Author: NZRacingDesk

Exciting four-year-old Zambardo (NZ) (Belardo) was one of the stories of the spring, progressing from relative obscurity to Group One company in a matter of months. Originally prepared in Ashburton in New Zealand’s South Island, the son of Belardo came from modest beginnings. Sold as a weanling for just $3100 via gavelhouse.com to trainer Emma Wyatt, Zambardo, who raced as Our Martian in New Zealand, was a trial winner and twice placed at Ashburton before he was identified by astute bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo and traded to the stable of…

The Asian Pattern Committee (APC) has moved to take ownership of the decision-making over the status of black type races in Australia. Coming under the umbrella of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), the APC has declared it has assumed responsibility from Racing Australia for any decisions on the upgrading or downgrading of all Group and Listed races in Australian due to dissatisfaction with the current system. The country’s national racing body, Racing Australia has been dogged by infighting amongst the principal racing authorities about the Pattern and its organisation for…

Expat jockey Mick Dee is set to return to one of his happiest hunting grounds, Ellerslie, with a full book of rides on Boxing Day headed by El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) in the Gr. 1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m). Melbourne-based Dee may not have the profile of New Zealand’s most famous jockey export, James McDonald, but there’s no denying his success since relocating to Victoria a decade ago. The 29-year-old’s 15 Group One wins include the Caulfield Cup, the Victoria Derby and two editions of the Australian Guineas including…

The Hong Kong International Races are officially in the rear-view mirror, and now the focus switches to the coming months when the three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series, Triple Crown and Hong Kong Speed Series all commence. Following Ka Ying Rising’s (NZ) (Shamexpress) HK$28 million Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) blitz, David Hayes was beaming at Sha Tin on Tuesday, indicating the world’s best sprinter will now take a short break before the HK$13 million Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) – the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series –…

Michael is in Hong Kong for Hong Kong International Raceday, and is joined by his old mate, Emily Murphy. The pair catch up with Jamie Richards, Mark McNamara and Tom Wood, before dissecting a massive day of racing with wins for Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior, among others. Guerin Report – S2 Ep. 15 – Hong Kong International Raceday

Rudy Liefting is dreaming of a Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) tilt with his filly Unrestrained (NZ) (Time Test) in February, with her performance at Ruakaka on Wednesday dictating whether she continues down that path. The three-year-old daughter of Time Test has shown plenty of promise for the Pukekohe horseman, finishing runner-up to highly-regarded filly Transcend when on debut at Ruakaka in September before just missing out on black-type when fourth in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m) at Ellerslie a fortnight later. She has mixed her…

Graham Richardson and Rogal Norvall’s star filly Lollapalooza (NZ) (El Roca) is set to be joined in the Gr.2 Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day by her rapidly emerging stablemate Fleeting Star (Cool Aza Beel). Given Lollapalooza’s penchant for the Ellerslie track, the Matamata training partners were keen on the three-year-old feature even before she finished second to Well Written in last month’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas. That’s where she won the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) in September, followed by a close second…

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Patience, a diminishing commodity in the modern environment, remains a key marker for Raumati couple Christopher and Susanna Grace, two of New Zealand racing’s longest serving and most successful participants. No better example is the latest star of the Graces’ home-bred racing string, the Andrew Forsman-trained Hinekaha, who completed a hat-trick with her all-the-way win in Saturday’s Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa. Midway through last season, the daughter of Savabeel was being touted as an Oaks or Derby prospect, but even after winning the Listed Grangewilliam Stud…

Cranbourne trainer Gavin Bedggood will spend Christmas on this side of the Tasman as he prepares his Group Three winner Kingswood (Roaring Lion) for Group One action at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. With a view towards Kingswood’s prospective stallion career, Bedggood is heading to New Zealand in the hope of securing an all-important elite-level scalp to enhance his credentials prior to transitioning to stud duties. The British-bred six-year-old hails from a rich pedigree, being by ill-fated Group One-producing stallion Roaring Lion and out of multiple stakes winner All At Sea…