Tulloch Lodge has unearthed a potential Gr.1 ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) filly after lightly raced Feminino (NZ) (Tivaci) graduated to stakes company in winning the Gr.3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m). Feminino, having her first start since breaking maiden ranks at Warwick Farm in early February, covered extra ground before prevailing in a four-way finish over 1600m. She had a nose to spare from the $101 chance Burn The Sky (Zoustar) with Profoundly (Farnan) close-up in the minor placing and Long Legs (Russian Revolution) a similar margin away in fourth. Feminino…
Author: NZRacingDesk
Hong Kong stars Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior dominate LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings
Hong Kong-trained horses dominate the March edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, which were released on Thursday, 12 March, occupying the top two spots. David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) maintained his position as the top-rated horse in training with an international rating of 128, while Danny Shum’s Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) was ranked second with a rating of 124. Japan’s dirt giant Forever Young (Real Steel), trained by Yoshito Yahagi, was third with a rating of 123, while the Karl Burke-trained eight-year-old Royal Champion (Street Cry) was fourth, rated…
Ronaldo looking to score at Wanganui
New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson looks to have an exciting juvenile on his hands in Ronaldo (NZ) (Ribchester), and he is hoping he can score again at Wanganui on Saturday. Ronaldo has yet to be beaten in four public hit-outs to date, including in his debut over 1200m at his home track last month, and he will be out to continue his wining ways in the Palamountains Nutrition 2YO (1200m) this weekend. “He is a gorgeous horse,” Patterson said. “He has got a beautiful draw (2) and he will put…
Tauranga test for popular grey
Popular grey Chattahoochee (NZ) (Reliable Man) made a pleasing return to the races at Matamata last month for part-owner Lisa Anderson, and the Cambridge horsewoman is looking forward to giving him his first stakes test under her care in the Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga on Saturday. The son of the late Westbury Stud stallion Reliable man had his first start in nearly a year when fifth in the $350,000 Wairere Falls Classic (1500m), and Anderson was rapt with the first-up effort on a Heavy9 surface. “He…
Sorghaghtani gets her shot at black-type
Sorghaghtani (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) will get a well-deserved tilt at black-type at Tauranga on Saturday but only if her trainers can find a suitable jockey. The daughter of Mongolian Khan is in a purple patch of form, placing first-up behind subsequent Group Three performer She’s A Dealer (Ace High) at Te Rapa in December before posting successive wins over a mile at Ellerslie in January, and trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall believe she is ready for a crack at stakes level. They identified the Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy…
O’Riordan on song for Beaumont Publican’s Cup
Last start victor O’Riordan (NZ) (Proisir) will trek south to Wingatui from her Timaru base on Sunday in a bid to add to her winning haul in the Mosgiel Tavern Beaumont Publican’s Cup (1500m). The six-year-old daughter of Proisir was building towards that winning result last week, having finished runner-up at Riccarton at her previous start, and trainer Stephanie Faulkner said she has bounced through the run, which has given her the confidence to back her up this weekend. “I don’t normally back her up this quick, but she was…
Savaglee Fee Set
An introductory service fee for Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) has now been confirmed by the stallion’s management syndicate. He will be offered to breeders for a 2026 service fee of $17,500+GST with limited nominations available due to the strong support from his owners. A debut winning two-year-old, and Group One performed at that age – just like his illustrious sire Savabeel – Savaglee was subsequently crowned Champion Three-Year-Old of his generation. Following on from his Group winning juvenile victory in the Matamata Slipper, he produced a superb sequence of four consecutive…
Yokozuna to resume at Tauranga
Wet weather is forecast ahead of racing at Tauranga on Saturday but Donna Logan is hoping the worst of it stays away. The South Auckland trainer is set to take half a dozen runners to the Bay of Plenty meeting, including her exciting Group Three performer Yokozuna (Fierce Impact), who will resume in the J Swap Contractors 3YO 1200. “I am looking forward to seeing him back,” Logan said. “I am hoping there is not too much rain because I am uncertain about how much rain he can handle.” The…
Loyal Ralph standing by his man in stakes test
Stephen Ralph is more than happy to stick with a winning combination in his pursuit of a maiden stakes victory on Saturday for the in-form Leroy Brown (NZ) (Ace High). The Te Awamutu trainer has rewarded apprentice Jack Taplin for his performance aboard the five-year-old last time out with the ride on the freegoer in the Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga. They combined to run their rivals ragged in an open handicap over a mile and Ralph will be hoping for more of the same from the…
Home target first up for Knock Off
Most Kiwis are dreading seeing the mercury levels drop in their thermometers as the country heads into the cooler months, but Wanganui trainer Gerard Cvitanovich is rubbing his hands together with glee. His stable star Knock Off (NZ) (Fabulous) thrives during winter racing, highlighted by his deeds last year where he posted three wins and two placings from five starts, including a runner-up effort in the Gr.3 Metric Mile (1600m). “He is happy over winter, he had a good winter last year,” Cvitanovich said. Cvitanovich is hoping his homebred son…