Four weeks on from a brave second in the Gore Cup (2000m), lion-hearted stayer Loftys Gift (NZ) (Ghibellines) delivered again for her connections at Wingatui on Saturday and went one better in the Listed Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m). The gritty daughter of Ghibellines was a winner over 1400m at Ascot Park in late January, then stepped up to 2000m for the Gore Cup and was beaten by only half a length despite being caught three wide without cover for the second half of the race. The…
Author: NZRacingDesk
Newmarket fave’s straight-track look
Chris Waller has turned his eyes to the expansive Flemington straight track in hope of getting a touch of luck and Joliestar (Zoustar) back in the winner’s stall for the first time in six months in next Saturday’s $1.5 million Gr.1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m). Waller was in Melbourne on Friday to see the four-year-old get her first look down the famous straight course, clocking 48.78 seconds under Damian Lane for the 800-metre workout, holding off Traffic Warden and stablemate Gatsby’s. “She just needs a bit of confidence and a bit…
Thurlow continues southern raid
Waverley trainer Bill Thurlow will continue his southern raid this weekend when Steal My Thunder is joined by reinforcements Royal Sovereigns and Field Of Gold at Wingatui’s inaugural Property Brokers Otago Classics Day. Steal My Thunder headed south earlier this month and was victorious in her southern debut in the ODT Southern Mile Qualifier – Summer Cup (1600m) at Ascot Park a fortnight ago. While victorious in the race, she failed to collect enough points to make the final field for the $200,000 ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m) on Saturday,…
Consistent Myakkabelle on track for Oaks dress rehearsal
Myakkabelle has been a model of consistency in the lead up to the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and she will take the final step towards the $1 million feature in Sunday’s Gr.2 Jennian Homes Lowland Stakes (2100m). A filly by War Decree, Myakkabelle was amongst the action in each of the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) and Gr.2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m), the latter her first time facing off against Oaks favourite Leica Lucy. While Leica…
Racing world mourns the passing of Hall of Fame trainer Mike Moroney
The racing world is in mourning following the news that New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Mike Moroney passed away in Melbourne this morning at the age of 66. Moroney, a protégé of legendary trainer Dave O’Sullivan, founded Ballymore Stables in his hometown Matamata in the early 1980s and his almost immediate success led to the establishment of a complementary stable in Australia in 1997. Initially based in Adelaide, his win with Second Coming in that year’s Victoria Derby led to Moroney being allocated stabling at the historic Chiquita…
Sword In Stone Eyes Auckland Cup Berth
A tilt at next week’s Gr.2 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) is on the line for evergreen stayer Sword In Stone (NZ) (Redwood) when he heads to Trentham on Sunday to contest the Milestone Homes 2200. The former Hong Kong galloper has been in pleasing form for trainers Kevin and Stephen Gray since returning to New Zealand, winning his resuming run over a mile at Otaki on Boxing Day before bouncing back from a last placed finish in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) when runner-up over 2060m at Wanganui…
Channel Surfer Shines Fresh-Up at Taupo
Multiple stakes-performer Channel Surfer (NZ) (Derryn) was back to his best at Taupo on Wednesday, returning to the winner’s circle for the first time in 14 months in the Fiber Fresh (1400m). The five-year-old can be an enigma at times, with placings in the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m), Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m), Listed Trevor Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m) and last year’s Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m) displaying his obvious talent. He hadn’t produced that form through the spring, and off a freshen-up, he was among the outsiders in a competitive…
Talented three-year-old ready for Guineas showdown
Show Pony (NZ) (Vespa) made a big impression the last time he travelled south to Wingatui, and on Saturday, he’ll be out to continue that winning form at stakes level in the Listed Property Brokers – Ray Kean Dunedin Guineas (1600m). The son of Vespa has already proven himself in strong company, finishing fourth in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) and was the best of the rest behind NZB Kiwi-bound filly Pivotal Ten in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) last start. John Blackadder had particular respect for the Gore…
Three-peat is the Perfect Scenario in White Robe
Perfect Scenario (NZ) (Iffraaj) is right at home at Wingatui Racecourse and when he heads back to the southern venue on Saturday, he’ll aim to become the second horse in the last decade to win three-straight editions of the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m). A seven-year-old by Iffraaj, Perfect Scenario has an enviable record of longevity, winning 11 races since debuting as a juvenile. The gelding is a frequent member of Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton stable, where he has recorded his past two successes in the Dunedin…
Ryder is likely for I Wish I Win
I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel) is set to go beyond 1400 metres for the first time in nearly two-and-a-half years, with co-owner and co-trainer Peter Moody confirming next month’s Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) is his most likely next assignment. Moody reported on Tuesday that the six-year-old gelding has pulled up well from his first-up run on a Good 3 track at Caulfield last week in the G1 Futurity Stakes and said a month to the Ryder Stakes at Rosehill holds plenty of appeal. The previous time I…