Author: NZRacingDesk

Leading trainer Mick Price says he would happily scratch Cox Plate hopeful Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit) if he is not 100 per cent fit for Saturday’s weight-for-age championship. The Group One star is under an injury cloud heading into Saturday’s feature and Price declared he would be taking no risks with his Might And Power Stakes winner. “He had to do a sleip test. It’s a video of their action. RV contacted (Michael Kent) Junior late yesterday and said on half of the test, the horse wouldn’t pass. I’ve contacted…

Yulong’s become a behemoth in racing, but very rarely do they open their doors to the public. Michael’s in Victoria for a unique look at their work, to chat with some of the key players, and he gets a surprise from a couple of special foals. Plus, we look ahead to the Cox Plate. Guerin Report – S2 Ep.8 Ft. Yulong

Cambridge trainer Chris Wood has had a high opinion of That’s Gold (Lucky Vega) for some time, and he is hoping he can realise that potential when he attempts to break through for his maiden win in Wednesday’s Donaghys Moxipor (1150m) at Te Aroha.  The son of Lucky Vega had seven starts for Wood as a juvenile, running fourth in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), and Wood is hoping he has more luck with the gelding as a three-year-old.  “He showed me a lot last time in, things just…

So You Think (NZ) (High Chaparral), one of New Zealand’s greatest thoroughbred exports, has passed away, aged 19.  Bred by Mike Moran and Piper Farm, So You Think was by former Windsor Park Stud stallion High Chaparral and out of Group Two-winning mare Triassic.  He was offered through Windsor Park Stud’s 2008 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale draft and was purchased by bloodstock manager Duncan Ramage on behalf of owner Dato Tan Chin Nam for $110,000.  He entered the care of legendary trainer Bart Cummings, for whom he made…

Homebred Ceolwulf’s (NZ) (Tavistock) successful defence of his Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) title ensured Cambridge Stud celebrated a top day at Randwick.  Their colours were carried by James McDonald into fifth aboard Joliestar in Saturday’s Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) before the Joe Pride-trained farm graduate bounced back to his best in the weight-for-age feature.  “We would have loved to have won The Everest with Joliestar, but it wasn’t to be, and then the day finished on a real high with Ceolwulf,” Cambridge Stud’s Scott Calder said.  “I’d be…

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Mick Price, Michael Kent Jnr and the Roll The Dice Racing team are daring to dream with Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit), who will this Saturday look to cap an ascension into Australian racing’s elite. Just four weeks after being beaten in an 1800m handicap on AFL Grand Final Day, the Kiwi-bred gelding will look to upstage some of Australia’s biggest names in the A$6 million Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley. The son of Charm Spirit defeated Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) and Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock), who will again be rivals this weekend, in the Gr.1 The Might And…

The first horse Jonathan Riddell rode at the races was a winner and nearly two decades later he recorded his 1,000th victory in the saddle in New Zealand. Riddell had been closing in on the milestone through last season and sat on 999 on the morning of Waverley’s Sunday meeting, with his first ride Perfect Pete proving to be the only one he needed to tick that elusive box. It was a mix of joy and relief for Riddell, also known as ‘Scrapper’, when he crossed the line, having battled…

Sharp ‘N’ Smart will be lining up on Melbourne Cup Day, it just won’t be at Flemington. The former New Zealand Horse of the Year was guaranteed a start in next month’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), being 23rd in order of entry, but his connections have decided to bypass the $10 million feature despite his pleasing third place finish in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie. After a meeting with his owners on Monday, trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson have decided to keep the multiple Group One winner…

Andrew Forsman joined an exclusive club at Matamata last Friday when Berry Brown recorded his 1,000th New Zealand training success when victorious in the GCM Feeds 1600. The Cambridge horseman was proud to reach the milestone and said it was fitting it was achieved with a horse carrying the familiar green silks of long-time stable supporters Jomara Bloodstock. “It is a nice milestone to reach,” he said. “It’s a number, but a very special one to get to and I am happy to have got there. “That (bringing up the…