Author: NZRacingDesk

A Group Three test is in the offing for Group Two performer Saint Bathans, who has transferred south to the care of Ascot Park trainer Robert Dennis. Previously trained by Andrew Forsman out of his Cambridge and Flemington bases, the son of Maurice won five races on both sides of the Tasman, with his career highlight being a runner-up performance behind Habana in last year’s Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m). The seven-year-old gelding has been leased to a group of Dennis’ clients and the Southland horseman has been pleased with…

The TAB Racing Club is set to wind down, with the business case for the experience-based programme no longer stacking up for operator Entain Australia & New Zealand. Modelled off sister company Ladbrokes’ popular Racing Club, the TAB Racing Club was launched last year and gives members the chance to experience the thrill of racehorse ownership without the cost. It has been well patronised, with around 18,000 New Zealand TAB customers joining the Club. They have experienced several highlights over the last year, starting with their first win at Ascot…

Progressive three-year-old Sulek (NZ) (Super Seth) notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton. The gelded son of Super Seth was having just his second start and after racing a little keenly early, settled midfield under jockey Billy Egan before comfortably reeling in the leaders and staving off the late challenge of runner-up Snitz Sonic (Snitzel). “He is still doing a little bit wrong. You could see in the home straight he just wanted to lug…

Group Two performer Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor) will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). The five-year-old daughter of Almanzor has placed at stakes level on five occasions, including the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m), Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) and $1 million Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m). This year’s edition of the Matamata Cup is on this weekend, and while Mary Shan has a good record…

Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier. Luck didn’t go Weatherley’s way at Tuesday’s barrier draw for the Randwick feature, but he remains positive and will put his faith in multiple Group One-winning jockey Ethan Brown to work his magic. “He knows how to steer them, but I didn’t help him by putting my hand in the barrel and coming up with barrier 13 out of 14,”…

Leading northern apprentice jockey Triston Moodley is set to return to raceday riding at Avondale next Wednesday, three months after he sustained a head injury at the Waipa trials. The 24-year-old hoop was kicked in the head in the mounting yard at the Te Awamutu track in July and he was airlifted to Waikato Hospital where he underwent surgery to have a plate put in his head. He remained in hospital for a week and he has been pleased with the speed of his recovery. “It (recovery) was pretty quick,”…

New Zealand-bred Group One winner War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) will get his chance to audition for a place in next month’s A$20 million The Everest (1200m) this week, but trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes have yet to decide where that will be. The last-start winner of the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm has had a slower than anticipated start to the spring, with a foot abscess delaying initial plans. “He just got a foot abscess at the wrong time, which didn’t let us trial when we…

Te Akau Racing marketing manager Julia-Rose Hayes has had plenty of success syndicating horses selected by her father, David Ellis, and that has continued with her latest syndicate. Hayes has been a key part of New Zealand’s leading stable, operated by her parents David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis, for several years and she has taken pride in the handful of syndicates she has formed. Her two biggest success stories have been syndicating Group One winner On The Bubbles and Group One performer Wild Night, and she is hoping she has…

Craig Williams is one of the world’s best jockeys, but has become as well known for another reasons. He chats with Michael about why helping those affected by the war in Ukraine means so much and the work he’s done on the ground. Guerin Report – S2 Ep. 5 Ft. Craig Williams Part.1

Blue Sky At Night (NZ) (Shamexpress) collected a couple of Cups last season and trainer Shelley Hale is hoping she can add to her haul when she heads to Matamata on Saturday to contest the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m).  The eight-year-old daughter of Shamexpress was victorious in the Gr.3 Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa in December before winning the Gr.3 Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie in February, and Hale is pleased with the way she is coming up this time in.  “She had a great season last…