Author: NZRacingDesk

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A connection to their homeland attracted Emma-Lee and David Browne to Mcgaw as an yearling, and twelve months later, the inexpensive gelding delivered the couple’s biggest victory since moving to Australia in Saturday’s $1 million Showdown (1200m). At just his second appearance on race-day, Mcgaw was forced to travel wide from an outside draw early, eventually sitting outside the leader under Damian Lane. The son of I Am Immortal kicked strongly at the top of the Caulfield straight and kept finding, outmuscling Befuddle to score by a half-length. “It was…

Vistetto is the latest of a trio of young stayers to have kicked off their careers in exciting fashion in Australia for New Zealand-based syndicators Go Racing in recent weeks. The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old was a dominant winner over 1950m at Yarra Valley on Sunday at just his second start, with Jordon Childs onboard. “He was good today,” Childs said. “He began nicely and ended up in a nice stalking position, upon straightening he just lost his way a little bit, he is still learning how to really put the…

Wexford Stables took home the major spoils at Tauranga on Saturday, and this weekend, they will venture further afield with class three-year-old Checkmate contesting the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) in Sydney. Checkmate has impressed in his first racing campaign, winning three races including the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m). The son of Mongolian Khan was selected by trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott to represent Wexford in the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), and after settling beautifully in the running, he flashed home into third behind Damask Rose and Evaporate.…

Haunui Farm’s strong run of form has continued with Grande Gallo their latest graduate to stamp her credentials as a stakes winner in waiting. High-class three-year-old Linebacker has led the recent charge with the son of Super Seth claiming top honours in the Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m). Bred by GSA Bloodstock, he was purchased out of Haunui’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $160,000 by co-trainer John O’Shea and Suman Hedge Bloodstock. The Karaka nursery also co-bred and races the last-start Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Final (1400m)…

The fresh is best mantra will again be enacted for the Ciaron Maher-trained Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) when he tackles Saturday’s Gr.1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley. Maher’s national assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said it worked to perfection when Jimmysstar stormed over the top of his rivals to win the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 22. He said a month between the Oakleigh Plate and the William Reid Stakes was an ideal time gap to freshen him up and then prepare him for his first…

The well-performed Go Lotte (NZ) (Telperion) appreciated the step-up over ground in Sunday’s RMG Publicans Beaumont Cup (1500m), picking up the ninth win of her career in the Wingatui feature. A mare by Telperion, Go Lotte had been restricted to six furlongs in her last three starts and was well-weighted in the race, carrying just 51kg in the hands of apprentice jockey Abdul Najib. Riviera Rebel started favourite at $3.40, and while he was expected to be a pace influence in the race, the gelding settled in midfield while Zadane…

A brilliant mind, a love of animals and a massive contribution to many facets of the racing and breeding industry are being recalled following the death of Matamata equine veterinarian Dr Bill Ewen. His sudden death at his home last Tuesday aged 68 followed a period of poor health. After growing up in Auckland and studying at Massey University’s School of Veterinary Science, Ewen was an honours with distinction graduate in 1979 and put his degree to good use with one of the country’s eminent equine veterinary practices, Thompson and…

The fast-improving You Say D’Orsay (Under The Louve) indicated he is a serious contender for the upcoming Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) with a gusty victory at Tauranga on Saturday. An Australian-bred son of Under The Louvre, You Say D’Orsay has been lightly-raced by Cambridge trainer Chris Wood, with just four starts as a three-year-old resulting in two wins and two runner-up finishes. The gelding has continued his upward trajectory at four, placing fourth in the $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) and was deservedly among the favourites in Saturday’s St…

Northern apprentice jockey Sienna Brown earned a fitting first victory in the saddle aboard Hadid (NZ) (Charm Spirit) at Tauranga on Saturday. The 19-year-old had ridden the daughter of Charm Spirit on four previous occasions, including at the trials in the early stages of becoming an apprentice. Prepared by Hanna Orting, Hadid is owned by Brown’s parents Tony and Nikki, who were on course to witness a very special moment in the Larissa Reid Bayleys Whakatane Commercial (1600m). Having observed the pattern of the day, Brown took initiative from the…