Author: NZRacingDesk

Bargain buy Midnight Dart (NZ) (Derryn) will be out to get the party started for his throng of next generation owners when the Lisa Latta-trained juvenile contests the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. The colt by Derryn was bought by Latta’s son Josh Herd for $20,000 from the Grangewilliam Stud draft at Karaka last year and was one of the first horses qualified for the Ellerslie feature when winning on debut at Trentham. Midnight Dart subsequently finished fourth to Karaka Millions favourite Kinnaird and…

The stage is set for a trans-Tasman showdown in the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, with Wednesday morning’s barrier draw strengthening the claims of some of the biggest players. A full field of 14 plus two emergencies has been assembled for the 19th edition of the Karaka Millions 2YO, including three Australian-trained raiders. As has so often been the case throughout the last decade, the local contingent is headed by Te Akau Racing. The tangerine powerhouse has won eight of the last nine runnings of this juvenile…

Multiple Group One winner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) will be a notable absentee from the Warwick Farm barrier trials after suffering a minor setback. Trainer Joe Pride reported the horse was being treated for a graze to his leg after seemingly becoming cast in his box, ruling him out of his scheduled 900m heat on Thursday. It was to have been his first appearance of the year and while not ideal, Pride said it should have minimal effect on Ceolwulf’s build-up as he prepared to return in the Apollo Stakes (1400m)…

No-one amongst rival connections was prepared to say it out loud, but it was quite obvious their challenge became even more daunting when unbeaten filly Well Written (Written Tycoon) drew perfectly at three for Saturday’s Listed TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m). The Stephen Marsh-trained filly has become the increasingly hot favourite for Saturday’s $1.5 million race while sweeping all before her, culminating in another easy win in the Gr. 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) in November to bring her odds into $1.50. She also jumped from gate three in…

Hong Kong sensation Ka Ying Rising has been recognised as the world’s best sprinter, becoming the highest-rated Hong Kong horse in history (128) as he ranked joint-second in the 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings (WBRR), while Romantic Warrior, ranked joint-seventh, has been listed among the world’s top 10 horses for a second year in a row. David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising capped an extraordinary 2025, which saw him go the whole calendar year unbeaten on his way to victory in the AU$20 million (approx. HK$101 million) G1 The Everest…

Training trio Ben, Will and JD Hayes hoping to snatch another feature win in New Zealand. Buoyed by a successful raid on New Zealand feature racing last year, Ben Hayes is plotting to do the same as Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel) takes on the Gr.1 Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday. The 1200-mere event is the beginning of a two start trans-Tasman campaign for the five-year-old along the lines of when the Hayes team were successful with Here To Shock (NZ) (Shocking) in the Gr.1 BDC Group Sprint (1400m) in February 2025. That win…

Lib and Katrina Petagna’s Elsdon Park is fast building a reputation for excellence despite still being in its infancy. The Wellington couple took ownership of the stunning Matamata property formerly known as Valachi Downs in 2022, and their investment is paying dividends. Under the watch of General Manager Kerrie Cox, quality graduates are already emerging from the farm, while Petagna’s well-known apple green silks with a navy sash and navy and yellow striped sleeves continue to be prominent on the racetrack. Elsdon Park will present 32 yearlings (28 Book 1,…

A massive week of racing, buying and selling awaits! Michael has some breaking news before looking ahead to the Karaka Millions, before heading out to Karaka to chat with some heavy hitters ahead of the 100th Yearling Sales. Plus a tribute to Via Sistina following her retirement. Guerin Report – S2 Ep.20- Karaka Millions & Yearling Sales Preview

Cranbourne trainer Cindy Alderson left Ellerslie on Tuesday morning well satisfied that Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain) is on target for his Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) mission. The last-start winner of the A$1 million The Meteorite (1200m) on his home track in late November confirmed his position as equal favourite for Saturday’s big sprint with a bold hitout under regular rider Logan Bates. “I was really pleased with him, he appeared to enjoy himself and Logan confirmed that he handled it well going right-handed,” Alderson said. “He arrived on Sunday and has…

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