Author: NZRacingDesk

Ultra-consistent maidener Oscar (NZ) (Mulaazem) will aim to break a streak of runner-up performances when he contests the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1200m) at Woodville on Wednesday. The front-running four-year-old has been in the Wanganui stable of Jo Rathbone since late last year, and he has emerged as a competitive prospect with two thirds and three seconds in his past five starts.  Rathbone, who has had an abundance of success as a jumps jockey and trainer, said that some added variety in his training was the turning point for Oscar.…

Group One performer Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock) has been retired from racing following her fourth placed effort behind Val Di Zoldo in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa last Saturday, and she already has a date with champion New Zealand sire Proisir.  “Joe (Doyle, jockey) said she trotted back a bit lame the other day after the race, so we decided to pull pin,” trainer Roydon Bergerson said.  “She was probably a length off being a Group One winner, but she has been a really good mare to…

Riccarton trainer Lance Robinson has plenty of time for his promising juvenile Alottago (Tagaloa) and he is hoping the Tagaloa gelding can end his season on a high at his local meeting on Saturday.  Alottago has had just the two starts to date, finishing third in both outings, including last start behind Bona Sforza and Zelia in the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m).  Robinson was rapt with his performance in his first stakes test and is confident of an improved result over further ground this weekend.  While confident of a bold…

Clinton Isdale will put the versatility of a former Hong Kong galloper to the test on Wednesday. The Cambridge trainer will head south to the Central Districts with a team of three, including newcomer Gallant Hero (Fast Company) who will step out in the Dannevirke Dairy Supplies Woodville-Pahiatua Cup (2100m). Isdale has been satisfied with the progress made by the seven-year-old since joining his team, with a question of direction the only answer he’s not sure of. “He’s definitely got ability, I’m just not sure how he’ll go left-handed but…

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Leaderboard has been a force to be reckoned with since his transition to jumps racing, and this week he will be seeking his crowning glory at the Warrnambool May Carnival. The 10-year-old son of Street Cry will have two bites at the cherry, firstly in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) on Tuesday before backing up two days later in the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m). Raced by New Zealand syndicator Fortuna, Leaderboard performed with distinction on the flat, winning seven races, including the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and Listed NZ St Leger…

Annabel and Olly Tuthill will be in search of another Swiss Beauty in Sydney next week after her daughter Betty Spaghetti starred on the big stage at Riccarton Park on Saturday. A mare with a name to match her ability, Betty Spaghetti was a stakes performer and five-race winner prior to her deserved triumph in the Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m), the first stakes winner for her sire Stratum Star. The victory came to great satisfaction for the North Canterbury couple, who bred the five-year-old under their…

It’ll be the same old story for Berry The Cash (NZ) (Jakkalberry) in his Australian debut at Warrnambool on Tuesday, carrying a clear topweight as he contests the time-honoured Brierly Steeplechase (3450m).  The class Awapuni jumper is no stranger to sitting on top of the book, carrying 73kg to victory in last year’s Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) and Grand National Hurdles (4200m), as well as 72.5kg at Hawke’s Bay. With most of New Zealand’s hurdling trophies locked away, trainer Mark Oulaghan decided it was time for Berry The Cash to take…

Globetrotting champion Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has ‘pulled up well’ and will return home soon following his disappointing performance, finishing last in the Gr.1 Champions Mile (1600m). Co-trainer Will Hayes said that the initial signs were that the horse had pulled up ok from the race but had over raced in the run, getting his mouth open and never settling, with his regular rider Craig Williams in the saddle.  “His performance was really disappointing,” Williams said. “Most importantly, let’s see how he recovers. He was in a nice position. I…

The black and lime green colours of Jamie Walter’s Proven Thoroughbreds syndication company have been carried to victory in a host of feature races around the country, including by the likes of 2023 The Everest winner Think About It (So You Think) and fellow Group One winner Private Eye (Al Maher). On Tuesday, the colours are set to seen in a jumps race for the first time at the famed Warrnambool three-day carnival with multiple stakes-winning stayer Stockman (NZ) (Tavistock) entered to make his jumps debut in a Maiden Hurdle.…