Author: NZRacingDesk

Mini Brightside Gears Up for Toughest Challenge

NZRacingDesk

Rise At Dawn’s (NZ) (Almanzor) rapid emergence through the ranks is eerily similar to that of glamour stablemate Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars), according to co-trainer Ben Hayes, who has dubbed the All-Star Mile aspirant Lindsay Park’s ‘mini-Brightside’ ahead of their Group 1 clash on Saturday at Flemington. Rise At Dawn has won eight of his 13 starts, including his past four on end, and booked his place in the $2.5 million race with a first-up win in the Listed Elms Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. He has shortened from $51 into…

Super Saturday Connects Racing Across the Tasman

NZRacingDesk

Super Saturday is now a trans-Tasman affair with the inaugural NZ$3.5million Kiwi slot race joining Flemington’s pair of Group 1s, the All-Star Mile and Newmarket Handicap, this weekend. The Kiwi market is dominated by Australians, featuring Lindsay Park-trained Evaporate (NZ) (Per Incanto), which is currently favourite at $2.70, ahead of the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Public Attention (NZ) (Written Tycoon). Bjorn Baker and OTI Racing have also combined with Perfumist (NZ) (El Roca) for the race, while Blake Shinn will skip the Victorian meeting to ride on the…

Thurlow Targets Hometown Assignments Before Big Dance

NZRacingDesk

Bill Thurlow is hoping to be the toast of his home track on Thursday before trekking north to Champions Day at Ellerslie with Whangaehu (NZ) (Proisir), his contender in the $1 million Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m). The Waverley horseman will be represented by half a dozen runners at the mid-week meeting, including impressive last-start maiden winner Champagne Linda (NZ) (Darci Brahma). The daughter of Darci Brahma had been knocking on the door throughout her career, and after coming back a stronger mare at four, she will be out…

Leading Australian Syndicator Sets Sights on NZ’s Richest Prize

NZRacingDesk

New Zealand has been a great source of thoroughbred talent for leading Australian syndicator OTI Racing, and on Champions Day at Ellerslie this Saturday they are aiming to secure New Zealand’s richest prize.  Their silks will be carried in the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) by New Zealand-bred filly Perfumist (NZ) (El Roca), who OTI purchased in collaboration with trainer Bjorn Baker, Phill Cataldo Bloodstock and Clarke Bloodstock, out of Westbury Stud’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale draft for $190,000.  She has gone…

Henry Robin Set for New Zealand Debut

NZRacingDesk

Lightly-raced Tavistock five-year-old Henry Robin (NZ) (Tavistock) is set to make his New Zealand debut at Te Aroha on Friday when he contests the Ecolab 1600. Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan, Henry Robin was offered through Woburn Farm’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where he was purchased by Henrietta, Dowager Duchess of Bedford, for $440,000. He was broken in by Cambridge trainers Maxim and Samantha Van Lierde before heading across the Tasman where he had five starts for Ben, Will and JD Hayes,…

Champions Day Shaping Up as Career Highlight for Clotworthys

NZRacingDesk

The week didn’t get off to the best start for South Auckland horseman Shaun Clotworthy, with his NZB Kiwi (1500m) slot holder syndicate having to replace their initial representative Dealt With (NZ) (Ace High), but he is hoping the rest of the week goes more to script. Kerri Spence Bloodstock and Clotworthy Racing have chosen fellow Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Zormella (NZ) (Almanzor) as their replacement in the $3.5 million feature, and while Clotworthy is excited about her prospects in the race, he has a number of his own…

NZB Kiwi Winner to Secure $10m Golden Eagle Ticket

NZRacingDesk

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and Racing New South Wales (Racing NSW) are thrilled to announce that the inaugural $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) slot race has officially become a ‘Golden Ticket’ race, granting the winner direct entry into Australia’s prestigious $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on 1 November 2025. This agreement between NZTR and Racing NSW marks a major step in enhancing the international appeal of the NZB Kiwi, set to debut on 8 March 2025, and serves as a key pathway to one of Australia’s…