While trainer Stephen Marsh may be away in Hong Kong putting the finishing touches on El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) in his bid to win the Gr.1 QE II Cup (2000m) on Sunday, he enjoyed a red-letter day at Te Rapa on Saturday as promising filly Ardalio (NZ) (Ardrossan) claimed the Gr.3 Windsor Park Stud Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) to bring up a winning treble for the stable. The three-year-old daughter of Waikato Stud stallion Ardrossan had demonstrated her class when winning the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie on Karaka…
Author: NZRacingDesk
Lubeck continues winning run for Marsh 2YO’s
The Stephen Marsh stable continued their white hot form of late with two-year-old filly Lubeck (Hanseatic) giving her rivals a galloping lesson as she dominated proceedings from the front when winning the Cambridge Raceway 2YO (1200m) at Te Rapa. The filly by former smart Australian juvenile Hanseatic jumped well from a mid-field barrier for apprentice Rihaan Goyaram after being a little hesitant to load away and worked to the front after 300m. Goyaram set up a steady pace on the filly before asking her to quicken rounding the home bend…
Sunrise romps at Randwick
Trainer Mitchell Beer will look to raise the bar with Sunrise (NZ) (Charm Spirit) after the New Zealand-bred filly blew her rivals off the track in the A$120,000 Midway Handicap (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday. The Midway was the second start of a new preparation for the Charm Spirit filly, who resumed with a front-running romp by seven lengths over 1000m at Kembla Grange on March 22. Sunrise was sent out as a $1.80 favourite on Saturday and delivered more of the same. She was driven straight to the lead…
American Wolf digs deep for St Leger triumph
For all their success in three-year-old staying features, Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young were yet to win a VRC St Leger, with American Wolf (NZ) (Tivaci) pulling out all the stops to change that record. First run in 1857, the St Leger is one of Australia’s oldest classics, and American Wolf ($12) proved the strongest stayer under John Allen, battling stride for stride with the Danny O’Brien trained filly Litzdeel ($8.50) to win by a long head, the pair clearing out by six lengths back to Kicking King ($12) in third. Co-trainer Natalie Young said it was a thrilling…
No Fuss strikes again with another victory
No Fuss (NZ) (Jon Snow) has delivered his ownership group an emotional victory at Flemington on Anzac Day, as the son of Jon Snow extended his unbeaten run in Australia under John Allen. The exciting four-year-old settled a touch closer than expected over the 1800-metre journey, but always travelled comfortably at a slow pace. Several horses loomed up to challenge at the top of the straight, but Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s galloper kept finding and held off the impressive Hoops ($51) to make it four wins on the spin, and…
Affluential hits form ahead of Warrnambool
John Leek Junior received the confidence booster he was looking for with Affluential (NZ) (Zed) heading towards the Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool when he narrowly took out the TAB We’re On (2500m) at Flemington. At his last start Affluential, the younger brother of Melbourne Cup winner and superstar stayer Verry Elleegant, was pulled out of the M.J. Bourke Hurdle and was subsequently found to have suffered cardiac arrythmia. “That was what we wanted to see that he was back in form to confirm he’s back on track for the Galleywood…
Zac Purton gives Ka Ying Rising stamp of approval for G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize
Hong Kong’s champion jockey Zac Purton plans to employ a familiar plan and use Ka Ying Rising’s (NZ) (Shamexpress) blistering speed against his 12 rivals in Sunday’s (27 April) HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin. Purton said he doesn’t want a slowly run race but, as the world’s highest-rated sprinter, he has the horse to dictate the way the race will be run. Chasing a 12th consecutive victory, Purton said the New Zealand-bred gelding had been a gem from the first time he got off the…
Hayes Family Chases Historic Double with Ka Ying Rising and Mr Brightside
As the spotlight turns to Sha Tin for FWD Champions Day, the Hayes family stands on the verge of an extraordinary feat in international racing. With two New Zealand-bred stars entered in Group One contests, the iconic family operation is chasing a unique double that would further cement their place in racing folklore. David Hayes will be represented by star sprinter Ka Ying Rising in the Gr.1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), while his sons Ben, JD, and Will Hayes send out the formidable Mr Brightside in the Gr.1 Champions Mile…
Awapuni’s much-anticipated raceday comeback ends on a low note
Awapuni’s long-awaited return to racing on its newly renovated grass track has ended in disappointment, with their ANZAC Day meeting abandoned following a slip in the opening race. “A horse slipped on the outside,” RACE’s General Manager of Racing Brad Taylor said. “Walking the track, there is no visual slip, but we have got to have jockeys’ safety first. They are the ones going out there and riding on it and it’s on us that this has happened. “It’s really unfortunate, but we will learn from it and put the…
Pitman stable set sights on local stakes double
As they so often are, Michael and Matthew Pitman’s Riccarton operation promises to be a stable to be reckoned in their home track features on Saturday. The father and son duo will be represented by the quality pair of Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) and Third Decree (NZ) (War Decree)in the Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) while Epee Beel will appreciate the step up in trip in the Gr.3 Coca-Cola Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m). Mystic Park is already a black-type winner on his home turf with victory…