Author: NZRacingDesk

Riccarton trainer David Walsh couldn’t believe his luck when he saw the fields for his home meeting on Saturday, with his trio of runners all drawing the ace marble in their respective events. “We normally get bad draws all the time, we continually draw outside, so it is amazing that all three runners have drawn barrier one,” Walsh said. “I just hope it is a good place to be.” Six-year-old gelding Toa Haka was in stellar form for Walsh last season, stringing together a series of placings and victories, and…

Six-year-old mare Niance (NZ) (Swiss Ace) will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week. The Grahame Begg-trained daughter of Swiss Ace has had two jump outs to prepare for the early spring target, winning an 800m hitout at Cranbourne on Monday. The Kiwi import has only raced once over the short course of 1000m, when winning a Pakenham 0-64 at her first start for Begg. Initially trained by Shaun and Emma Clotworthy in New Zealand, Niance…

It’s been a winter to remember for Shaun and Hazel Fannin, and they are hoping their golden run continues at Te Aroha on Sunday. Stable representative Jesko (NZ) (Atlante) has been the rising star among the country’s steeplechasers, winning the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m), Wellington Steeplechase (4900m), Koral Steeplechase (4250m) and was runner-up in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m). The eight-year-old gelding, who carries the gold silks of micro-share syndicator The Frac Club, will be among the leading chances in next month’s Ben And Ryan Foote Great NZ Steeplechase (6200m) at…

Awapuni filly War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) will head up State Highway Three on Saturday to Wanganui in search of all-important black-type in the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m). The daughter of U S Navy Flag won two of her three starts as a juvenile, and was unplaced in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in March, and trainer Peter Didham is pleased with the way she has returned as a three-year-old. She won a 1000m trial at Awapuni earlier this month, which piqued the interest…

Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor) will resume at Wanganui on Saturday to open a preparation with a sole aim. The quality daughter of Almanzor will kick off in the Cloudsoft Accounting Systems Open Handicap (1200m) following consecutive trials at Taupo last month. Trainer Andrew Forsman is confident of a bold showing from the five-year-old, as long as she strikes going to suit. “As long as it is a looser track and they’re getting through it and running on, as she will get back a bit and 1200m is short of her…

Peter and Shaun McKay are dreaming of a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) tilt with their quality stayer Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini), and he will start his journey towards the iconic feature at Wanganui on Saturday. The son of Peter McKay’s former Group One winner Puccini, Wolfgang tested his talent in Australia last spring when sixth in the Gr.2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) and fourth in the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m). He came of age with the trip and entered career-best form on his return to New Zealand, finishing runner-up in the…

Talented staying mare Dreams Come True (NZ) (Staphanos) made it back-to-back victories at Sandown when coming from last in a small field to claim the Tile Importer Handicap (2400m) on Wednesday. The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained five-year-old was given a no-panic ride by Jamie Melham as she waited for the runs to come to stave off runner-up Jabbawockeez (NZ) (Redwood). The daughter of Staphanos had to survive a protest to claim her fourth victory from ten starts. “I thought it was a very good effort,” Kent Jnr said.…

Group One winner Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) tuned up for forthcoming spring assignments with a trials victory over 1000m at Hawkesbury on Monday in the hands of Zac Lloyd. The imposing son of Super Seth was having his second trial and came from just behind Espionage (Zoustar) to glide past that rival over the concluding stages. It was the second trial for the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained four-year-old who will resume in Saturday week’s Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. “It has been difficult getting them ready with the…

Mark Twain’s (NZ) (Shocking) Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) preparation looks to have hit a small snag, with forecast rain likely to lead to his withdrawal from Sunday’s Clotworthy Racing Open 1600 at Te Aroha. “With the weather forecast, he will have to be a doubtful starter, which is a shame because it is a crucial run in a build-up towards Melbourne,” said Roger James, who trains the gelding in partnership with Robert Wellwood. “The weather is looking bad, and it is a Heavy10 already, so it is probably unlikely (that…

Platinum Diamond (NZ) (Hello Youmzain) will put her undefeated Heavy track record on the line when she heads to Wanganui on Saturday to contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m). After finishing fourth on a Soft5 track at Hawera on debut in May, the daughter of Hello Youmzain won her next three starts, including the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) and Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki on Heavy10 tracks. While Platinum Diamond’s form is on Heavy surfaces, Latta was looking forward to testing her filly on better footing, however,…