed Berkey Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) with Jasmine Fawcett booked to guide the youngster. “She flew down on Sunday and travelled well and it would be nice to get a stakes win under her belt before she goes out and comes back for…

Graham and Helen-Gaye Bax didn’t set out to breed a Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) winner, but that’s what they have done, with Blandford Lodge homebred Duke Of Bedford (NZ) (Tavistock) taking out the Warrnambool feature on Tuesday. “I had two in that race. I also bred Blandford Lad, who ran fifth,” Blandford Lodge principal Graham Bax said. “He (Duke Of Bedford) is a neat little jumper and he is going along well. He is a young steeplechase horse, so he has got a bright future in front of him. “If he…

A mix of proven and up-and-coming sires sees fees for Waikato Stud’s six-strong roster set for the 2025 season, once again headlined by the NZ Hall of Fame inductee-in-waiting Savabeel. Alongside him stands second-season sire sensation Super Seth, emerging force Ardrossan, proven Group 1 producer Ocean Park, exciting first-season sire Noverre and a sire-in-waiting Banquo rounding out the formidable lineup. “It’s a lineup we are continually proud of, and it continues to fit with tradition which has, and does, lead to success,” said studmaster, Mark Chittick. “They are stallions that we have put the time and the investment…

Duke Of Bedford (NZ) (Tavistock) recorded a tenacious all-the-way triumph in the Brierly Steeplechase at Warrnambool on Tuesday with a decision on whether he will take his place in the Grand Annual Steeplechase on Thursday to be made on that morning. “I’d always thought he’d be better on the flat tracks of an Australian Steeplechase and a Grand National at the end of the season,” Trainer Andrew Bobbin said. “We’ll just see how that field holds up and at about 7:28am Thursday morning, I’ll probably still be scratching my head,…

Andrew Bobbin will wait until the last-possible moment before making a decision on whether Duke Of Bedford (NZ) (Tavistock) will take his place in Thursday’s Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool. The son of Tavistock recorded a tenacious all-the-way triumph in Tuesday’s Brierly Steeplechase, the biggest win in his career to date. “I’d always thought he’d be better on the flat tracks of an Australian Steeplechase and a Grand National at the end of the season,” Bobbin said. “We’ll just see how that field holds up and at about 7:28am Thursday…