Author: NZRacingDesk

Group Two-winning stayer Trav’s (NZ) (Almanzor) Melbourne Cup preparation may not have gone to plan, but trainer Raymond Connors has swiftly turned his attention to another Cup target. Following his heroics in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) earlier this year, Connors set his sights on Australasia’s most coveted prize but just came up short in making the final field for last month’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) following three unplaced runs in Victoria over spring. While disappointed in Trav’s performances, Connors said he still enjoyed the experience. “It would have been…

Young talent Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution) will be heavily in credit with Craig Grylls if she can carry him to victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham. They will team up again in the Windsor Park Stud-sponsored two-year-old feature following the daughter of Russian Revolution’s runaway debut victory at Te Aroha in the high-flying jockey’s hands. The Te Akau-prepared Lara Antipova repaid a debt they owed Grylls after a previous incident which resulted in the champion rider requiring time out. “Early on, she could get a bit…

Exciting four-year-old Zambardo (NZ) (Belardo) was one of the stories of the spring, progressing from relative obscurity to Group One company in a matter of months. Originally prepared in Ashburton in New Zealand’s South Island, the son of Belardo came from modest beginnings. Sold as a weanling for just $3100 via gavelhouse.com to trainer Emma Wyatt, Zambardo, who raced as Our Martian in New Zealand, was a trial winner and twice placed at Ashburton before he was identified by astute bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo and traded to the stable of…

The Asian Pattern Committee (APC) has moved to take ownership of the decision-making over the status of black type races in Australia. Coming under the umbrella of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF), the APC has declared it has assumed responsibility from Racing Australia for any decisions on the upgrading or downgrading of all Group and Listed races in Australian due to dissatisfaction with the current system. The country’s national racing body, Racing Australia has been dogged by infighting amongst the principal racing authorities about the Pattern and its organisation for…

Expat jockey Mick Dee is set to return to one of his happiest hunting grounds, Ellerslie, with a full book of rides on Boxing Day headed by El Vencedor (NZ) (Shocking) in the Gr. 1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m). Melbourne-based Dee may not have the profile of New Zealand’s most famous jockey export, James McDonald, but there’s no denying his success since relocating to Victoria a decade ago. The 29-year-old’s 15 Group One wins include the Caulfield Cup, the Victoria Derby and two editions of the Australian Guineas including…

The Hong Kong International Races are officially in the rear-view mirror, and now the focus switches to the coming months when the three-race Four-Year-Old Classic Series, Triple Crown and Hong Kong Speed Series all commence. Following Ka Ying Rising’s (NZ) (Shamexpress) HK$28 million Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) blitz, David Hayes was beaming at Sha Tin on Tuesday, indicating the world’s best sprinter will now take a short break before the HK$13 million Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) – the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series –…

Michael is in Hong Kong for Hong Kong International Raceday, and is joined by his old mate, Emily Murphy. The pair catch up with Jamie Richards, Mark McNamara and Tom Wood, before dissecting a massive day of racing with wins for Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior, among others. Guerin Report – S2 Ep. 15 – Hong Kong International Raceday

Rudy Liefting is dreaming of a Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) tilt with his filly Unrestrained (NZ) (Time Test) in February, with her performance at Ruakaka on Wednesday dictating whether she continues down that path. The three-year-old daughter of Time Test has shown plenty of promise for the Pukekohe horseman, finishing runner-up to highly-regarded filly Transcend when on debut at Ruakaka in September before just missing out on black-type when fourth in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1400m) at Ellerslie a fortnight later. She has mixed her…

Graham Richardson and Rogal Norvall’s star filly Lollapalooza (NZ) (El Roca) is set to be joined in the Gr.2 Hallmark Stud Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day by her rapidly emerging stablemate Fleeting Star (Cool Aza Beel). Given Lollapalooza’s penchant for the Ellerslie track, the Matamata training partners were keen on the three-year-old feature even before she finished second to Well Written in last month’s Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas. That’s where she won the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) in September, followed by a close second…

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