Author: NZRacingDesk

Consistent galloper Drop of Something (NZ) (Telperion) made full use of a perfectly judged front-running ride from apprentice Sam McNab to triumph in a thrilling four-way finish to the Savabeel 2100 (2100m) at Te Rapa. The nuggety chestnut gelding was having his first run since being narrowly denied victory in the Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m) at the venue late last month and looked a good chance with McNab’s 4kg apprentice claim reducing his carded weight down to a competitive 56kgs. With no clear pacemaker in the event, McNab took to…

Dorothy’s Daughter and Verry Flash (NZ) (Zed) delivered a winning double for Wanganui stables in the two jumping races at Hawera on Saturday. The first cab off the rank was the Niall Quinn-trained Dorothy’s Daughter (NZ) (Roc de Cambes), who brought up her first win over jumps in the Julian Family Maiden Hurdle (3100m). The daughter of Roc De Cambes had shown ability on the flat, recording a win and three placings from 27 starts, and she had placed in two of her three attempts over hurdles. She broke through…

The maiden three-year-old race on Foxbridge Plate Day at Te Rapa is developing a reputation for unveiling bright talent, and a superb debut by Quantum Legend (Castelvecchio) on Saturday suggested he could be heading for the top of that list. The Banquo 3YO (1200m) has been part of the Foxbridge programme since 2022. The first running was won by Shez Shamus (NZ) (Shamus Award), with subsequent Group performers Wild Night (NZ) (Vanbrugh), Arby (NZ) (Proisir) and Academy Award (NZ) (Star Turn) among the beaten runners. The 2023 race was taken…

Hong Kong Horse of the Year (2024/25) Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) breezed effortlessly through his first official barrier trial on Friday morning on Sha Tin’s dirt course ahead of a return to racing on Sunday, 7 September followed by his historic bid to scale the world’s richest turf race in Australia.   Aiming to win a second straight HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at the 2025/26 season’s curtain-raiser next month, Ka Ying Rising couldn’t have been more impressive as he sauntered across the finishing…

With Blake Shinn on sidelines through suspension, Lindsay Park has gone to noted big race jockey Mark Zahra to ride Oak Hill (NZ) (Per Incanto) in a Stakes race at Moonee Valley.  While the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) on Saturday may not have the prestige of a Melbourne Cup or a Caulfield Cup, it is still a nice little race to put on the CV.  Zahra has not taken the race since it earned Black Type status for the 2011 edition, while Lindsay Park’s sole win came in 2018 with Faatinah.  Only Ben Hayes was a part of the Lindsay Park training…

Late starter Jack Morrison will be presented with another ideal opportunity on his home polytrack course at Awapuni on Sunday to make up for lost time. The son of Darci Brahma has proved himself to be an all-weather specialist and will chase further success in the BJW Motors 2022 Ltd Handicap (1700m). Jack Morrison has posted six wins and a minor placing from his eight appearances on the synthetic surface at Awapuni and was most recently a game fifth in the $100,000 TAB Polytrack Championship (2000m) at Cambridge. “It looks…

Group Three winner Lupo Solitario has returned to New Zealand, and the care of his former trainer Danica Guy, following a six-month racing stint in Hong Kong. The now five-year-old son of Satono Aladdin had seven starts in the competitive racing jurisdiction for trainer Frankie Lor, but a race fall at Sha Tin in February knocked his confidence and a decision was made to send him back to his homeland after three subsequent unplaced runs. He has returned to Guy’s Matamata stable, where he was among the more exciting prospects…

Palmerston North trainers Kevin and Stephen Gray are hoping to pick up a couple of winners’ cheques this weekend as they prepare to line-up a quintet of runners at Hawera and Awapuni. The father-and-son combination will take just the one runner to Hawera on Saturday, with debutant placegetter Ready Response to contest the Canter 4 Cancer Maiden 1400. Stephen Gray has been pleased with the way the four-year-old son of Better Than Ready has come through his debut run over 1200m a fortnight ago and he is looking forward to…

The first foal by Cambridge Stud stallion Chaldean has hit the ground with a filly foal out of the winning Burgundy mare Top Note born at Pencarrow Stud. The bay filly was bred by Lachlan Fitt and Cameron Rodger and stems from the family of Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks winner Belle En Rouge. “She’s out of a maiden mare but has a lot of quality about her,” stud manager Leon Casey said. “She’s got good leg under her and good rein and has a fair bit of class about her.”…

Synthetic specialist Gemma Flitz (NZ) (Telperion) continued her purple patch of form on Riccarton’s polytrack on Thursday when taking out the Stable Books and Ardex Supporting NZ Trainers Open (1200m). It caps an outstanding preparation for the daughter of Telperion, who has won three and placed in three of her six starts this year, highlighted by her last-start victory in the $100,000 Polytrack Championship (1200m). Gemma Flitz was sent out a $1.80 favourite to repeat that result on Thursday, but she didn’t have things all her own way. While perfectly…