Author: NZRacingDesk

Promising three-year-old Kygo Star (NZ) (Wootton Bassett) overcame a wide journey to come out on top in a tight finish in the Allspark Electrical Maiden 3YO (1400m) at Avondale on Wednesday. The Chad Ormsby-trained gelding was impressive on debut at Taupo, storming home late to finish second behind Oratia Beauty (Too Darn Hot). Finishing third in that contest was Magic Carpet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), who came out 10 days later to win the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa. Despite the form coming out of the race, Kygo…

Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto)  will be on a mission to put an interrupted campaign back on track when he takes his place in the $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill. The Group 1 winner has missed scheduled starts in the 7 Stakes (1600m) and Shannon Stakes (1500m), both times due to poor blood readings, although trainer Ciaron Maher says they have been the result of a mild virus rather than anything sinister. “There are a lot of viruses around this year and it was just unfortunate that he got one,” Maher said. “But he seems good now.…

Sam Mynott has her sights set on the New Zealand Cup carnival with Electron (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), but where the gifted mare takes her first steps toward Riccarton is yet to be locked in. The Cambridge trainer’s preference is to kick off in Saturday’s Gr.3 fastinternet.nz Spring Sprint (1400m) at Otaki if there is any improvement in track conditions, currently rated a Heavy 10. Plan B is for multiple Group Three placegetter Electron to resume closer to home a day before in the Placemakers Taupo Handicap (1300m). “Ideally, she…

Kiwi Group One winner Pier (NZ) (Proisir) will not feature in this year’s Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m), but he will still have the opportunity to run for a A$5 million stake back in Sydney. After a successful campaign in Queensland through the winter, Pier was set on a path towards the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and got off to a flying start when placing in the Gr.2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m). He was among the main dangers to hot-favourite Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) in last Saturday’s Epsom, where he…

OTI Racing is officially going trans-Tasman, with the Australian syndicator becoming a licensed New Zealand syndicator this week.  “We are now a licensed syndicator in New Zealand, which means we can offer horses to the public (in New Zealand),” OTI Racing principal Terry Henderson said.   “They will get the same offering as the Australians do, which could be New Zealand or Australian horses, trained by New Zealand or Australian trainers. We will certainly be racing more horses in New Zealand.”  OTI Racing has been a large investor in New Zealand…

Willydoit didn’t run last weekend with a minor issue, will he start this weekend? Part owner Shaun Clotworthy talks to Steve Hewlett on Racing HQ. Shaun Clotworthy 07.10.2025 – Racing HQ with Steve Hewlett – Apple Podcasts

A new southern partnership is set to kick-off at Phar Lap Raceway on Thursday when Lady Maxima (NZ) (Circus Maximus) makes her debut in the Pink Ribbon & Heartland Chips 1200.  She will carry the familiar orange and white colours of Barneswood Farm, which will appear for the first time alongside Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson’s name in the racebook.  Bred by Barneswood Farm’s Sarah and Chris Green and Ger Beemsterboer, Lady Maxima is by Windsor Park Stud stallion Circus Maximus and out of their Lonhro mare Vaudesir, a half-sister to…

A pair of promising youngsters are set to make their debut for Cambridge trainer Chad Ormsby at Avondale on Wednesday, but track conditions may scupper plans for one of them.  Two-year-old gelding State Of Valour (NZ) (Sword Of State) impressed when winning his 730m trial at Te Rapa last month and is set to make his first raceday appearance in the Tulloch Café 2YO (1000m).  Ormsby has been pleased with the way the Cambridge Stud-bred and raced juvenile has progressed and he is looking forward to kicking off his career…

David Hayes expects Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) to improve significantly ahead of Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) on 18 October after the world’s highest-rated sprinter finished third under Zac Purton in a 1000m barrier trial at Royal Randwick in Sydney on Tuesday morning. Pitted against potential The Everest rivals Overpass, Joliestar and Angel Capital as well as Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) contenders Fangirl and Mr Brightside and The Golden Eagle (1500m) entrant Linebacker, Ka Ying Rising was kept under restraint by Purton throughout as the pair coursed wide.…

It’s part two of Michael’s chat with Craig Williams. This week they go deep on the Aussie jockey’s career, his preparation, the Melbourne Cup, Hong Kong, the NZ industry, and his bests. Guerin Report – S2 Ep.6 Craig Wiliams Part.2