Author: NZRacingDesk

Cambridge trainer Mark Treweek continued his great record on his local synthetic track on Wednesday when Seamsew (Brazen Beau) took out the Saddley Warehouse (970m). The seven-year-old son of Brazen Beau jumped away well from his wide gate and was sent straight to the front by apprentice jockey Rihaan Goyaram. Seamsew continued to lead the pack into the turn and was asked to improve by Goyaram, and he quickly responded, opening up several lengths on his rivals. Race favourite Electric Zou closed quickly late, but came up a long head…

Tommy Berry can make a case for Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) upsetting the apple cart in the Winx Stakes. All eyes will be on the return of star mare Via Sistina in the Winx Stakes but rival jockey Tommy Berry believes it just might be the right race at the right time for Gringotts in the gelding’s bid for a second major. Gringotts will kick off his campaign in Saturday’s Randwick feature having captured his maiden Group 1 win in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) last campaign. While several of Gringott’s rivals are better known over longer journeys,…

Timaru trainer Stephanie Faulkner looks to have her hands on another exciting ex-Hong Kong galloper, with stakes winner Leedox (NZ) (Time Test) set to make his New Zealand return. Faulkner had plenty of success with fellow former Hong Kong galloper Green Luck, who claimed last year’s Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) and North Canterbury Cup (2000m). Following his retirement late last year, Faulkner was on the lookout for a replacement, and her connection with Green Luck led to Leedox joining her barn in March. Initially trained by Andrew Forsman, Leedox…

Tony Gollan joined Racing Pulse with Michael Felgate to discuss how Antino is tracking ahead of another spring campaign.  Antino all set for the biggest preparation of his career – Racing Pulse with Michael Felgate – Omny.fm

Canterbury jockey Brett Murray will be out to continue his winning run at Riccarton on Thursday after riding home his 100th winner at Oamaru last Friday. The 30-year-old hoop went into the North Otago meeting on 98 wins and came within one of the coveted milestone when riding home Quartz Queen (NZ) (Belardo) to victory in the Oamaru Scaffolding (1200m). “I was very confident about Quartz Queen of Kelly Shearing’s because she went well over National Week in a much stronger race,” Murray said. “She is a front-runner and Oamaru suits…

Trainer Joe Pride is content with the preparation Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) has had leading into his return outing at Randwick. While the prospects of a wet track are not ideal, Pride said ‘it is what is’ and would not be swayed from running the gelding first-up in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on Saturday. The forecast for rain during the week is unlikely to see any improvement on a track that was rated a Heavy 10 on Tuesday afternoon. Randwick lost a meeting on August 9 when heavy rain on…

Te Akau trainer Mark Walker is bidding to win his second Gr.1 Moir Stakes in the space of three years this spring with his three-year-old filly La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth). The Karaka Millions winner will attempt to join Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) on the honour roll of the 1000-metre dash at Moonee Valley on September 6 and while Walker suggested that it may be premature to draw comparisons between the pair, he did note that La Dorada is already ahead of Imperatriz in one area. “You’re always hopeful but…

Could Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) begin his spring campaign a week earlier than expected in this Saturday’s Gr.1 Winx Stakes in Sydney? While Mr Brightside was expected to kick off his upcoming preparation in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 30, Lindsay Park’s flagbearer does feature in the nominations for the 1400m Group One contest coming up this weekend. Randwick has been a happy hunting ground for Mr Brightside, as it’s where he’s won two Doncaster Miles and been placed in the 2023 King Charles Stakes and 2024…

Group One performer Hi Yo Sass Bomb (NZ) (Complacent) showcased that she’s on target for an exciting spring campaign when winning her 1000m heat at the Foxton trials on Tuesday. The seven-year-old daughter of Complacent was having her second trial this preparation, having run third over the same track and distance a fortnight ago, and trainer Kim Reid has been pleased with her progression. “We were looking for a nice forward run to see where she is at and we are really happy with her,” Reid said. “It was a…

Following a track inspection on Tuesday, the decision has been made to delay the return to racing at Awapuni’s grass track. The surface was initially out of commission for 19 months as it underwent an extensive renovation, and it was set to commence racing on ANZAC Day earlier this year, however, that meeting was abandoned following a slip in the opening race. The track has subsequently undergone further remedial work, and the club has called upon the expertise of Flemington track manager Liam O’Keefe to assist in that process. A…