Author: NZRacingDesk

Waikato Stud’s private trainer Kris Shailer has had a whirlwind last few months, and that is set to continue at Ellerslie on Champions Day when he lines-up homebred filly Convinced (NZ) (Super Seth) in the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). Shailer has had four wins from six starts this season, including victory in the Group Three Matamata Slipper (1200m) a fortnight ago with Justin Case (NZ) (Banquo), and he is hoping his golden run continues. Justin Case is set to step up to elite-level at Ellerslie next Saturday in the Group One Sistema Stakes…

In just her second season in the professional jockey ranks, Amber Riddell brought up her 100th win at Hawera on Friday, and she was rapt to achieve the milestone so early in her career. Riddell started competing in the amateur ranks, winning four races before progressing into an apprenticeship under Kevin Myers and subsequently transferred to Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta earlier this season. It was on the Latta-trained Starpello that she rode her 100th winner, at her 900th start, but Riddell admitted she wasn’t sure whether she had won on the line and…

The loss of Ghibellines was further emphasised at Wingatui where the late resident of White Robe Lodge was the dominant force. The son of Shamardal was represented by two new stakes winners at the weekend and sired a trifecta on Saturday’s undercard. His son Cluedo Lane (NZ) claimed top honours in the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight-For-Age (1600m) for trainer Joseph Waldron while Noble Knight (NZ) and Capo Dell Impero (NZ) quinellaed the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m). The Sandy Cunningham-prepared Noble Knight was bred and sold by White Robe…

Aaron Bidlake admits he has always been a dreamer and this Saturday he is hoping one dream can turn into reality when his smart three-year-old Tulsa King (NZ) (Staphanos) lines-up in the Gr.1 HKJC World Pool New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie. The Hastings horseman has long held aspirations of competing in the $1.25 million Classic, and later this week he will realise that ambition when he treks north with his diminutive gelding, who he bought online for just $1,500. The son of Staphanos, who barely reaches 15 hands, failed…

Afternoon Siesta (Shamus Award) wasn’t caught napping at Trentham on Sunday, with the John Bary-trained mare storming home to win the Gr.3 Rydges Wellington Cuddle Stakes (1600m). The daughter of Shamus Award pinged out of the gates and made a beeline straight to the front from her inside draw (2) but quickly found herself three back on the fence after Marotiri Molly and My Lips Are Sealed made bids for the lead. Afternoon Siesta tracked My Lips Are Sealed into the home turn where a gap presented itself and she…

Group One winner Savaglee (NZ) (Savabeel) has been retired from racing and a new home is being sought for the four-year-old entire as he transitions to a career at stud. Bred by Waikato Stud, Savaglee is by their Champion Stallion Savabeel and out of Glee, a full-sister to Group Three performer Symphonic, the dam of dual Group One winner Orchestral. They offered him through their 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where he attracted the eye of The Oaks Stud’s General Manager Rick Williams, who went to…

Talented but injury plagued sprinter Poetic Champion (NZ)(Super Seth) once again displayed his absolute class in a fresh state when he monstered his rivals in the Ancroft Developments (1200m) at Matamata. Carrying topweight of 59kgs, even after apprentice Sam McNab applied his 3kg claim, the son of Super Seth made no race of it once McNab found the lead from barrier rise and applied the blowtorch to his rivals from that point onwards. Poetic Champion was cruising as he rounded the home turn and quickly extended to a two-length margin…

It was an emotional moment at Wingatui on Saturday for Vicky Ramhit, with the Timaru trainer rewarding his parents for their support with a big winner’s cheque followingAladdins Jem’s (NZ)(Satono Aladdin) victory in the $200,000 ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m). Ramhit shares in the ownership of the mare with a small group, including his parents, Jagdish and Pratibha Ramhit, and they have enjoyed a fruitful run with the daughter of Satono Aladdin, including victory over 1400m during New Zealand Cup Week. Her last start win at Wingatui last month qualified…

Race favourite Watersports (NZ) (Ocean Park), the half-sister to dual Group One winner Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj) made in three wins from her last four starts when she held out a determined late challenge from Maisy (Pierro)to take out the Benchmark 78 Good Friday Appeal Plate (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday. Rider Damian Lane had her beautifully positioned one out in third before tackling the leaders early in the long run home. Just as the daughter of Ocean Park looked to be cruising, Maisy appeared with her challenge and the…

Underrated milerCluedo Lane (NZ)(Ghibellines) provided trainer Joseph Waldron with his biggest victory since returning from a stint in Australia last year as he ran a quality field ragged over the concluding stages of the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m) at Wingatui. Waldron, who left New Zealand shores just over six years ago, made the decision to return to his home region of Otago in in the middle of 2025 and commenced training from Wingatui at the start of the season. Things have gone well for the talented…