Author: NZRacingDesk

An opportunity to race on a better surface has convinced Matamata trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall to head north on a rare excursion to Ruakaka this weekend. The Matamata stable has only had eight runners at Ruakaka over the past three seasons but the prospect of racing on decent winter footing has seen a team of four heading north for Saturday’s meeting. Spearheading the Richardson-Norvall contingent is evergreen galloper Paisley Park (NZ) (Azamour), who will tackle the Marsden Metals Group Bream Bay Sprint (1400m) as a possible precursor to…

Trainer Kurtis Pertab is hoping to keep his winning momentum going when he heads to Ruakaka on Saturday. The Matamata horseman currently sits on eight wins from 24 starts this season, highlighted by Poser’s (NZ) (Ocean Park) last start heroics in the Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m) last month. The daughter of Ocean Park brought up Pertab’s first stakes victory with the win and he has been pleased with the way she has come through the run. Poser, who will be one of two runners for Pertab at Ruakaka this weekend,…

Following the approval of the TAB NZ Entain strategic partnering arrangement by Minister for Racing Kieran McAnulty, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing intends to announce its planned initiatives and stakes funding for the 2023-24 racing season to the wider industry on Thursday 15 June. NZTR Board and management will release a comprehensive document to the industry on the afternoon of 15 June containing commentary on the governing body’s funding commitments, including stakes for the 2023-24 racing season and other key priorities. Coinciding with the release of this document will be a…

Graeme Rogerson is confident of a bold showing from Solidify (NZ) (Redwood) at Eagle Farm on Saturday and he’s also looking forward to the longer-term benefits from the Queensland venture. The Tuhikaramea conditioner co-trains the son of Redwood with wife Debbie and also shares in the ownership group of the Gr.1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) contender. Solidify won two of his three New Zealand starts, including the Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa before he departed for Brisbane. The two-year-old was unplaced in the Gr.2 BRC Sires’…

Timaru trainer Leonard Stewart has his sights set on a third straight Dunstan Feeds Waimate Cup (1600m) on his home track on Sunday. The 90-year-old horseman produced Take The Deel (Dundeel) to win the 2021 edition and Vague (NZ) (Tobique) to win the Phar Lap Raceway feature last year. He goes into Sunday’s race with three runners – Take The Deel, Sympathique (NZ) (Postponed) and Zadane (NZ) (Tavistock) – as he seeks to complete his hat-trick.  “We’re going to try anyway,” Stewart said. “Both Take The Deel and Vague were…

The broodmare session at the upcoming New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling & Broodmare Sale features a strong line up of stakes performers and broad stallion representation both within pedigrees and covering sires Of the 70 mares to go under the hammer, 61 of which are being offered in foal to sires such as Proisir, Satono Aladdin, Super Seth, Sword of State, Tarzino, Ardrossan and more creating an opportunity for both pinhookers and end users to secure quality stock, with the session renowned as a proven source of investment success. A…

Allan Sharrock will take full advantage of apprentice jockey Jim Chung’s four-kilogram claim at Awapuni on Saturday. The New Plymouth trainer will head to the Palmerston North meeting with Group performers Butler (NZ) (Showcasing) and Librarsi (NZ) (Reliable Man), where the pair have been lumbered with big weights. Butler was set to carry 62kg in the Cartown 1100 and Sharrock believes he will be a big chance with his lighter impost. “I have had to claim four-kilos off Butler because he goes around with 62kg every time. I think Jim…

Three New Zealanders have become the latest to be approved as international owners in Hong Kong, as part of a unique opportunity from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. New Zealand Bloodstock and Pencarrow Stud owner Sir Peter Vela has secured membership and a racing permit as has his daughter Petrea Vela, a former managing director of New Zealand Bloodstock and now board member. They are joined as new Hong Kong Jockey Club members and permit holders by Christchurch-based businessman and investor Greg Tomlinson, a prominent breeder and owner, who operates…

New Zealand-bred filly Ruthless Dame (NZ) (Tavistock) will attempt to add to her Group One haul when she heads to Eagle Farm on Saturday to contest the A$3 million Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). The daughter of Tavistock was a last-start winner of the Gr.1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville against older horses, and trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace elected to bypass likely favouritism in Gr.1 The Goodwood (1200m) in late May in favour of Queensland’s richest race. “She’s great, she galloped Saturday morning up in Queensland and Ciaron is…

Due to demand, breeders will again have the opportunity to offer quality broodmares in a stand-alone online breeding stock sale on Gavelhouse Plus in the lead up to the season. Entries for stallion shares and nominations will also be accepted for the showcase which will run from 28th June to 12th July. “In our seven years of operation there has always been a flurry of activity around breeding stock in July and good prices fetched as breeders look to finalise their plans for the season,” said gavelhouse.com General Manager Haylie…